Potato Soup

THE BEST potato soup recipe ever!

Ingredients:
2 1/2 pounds baby red potatoes, sliced into small bite sized pieces
1/2 regular package uncooked bacon, finely diced
1 medium onion, diced
1/4 bunch celery, diced
8 cups milk
4 cups water
4 chicken bullion cubes (use a cup of the hot potato water to dissolve, then use the cup of hot water in place of one of the above cups of water)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 cup salted butter
3/4 cup flour
1/4 bunch freshly chopped parsley
1 cup whipping cream
***For garnish:***
Shredded cheese
fried bacon bits
chopped green onions

Directions:
In large pot, boil potatoes in water 10 minutes. Drain and set aside. In sauté pan, cook bacon until crisp. Drain bacon fat and place on paper towel over plate to drain more. Add onion and celery to bacon pan over medium-high heat until celery is tender, about 5 minutes. To the large potato pan, add milk, water, bullion, salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat until mixture is very hot, about 8 minutes, stirring often. Do not let mixture boil. In small, heavy saucepan melt butter. Add flour and mix well. Cook over medium-low heat until mixture bubbles, stirring 2 to 3 minutes to make a roux. While constantly stirring soup, add roux slowly until soup is thick and creamy, about 4 minutes. Stir in parsley, reserved potatoes, and cream. Garnish with cheese, bacon bits, onions or all three. Serve hot


OR

1

package (12 oz) bacon

1 1/2

cups chopped onion

6

cups Progresso® chicken broth (from two 32-oz cartons)

2

lb baking potatoes, peeled, cubed

2/3

cup butter

3/4

cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

4

cups milk

1

teaspoon salt

1

teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1

cup diced cooked ham

1

container (8 oz) sour cream

2 1/2

cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (10 oz)

3/4

cup sliced green onions

1. In 12-inch skillet, cook bacon over medium heat 6 to 7 minutes or until crisp; drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon; set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons drippings in skillet. Cook onion in bacon drippings over medium-high heat 6 minutes or until almost tender.
2. In 6-quart Dutch oven, mix onion, broth and potatoes. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cook 10 minutes or until potatoes are very tender.
3. Meanwhile, in same skillet, melt butter over low heat. Stir in flour with whisk until smooth. Cook and stir 1 minute. Gradually stir in 2 cups of the milk. Pour milk mixture into potato mixture. Add remaining 2 cups milk, the salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with whisk, until mixture is thickened and bubbly.
4. Stir in ham, half of the bacon, the sour cream, 2 cups of the cheese and 1/2 cup of the green onions. Cook until thoroughly heated and cheese is melted. Evenly top individual servings with remaining bacon, 1/2 cup cheese and 1/4 cup green onions.

Easiest lemon cookies

These cookies are simple and delicious!!!

One lemon cake mix
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
Mix dry cake mix with oil and eggs. Mix well and drop by rounded spoonfuls on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 until light golden or lighter.

Easiest lemon cookies

These cookies are simple and delicious!!!

One lemon cake mix
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
Mix dry cake mix with oil and eggs. Mix well and drop by rounded spoonfuls on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 until light golden or lighter.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Time and Yield

·                                 Cook Time: N/A 

·                                 Yield: 75 1-inch balls

Ingredients

·                                 For the balls:

o                                                        2 sticks unsalted butter-melted

o                                                        1 box 10X confectioners' sugar

o                                                        2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

o                                                        1 cup chopped nuts....chop as nutty or as fine as you wish

o                                                        1/2 cup your favorite peanut butter (not chunky)

o                                                        1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring

·                                 For the dip:

o                                                        6 ounces chocolate chips

o                                                        *1/2 stick paraffin wax

Directions

For the balls: Add ingredients in order of recipe into a large bowl. Mix with hands and roll into balls(about 1 inch) and dip. Place balls on cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Chill in refrigerator for about 2 hours. Makes about 75 1 inch balls.

For the dip: DO NOT MICROWAVE!!!! Melt on low heat. ( I use a double boiler). Constantly watch and keep stirring a little as the wax melts. Insert toothpick into ball -- dip in warm chocolate mixture and place on wax paper. I usually let the chocolate drip back into the pan so there won't be a big mass of chocolate around the base of the balls. Allow to harden and place in containers and store in refrigerator. Enjoy a mouth full of goodness.

