Hot Soups, Quick Toppings, Cold Chilly Winter Holiday Nights

Meals | December 7, 2009 3:18 pm | Beginning or New Cook, Dancin' With Vegetables, Dinner, Lunch, Soups, Vegetables, easy recipes | Comments (0)

Soups are comforting no matter the time of year, but around the Holidays which are filled with rich foods and treats, soups can be a welcome light (or hearty) change!  Simple crunchy toppings change the ordinary soup to extraordinary!

Enjoy these!

Soup Garnishes can include

• slivered almonds
• crouotons
• crisp cereal
• whipped cream plus horse-radish
• snipped parsley
• fresh herbs
• popcorn
• browned onion rings
• frank slices
• bacon bits
• grated cheese
• crumbled potato chips
• chives
• crumbled blue cheese
• snipped wter cress
• cut up olives
• thin lemon slices
• salted whiped cream
• sour cream andnutmeg
• paper-thin carrots, or radishes
• thin celery rings

Try serving your plain ol yummy soups in pretty decorative pottery bowls and individual casseroles with colorful napkins and buffet-style containers of toppings!  Dressing it up can make soup night extra fun.

Not Yo’ Mama’s Soup, but Soup Your Way:

Quick Chicken Soup

• 2 tblsp butter
• 1 sliced med onion
• 1/8 tsp mace
• 1 can undiluted condensed ceam of chicken soup
• 1 soup can water
• 1 soup can milk
• 2 chicken bouillon cubes
• 1/2 tsp grated lemon rind
• 2 tblsp parsely, chopped fresh
• 1/2 cup  to 1 cup chopped left-over cooked chicken

In a saucepan heated with the melted butter, saute onion until tender.  Stir in mace, checken soup, water, milk, couillon cubes.  Heat until bouillon cubes dissolve.  Add lemon rind, parsley at the end. 

Tomato-Crab Bisque

• 1 can undiluted condensed tomato soup
• 1 can undiluted condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can undiluted condensed bouillon
• 1 soup can light cream
• 1 cup flaked fresh crab or lobster meat, well worth the cost

Combine ingredients in order, stirring constantly.  Heat over low heat until hot, DO NOT BOIL.  It changes the seafood drastically.  NOT GOOD.  Serve at once.

Straight Off the Pantry Pea Soup

• 1/2 lb link sausages
• 1 thinly sliced onion
• 1 can undiluted condensed green-pea soup
• 1 can undiluted condensed vegetable soup
• 1 soup can water
• 1/4 cup sliced stuffed olives

In saucepan, brown sausages and onion; drain.  Set onion aside.  Cut susages into 1/2 inch slices; stir in soups, wter.  Simmer a few minutes to heat through.  Serve with onion rings and olive slices.

Spicy Clam-Tomato Broth

This is really good with a grilled cheese sandwich.

In saucepan, combine 1 8 oz can or bottle of clam juice, 2 1/2 cups tomato juice, 1 tsp Worcestershipre and 2 tblsp butter.  Add cayenne pepper to taste, and a dash of tabasco sauce.  Or, two.  bring to boil and sprinkle with parsley sprigs. 

Chicken-Curry Soup

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 cup chopped fine onions
• 1 1/2 cups diced celery
• 1/2 tsp curry powder
• dash pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup ilk
• 1 can undiluted condensed tomato soup
• 2 cans undiluted condensed chicken with rice soup

Saute onions and celery for 5 min in hot butter in the saucepan.  Stir in celery and rest of ingredients.  Simmer, covered, 10 minutes, stirring once or twice.

Mushroom Consomme:

• 3 tblsp butter
• 1/3 cup thinkly sliced onions
• 1/4 lb mushrooms, cut into thick slices
• 1 tblsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 can condensed beef bouillon plus enoug water to make 3 cups
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tblsp sherry

In hot butter, saute onions until just golden.  Add mushrooms, lemon juice; cook until mushrooms are tender but not  dark, about 5 minutes.  Do Not Overcook mushrooms.  Add bouillon, salt, pepper.  Heat but do not boil.  Just before serving, add sherry.

Onion and Tomato Soup

• 2 tblsp butter
• 2 cups thinly sliced onions
• 1 can undiluted condensed cosomme
• 1 soup can of water
• 1 can undiluted condensed tomato soup, and two tblsp stewed tomatoes, for flavor and texture
• 1 soup can milk
• 1/2 tsp Worcestershire
• 1/4 tsp salt and pepper to taste

Cook onions in butter til lightly brown.  Add consomme, water; simmer, covered 15 min.  Add rest of igredients and heat through but do not boil.

