Potato Soup

Posted by Lori:

 I received this recipe from a friend when I asked (begged) for recipes for the blog last week! I was out of new ones to share and hadn't made anything new in a long time. Thanks, Amber!

Potato Soup

1 can chicken broth and enough water to make about 5 cups liquid
1 pkg frozen O'Brien potatoes
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream style corn
1/2 pound Velveeta cheese, cubed

 Bring liquid to boil and add potatoes. Cook for 10 minutes. Add soup (undiluted), corn, and Velveeta. Simmer and stir until soup and cheese are blended. Amber said she usually adds some shredded chicken breast to hers, but it's good without as well.
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Picture Frame Craft

Posted by Donna:

A couple of weeks ago, I was "exploring" pinterest and found this craft. I just loved it. I decided to make this and write Larry messages from time to time. After I wrote the first message, I told him the idea was for him to write me messages as well. So far, he has written none!!!! But, that's okay, I've had fun writing his, and I think he has enjoyed them as well. I wrote the one I have posted in the picture this morning before I left for worship services. He has to be at the church building before I do because he does the PowerPoint for the hymns we sing; so, he didn't see the new message until after we got home from worship services. Instead of thanking me, he asked me what I wanted!!!!!! I can't believe he thought I only wrote this because I wanted something in return. Of course, he was just teasing me.

After I made this frame, he told me I should have printed the words that said--I am mad at you because.........that way I could switch them out. Husbands are so funny!!!!!

This is very, very easy to make. After choosing the scrapbook paper you like, print the words --I love you because---on it.

I made a burlap/muslin flower to attach to the frame to dress it up a little. Purchase a dry erase marker and your set to go. Pin It Now!

Steak Stroganoff

Posted by Lori: 

This recipe was sent to me by a Facebook friend. I haven't had time (lately) to try out any new recipes, so I asked for friends to send me some to share with you. This Steak Stroganoff sounds great and it's a time saver because it can cook in a crock pot. 

I'm assuming that the last minute cooking time is on the stove.

Steak Stroganoff 

Makes 6 Servings......Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Slow Cooker Cooking Time: 3 to 3 1/2 hours on high or 6 to 7 hours on low
Last-Minute Cooking Time: 10 to 15 minutes on high

Place the following ingredients in your Crock Pot or large sauce pan and cook the appropriate length of time:

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 boneless beef round steak (about 1 3/4 lb.)
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup water
1 package (1 oz.) dried onion mushroom soup mix
1 jar (9 oz.) sliced mushrooms, drained
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
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Applebee's Fiesta Lime Chicken

Posted by Lori:

One of my children's former teachers told me about this great chicken recipe.  She found it on Pinterest. Sounds delicious!  Can't wait to try it!  The recipe comes from http://www.copycatrecipeguide.com/.

Applebee's Fiesta Lime Chicken Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken fillets

2 cups tortilla chips, crumbled

1 cup Montery jack, colby, or mild cheddar cheese cheese, shredded

Marinade

1/3 cup teriyaki sauce

1 cup water

2 1/2 Tablespoons lime juice

2 Teaspoons garlic

1 Teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 Teaspoon salt

1/4 Teaspoon ground ginger

Sauce

16 ounces sour cream

1 Hidden Valley fiesta ranch dips seasoning packet

Applebee's Fiesta Lime Chicken Recipe

1. Clean chicken and rinse.
2. Combine teriyaki sauce, water, lime juice, garlic smoked paprika, salt and ginger in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Opt for fresh lime juice over prepared lime juice for optimal flavor.
3. Stir marinade until the salt dissolves in the liquid.
4. Place chicken in marinade and ensure all sides are coated.
5. Top bowl with plastic wrap and place in a refrigerator.
6. Flip chicken in marinade after an hour.
7. Remove chicken after a total of 2 hours marinading.
8. Combine sour cream and the fiesta ranch seasoning packet in a small mixing bowl. Stir to incorporate the sauce. Refrigerate as needed.
9. Preheat oven to a high broil.
10. Preheat grill to high.
11. Grill each chicken for 3 to 5 minutes on each side until done.
12. Place chicken on a baking sheet, then coat each with a layer of the dressing mixture.
13. Top each chicken piece with a thick layer of shredded cheese. If you want to lower calories, minimize the amount of cheese used.
14. Place baking sheet in the oven and broil for about 3 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly.
15. Plate chicken on a half-cup of tortilla strips.
16. Serve chick with flavored rice and fresh pico de gallo.
17. Garnish with lime wedges and parsley if desired.

