Potato Cream Cheese Soup

This is a big hit with the kids and SOOO easy to make.

Potato Cream Cheese Soup
5 large potatoes
5 C chicken broth
1/2 onion, chopped
1 box cream cheese (1/3 fat)
Optional mix-ins: broccoli, corn, cheddar cheese, croutons

1. Peel and cube potatoes. Boil chicken broth, onions and potatoes
2. When potatoes are soft (smash easily against the side of the pot), add cream cheese.
3. Serve when cream cheese is melted.
4. When you add the cream cheese you may want to add: broccoli, corn and/or cheddar cheese.
5. You may want to serve this in bread bowls or put croutons on top.

Bread Bowl recipe:
2 Tbsp yeast
2 tsp salt
2 C warm water
5 C flour
1 Tbsp sugar
cornmeal

1. Dissolve yeast in water with sugar.
2. Add salt and 3 C flour. Gradually add remaining flour to make a stiff dough.
3. Knead on lightly floured surface till dough is smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise till double.
4. Punch down and divide into 8 pieces. Form each piece into a ball and place on baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover and let rise until double in bulk.
5. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool.
6. Cut off tops, scoop out bread to make a bowl, and serve with hot soup. Eat the bowl when you finish the soup.

Makes 8.

Malaysian Chicken Pizza

This is soo tasty. My sister introduced me to it. My husband always feels like I am treating him when I make this. It's one of our favorites. Great to serve for company. You can add more cheese on top if you like.

1/4 C packed brown sugar
3/4 C rice, wine or cider vinegar (I sometimes use a mixture if I'm running low)
1/4 C soy sauce, low sodium
3 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp chunky peanut butter (I use creamy)
1 Tbsp ginger root, peeled and minced (you can find this in the produce section)
1/2-3/4 tsp crushed red pepper
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2-1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
1/2 C (2 oz) low-fat swiss cheese, shredded (I just use mozzarella)
1/4 C (1 oz) skim mozzarella, shredded
8 oz pizza dough, refrigerated (or homemade)
1/4 C chopped green onions

1. Combine sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, water, peanut butter, ginger root, red pepper, and garlic in a bowl. Stir well with a whisk and set aside.
2. Coat large skillet with cooking spray; place over med-high heat until hot. Add chicken and saute 2 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
3. Pour vinegar mixture into skillet; bring to a boil over med-high heat. Cook 5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Return chicken to pan; cook 1 minute or until chicken is done.
4. Roll out pizza crust to desired thickness. Place in lightly oiled pan or on a pizza stone.
5. Sprinkle cheeses over crust, leaving 1/2 inch border. Top with chicken mixture. Transfer to oven. Bake at 500 degrees for 12 minutes on bottom rack.
6. Sprinkle with onions and let stand for 5 minutes. Enjoy!

Makes 8 slices; 200 calories per slice

Caramel Popcorn

My sister-in-law gave me this recipe so that is why we named it after her. I am not sure where she got the recipe though. It is so good and some times I have to only do half or even a fourth of a batch so I don't eat too much:)

Amelia' Caramel Popcorn
Pop 3-4 bags of regular sized microwave popcorn(Make sure to get out all the grannies)
Melt together on medium heat in a heavy saucepan:

1 cup of Brown Sugar
1 cup of Butter or Margarine (2 sticks)
1 bag of mini marshmallows (small bag 10 oz or for more gooey popcorn use the large 16 oz size)

I usually melt the butter and brown sugar then I had the marshmallows and heat until melted. Pour over popped popcorn, mix together gently, and serve.

Enjoy!

Orange Julius

I apologize in advance for not having a photo to go along with this recipe. My children have been requesting this recipe a lot lately because it has been so hot here in TX. I also bought myself a new blender for Mother's Day and these are the ingredients I've had on hand most of the time. Plus, my children love that part of my name is in this recipe.

Julie's Orange Julius

1 6 oz. can of Orange Juice
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
10-12 ice cubes

Blend in blender from low to high until smooth. Serve immediately.
Quite refreshing!

