Category Archives: 2018 Food

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Posted in 2018 Food, Adventures in the Kitchen by

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Chicken Tortilla Soup

2 onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 16 oz cans stewed tomatoes
1 10 oz can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies
64 oz chicken broth
2 10 oz cans tomato soup
3 cups water
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
fresh cilantro, chopped
3 to 4 yellow squash, sliced
3 to 4 chicken breast (diced or shredded)

Saute´ onions and garlic in olive oil.  Add remaining ingredients except yellow squash.  Bring to a boil, then simmer 1 hour covered.  About 15 minutes before serving add sliced squash.

Serve with white corn tortilla strips, top with cheese, sour cream and sliced avocados.

ENJOY!

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Sugar Cookies

Posted in 2018 Food, Adventures in the Kitchen by

I love sugar cookies anytime of the year, but there is something special about making them at Christmastime.  These cookies bring back wonderful memories as I have been making this recipe with my mom since I was a little girl.  I helped her decorate these then and I love them just as much today!

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Christmas Sugar Cookies

1 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups of sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Cream together shortening, sugar and vanilla.  Then add eggs and beat for about 1 minute, making sure all is creamy.

Stir in flour, baking soda and salt.

Divide dough into 4 bowls or separate in large bowl and chill for 1 hour.

Let dough sit out for about 20 minutes.  Then roll out on floured surface and cut into desired shapes.

Bake at 350 for 5 minutes.  Let sit for 10 minutes then put on wire rack.

Pecan Brittle in the microwave

Posted in 2018 Food, Adventures in the Kitchen by

Homemade Pecan Brittle in the microwave…so easy.

 

I am posting the recipe for you.  Keep in mind you really must adjust to your microwave, as some microwaves cook faster than others.  Mine tended to cook a little faster as I have my setting at 100%.

This is my copy of the recipe…

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If you find that copy hard to read, I added it below!  Try this recipe!  It really is easy once you know your microwave temps. I adjusted mine a bit over the years. I usually make 2 batches as the first one comes out a little dark.

PECAN BRITTLE
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup of lite Karo syrup
1 cup pecan pieces or halves
1 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions:
Microwave the 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup of Karo on high for 4 minutes using a clear medium glass bowl  (I did it for 3 in my microwave)

Take out then stir in pecans.  Put back in microwave for 5-7 minutes or until lightly brown.  My microwave took about 4 minutes to get light brown.

Remove and stir in butter, vanilla and microwave for 1 more minute.

Remove and add in the baking soda.  Stir together then quickly put on baking sheet.  I let the brittle slide from side to side until it evens out.  In a few minutes you will have pecan brittle that is easy to break and serve to your friends!

Enjoy! IMG_7117

Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili (skinny version)

Posted in 2018 Food, Adventures in the Kitchen by

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I love soups and chili on a cold winter day like today!  The ones I truly love are not the most healthy, but to my delight I found this recipe;  No Bean Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili by SkinnyTaste. 

My photo does not do this justice, but this Turkey Chili hits the spot.  I added cauliflower rice to the bottom of the bowl instead of white rice and it was not only delicious but very filling and not a lot of calories!

I am adding the recipe here below, but you can click on the link above and get her full version recipe with pics!

INGREDIENTS:
20  oz lean ground turkey
kosher salt to taste
1/2 cup onion chopped
3 garlic cloves chopped
10 oz Rotel with green chilies
8 oz tomato sauce
3/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 bay leaf
1 medium sweet potato, diced
cilantro for garnish if you like

DIRECTIONS:
In large skillet, brown the turkey and season with salt and cumin
After meat is browned, add onion and garlic and cook for 3 minutes over med heat
Add Rotel, tomato sauce, water, cumin, chili powder, paprika and bay leaf
Cover and simmer about 20 to 25 minutes for potatoes to soften
Remove bay leaf and serve
Add sour cream and cilantro if you desire (or rice)

I hope you enjoy this recipe.  Be sure to go to SkinnyTaste  for full recipe!

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Posted in 2018 Food, Adventures in the Kitchen by

Yummy Christmas treats.