*Hint: For those of you who are not familiar with the paraffin wax. It is usually found in the grocery store near where the charcoal for grilling is found. It comes in a container with 4 slabs and is easy to cut in half. It calls for a stick but is actually rectangular/ in shape. Paraffin wax is flammable and that is why I use a double boiler but if you use a heavy pot for the chocolate chips and the wax and watch it as you stir it will be fine.

Ruth Tut candy

Ruth Tut Candy

Time and Yield

·                                 Cook Time: Varies 

·                                 Yield: 6 to 7 dozen 1-inch cubes

Ingredients

·                                 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter

·                                 1 cup light brown sugar

·                                 1 cup granulated sugar

·                                 1 cup dark corn syrup

·                                 2 cups (1 pint) heavy cream

·                                 2 cups chopped pecans

·                                 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Generously grease a 9 x 12 x 2-inch pan using 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) of the butter.

In a large saucepan, mix the brown sugar, granulated sugar, corn syrup, and 1 cup of the cream. Heat until the mixture begins to boil. Slowly stream the remaining 1 cup cream into the mixture, stirring while it's boiling. Attach a candy thermometer to the pan and cook the mixture over medium heat until it reaches 244°. Remove the pan from the heat and add the remaining 1/2 cup butter, the chopped pecans, and the vanilla. Pour the candy into the buttered pan.

Cool the candy in the refrigerator until it is just firm but not hard, about 1 hour. Cut into 1-inch squares. Cut waxed paper into 4-inch squares and wrap each piece of candy individually. Store in the refrigerator. Remove the candy from the refrigerator and allow it to soften slightly before serving. The wrapped candy's flavor is improved by aging in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.

"Reprinted from Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen: Recipes from My Family to Yours by Trisha Yearwood. 

Crockpot chocolate candy

Crockpot chocolate candy!

Ingredients:1 (16 ounce) package dry roasted salted peanuts 1 (16 ounce) package unsalted dry roasted peanuts 1 (12 ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate bits 1 (4 ounce) German chocolate bars 32 ounces white almond bark 
Directions:1 Put peanuts in bottom of crock pot; add other ingredients.2 Cook on low setting for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.3 Place rounded spoonfuls onto wax paper and allow to cool.

White Chocolate Raspberry Bars

White Chocolate Raspberry Bars

1 18 oz roll refrigerator sugar cookie dough

1 ¼ cups white chocolate morsels

1  12 oz jar or ¾ cup raspberry jam or preserves

1 tsp vegetable oil

Heat oven to 350. Break up cookie dough into ungreased 13X9 inch pan. With floured fingers press dough evenly in bottom to form a crust.  Sprinkle 1 cup of white chocolate over crust, press firmly into dough.   Bake for 16-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove partially baked crust  from oven  spread jam evenly over crust. Return to oven.  Bake an additional 10 minutes. Cool 1 hour or until completely cooled.  In small reseal able plastic bag combine remaining white chocolate and oil.  Partially seal and microwave for 30 seconds. Squeeze bag until smooth.  Cut small hole in bottom of bag on corner.  Squeeze bag gently to drizzle over bars.  Refrigerate 20 minutes and cut into bars.  Serve at room temperature.

Chicken Balls

Easy Chicken Balls

1 ½ pounds ground chicken

2 tbs minced onion

2 tsp cloves ground

¼ cup ricotta cheese

¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

3 tbs ketsup

1 tbs fresh basil

2 tsp dried parsley

2 eggs beaten

1/8 cup crushed ritz crackers

In large bowl combine chicken, onion, clove,  all cheeses, ketchup, basil, parsley, and eggs. Mix well and form into balls.  Roll balls in extra parmesan and cracker crumbs.  Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat and fry balls until golden. About 15-20 minutes.

