So, this is not a Weight Watchers recipe. I'm OK with that. Sometimes I need a little fat, calories and carbs! I did include some veggies to cancel out some of the fat and calories.
That works, right?
I guess, one could make this meal with "light" cream cheese and soup. But why would you want to? *g*
(I don't have a pic to post because we ate it all before I could take one. oops!)
Needless to say, we really, I mean REALLY, liked this! Jeremy even complimented it without my asking!
Ingredients:
1 pkg chicken thighs ( skin removed if you buy the cheaper ones)
1 onion, diced
1 pkg mushrooms, sliced (not canned!)
1 T butter or margarine
2T olive oil
1 8oz block cream cheese, softened
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 packet Italian salad dressing mix
salt & pepper
1 T (or so) dried parsley
1/2 c milk or white wine, to deglaze pan
1c frozen green peas
1 pkg fettucini
Directions:
Melt butter in skillet. Add onions, and mushrooms (salt and pepper) and cook until onions are translucent. While this is cooking, stir together cream cheese, soup, and Italian dressing mix. When onions and mushrooms are done, stir into cream cheese mixture. Set aside.
Add olive oil to skillet and heat. Salt and pepper chicken and sprinkle with parsley on both sides. Brown, quickly, in skillet. Transfer to crock. coat with cream cheese mixture. Add milk or wine to skillet and deglaze pan, then add to crock and stir into cream cheese mixture.
Cook on low 6-8 hours.
Remove chicken and take meat off the bones then add chicken and green peas back into sauce. (if you're using boneless, you'll still need to chop or shred the meat)
Turn crock pot on high, vent with wooden spoon while you cook fettucini.
Add drained pasta to crock, stir and pig out!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Jennifer's Special Taco Filling
This is not the original name for this concoction, but since what we normally call it tends to gross people out, I decided to call it Special Taco Filling.
See how nice I am?
I don't want to make you sick.
But if you should make this and get sick from eating too much...
(totally possible, believe me, I've done it. more than once. )
Then I can't be blamed. *g*
I've used this mixture to stuff tacos and burritos, to top tortilla chips for nachos, and even as a bean dip with tortilla chips.
Jeremy, bless his heart, gets really excited when he comes home from work and smells this cooking. He and the kids consider this "junk food". They're so deprived having to eat good for you veggies and stuff every night.
Yes....meatloaf, green beans, mashed potatoes, corn and homemade rolls are such a hardship. You should feel sorry for them.
This recipe makes a BUNCH! Invite some friends over and have a fiesta. Feel free to shake your maracas.
Ingredients:
1lb ground beef, cooked and drained (sometimes I feel vegetarian and leave the meat out)
1 can refried beans ( I like the fat free the best. Wow. I'm not sure I've ever said that before.)
1 pkg Spanish rice, prepared
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can rotel
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 c cheddar cheese
Directions:
Return meat to skillet, add all other ingredients and stir together. Heat until cheese is melted and it's a little bubbly. Use it like you would regular taco meat.
Or just at the skillet and eat it with a spoon like I do.
See how nice I am?
I don't want to make you sick.
But if you should make this and get sick from eating too much...
(totally possible, believe me, I've done it. more than once. )
Then I can't be blamed. *g*
I've used this mixture to stuff tacos and burritos, to top tortilla chips for nachos, and even as a bean dip with tortilla chips.
Jeremy, bless his heart, gets really excited when he comes home from work and smells this cooking. He and the kids consider this "junk food". They're so deprived having to eat good for you veggies and stuff every night.
Yes....meatloaf, green beans, mashed potatoes, corn and homemade rolls are such a hardship. You should feel sorry for them.
This recipe makes a BUNCH! Invite some friends over and have a fiesta. Feel free to shake your maracas.
Ingredients:
1lb ground beef, cooked and drained (sometimes I feel vegetarian and leave the meat out)
1 can refried beans ( I like the fat free the best. Wow. I'm not sure I've ever said that before.)
1 pkg Spanish rice, prepared
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can rotel
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 c cheddar cheese
Directions:
Return meat to skillet, add all other ingredients and stir together. Heat until cheese is melted and it's a little bubbly. Use it like you would regular taco meat.
Or just at the skillet and eat it with a spoon like I do.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Jennifer's Homemade Instant Hot Chocolate
Brrrrrr.......it is just too darn cold! I live in the South for Pete's sake.......I've had to drag out my footie jammies. This is serious.
And when I'm cold, I want hot chocolate. So do my kids. And husband.
Really, we all want it when it's not even this cold. We're addicts. If anyone knows of a 12 step program for hot chocolate addicts, let me know.
Nah, never mind. I would only fall off the wagon.
Anywhoo, since I was making a pot of hot chocolate every couple of days, I decided there had to be a way to get "that taste" and still make it by the cup. And you know what, there was! So grab some sugar, cocoa, milk and a mug and let's have some hot chocolaty goodness.