I grew up on these at Christmas time as I am sure you did as well.  Who can resist peanut butter and chocolate, right?  I love this combo and I love that these are so easy to make as well.  ENJOY!

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PEANUT BUTTER BLOSSOMS

Sift together in small bowl:
1 3/4 cup of flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

Cream together until smooth in mixer or large bowl: (I use my stand up mixer)
1/2 cup of butter (room temp)
1/2 cup of sugar
1/3 cup of peanut butter
1/2 cup of brown sugar
Add 1 egg (room temp)
Add 1 teaspoon vanilla

Then blend in the dry ingredients and mix well

Shape into 1″ balls
Roll in sugar (or colored sugar or sprinkles)
Place on greased cookie sheet or on parchment paper
Bake at 375 for 8 minutes each
Remove and top each cookie with candy kiss, press until cookie cracks

Cook for 2-4 more minutes, depending on oven

 

 

Gingerbread Loaf

Posted in 2018 Food, Adventures in the Kitchen by

My daughter came home this weekend from Dallas and we decided to try making a Gingerbread Loaf.  I found this recipe which was fairly easy and quick and I had all the ingredients so it was the winner!

I may have baked it a bit too long, (as it was a bit dry) but other than that, it turned out tasty and it made the house smell amazing.

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Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temp
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup boiling water
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×5 loaf pan and set aside.

  2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Stir well.

  3. In a small bowl, add molasses and boiling water. Stir until combined. Add to wet ingredients.

  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and add wet ingredients. Stir.

  5. Pour batter into loaf pan. Cover loaf pan lightly with foil (remove foil halfway through baking. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

  6. My oven tends to cook fast, so I only baked for about 40 minutes.  Check it often after 40 minutes.
  7. Sprinkle the top with powdered sugar.

White chocolate chip molasses cookies

Posted in 2018 Food, Adventures in the Kitchen by

I love Sallys Baking Addiction and her seasonal cookie palooza.  Every day she posts new cookies and I come home ready to start baking! I would love to try them all.

Since I can’t do that, I choose my favorites and try to at least make a few each holiday season.  She had these cookies on her blog a few years ago and I tried them for a cookie exchange.  I absolutely fell in love with these and so did everyone who  tried them.

I am attaching her link to the recipe for you to try yourself.  I also have it listed under cookies on this blog.   I think you will enjoy these as much as I do.  And by the way…my house smells amazing today!

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https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/soft-baked-white-chocolate-chip-molasses-cookies/

 

M&M Cookies and Milk

Posted in 2018 Food, Adventures in the Kitchen by

M&M Cookies and Milk

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M&M Cookies

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cup flour
3/4 cup + 2 tsp of light brown sugar
3/4 cup + 2 tsp of sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup shortening (or butter flavor shortening) I use Crisco.
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup M&Ms

Mix together the dry ingredients in a bowl

Beat the shortening, brown sugar, granulated sugar and vanilla together in mixer. Add the eggs, then slowly pour in the dry ingredients.

Stir in the M&Ms by hand and drop on cookie sheet.  I add extra M&Ms on top!

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes (depending on your oven) or until just golden brown. Cool then place on wire rack.

Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos

Posted in 2018 Food by

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Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos
I try to make these as healthy as possible.  You can make your own Avocado Lime Sauce or use the yogurt avocado dressing from https://www.bolthouse.com/product/cilantro-avocado/, which is what I used.  But whatever you like best will work and taste great!

Avocado Lime Sauce:
~ 1/2 cup sour cream (use light if you want to make it with less calories)
~ 1 avocado
~ 1 to 2 tablespoons cilantro
~ lime zest and lime juice from one lime
Mix together in blender and chill while you make the fish tacos
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Blackened Tacos:
We purchased 1 1/2 pounds of Mahi Mahi so we would have some left over

~ Brush fish with olive oil
~ sprinkle with favorite blackened seasoning, (on both sides) I used Paul Prudhomme’s Magic Blackened seasoning or make your own.
~ Heat oil in skillet and cook fish 2 to 3 minutes on each side
~ Serve in tortilla with tomatoes, cabbage, avocado, lime wedge and your avocado lime sauce

I added black beans; rice and quinoa

YUM