Chocolate Yummies

Chocolate Yummies

3 cups rice crispies cereal

7 whole honey graham crackers

2 ½ cups mini marshmallows

2 cups semi sweet morsels

2/3 cup light corn syrup

3 tbs margarine

½ cup crunchy peanut butter

Coat a 13X9 in microwave safe dish with cooking spray. Place 6 whole pieces graham crackers in single layer in bottom. Cut remaining pieces to fit  in remained of bottom.  Sprinkle marshmallows evenly over crackers.

Microwave on high 1 minute or until marshmallows are puffy.  Remove from microwave and cool completely.

In 2 quart microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate morsels, corn syrup, and margarine. Microwave on high about 1 ½ minutes or until chocolate can be stirred smooth. Stir in peanut butter.  Add cereal mix until evenly combined.   Spread evenly over marshmallows.  Cover and refrigerate about an hour or until firm. Cut and store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Fresh Frozen Summer Pizza

Fresh Fruit Summer Pizza

6        frozen dinner rolls (texas style if you can find them)  thawed and risen

8 oz  fat free cream cheese

2 tbs strawberry preserves

½ cup mandarin oranges drained

3 kiwis sliced

6-8 strawberries  halved

½ cup blueberries

Knead rolls together into a ball. Roll into a 13 inch circle. Place in a 12 inch pizza pan sprayed with cooking spray.  Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes until browned. Keep bubbles from forming by pressing dough down 5 minutes into the baking cycle.  Remove from oven and cool. Mix cream cheese with strawberry preserves and spread on crust. Arrange fruit on top.  You can also use other in season fruits like grapes, pineapple, banana, peaches  etc

Corn Nuggets

•        CORN NUGGETS
         1 (11 ounce) can creamed corn
• 1 (11 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 egg white
• 2 tablespoons milk
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3 cups vegetable oil for deep frying
  
  

  Directions    Makes about 20

  1. In a medium bowl, stir together the creamed corn and drained whole kernel corn. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and coat with vegetable oil or cooking spray. Drop spoonfuls of the corn mixture onto the sheet, and freeze until firm, about 3 hours.
  2. Heat one inch of oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) in a large deep skillet, or fill a deep-fryer with oil as directed by the manufacturer.
  3. Mix together the cornmeal, flour, egg white, milk, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Dip frozen corn nuggets in the batter, and quickly fry in hot oil until golden brown. Remove to paper towels to drain.   

Cheese Danish

Cheese Danish

16 oz cream cheese softened

½ tsp vanilla

1 egg beaten

½ cup sugar

½ jam or pie filling

2 packages of refrigerated crescent roll dough

4 oz sliced almonds (optional)

Preheat oven to 350.  Mix cream cheese, vanilla, and sugar in a bowl. Unroll 1 can crescent roll dough on cookie sheet sealing perforations. Spread cream cheese filling on dough, leaving ¼ inch edges. Top with jam/ filling.  Unroll second can of dough and lay on first layer. Seal edges with a fork. Brush with beaten egg.  Sprinkle with sliced almonds and bake for 30 minutes.  Allow to cool slightly before cutting.

S'more Bars

I have always LOVED to cook and eat s'mores.

Here's what you'll need:

1/2 C. margarine or butter
1/2 C. packed brown sugar
1 C. flour
1/2 C. graham cracker crumbs (about 1/2 a package graham crackers)
2 C. mini marshmallows (or as many as you'd like)
1/2 (12 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips

Beat margarine or butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add combined flour and crumbs; mix well.

Press onto bottom of greased 9 inch square baking pan.

Sprinkle with marshmallows and chocolate chips.

Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until marshmallows are golden brown.

Just a note: I made these for one of my good friends just after she had a baby. I decided to double the recipe to have some for my family as well. As we were hurrying out the door, so that we wouldn't be late, I was holding my baby in one arm and these treats (shown here) with the other hand. A bit of advice, don't do that! I ended up losing balance between treats and baby and the entire pan came crashing to the floor. There was chocolate and gooey marshmallow and shards of glass EVERYWHERE!! I was so mad that these so yummy treats were a total waste. Good thing I made two so at least my friend was still able to get some!

