Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

On a rainy day like today a big bowl of warm soup sounds and taste wonderful! I got this fabulous recipe from my sister-in-law.

5 chicken breasts

8 cups water

2 cups carrots, chopped

3 cans cream of chicken soup

3/4 cup onions, chopped

6 chicken bouillon cubes

2 cups celery, chopped

4 cups Country Kitchen noodles, cooked

Cook chicken breasts in crock pot seasoned with seasoning salt, garlic and pepper on low for about 5 hours. When chicken is tender cut into pieces. In soup pan saute onions in some butter. Add water, bouillon, top of celery leaves (chopped), carrots and celery to onions. Cook until tender. Add soup, chicken and juice from chicken. Boil until cream of chicken soup dissolves. Add cooked noodles. Enjoy!

A Day At The Mountains

I was hoping for a nice 4 wheelin ride but alas it rained!!!!

So instead of 4 wheelin, I started to learn a new computer program.

Raspberry Frozen Dessert

This is a refreshing summer dessert!! It calls for Pineapple Sherbet, I could not find it so I used Raspberry Sherbet, I then added extra crushed pineapple. It turned out great!!

1/2 gallon pineapple sherbet
1 quart vanilla ice cream
1 (10 oz) package frozen raspberries
1/2 cup crushed pineapple (drained)
2 - 3 bananas (chopped into chunks)

Thaw raspberries and add to slightly softened ice cream and sherbet. Mix in drained pineapple and chopped bananas. Mix well. Store in freezer compartment in tight container.

Fettuccini with Walnuts and Parsley

This recipe is excellent!!!!! The sad part is that if you are on Weight Watchers it is 14 points per serving!

From Ellie Kreiger, Food Network
12 ounces (3/4 box) whole-wheat fettuccini
2/3 cup chopped toasted walnuts, 2 tablespoons reserved for garnish
1/4 cup olive oil
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken stock
1/2 cup chopped parsley leaves, plus more for garnish
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teapsoon fresh ground black pepper
1 ounce grated Parmesan (about 3/4 cup)
2 cups arugula leaves, gently packed

Cook the pasta al dente according to package directions, then drain in a colander. Meanwhile, toast the walnuts in a small dry skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant, stirring frequently, 3 to 5 minutes. In the pot the pasta was cooked in, heat the olive oil over low heat, add the garlic stirring until soft and fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes (be careful not to burn it). Return the pasta to the pot, add the broth, all but 2 tablespoons of the walnuts, the parsley, salt and pepper and toss to combine, cooking over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup Parmesan and toss to combine. Arrange 1/2 cup of arugula leaves on each of 4 serving plates. Top each with about 2 cups of pasta. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, the reserved walnuts and more parsley. Serve hot.

Caramel Apple Salad

This is an excellent salad!!!

3 red apples, chopped
3 green apples, chopped
6 packages (2.07 oz each) Snicker candy bar
1 tub (8 oz) cool whip (thawed)
Apple slices, optional

Mix apples and candy bars until well blended. Gently stir in whipped topping. Refrigerate 1 hour or until ready to serve. Garnish with apple slices. Makes 20 servings. Make and serve the same day.

My niece Michelle has a Whole Wheat Pizza recipe on her blog. It looks really good and something new to try!

http://simpleebe.blogspot.com/

Chinese Chicken Salad

I just got a letter from my best friend. We live in different states so we don't see each other very often. She was there for me during a very tough time so she means a lot to me!! This recipe I got from her.

1 bunch green onions, chopped
4-6 stalks celery, chopped
1 (6 oz) package slivered almonds
2 cups shredded carrots
1 (5 oz) small can water chestnuts
3 cups cooked & cubed chicken
1 pint mayonnaise

Mix together and sit overnight. Before serving add 1 (5 oz) can Chinese noodles.

Walt Disney's Oatmeal Cookies

I tasted a Millionaire Cookie and loved it. I searched the internet for a recipe and decided that I could take an oatmeal cookie recipe and put in it what I liked. What I like is a combination of chopped nuts, Skor candy bar and coconut. I baked some for me and than added raisins for my husband. I then noticed that adding chocolate chips, raisins or craisins make for a prettier presentation of the cookie.

2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/3 cups butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups uncooked oats (not instant)
1 1/4 cups raisins

In medium bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon. Set aside. Cream butter in very large bowl. Beat in granulated and brown sugars. Bea in eggs, 1 at a time. Add water and vanilla and mix until well blended, about 4 minutes. Mix oats, raisins and flour mixture into sugar mixture and stir until thoroughly blended. Drop by large tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F 9 to 14 minutes, or until light-brown in color. Cool on baking sheet before removing from pan. Makes 4 dozen.