My Great-Grandmother's Snickerdoodles

1/2 lb butter
1 1/2 C sugar
2 eggs
2 3/4 C flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs. Mix flour, tartar, soda and salt separately. Add dry ingredients.

Mix sugar and cinnamon in a dish. Make cookies into round balls and roll in cinnamon sugar mixture. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes (until tops crack). Makes 2-3 dozen.

These cookies are dangerous, I can't stop eating them.

Ginger Snaps

These are softer than traditional ginger snaps and I LOVE that. I don't like crunchy cookies. These are nice and chewy.1 C sugar
1/2 C shortening
1/4 C butter
1/4 C molasses
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp allspice
1 tsp cinnamon
2 C flour

Cream sugar, shortening and butter. Add egg and molasses. Add remaining ingredients.

Roll into balls, roll balls in sugar.

Bake 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees (until tops crack). Makes 2-3 dozen.

Sandwich Showdown

I was inspired by the Oprah show today and I decided to make up my own sandwich and I have to say it was TASTY!!! I love Italian Food so I always have ingredients on hand. I guess it should have a name so it will be known as "The Gooey Italian Sandwich."
First I grilled some chicken and seasoned to taste with Italian dressing mix. Then I made an Alfredo sauce. I then melted mozzarella on a toasted bun, added said Alfredo sauce and chopped chicken, a little bit of sun dried tomato and wallah! It was yummy!!!!

-For the Alfredo
add desired amount of whipping cream to saucepan heat till almost boiling and add fresh grated Parmesan cheese till it thickens the cream, add garlic salt to taste.
I know challenge you all to make a sandwich recipe of your own it was fun!

My Favorite Sugar Cookie

I have tried lots of sugar cookie recipes and none of them compare to this one. I used to make this growing up and finally typed up the recipe.

My Favorite Sugar Cookie (From Better Home and Garden Step by Step cook book)

½ cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
1 egg
¼ cup milk
½ tsp vanilla
2 ¼ cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp nutmeg (or ground mace)

Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, milk and vanilla. Stir in baking powder, salt, nutmeg and flour until soft dough forms. Chill for 1 hour (optional). You may need to add more flour depending on where you live. Roll out on a floured surface about 1/8 to ¼ inch thick. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 375 for 7-8 minutes for thin cookies and 10-12 minutes for thicker cookies. Enjoy:) I use my cinnamon roll frosting for these cookies.

Julie's Favorite Pumpkin Bread

Here is a great recipe that my sister found.

Julie’s Favorite Pumpkin Bread (From Taste of Home Oct/Nov 2006 Magazine)

3 ¾ cups flour
3 cups sugar
4 tsp pumpkin pie spice OR
2 ½ tsp cinnamon
¾ tsp nutmeg
1/8-1/4 tsp ginger
1/8 tsp cloves
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
4 eggs
1 15 oz can of pumpkin
½ cup oil

In a large bowl combine dry ingredients. In another bowl beat eggs, pumpkin, and oil. Stir dry ingredients in with pumpkin mixture until well blended. Pour into two greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 60-70 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle of the loaf. Cool in pan for 10 minutes and then cool on a wire rack. Enjoy

Easy Tex-Mex Burritos

One of my favorite recipes for when we're short on time are these Tex Mex Burritos.

1 lb of ground beef
1/2 to 1 whole can of black beans
1 jar of salsa (my favorite is the black bean and corn, but you could use any kind)
tortillas (I actually like the wheat ones)
shredded cheese

Brown the ground beef. Add the can of black beans and the jar of salsa and cook until warm. Spoon into tortillas and add shredded cheese to taste. Since there's just two of us, we seem to have left-overs for days. It probably makes about 8-10 burritos, depending on your tortilla size. It's really easy and really fast.

Taco Salad Bowls

We made these for Cinco de Mayo tonight and I meant to take a picture, but forgot. Next time! These bowls add a little style and personality to your dinner table and are so easy. Serves 4.

4 flour tortillas (8 in)
1 T chili powder, divided (though you can also just eyeball it)
1 lb ground beef
3/4 cup chunky salsa, divided
2 T light mayo
4 c. torn salad greens
1 large tomato, chopped
1/2 cup cheese (cheddar or four cheese work great)
1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Crumble 4 large sheets of foil to make four 3-inch balls; place on baking sheet. Place 1 tortilla on each ball; spray tortilla with cooking spray and sprinkle with 1/2 t. of the chili powder. Bake 6-8 minutes, until golden brown.

