Honestly, this time of year, who doesn't love soups? I think they are soo savory. Here is a great recipe I found on the Food Network using leftover mashed potatoes. I've changed a few things because we like a thicker soup but feel free to adjust as you like!
2 tsp olive oil 8 ounces shredded Cheddar
1 Cup diced onion 1/2 tsp salt
1 Cup diced celery 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
4 Cups reduced-sodium chicken 2 Cloves Garlic
or vegetable broth ½ C Sour Cream
1 tsp dry mustard
3 Cups mashed potatoes
Hot sauce, optional
Add oil to a large pot set over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic and celery. Sautee for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they start to soften. Add stock and mashed potatoes and bring to a simmer.
Using an immersion blender or regular blender, puree soup until smooth (when using a regular blender, work in batches to prevent messy cleanups!). Add Sour Cream Cheddar, salt, white pepper, dry mustard and hot sauce. Stir to combine and allow the cheese to melt.
This recipe is super easy, a great way to use left over mashed potatoes and will warm anyone up.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Creamy Potato Soup
Monday, October 20, 2008
Fast Focaccia Bread
I found this recipe on a foody blog and it has become a fast favorite. It is crunchy, chewy and SOO easy!
It comes from the King Arthur Flour website.
Ingredients
1 1/2 C (12 ounces) Warm Water
3 Tbs (1 1/4 ounces) Olive oil (plus additional for drizzling)
1 ¼ tsp Salt
3 1/2 C (14 ¾ ounces) Unbleached All-Purpose Flour1
Tbs Instant Yeast (If don’t have instant use 2 Tbs of Active)
1 C Cheddar or Feta Cheese
Pizza seasoning, optional
Lightly grease a 9" x 13" pan (I’ve found glass works best), and then drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil in the bottom.
Dissolve the yeast in the water and wait 5 minutes. Combine the rest of the ingredients, excepting the cheese, into the proofed yeast, and beat at high speed with an electric mixer for 60 seconds. After the 60 seconds of beating, add the cheese and combine into the dough.
Scoop the sticky batter (yes, it is VERY sticky…you didn’t mess up) into the prepared pan, cover the pan, and let it rise at room temperature for 45-60 minutes, until it’s puffy.
While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 375°F.
After the dough has risen, gently poke the dough all over with your index finger. Drizzle the dough lightly with olive oil, and sprinkle with pizza seasoning, Italian seasoning, or the dried herbs of your choice.
Bake the bread till it’s golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes.
Remove it from the oven, wait 5 minutes, then turn it out of the pan onto a rack. (This is an important step. If you leave the bread in the pan it will get soggy.) Serve warm or at room temperature.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Gingersnaps
What is more Christmasey than Gingersnaps! These are chewy and delicious. The lemon zest adds a nice citrus aftertaste.
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups shortening
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
½ cup molasses
4 cups flour
½ tsp salt
2 tsp soda
2 tsp ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp cloves
2 Tbs Lemon Zest
1 tsp Lemon juice
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 F. Cream shortening and sugar together. Beat eggs on high for 3 minutes. Add molasses and sifted dry ingredients. Add lemon zest and lemon juice. Roll into 1 inch balls. Dip in sugar. Place on baking sheet 2 inches apart. Bake 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until dough just starts to crack on top of cookie.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Holiday Blocks (Set of 8)
This set is a great table or hearth decoration for any home. And, unbeatable for the price!
Price: $1.65 + shipping
Dimensions: 3-3/4 x 11-3/4 x 1-1/2
Manufactured from: Wood
Ho ho ho Ornaments (Set of 3)
Cute boxes that could serve as an accent or spray holders!
Price: $6.44 + shipping
Dimensions: 3 x 3 x 1-3/4
Manufactured From: Paper mache and wire.
Primitive Berry Garland
This spray could be for a tree, hearth or anything that needs that extra touch.
Price: $8.47 + shipping
Dimensions: 4 x 60 x 2
Manufactured from: Life like vine and berries
Jingle Bell Tree
This is the ultimate Charlie Brown Christmas tree but with a touch of comfort.
Price: $13.59 + shipping
Dimensions: 18 x 11-1/2 x 11-1/2 inches
Manufactured from: Wood, metal, and life like pine
Jingling Star Boxes (Set of 3)
Primitive Berry Wreath
Ho Ho Snow Garland
Pumpkin Marbled Cheesecake Bites Recipe
Just remember, to cut calories out of cheesecake and make it more "healthful" (I mean honestly you'd call me a liar if I created a "healthy" cheesecake), use no or low fat cream cheese and low fat sour cream.
Ingredients
8 oz Ginger Snap Crumbs
4 Tbs Butter Melted
3 8oz Package of Cream Cheese
1 Can of Sweetened Condensed milk
4 eggs
1 8oz sour cream
1 Tbs Vanilla
1 C Pumpkin Puree
1 tsp Cinnamon
½ tsp Nutmeg
½ tsp Allspice
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 F. Combine Gingersnap crumbs and melted butter. Pat into Spring form pan or foil lined 9x13. Bake for 4 minutes and press down with a fork again. Set aside.
Bake for 60 min then cool.* Cut into 1 1/2 inch squares. Serve at room temperature or cooled. Ghost on a Spring Garland
Product Dimension: 3 1/2 x 82 x 3/4
Appliqued Harvest Welcome Sign
Pumpkin Berry Welcome Slate
This festive sign is great for many months of the year. It is welcoming, warm and classic.
Price: $8.58 + shipping
Product Dimensions: 9-3/8 x 12-3/4x1/8 inches
Halloween Nesting Boxes (set of 4)