Ingredients:
2c sugar
2 heaping tablespoons cocoa
Pour sugar and cocoa into a pint jar, cover and shake until blended.
To make a cup:
Put 2 good (to heaping. you decide *g*) tablespoons into a mug, add milk and stir. It won't mix together well, but that's OK. Microwave for 1 1/2 -2 minutes. Remove carefully and stir again. Top with marshmallows, or cool whip. Smile because it was so stinkin' easy to make a yummy cup of cocoa!
I would love to tell you how long a jar of this will keep......but I can tell you that at my house it will only last about a week.
See? We need help.
And when I'm cold, I want hot chocolate. So do my kids. And husband.
Really, we all want it when it's not even this cold. We're addicts. If anyone knows of a 12 step program for hot chocolate addicts, let me know.
Nah, never mind. I would only fall off the wagon.
Anywhoo, since I was making a pot of hot chocolate every couple of days, I decided there had to be a way to get "that taste" and still make it by the cup. And you know what, there was! So grab some sugar, cocoa, milk and a mug and let's have some hot chocolaty goodness.
Ingredients:
2c sugar
2 heaping tablespoons cocoa
Pour sugar and cocoa into a pint jar, cover and shake until blended.
To make a cup:
Put 2 good (to heaping. you decide *g*) tablespoons into a mug, add milk and stir. It won't mix together well, but that's OK. Microwave for 1 1/2 -2 minutes. Remove carefully and stir again. Top with marshmallows, or cool whip. Smile because it was so stinkin' easy to make a yummy cup of cocoa!
I would love to tell you how long a jar of this will keep......but I can tell you that at my house it will only last about a week.
See? We need help.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Casserole
So... I promised to take a break from soup. Even though I'm freezing today and even my bear-foot house shoes can't seem to warm me up, we're NOT having soup tonight. I concocted a yummy casserole, instead. Honestly we're having soup and sandwich tomorrow night before church and my kids will rebel if I try to feed them soup two nights in a row.
But.....
My kids love enchiladas.
I, on the other hand, do not love making them. So I decided, today while at the grocery store, that I could stack the ingredients in the crock pot like lasagna. Seems to be working perfectly. My house smells yummy and my kids can't wait 'til supper.
Ingredients:
1.5 lbs chicken (mine was 1.6, so we'll call it a bonus)
1 small onion, chopped
1 8oz block cream cheese
1 can diced green chilies
2 can green chili sauce
1-2 c cheddar cheese (depends on how much you like cheese ;-) )
white corn tortillas ( I think I used 6 or 7, I didn't count)
Salt and pepper to season chicken
Directions:
Chop chicken into 1 inch cubes ( I used kitchen shears). Spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Add chicken and chopped onion. Season to taste and cook until chicken is no longer pink. At this point, I decided that I needed smaller pieces of chicken, so I broke it up a bit more with a spoon. Add cream cheese, green chilies and 1/4 can of green chili sauce. Heat until cream cheese is melted and everything looks like a white glob.
Spray crock pot with cooking spray. (or a baking dish if you're in the mood to make "real" enchiladas) Pour a couple tablespoons of green chili sauce into the bottom of your crock. Cover all the bottom with tortillas. Put a glob of the chicken mixture on top of the tortillas. To make it easy....spread the mixture on the bottom of the skillet and "cut" it into 4. Use one on the first layer. Top with some cheese, 1/4 c or so, then drizzle with green chili sauce, keeping in mind that you need about 1/2 a can to pour on top. Repeat until all chicken stuff is used. Top "lasagna" with more tortillas, cheese and the remaining chili sauce. Cook on high for 1 hr or on low for 2 with a vented lid. (do this by using a chopstick or something similar to hold the lid up a bit.) Or at least until everything is bubbly. Mine burned a bit on the sides in places, but I had mine on low for quite a while.
Top with sour cream, chives, fresh diced tomatoes or whatever your little heart desires......
Update: Just sneaked a taste... and to quote my teenager.....
O-M-G!
Make this meal. Your tummy will thank you.
But.....
My kids love enchiladas.
I, on the other hand, do not love making them. So I decided, today while at the grocery store, that I could stack the ingredients in the crock pot like lasagna. Seems to be working perfectly. My house smells yummy and my kids can't wait 'til supper.
Ingredients:
1.5 lbs chicken (mine was 1.6, so we'll call it a bonus)
1 small onion, chopped
1 8oz block cream cheese
1 can diced green chilies
2 can green chili sauce
1-2 c cheddar cheese (depends on how much you like cheese ;-) )
white corn tortillas ( I think I used 6 or 7, I didn't count)
Salt and pepper to season chicken
Directions:
Chop chicken into 1 inch cubes ( I used kitchen shears). Spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Add chicken and chopped onion. Season to taste and cook until chicken is no longer pink. At this point, I decided that I needed smaller pieces of chicken, so I broke it up a bit more with a spoon. Add cream cheese, green chilies and 1/4 can of green chili sauce. Heat until cream cheese is melted and everything looks like a white glob.