Christmas Whipping Cream Drop Biscuits

Meals | December 6, 2009 5:12 pm | Beginning or New Cook, Breakfast | Comments (0)

This basic biscuit recipe is made fluffy and tender with the old-fashion look of drop biscuits.  More?  You Bet!  You’ll do this again and again, its so easy!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups flour
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tbs sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp cream of tartar
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk combined with 1/4 cup whipping cream

Procedure:

1. In large mixing bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and cream of tartar. 
2. Using a pastry blender, mix in the butter until the mixture is like coarse crumbs.
3. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add buttermilk combined with the whipping cream all at once.  Use a fork and stir until smooth.
4. Drop dough by spoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet.  Bake 10 minutes in a 450 degree oven. 

Cool slightly but serve warm.  Everyone will want to know your secret for these light and tender biscuits.

Christmas Cinnamon Breakfast Biscuits

Meals | 5:05 pm | Beginning or New Cook, Breads, Entertaining, easy recipes | Comments (0)

No more store-bought cinnamon rolls after this.  These Merry Christmas Cinnamon Breakfast Biscuits are  so easy and quick, you’ll be glad you made them for neighbors, family and friends.

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unprocessed wheat bran (don’t substitute or leave this out…yum!)
• 2 tbls sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2/3 cup milk, or buttermilk
• 1/2 cup mixed dried fruit bits  (not candied)
• 1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar
• 2 to 3 tsp orange juice (milk or water is ok, but orange juice is extra YUMMY)

Procedure:

1. Mix together flour, wheat bran, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
2. With a pastry blender, cut in the butter until the mixture is now looking like coarse crumbs. 
3. Form a well in the center of flour mixture and add milk and fruit pieces all at once.
4. With a fork, stir until moistened.
5. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surdce.  Knead dough by folding and gently pressing dough for 10 to 12 strokes.  Dough will be almost smooth.  Do not over handle as this makes the biscuits tough.
6. Pat or lightly roll dough until it is 1/2 inch thick.  Cut dough with a floured 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter.
7. Place biscuits about 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet, and bake at 450 degrees for 10 – 12 minutes, until golden but not brown.  Cool on a wire rack.
8. Stir together powdered sugar and orange juice to a drizzling consistency.  Drizzle over warm biscuits.  MAKE A LOT OF DRIZZLE. 

Holiday Ranch Cheese Ball

Meals | July 24, 2009 2:45 pm | Beginning or New Cook, Entertaining, appetizers | Comments (0)

Get a head start on ideas for the Holidays so you can enjoy them stress-free!

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 6 ounces cream cheese
• 1 envelope ranch dressing mix
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1/2 cup milk
• 5 ounces sliced or slivered almonds or your favorite chopped nuts.

Let Cheddar and cream cheeses stand at room temperature for about 1 hour.  Combine salad dressing mix, mayo and milk in small mixer bowl; mix well.  Add cream cheese; and beat until smooth.  Add cheddar cheese and mix again.  Chill, covered, in freezer for 30 minutes.  Shape into ball; coat with almonds.  Will serve 16.

Holiday Spiced Coffee Mix

Meals | 2:29 pm | Hot Drinks | Comments (0)

This is a great spicy coffee mix for the holidays, which are coming soon!

• 1/2 cup freeze-dried coffee
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a blender, and blend for 30 seconds.  Store in airtight containter and use 1 – 2 tsp mix with 2/3 cup boiling water in coffee cup.  Mix well for a great holiday sweet hot drink!

Hot Cocoa Mix – Winter’s Warmth!

Meals | 2:22 pm | Hot Drinks | Comments (0)

Easy make-ahead hot chocolate mix will warm your attitude!

• 1  25 ounce package of nonfat dry milk
• 1  6 ounce jar nondairy cream
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1  16 ounce can instant chocolate drink mix

Combine dry ingredients and store in airtight container.  Yield: 17 cups

Hot Chocolate – Using 3 tblsp mix with 1 cup boiling water per cup; mix well.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Meals | 1:38 pm | Uncategorized | Comments (0)

This basic Italian sauce is easy and with it already made in advance, you’ve got dinner nearly on the table. Use a food processor for ease and speed.  Have some easy to seal jars or freezer containers on hand, this makes a lot!  Read recipe first and then gather your containers and you’ll see what I mean!

• 5 cups chopped onions
• 5 cups chopped green bell peppers
• 10 -   15 ounce cans tomato sauce
• 10 – 12 ounce cans tomato paste
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 10 envelopes sgpahetti sauce mix
• 1  16 ounce can ripe olives chopped
• 2 tsp oregano
• 3 bay leaves
• 15 cups water
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Combine all ingredients in a big pot, and mix well, then simmer for 1 – 2 hours, stirring occasionally.  Remove bay leaves and then store in meal-sized portions in freezer.  Yield:  18 pints.