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Rice Pilaf

Posted by Donna:

A friend of mine shared this recipe with me last week. I haven't made it yet; but, I still wanted to share it. It sounds so good.

Rice Pilaf

1 cup water
1 cup instant rice
1/2 pkg. Lipton dry onion soup
1/4 cup chopped onions
1/2 stick butter (cut in small pieces)
Sliced almonds (optional)

Mix dry soup and rice together. Add water. Stir. Add butter on top.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.



*I think the 1/4 cup onions could be omitted since the recipe already calls for the dry onion mix. I'm anxious to make this to see for sure. I guess if you really like onions, they should be added, but I would probably prefer it without them. Pin It Now!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

Posted by Lori:

I made these brownies for my family last week.  I used a brownie recipe that I found with this cookie dough recipe, but none of us cared for it.  It was too dark-chocolaty for us.  We suggest using your own favorite brownie recipe.  Some of my kids, and even my husband, would say just use a boxed variety, but I have two other favorites.  You can find them on this blog....search brownies.

COOKIE DOUGH (EGG FREE!):
3/4 cup butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup granulated white sugar
3 Tablespoons milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips


For drizzle, if desired:
1/2 cup semisweet chips + 1 teaspoon shortening 

Prepare your favorite brownie recipe - homemade or boxed.  Bake brownies and allow to cool.  Top with cookie dough.

Cookie Dough:

In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to combine butter, brown sugar and white sugar. Mix in milk and vanilla. Mix in flour just until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.  Spread cookie dough over the cooled brownies. Refrigerate until the dough is quite firm. It's okay to speed up the process and place it in the freezer too. The firmer the dough, the easier it will be to cut into neat squares. Use a sharp knife to cut the brownies. You may need to wipe the knife off with a paper towel in between cuts since the fudgy brownies and cookie dough will tend to stick to the knife a bit. 

4. If desired, drizzle chocolate on top.  Melt 1/2 cup chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon of shortening in the microwave.  Stir until smooth. Scoop the melted chocolate into a zip baggie and snip off the corner. Squeeze the bag to drizzle the chocolate on top of each brownie. Sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top, if desired.

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Gingerbread Men Ornaments

Posted by Donna:

Last week I mentioned that I would post about the other homemade gift I made for Lori and Kimberly. When the girls were small, I made small felt ornaments like this. I sewed while they stuffed. The ones I made then were smaller, and I used felt for the buttons and face features. My Christmas tree decorations haven't changed much over the years. I use the same gingerbread ornaments and the same gingerbread paper garland. I have added red balls, cloth bows, and several ornaments that have been given to me through the years; but other than that, it's the same tree. Every year I think I should change it, but I love my gingerbread men that the girls and I made. A lot of memories are in those gingerbread men.

Lori commented a year or so ago how much she loved the gingerbread men that she, Kimberly, and I made; so, that's when I decided to make some for her and Kimberly. I only have 19 of those--not enough for the girls to share. I had planned on making each one of them 20, but by the time I made a few of them, I was just about to pull my hair out!!!! Instead of using felt for the buttons and face features, I decided I should use buttons. I knew they would last longer. The small rickrack is what got me----I'm older now, and sewing that teeny tiny rickrack on was harder this time around. A good friend of mine told me I should have glued it on, but I wanted everything to be permanent. I ended up making twelve for each of them. Now, they can share what I have, plus what they have.

I try to make them something every year or every few years. Last year I made them Mr. and Mrs. Claus pillowcases with jingle bells on them. I don't think I ever posted about that.

Well, that's the end of my homemade gifts for Christmas of 2011. Now, I've got to get busy thinking of what to do next year!!

*Note from Lori: She put them in these cute little sewn bags, too!  Fun idea!

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