Pork Chops with Orange Soy Glaze

I've tried this with both Pork Chops and Chicken. The sauce is what makes it. It's wonderful!!

From Robin Miller at Food Network
4 pork loin chops, about 5 ounces each
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon peanut oil
1 cup orange marmalade
1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon seasame oil
12 ounces udon noodles or noodles of your choice, cooked according to package directions
2 tablespoons chopped scallions

Heat peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season both sides of pork with salt and black pepper. Add pork to the skillet and cook 2 minutes per side, until golden brown. In a medium bowl, using a spoon, combine orange marmalade, broth, soy sauce and sesame oil. Mix well and add to the pork in the pan. Bring to a simmer for 5 minutes or until pork is cooked through and sauce thickens and reduces. Arrange noodles on serving platter. Top with pork chops and sauce. Garnish with scallions just before serving.

Nut Crust for Fish

I had recently made a nut crust for halibut. We enjoyed it very much! I had adjusted the recipe I used and did not write down what I did do. So last night I cooked salmon and decided to combine bread crumbs, melted butter and pecans. Later I added black pepper. I've decided the best part of the topping is the pecans. Next time I will use bread crumbs, melted butter, pecans, black pepper and parsley.

Ham and Pasta Foil Dinners

I made this foil dinner while at the cabin. I made a few changes and it turned out great!

1 (1 lb) package Pasta Accents Garlic Frozen Vetetables with Pasta
1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill weed or 1/4 teaspoon dried dill weed
1 jar (2 oz) diced pimento, drained, if desired
4 slices (4 oz) cooked ham or turkey ham

Grill Directions: Heat grill. In medium bowl, combine vegetables with pasta, dill and pimento. Cut four 18x12 inch pieces of heavy-duty foil. Place 1 ham slice on each; top with 1/4 of vegetable mixture. Wrap each packet securely using double-fold seals, allowing room for heat expansion. When ready to grill, place packets, seam side up, on gas grill over medium heat or on charcoal grill 4 to 6 inches from medium coals. Cook 15 to 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated, rearranging packets several times during cooking. Makes 4 servings.

Oven Directions: Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare packets as directed above. Place packets, seam side up, in 15x10x1 inch baking pan. Bake for 20 mintues or until thoroughly heated.

Notes: I don't care for dill and pimento so I used seasoning salt on the ham and vegetable seasoning on the vegetables. I could not find the Pasta Accents so I used Fiesta Blend vegetables.

Enjoy the Mountains!

I spent a couple of days at our cabin with my husband. We were able to see several wildlife babies such as ducks, rock chucks and robins. My husband saw a red fox. We always enjoy seeing the deer and elk.




My excitement was to see a vulture! It landed on a rock about 100 feet away from me. As soon as I got my camera ready to take a picture, it flew away.

Mom's Potato Cinnamon Rolls

This recipe came from my mother-in-law. What I thought was interesting is that she added mashed potatoes to her Cinnamon Roll recipe.


Boil potatoes until very soft, reserve the potato water to use in recipe. Will need 2 cups mashed potatoes.

Dissolve 2 packages yeast into 1/2 cup lukewarm water (can add a pinch of sugar to help yeast rise)

Mix in large bowl:
1 1/3 cups sugar
3 teaspoons salt
1 1/3 cups shortening
4 eggs (beat well)
2 1/2 cups lukewarm potato water

Then add:
Yeast mixture
2 cups mashed potatoes

Add:
About 12-14 cups flour - enough to make a very soft dough.

Knead until smooth or until bubbles form beneath the skin. Let rest for 10 minutes. Knead 5 minutes more. Place inot a large oiled bowl. Turn over so top is oiled. Put damp towel over top and let raise in refrigerator for 1 hour then punch down and let raise 1 more hour. Roll out dough and spread it with soft butter, cinnamon and sugar. Can add nuts and raisins if desired. Roll up like jelly roll and slice about 2-3" thick. Place on greased pans. Let raise for 1 1/2 more hours. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 25 minutes. Ice with your favorite icing.

Pizza

I dedicate this first entry to my Mother. When my oldest brother turned 13 she decided to have New Year's Eve parties so that she would know where is was. At midnight she would serve homemade pizza. She would use the large rectangle cookie sheets as her pizza pans.

2 1/4 cups warm liquid
1 tablespoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
2 cakes (tablespoons) yeast

Put above together, stir till dissolved and let bubble. Add 2 tablespoons shortening. Add flour till easy to handle. Let stand till double. Punch down, knead and pat out to fit pizza pans. Spread sauce over dough, then choice of meat, cheese, onions, green peppers or whatever you wish. Bake at 375 degrees F till edges of dough are just golden brown. This makes 2 cookie sheets.