Boil noodles, and brown growned beef with minimum dash of salt and pepper, and then toss with sauce and simmer until heated through.  Make sure your beef is drained well before adding sauce and noodles.

This sauce is great for pizza, too!

Homemade All Purpose Baking Mix

Meals | 1:31 pm | Beginning or New Cook, Breakfast, Cakes | Comments (0)

Need biscuits, breadsticks, cheesey pinwheels, tender dumplings, easy coffee cakes or even an apple nut cake for company dinner?

This One Mix Does It All Baking Mix is perfect and easy:

• 9 cups sifted flour
• 1/4 cup sugar (or Splenda)
• 1/3 cup baking powder
• 1 tblsp salt
• 2 tsp cream of tartar
• 2 cups shortening

Measure ingredients carefully!  Mix all dry ingredients together and then cut in shortening.  Store in airtight containers.  Yield 13 cups.

Recipes:

Quick Biscuits – Using 2 cups baking mix and 2/3 cup milk in bowl; mix lightly.  Knead 10 times on floured surface and pat into 1/2 inch thick; cut with biscuit butter.  Place on baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

Buttery Breadsticks – Using 2 cups mix, add 1/2 cup milk in bgowl and mix together well.  Knead 10 times on floured surface.  Roll into rectangle; cut into 32 strips.  Brush with melted butter and bake at 400 degrees for 12 minutes. 

Cheesey Pinwheels – Use 3 cups baking mix; add 1 cup water and mix well.  Roll thin on floured surface and then sprinkle with 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese.  Roll as for a jelly roll.  Cut into 1/4 inch slices; and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  Yield:  40 pinwheels.

Tender Dumplings:  Using 2 cups mix and 1/2 cup milk and mix just until moistened.  Drop by spoon into hot stew, soup or fruit sauce.  Steam for 12 minutes.

Easy moist Coffee Cake:  Using 3 cups baking mix and 1/2 cup sugar, mix together in bowl.  Add 2/3 cup milk and 1 egg; mix until moist.  Pour into a greased and lightly floured cake pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown. 

Easy Company Apple Nut Cake:  Using 2 1/3 cups baking mix, add 1 cup packed brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon and 1 tsp cloves and mix well.  Beat in 2 eggs and 1/4 cup milk.  Stir in 2 cups chopped apples and 1/2  cup chopped nuts (optional).  Bake in greased cake pan at 375 degrees for 40 minutes.  If you like, you can either dust with powdered sugar, or drizzle with confectioner’s icing.

Made From Scratch Cornmeal Mix

Meals | 12:54 pm | Beginning or New Cook, Breads | Comments (0)

Hot cornbread in minutes!  Made from scratch so you get all the credit.  This easy mix keeps well in an airtight container.

• 4 and 1/2 cups cornmeal, yellow or white
• 4 cups sifted flour
• 1/2 cups sugar (optional)
• 1/3 cup baking powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 cup shortening

Combine all dry ingredients and mix.  Then, add in shortening and mix until crumbly.  Store in airtight container.

Simple Corn Bread:  Using 2 1/2 cups mix, combine with 1 egg, and 1 cup milk in bowl, beating for one minute.   Pour batter in to greased 8 x 8 baking pan for a square cornbread loaf.  Bake at 425 degrees for 20 – 25 minutesor until lightly golden browned. Yield is 8 servings

Cornmeal Griddle Cakes – Using 3 cups mix, add  2 eggs, and  1 3/4 cups milk, mix well.  Bake on hot and lightly greased griddle.  (you do not want these to be greasy).  Makes 12 griddle cakes great with any meal or breakfast, or with Black Eyed Pea salad, recipe this sight.

Homemade Whole Grain Pancake Mix Recipe

Meals | 12:47 pm | Beginning or New Cook, Breakfast | Comments (0)

Pancakes for breakfast and good for you too!

Whole Grain Flapjacks Hot off the Grill!

• 3 cups oats
• 2 cups nonfat dry milk
• 8 cups whole wheat flour
• 3 tblsp baking powder
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 tblsp salt

Mix all dry ingredients and store in airtight container.  Yield:  12 cups

Good for You Pancakes:  Using 1 and 1/2 cups mix, add 1 egg, 1 and 1/4 cups milk, 1 tblsp oil and 1 tblsp honey in bowl, mix well.  Using large dipping spoon, spoon onto hot greased griddle.  Makes 12 pancakes.

Using sugar free syrup, or just honey and a cholesterol free margarine will keep these on the healthy pancake list.