Friday, February 24, 2012

No knead bread

Homemade bread is devine! This isn't my recipe but I do experiment with the basic recipe by changing the flavors with dried spices, garlic, onions and such sprinkled and incorporated.

This is very economical, fun and yummy! It's hard not to smile when serving a slice, roll or bread bowl that you made.

Basic recipe

Working with yeast is still something I struggle with. That is why I love using the master recipe for Artisan Bread in Five Minutes.

I won't post the recipe here since I have linked it above.

Simple ingredients

All mixed up

Rising

This batch below is the Vermont Cheddar recipe [from the book]. I forgot to slash the top of the bread but it turned out fine. I made individual serving sizes.




4littlefergusons

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Check marks for the bucket list

Can you believe I took this trip in September and didn't blog about it?!

I don't really have a bucket list but I did get to experience eating at Paula Deen's "The Lady & Sons" and her brother Bubba's "Uncle Bubba's" in Savannah, GA.

Clay, Gale & Barry...posing with the restaurant behind us.


While I didn't get to meet either I was happy that Lenata "Jelly Roll" Jones was working the day we had lunch at The Lady & Sons. She was happy to stop making bread for me to snap a quick picture. And, the bread was w.o.n.d.e.r.f.u.l.


Hoe cake and cheese biscuit!

I had the Chicken Pot Pie for lunch. Isn't is pretty?


Here I am with my two favorite guys!


And, thanks to Chris for making our lunch a fun meal.


Monday, February 6, 2012

Cheese dip...Punkin style

Hopping back to the post to link up with the weekend potluck. Make this version the next time a cheese dip is on your menu.


I couldn't call it cheese dip...that is boring. This is the version my cousin, Teresa, aka Punkin, served us while visiting with her back home in Alabama. It really takes the standard cheese dip to a new level! I made half of the recipe, as shown below. You can easily double this for a crowd.


Ingredients:
4 oz Velveeta cheese
1 Sausage roll*
1 Rotel [do not drain]
1 Cream of Mushroom soup
1 Cream of Onion soup

Mix the soups and rotel in a crock pot. Cube the cheese and add to the mixture. Brown and drain sausage and add to the crock pot.

Heat and enjoy with chips or bread cubes.

*Control your heat by the type of sausage you use. To intensify the heat add a second can of rotel, but drain it.

I often use store brands... this is what I got when I sent Barry with my list :)


Love and miss you, Punkin!

Gale Wall & Teresa Wilson

Friday, January 6, 2012

Tortilla Casserole


Get ready for some YUM!

Ingredients:
2 1/4 lbs. Ground beef
1 medium yellow onion - chopped
1 16 oz jar of Salsa
4 oz of Sour Cream
1 can Rotel Tomatoes - drained
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
1 can Ranch Style Beans - drained
12 small Corn Tortillas - quartered
1 small can of sliced black olives
4 cups Mexican mixed cheese

Cook beef and onion together and drain. Add salsa and sour cream.
Mix cream of chicken soup and beans.

Layer a 9x13 casserole dish with half of the quartered corn tortillas and then layer with half of the following:

Beef mixture
Rotel tomatoes
Soup / bean mixture
Cheese

Repeat layer and top with sliced black olives.

Bake at 350 for 30 to 45 minutes.

Serve with extra salsa.

You can determine the spice level by your choice of Rotel and salsa.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Merry Christmas

I've been on a blogging break...I think the year caught up with me.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior I wish many Christmas Blessings for you in the coming year.

Merry Christmas!


Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Cheeseburger Soup


  • 2 1/2 # Ground beef
  • 1 1/2 C Chopped onions
  • 1 1/2 C Chopped celery
  • 2 C Shredded carrots [I buy the match stick carrots and rough chop]
  • 2 TBS Basil
  • 2 TSP Parsley flakes
  • 8 TBS Butter, divided
  • 5 1/2 C Chicken broth [abt 3 cans or 42 oz] I buy the boxed broth in fat free and low sodium]
  • 8 C Diced potatoes [abt 6 med to lg size]
  • 1/2 C Flour
  • 2 to 3 C Milk
  • 16 Oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
  • 16 Oz Sour cream
  • S & P to taste - do this last

Cook and drain ground beef. In a dutch oven or soup pot saute the onions, celery, carrots, basil and parsley in 2 TBS butter until tender. Add the broth, potatoes and meat. Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer until potatoes are done. While this is cooking...

... in a separate small skillet melt the rest of the butter and add the flour, cooking a few minutes, removing the raw flour taste. Add to soup and bring to a boil, cooking 2 minutes then reducing heat to low.

Add cheese and milk, starting with 2 cups. Stir until the cheese is melted. Add the other cup of milk to adjust desired thickness.

Remove from heat and add sour cream. Add half and check for your desired taste.

When reheating do not boil.

This is so good served with your favorite bread.

This recipe works halved.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Perfect serving size

I love these plastic freezer jars by Ball. I found them in 8 and 16 ounce sizes. I envisioned using them for picnics and in our travel cooler.


Today I made the large box [.60 oz] of Jell-O and used the 8 ounce size to create single servings. Just grab one and top with whipped cream and you're ready to enjoy a snack - quickly! Filling about 2/3 to the top made six servings.


And, after they cooled in the fridge I added the lids to keep the Jell-O top from getting that, well, hard rubbery texture that happens if left uncovered.