White Chicken Chili

Once again, no step by step pics. Sorry =\ but I figured I would go ahead and just share the recipe! =)

YOU WILL NEED:

1 lb dry great northern beans

3 large chicken breasts

1 yellow onion

1 green bell pepper

1 tsp minced garlic 

1 tbsp oil 

5 chicken bouillon cubes

4 oz cream cheese

Shredded cheese

Sour cream 

Seasonings:

Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, lawrys, tony cacheres, chili powder

DIRECTIONS:

First, you want to soak your beans at least 3 hours before you start cooking. And once you start cooking it can take up to 5 hours to get it to the consistency you want.

Dice your bell pepper and onion or put them in the food processor.

Sauté them in the pot along with the oil and minced garlic.

Sauté until onions are translucent.

Pour in a little water and then start adding beans. 

Add more water until beans are completely covered.

Add in your bouillon cubes and seasonings.

Boil for about an hour and then reduce to a simmer for about 2 more hours, stirring occasionally.

I simmered the chicken in a deep skillet with a little water, seasonings and a bouillon cube, until cooked and tender.

Let the chicken cool and shred apart an add into your chili. At this point you want to add in your cream cheese, 3 tbsp sour cream and a handful of shredded cheese, stir and let simmer more until it is the consistency you want. Should be thick and creamy.

When you are ready to serve, top with cheese and sour cream. I think this chili would also be really good with tortilla strips! =)

Broccoli & Cheddar Soup in a Bread Bowl

I did not get to do the step by step photos I normally do, sorry for that! But I wanted to go ahead and share the recipe, and next time I make this I will try to take photos of each step and update this post!

YOU WILL NEED:

2 large heads of broccoli (or more!)

2 Large Carrots (or more!)

1 can of cheddar cheese soup

2 cups Cheddar Cheese (and more for topping)

4 oz cream cheese

3 tbsp Butter

Flour

Milk

5 chicken bouillon cubes

Seasonings:

salt, pepper, tony cacheres, garlic powder, onion powder

Kaiser rolls

DIRECTIONS:

First you will need to wash your veggies and peel and finely shred the carrots with a grater.

Take a medium sized pot and fill with water, bouillon cubes, carrot shreds, and salt.

cook until bubbly and bouillon cubes have completely dissolved.

Then break up the broccoli and add to pot, cook until tender.

In a separate larger pot, melt 3 tbsp of butter on med heat whisk in flour to make roux.

Then whisk in the can of cheddar cheese soup and the 4 oz cream cheese (best at room temp) then add in about a can or so of milk to make it creamy.

when that mixture starts to bubble a little, start adding in your chicken broth and veggies one cup at a time.

Add seasonings to taste.

Let it simmer until it has thickened and then add in 2 cups of cheddar cheese.

To make the bread bowls I just took a sharp knife and cut out a kaiser roll at an angle in a circle. 

I took the tops of the rolls and cubed them to toast for dipping.

I buttered inside the rolls and on the edges baked 350 degrees for about 5 minutes and then put them under the broiler until they were golden brown.

I then poured the soup into the bowl and topped with additional cheese and returned to broiler to melt.

I hope you all enjoy!! we REALLY did! =)

Country style ribs and red potatoes

This is a favorite that my mother always use to make!

YOU WILL NEED:

1 package boneless country style ribs

1 3 lb bag red potatoes

1 onion

3 beef boullion cubes 

Oil 

Flour

Seasonings:

Salt, pepper, tony cacheres, lawrys, onion powder, garlic powder, kitchen bouquet 

You will need to brown your ribs by coating them lightly with seasonings and flour. Put a little oil in the pan and continue to flip on each side until all browned.

You can add in your onions after flipping the ribs once 

Cover with water, just to the top of the ribs.

Cover and simmer for about 5 hours or until ribs are tender enough to be broken with a fork.

After simmering for about 5 hours this is what it will look like..

You will then need to wash and cut your red potatoes in half and add to skillet.

Return lid and continue to simmer until potatoes are tender and juices have soaked in.

When they're done add a little cold water mixed with corn starch to thicken the gravy.

And voila! 

I always smash the potatoes and add the ribs and gravy on top.

"Mama Shirley's cornbread"

You will need: 

a small seasoned cast iron skillet

1 cup white self rising cornmeal

1 cup self rising flour

1 + cups buttermilk

Vegetable Oil 

Shortening 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Coat the inside of your pan with a light amount of shortening and then pour about 2 tbsp of vegetable oil into skillet. Set on stove burner med heat to warm the oil.

In a bowl mix the corn meal and flour together then add the cup of buttermilk first. Then add more buttermilk until it's a smooth consistency.

Pour mixture into skillet while still on burner.

Oil will float to the top, take a spoon and smooth the oil over the top. 

Place in a preheated 375 degree oven for about 25-30 minutes.

Flip on to a plate.

Turkey Linguini

This is basically what my family eats for "spaghetti". We just prefer the linguini noodles to the spaghetti noodles and also ground turkey instead of ground beef.
I also always make my sauce homemade! =)

YOU WILL NEED:

1 lb ground turkey

1 lb diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, & oregano 

6 oz tomato paste

1 onion

1 green bell pepper

1 tsp minced garlic

1 package of linguini noodles

parmesan cheese

Seasonings:

Italian seasoning, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, tony chachere's & lawrys

DIRECTIONS:

First you will need to dice your onion or put it in the food processor..