Brown meat with remaining chili powder in skillet on med-high heat, stirring occasionally. Add 1/2 c. of the salsa; cook 2 min., or until heated through.

Mix mayo and remaining salsa in bowl. Add salad greens and chopped tomatoes, toss to coat. Spoon into tortilla shells; top with meat mixture, cheese and cilantro. Yummy and easy!

60 Minute Rolls

This is my favorite quick, easy rolls recipe. I make them every time we need to bring rolls for something and I normally make a double batch so we can have some at home.

60 Minute Rolls

1/4 C butter
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
4 1/2 C sifted flour
5 Tbsp sugar
2 pkgs yeast (4 1/2 tsp)
1/4 C warm water
1 egg, beaten
1 1/4 C milk

Dissolve yeast with 1 tsp sugar and warm water. Heat milk with 5 Tbsp sugar, salt and butter until lukewarm. Add yeast mixture and egg and stir in flour. Dough will be sticky. Cover. Let set for 15 minutes. Knead slightly. Roll out, shape into rolls, and let rise 25 minutes. Bake for 10 minutes in 400 degree oven. Also makes delicious cinnamon rolls ready in 1 hour.

Makes 2 Dozen

Chicken Tortilla Soup

This one isn't necessarily one for when you are short on time. But if you have cooked chicken already available it is pretty fast. I canned some chicken in pint jars and used that, it worked perfectly, so I'd imagine that store bought canned chicken would work as well. Sorry I don't have a picture, but I ALWAYS serve this when we have company and it ALWAYS gets rave reviews.

4 cups cooked, shredded chicken (I normally do a pounds' worth, so it's probably less than 4 cups- if you need to serve more people, add more chicken to make the soup go further)
48-oz canned great northern white beans (I think navy beans would work too)
2 medium onions, chopped (I just do one)
1 Tbsp olive oil
4 crushed garlic cloves
2-4 cans chopped green chiles
1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper
6 cups chicken broth (5 cans)
2 tsp ground cumin
1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese

For tender chicken: Cook chicken with one cup of water in crock-pot, 6-7 hours prior (so it will shred)

Combine all ingredients and simmer.

Serve with:
Lime chips (crumble into the soup)
Monterey Jack cheese (sprinkled in the soup)
Lime juice
Avocado
Cilantro

Serves: 6

My Last Minute Meal

This is one of our favorites when we're hungry and want something homemade. This is one of Richie's creations that has definitely become a favorite.

Pasta with a Sweet Meat Sauce
16 oz tomato sauce
½-1 lb ground beef (depending on how much meat you want)
salt and pepper to taste
1 T garlic powder
1 T dried oregano flakes
3 T honey
1 lb pasta (farfalle, penne, spaghetti)

1. Boil water and cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Brown the meat in a large saucepan. Drain the excess fat off the meat. Stir the tomato sauce into the meat. Stir the spices (garlic, oregano, salt and pepper) into sauce. Stir in honey.
3. Let simmer covered for ten minutes. Add sauce to pasta and serve hot.

Add a salad and some garlic bread and this makes one yummy quick fix meal.

Dinner Ideas

Well, it has been a while since any one has posted a recipe so I thought that I would ask a question to get us all started. I love hearing new ideas so I thought to ask this question.

What is your favorite dinner to make when you are short on time?

Mine is Hamburgers
(serves two)
.5 lb lean ground beef
1 tablespoon of chili powder
1/2 tablespoon of Cumin
1/2 tablespoon of onion flakes
2 hamburger buns
butter and garlic salt

Mix thawed meet and seasonings in a bowl with your hands. You can add more or less seasoning if desired. Shape into two 1/4 lb patties (remember if you are using a hamburger press not to press too hard) Cook until well done. Put whatever toppings you desire.
I always toast my hamburger buns and then put butter and garlic salt on them. It adds great flavor! Enjoy:)