Spray crock pot with cooking spray. (or a baking dish if you're in the mood to make "real" enchiladas) Pour a couple tablespoons of green chili sauce into the bottom of your crock. Cover all the bottom with tortillas. Put a glob of the chicken mixture on top of the tortillas. To make it easy....spread the mixture on the bottom of the skillet and "cut" it into 4. Use one on the first layer. Top with some cheese, 1/4 c or so, then drizzle with green chili sauce, keeping in mind that you need about 1/2 a can to pour on top. Repeat until all chicken stuff is used. Top "lasagna" with more tortillas, cheese and the remaining chili sauce. Cook on high for 1 hr or on low for 2 with a vented lid. (do this by using a chopstick or something similar to hold the lid up a bit.) Or at least until everything is bubbly. Mine burned a bit on the sides in places, but I had mine on low for quite a while.
Top with sour cream, chives, fresh diced tomatoes or whatever your little heart desires......
Update: Just sneaked a taste... and to quote my teenager.....
O-M-G!
Make this meal. Your tummy will thank you.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Twice Baked Potato Soup
One more soup recipe, then I'll move on to other yummy creations, I promise. You won't be sad that I posted this recipe though. It takes all the goodness of a baked potato and makes it a whole meal. Gotta love that! This is probably not one of my low fat meals, but it's worth the fat/calories/pts. Whatever it is that you do. Just eat a salad on the side and the veggies will certainly cancel all the bad-for-your-waist stuff. It will, honest.
Or eat it on a Sunday. Sunday calories and fat don't count.
Seriously they don't.
Ingredients:
These are not going to be definite. It really is based on how many people you want to feed...or how many bowls you plan to eat. I just usually taste as I go. I know what I want my baked tater to taste like.
4-5 baking potatoes (or any old tater, just make sure you have enough for everyone eating)
2c bag of shredded cheese ( we like cheddar, but go with your gut)
1 stick butter or margarine
4-5 cups of milk, I can't really tell you how much since it will vary
salt and pepper to taste
bacon pieces
sour cream
croutons
chives
Directions:
Bake your taters. I sometimes start them in the microwave and then move them to the oven. Makes it quicker. When the taters are baked, split and scoop out the meat. These suckers will be hot (feel free to sing the Hot Potato Song, I usually do. when I'm not screaming) Seriously, though, use a towel to hold them. Once all the meat is in a bowl, add butter, 1 c cheese and a little milk (start with 1/2 c). Mix with a mixer. Add salt and pepper. It should be thick enough to put back in the skins without running out, but not so thick that you could cut it and serve it like cake. Scoop it all back into the skins. Return to the oven and bake at 400 for about 20 minutes.
Now, get a big ole soup pot. Scoop all the yummy tater stuff into the pot and add milk until is as thick, or thin, as you like it. Taste to see if salt or pepper needs to be increased .....or just because you want to. I've been known to add more cheese here, but be sure you have enough to top the soup with. Simmer on LOW (it will stick if it gets too hot) until heated through.
Serve topped with cheese, sour cream, bacon, chives, croutons, whatever your little heart desires.
Don't forget the salad, have to cancel out all that cheese and sour cream after all.
Or eat it on a Sunday. Sunday calories and fat don't count.
Seriously they don't.
Ingredients:
These are not going to be definite. It really is based on how many people you want to feed...or how many bowls you plan to eat. I just usually taste as I go. I know what I want my baked tater to taste like.
4-5 baking potatoes (or any old tater, just make sure you have enough for everyone eating)
2c bag of shredded cheese ( we like cheddar, but go with your gut)
1 stick butter or margarine
4-5 cups of milk, I can't really tell you how much since it will vary
salt and pepper to taste
bacon pieces
sour cream
croutons
chives
Directions:
Bake your taters. I sometimes start them in the microwave and then move them to the oven. Makes it quicker. When the taters are baked, split and scoop out the meat. These suckers will be hot (feel free to sing the Hot Potato Song, I usually do. when I'm not screaming) Seriously, though, use a towel to hold them. Once all the meat is in a bowl, add butter, 1 c cheese and a little milk (start with 1/2 c). Mix with a mixer. Add salt and pepper. It should be thick enough to put back in the skins without running out, but not so thick that you could cut it and serve it like cake. Scoop it all back into the skins. Return to the oven and bake at 400 for about 20 minutes.