Then you want to do the same with your bell pepper..

Now you want to put your ground turkey, peppers, onions, minced garlic and seasonings in a pot and cook together

until turkey meat is browned, and then drain..

now add in your diced tomatoes and tomato paste

add enough water to cover the top of the meat..

now simmer for several hours, and the last hour or so take off the lid and add in some parmesan cheese and season to taste.

you want your sauce to be thick..

Boil your linguini noodles, drain and toss in butter and oregano

Then add into your sauce and continue to cook on low until sauce is soaked into the noodles..

Plate and top with parmesan cheese! =)

Family Meal Planning

  Planning out your meals ahead can save you time, money and less stress!

The best way to do this would be, to sit down and discuss with your family what types of meals they would like for the upcoming weeks.

  Also look into purchasing a dry erase calendar board, or simply buy a specific calendar for meal planning OR just draw/print it out your self, make a list.

Whatever works best for you and your family!

  This also saves the stress of "what am I going to make for dinner tonight?!" or having to ask your family each and every day! 

Post your calendar or list on a bulletin board or on the fridge, display it where every family member can see, and know what dinner is for that day.

Here is an Example of what I would do..

Always Try to have a left over day or a simple day once a week!

You can usually count on having left overs when you cook chili, a soup or a large pot of beans.

That is, if you're not feeding an army.. =)

Hopefully this was helpful to you =) I know it has helped us over the years!

Also, If you have any requests on recipes you would like me to blog, send me an email laraskitchen701@gmail.com.

Thank you, 

Lara

Crustless Spinach Quiche

We decided on breakfast for dinner tonight, aka "brinner" =)
This dish would be a wonderful addition to a brunch as well.

So here is my twist on a simple spinach quiche!

YOU WILL NEED:

5 Large Eggs

1/4 yellow onion

1 cup cooked & drained chopped spinach

1 cup Monterey & Cheddar cheese (& some additional for topping)

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

1 TBSP butter

Bread crumbs

Seasonings:

Salt & Pepper

sour cream (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees

& butter a 9 in pie pan or quiche dish

cook and drain spinach, set aside.

Now you want to put your 1/4 yellow onion in the food processor and pulse until finely chopped.

Saute your onions with 1 TBSP butter and a little salt.

Now put 5 whole Eggs into food processor..

Add to that, onions, salt and pepper.

Pulse 6 or 7 times to blend well.

Now add your cooked & drained spinach, 1 cup of shredded cheese and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese

Pulse again until mixed very well.

Pour into your buttered Pie pan or quiche dish

Cook in a preheated oven of 325 degrees for 20 minutes.

Then you want to take out of the oven and spread a light, even amount of bread crumbs on the top

of the quiche.

Then a thin layer of shredded cheese on top of that.

Return to oven for 15 more minutes, then put under the broiler for 2 minutes to crisp the breadcrumbs and cheese.

Let it cool for a few minutes before cutting into pie size pieces.

We topped ours with a little sour cream but that's totally up to you! =)

With a few adjustments to this recipe you could make mini quiches in muffin tins!

Hope you enjoy!

Cream Cheese Turkey Burgers

You have probably noticed a trend in my posts, I LOVE cream cheese. I try to incorporate it in most 'fitting' dishes =)
Anyway, So tonight was no different, and I decided to experiment as I often do.

YOU WILL NEED:

2 lbs of ground turkey

1 package hamburger buns

4 oz cream cheese

Italian Dressing

Ranch Dressing

Dales

Worcestershire sauce

minced garlic

Seasonings:

pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Lawrys, Tony chacheres

DIRECTIONS:

You want to start putting in your seasonings (to your preference) & about 1 TSP of minced garlic,

a splash of dales, Italian dressing & worcestershire sauce (not too much, you don't want the meat to get too mushy)

and add in 2 ounces of cream cheese, little pieces at a time.

Mix together well.

Now Form into Patties and Pepper them.

(I use a piece of wax or parchment paper to separate the patties so they don't stick together and so you don't dirty more dishes!)

Cover with saran wrap and put in the refrigerator while you get the grill started. (or you could make them in the broiler, or in a skillet- up to you) We grilled them, well my husband did =)

When you cook them you want to make sure they are cooked all the way through! And that the liquids run clear when you press down on the burgers with a spatula.

While those are cooking.. you can get started on the cream cheese "spread", if you will.

Take the remainder of your cream cheese (2 ounces) and a generous squirt of ranch dressing, you want to mix them together in a double boiler until soft and creamy.

You can put this in the refrigerator for a few minutes for it to cool.

Now you can toast your hamburger buns under the broiler

Putting your burger together..

I put the cream cheese spread on the top bun because it was taking place of the usual "sliced cheese"

I put my other condiments on the bottom bun.

Then placed on Turkey Burger

and Voila!

Hope you all enjoy! My family and I really enjoyed it! =)