Apple Pie Bread

YIELD: 1 loaf

PREP TIME: 30 minutes

COOK TIME: 60 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

For the Batter

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup lightly packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups Gold Medal all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons homemade apple pie spice (see below)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded, peeled apple (about 4 medium or 2 large) (see note below)
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup dried cranberries

For the Streusel Topping

1/4 cup lightly packed light brown sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon homemade apple pie spice
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium-high speed for about 30 seconds. Add in sugars and mix until well combined. Add buttermilk and baking powder; beat until combined. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until thoroughly incorporated. In a medium bowl, combine flour, apple pie spice and salt, whisk until combined. Slowly add the flour mixture to the bowl and mix on low speed until just incorporated. Fold in apples, pecans and cranberries.

3. Spoon batter into prepared pan; spread evenly. Prepare the Streusel Topping.

4. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour and apple pie spice. Using apastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in pecans. Spoon Streusel Topping over the batter, pressing them gently into the batter.

5. Bake for 60 to 65 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

6. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack. Wrap and store overnight before slicing.

NOTES:

- Depending upon the type of apples you use, you may end up with a great deal of liquid after grating the apples. I suggest using only the grated apples, not the liquid that is produced. If necessary, lightly squeeze the apples to release any excess juice before adding them to the batter.
- I have made this recipe using Honey Crisp and Granny Smith apples.
- Raisins and walnuts would be a spectacular addition to this bread.
- You don't have to wait for the loaf to sit overnight before cutting, it just tastes better after the flavors have had a chance to meld.

Apple Pie Spice

YIELD: about 1/3 cup

PREP TIME: 5 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

4 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine spices in a small bowl, mix well to combine. Store in a small jar or spice container.

NOTES:

- These measurements don't need to be precise. If you prefer more of one spice or less of another, feel free to adjust to your liking.
- If using freshly grated nutmeg, you'll want to decrease the amount a bit as it tends to be be quire a bit stronger than jarred, ground nutmeg.

monster cookies, (gluten free)

Monster cookies  (made with no flour)

    2 cups margarine  (for a softer cookie use butter flavored Crisco)

    4 cups brown sugar

    4 cups white sugar

    12 eggs

1 tbs vanilla

1 tbs white corn syrup

8 tsp baking soda

5 and ½ cups peanut butter

18 cups quick oats (gluten free)

2 cups chocolate chips  ( I like white chocolate chips better)

2 cups M&M candies

Cream margarine and sugars. Beat eggs in 1 at a time. Stir in vanilla and corn syrup. Add soda.

Mix well. Stir in peanut butter.  Stir in Oats.  Stir in chocolate. And candy.  Drop on cookie sheet by spoonful.

Bake at  350 for about 12 minutes.   This  makes about 20  or more dozen cookies.   But recipe is easily divided.

Fried Cabbage

Fried Cabbage

1 head cabbage cut up

1 pound bacon  cooked crisp and crumbled  (save grease)

Salt and pepper

½ cup green pepper diced

½ cup red pepper diced

½  cup onion diced

In large skillet  add 3-4 tbsp bacon grease and ½ cup water. Heat on high.  Add cut up cabbage and peppers and onion/ cook until all are tender to desired tenderness (I like VERY  tender).   Top with crumbled  bacon and serve.

Blueberry Monkey Bread

This is wonderful  and  give credit to    home made simple

Blueberry Monkey Bread



INGREDIENTS 
1 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
4 cans (10 ounces each) refrigerated buttermilk biscuit dough
1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries
3/4 cup margarine

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350˚. Thoroughly grease a bundt cake or round cake pan. If you don’t have one of those, a 9” x 5 1/2” bread pan will work.
2. Mix sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Cut biscuits into bite-sized pieces, then cover each piece in the sugar mixture.
3. Arrange one layer of biscuit pieces in the bottom of the pan, then sprinkle about a quarter of the blueberries on top of it.
4. Repeat adding layers of biscuit pieces and blueberries until you reach the top of the pan.
5. In a saucepan, combine the rest of the sugar mixture with margarine. Heat until the sugar is dissolved and the margarine is melted. Pour over the biscuits in the pan.
6. Bake for 65 minutes or until done. Lift and turn out onto a cake plate. Top with icing, if desired.