Now, get a big ole soup pot. Scoop all the yummy tater stuff into the pot and add milk until is as thick, or thin, as you like it. Taste to see if salt or pepper needs to be increased .....or just because you want to. I've been known to add more cheese here, but be sure you have enough to top the soup with. Simmer on LOW (it will stick if it gets too hot) until heated through.
Serve topped with cheese, sour cream, bacon, chives, croutons, whatever your little heart desires.
Don't forget the salad, have to cancel out all that cheese and sour cream after all.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Chicken Taco Chili
Today, although the rain has gone, the wind just won't quit. It's cold and windy and I'm still in a soup mood. Unfortunately, it's Wednesday. Around our house that means a supper of whatever I can throw together and get us to the church by 6. Tonight, it's the always fancy.....pizza rolls and carrot sticks. Yep, I'd rather have this soup. You should make it and think of me while you eat it.......matter of fact....eat two bowls......I really, really like it!
This make a lot of soup...invite some friends over. Have a party. Wear a sombrero.
Ingredients:
1 pkg chicken thighs (I use bone in and just removethe skin. If you want to pay more for the boneless/skinless variety, by all means, please do.)
3 cans chicken broth ( you can boil the thighs and use some of that, but use at least one can of a good broth.)
1 can diced tomatoes
2 cans chili beans
1 can black beans
1 can whole kernel corn
1 packet taco seasoning
Directions:
Cook the thighs. I boil mine, but feel free to bake them. Pick off the meat and place it in a large soup pot. Drain and rinse the black beans. Drain the corn. Add everything to the pot and bring up to a boil. Turn heat down to med and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
Pour soup over tortilla chips, top with cheese, sour cream, onion, or whatever you like to eat on a taco. Be adventurous!
This make a lot of soup...invite some friends over. Have a party. Wear a sombrero.
Ingredients:
1 pkg chicken thighs (I use bone in and just removethe skin. If you want to pay more for the boneless/skinless variety, by all means, please do.)
3 cans chicken broth ( you can boil the thighs and use some of that, but use at least one can of a good broth.)
1 can diced tomatoes
2 cans chili beans
1 can black beans
1 can whole kernel corn
1 packet taco seasoning
Directions:
Cook the thighs. I boil mine, but feel free to bake them. Pick off the meat and place it in a large soup pot. Drain and rinse the black beans. Drain the corn. Add everything to the pot and bring up to a boil. Turn heat down to med and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
Pour soup over tortilla chips, top with cheese, sour cream, onion, or whatever you like to eat on a taco. Be adventurous!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Sausage Bean Soup
A hearty bowl of YUM! We forget every year how much we all love this soup until we take the first bite. This is not one of my healthy-watching points-getting into those size 8's kind of meals, but heck, we all need some comfort food now and then. An added bonus.....it's super quick!
Ingredients:
1 lb sausage ( I prefer Tennessee Farm, but go with what you like)
1 medium onion (diced)
1 can diced tomatoes (undrained)
1 can beef broth (weird combo with pork, I know, but it works!)
1 can navy beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1t dried basil
1 clove garlic (minced)
1/4 c Parmesan cheese
Directions:
Brown sausage and onion in a large pot, a dutch oven would do. Drain well. Pour back into the pot and add all other ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Ladle it up, toss a corn muffin on the side, grab a glass of sweet tea and chow down.
Ingredients:
1 lb sausage ( I prefer Tennessee Farm, but go with what you like)
1 medium onion (diced)
1 can diced tomatoes (undrained)
1 can beef broth (weird combo with pork, I know, but it works!)
1 can navy beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1t dried basil
1 clove garlic (minced)
1/4 c Parmesan cheese
Directions:
Brown sausage and onion in a large pot, a dutch oven would do. Drain well. Pour back into the pot and add all other ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Ladle it up, toss a corn muffin on the side, grab a glass of sweet tea and chow down.
Bear-foot and in the kitchen
No that's not a typo.....I have on big bear feet house shoes. Cool huh? They keep my tooties toasty warm while old man winter tries to sneak in around windows and doors.
So, what does a Southern girl make when it's cold outside?
Warm, yummy, tummy filling SOUP. And it's so easy! You just take a can opener (hand help to save counter top space) and open the can.......
OK, most of you know me better than that. I'm a foodie. I love to experiment and make things (mostly) from scratch. I've been know to cheat with mixes. shhhhhh.....
So, in honor of Old Man Winter and my lovely brown house shoes.....I give you SOUP recipes!
So, what does a Southern girl make when it's cold outside?
Warm, yummy, tummy filling SOUP. And it's so easy! You just take a can opener (hand help to save counter top space) and open the can.......
OK, most of you know me better than that. I'm a foodie. I love to experiment and make things (mostly) from scratch. I've been know to cheat with mixes. shhhhhh.....
So, in honor of Old Man Winter and my lovely brown house shoes.....I give you SOUP recipes!
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