Baked Potato Soup

I made this once, and my kids beg for it now

8-10 cubed potatos

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup flour

6 cups milk

1 12oz can Chicken Broth

3 Bullion Cubes

2 tsp Onion Powder

Peel and cut potatos in cubes.  Microwave for about 8 minutes to slightly cook the potatos.

While the potatos are microwaving, melt the butter in large saucepan and then add the flour.  Whisk together then slowly add the milk, broth, bullion and onion powder.  Last add the potatos and cook until potatos are done.

Top with chopped green onions, grated cheese and REAL bacon bits!  ENJOY!

Cinnamon Roll Popcorn

 I got this recipe from  Our Best Bites which is my favorite recipe blog right now.  This is a very yummy popcorn that looks all fancy yet it's pretty easy to make.  Click { HERE } to watch her make it live on Studio 5

12 cups Popped Popcorn (about 1/2 cup popcorn kernals)

1 cup Pecan Halves, roughly chopped

1 cup Brown Sugar

3/4 tsp Cinnamon

1/4 cup Karo Syrup

1 stick Real Butter (1/2 cup)

1 tsp Vanilla

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

3 squares almond bark (about 4 oz)

Preheat oven to 250 degrees

Place popcorn & chopped pecans in a large bowl and set aside

Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a 2 liter capacity microwave safe bowl.  Mix well.  Chop butter into chunks and place on top of sugar mixture.  Pour corn syrup over the top of everything.  Microwave on high for 30 seconds and then stir to combine.  Return to microwave and heat for 2 minutes.  Remove and stir and then microwave for 2 minutes more. 

Remove from microwave and add in vanilla and baking soda.  Stir to combine.  Mixture will foam and rise.  Pour caramel mixture over popcorn and pecans and stir very well so that everything is well coated.

Spread popcorn mixture onto a foil-lined jelly roll pan.  Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. 

Remove from oven and spread out on a large piece of parchment, waxed paper or foil. 

Melt almond bark according to package instructions.  Drizzle over popcorn mixture.  When almond bark is hardened and popcorn is cool, break into chunks and enjoy!

Lentils & Rice

Lentils are so yummy and full of fiber too!

This makes a good side dish for any meal.

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1/2 cup lentils

1/2 cup white long grain rice

2 1/3 cups water

2 Chicken Bullion Cubes

1 heaping tsp chopped garlic

I combine all ingredients in my rice cooker. Or you can just cook them over the stove top, by bringing them to a boil and then simmer with the lid on for about 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.

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Very simple but my husband and kids love it!

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If you want to cook the lentils with brown rice, then add them in after the rice is half way cooked. Brown rice takes longer to cook and you don't want mushy lentils.

Sausage Dip

This is a holiday dip that I grew up with. Every Christmas my Grandma Jane would make this. Its one of those traditional foods we have around the holidays. But yummy any time of the year.

1 lb ground sausage (low fat)

1 chopped onion

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Cook together until sausage is browned.

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Put in crockpot with:

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2 cans Chopped Tomatoes

2 cans Diced Green Chillies

8 oz Cream Cheese

8 oz Sour Cream

Garlic Salt to Taste

Cheesy Artichoke Bread

1 14oz can Artichoke Hearts
1 cup Parmesean Cheese - grated
1 small can chopped Olives
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
2/3 Cup Mayo
1 Clove Garlic - minced
Sliced Mushrooms
1 Loaf French Bread

Saute mushrooms in olive oil

Combine the rest of the ingredients in a bowl, then add the sauted mushrooms.

Slice bread in half length wise and spread on bread.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes - Yummy!

(Recipe from Jamie Richards)

15 Bean Soup

1 Pkg of 15 Beans
1 Onion Chopped
1 Can Stewed Tomatos (15oz)
2 Cloves Garlic
2 Chicken Bullion Cubes
1 Polska Kielbasa Sausage cut up in cubes.
1 Ham pkt mix (inside 15 beans bag)


Cook the beans by following directions on bag. You can either first soak them overnight and then cook them for about 2 hours or there is a quick cook method. I think its best to cook my beans with the chopped onion, it helps to bring out the flavor into the beans and guarantee no crunchy onions.

Once the beans are cooked add your tomatos, Garlic, Bullion & Sausage. Let the juices cook out of the sausage and into the soup. Then add the Ham Pkt for more flavor. Yummy. And full of fiber.

Best Bran Muffins

Better picture later - this will have to do for now

Combine and pour 2 cups of Boiling water over:

5 tsp of Baking Soda
2 Cups All Bran
4 Cups Bran Flakes
1 Box Chopped Dates

Cream:
1 Cup Shortening
2 1/2 cups Sugar

Add:
4 Eggs
1 quart buttermilk
1 tsp Salt
5 Cups Flour

Chopped Walnuts - Optional

Fill muffin cups full - Makes about 3 dozen muffins
Bake at 350 for 20 minutes