Tomato Soup

As promised, I am back with the tomato soup recipe.

I found this recipe from none other then the "Pioneer Woman" cookbook.

Image and recipe from Pioneer Woman

Ingredients

• 6 Tablespoons Melted Butter
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 1 whole Medium Onion, Diced
• 1 bottle (46 Oz.) Tomato Juice
• 2 cans (14 Oz. Cans) Diced Tomatoes
• 1 Tablespoon (up To 3 Tablespoons) Chicken Base
• 3 Tablespoons (up To 6 Tablespoons) Sugar
• 1 pinch Salt
• Black Pepper To Taste
• 1 cup Cooking Sherry (I did not add this and it was still AWESOME!!) Next time I will put the sherry in.
• 1-1/2 cup Heavy Cream
• Chopped Fresh Parsley
• Chopped Fresh Basil

Preparation Instructions

Sauté diced onions in butter until translucent. Then add canned tomatoes, tomato juice, chicken base, sugar, pinch of salt, black pepper and stir. Bring to a near boil, then turn off heat. Add in sherry and cream and stir. Add in parsley and basil to taste.
Adjust other seasonings and serve with yummy, crusty bread on a cold blustery, dreary, depressing, rainy, snowy day. Then close your eyes.
And give thanks for soups like this.

I made this soup two days before. The longer this soup sits the better it tastes.

I tripled this recipe.

Happy Friday

Happy Friday!!

I don't know about you but I am tired of all this wacky weather we've been having!!

I want SPRING weather!!!!!

Sorry, I have been absent this week!! All of my free time has been consumed reading my new book!!

I had a really hard time putting it down!!! It's a great love story. It just goes to show that everyone has their own little love story. Makes me think that I should write down my love story!! LOL!!!

If anyone would like to read this book, let me know and I will let you borrow it. The book also has some of her yummy recipes.

This weekend we are going to be working out in the yard. I also hope to get a little project done in the house.

What are your weekend plans?

Whatever they are make sure you take some time to relax!!1



Soup, Dessert, and a Funny Story

Soup season is coming to a close at our house. This brought great concern to Ballerina who wanted to know what we would be eating on Thursdays. I stop making soup at the end of March, I feel that April is too warm for soup. However, I do make Matzoh Ball Soup for Passover.

This past Thursday I made Lentil soup. It was the best Lentil soup I've ever had. Ballerina even declared it her favorite soup!!! (That's a big deal.)

I got the recipe from Lucinda Scala Quinn's Mad Hungry TV Show.

 I doubled the recipe so I could freeze half of it for later this month!!

Serves 6 to 8

2 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 onion, chopped (3/4 cup)

2 carrots, peeled and chopped (3/4 cup)

2 celery stalks, peeled and chopped (2/3 cup)

3 garlic cloves, minced (1 tablespoon)

1 tablespoon coarse salt

1 small tomato, chopped (1/3 cup)

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 cups brown or green lentils

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1 small bay leaf

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

6 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth

4 cups water, plus more if needed

2 teaspoons red wine vinegar

Garlic Croutons, optional


Directions


1.Heat a large soup pot over high heat and swirl in the olive oil. Add the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Reduce the heat to low and saute until the vegetables are lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes.


2.Add the lentils, thyme, bay leaf, pepper, and the remaining 2 teaspoons salt. Add the broth and water, and bring to a boil, skimming and discarding any foam as it rises to the surface. Reduce the heat and simmer until the lentils are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. (The cooking time depends on the age of the dried lentils.) Stir in the vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If needed, thin the soup with additional water or broth for the desired consistency. Serve in a bowl topped with fresh croutons, if using.

Now, this next recipe came from "The Pioneer Woman" Cookbook. In the cookbook it says that you have to make this Chocolate Cake right away because you haven't lived until you've eaten this cake.

The Best Chocolate Sheet Cake Ever!!

Image from Pioneer Woman Blog

Ingredients



•FOR THE CAKE:

•2 cups Flour

•2 cups Sugar

•¼ teaspoons Salt

•4 Tablespoons (heaping) Cocoa

•2 sticks Butter

•1 cup Boiling Water

•½ cups Buttermilk

•2 whole Beaten Eggs

•1 teaspoon Baking Soda

•1 teaspoon Vanilla


•_____


•FOR FROSTING:


•½ cups Finely Chopped Pecans

•1-¾ stick Butter

•4 Tablespoons (heaping) Cocoa

•6 Tablespoons Milk

•1 teaspoon Vanilla

•1 pound (minus 1/2 Cup) Powdered Sugar

Preparation Instructions


In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.


In a saucepan, melt butter. Add cocoa. Stir together.


Add boiling water, allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds, then turn off heat. Pour over flour mixture, and stir lightly to cool.






In a measuring cup, pour the buttermilk and add beaten eggs, baking soda, and vanilla. Stir buttermilk mixture into butter/chocolate mixture. Pour into sheet cake pan and bake at 350-degrees for 20 minutes.

While cake is baking, make the icing. Chop pecans finely. Melt butter in a saucepan. Add cocoa, stir to combine, then turn off heat. Add the milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Stir together. Add the pecans, stir together, and pour over warm cake.


Cut into squares, eat, and totally wig out over the fact that you’ve just made the best chocolate sheet cake. Ever!!!!!

Ballerina helped me make the cake

Our Review of the cake....

Tommy thought it was AMAZING!!!!

I thought it was very good. I'm not a big fan of chocolate cake I prefer a chocolate bar. I also woke up around 2:00 am with some bad heart burn.
Speed Racer sang the entire time he ate the cake and then he cuddled up with me and thanked me for dessert. (I think he loved the cake)
Ballerina also loved the cake.

If you want to be a rock star then you want to make this cake!!!

As you all know I decorate for every holiday. That includes St. Patrick's Day!! We are proud Irish people here!!! (Ballerina thinks that St. Patrick's day is a day we celebrate her second cousin Patrick.) I try explaining it to her but she wants to celebrate her cousin. What's the harm?

I have this decoration that I usually put by the kitchen sink, but this year I thought that I would put it on the coffee table.

Here is the cute little leprechaun that I thought the kids would like to look at.

The other day I heard Speed Racer say to Tommy "That little man is looking at me."

Speed Racer made a big mistake by telling Tommy that piece of information, because Tommy likes to tease Speed Racer. Tommy moves the leprechaun closer to Speed Racer when he is not looking so he thinks that the leprechaun is coming to get him.

Speed Racer laughs very uncomfortably and moves the leprechaun away from him. It's something that has happened a dozen times this weekend.

We have plans to move it all around the house where Speed Racer can find it!!!

I know we're mean but it's sooooo much fun!! LOL.

Hope you had a great weekend!!!

Exercise Partner and Chicken Spaghetti

Good Morning, hopefully you are waking up to too much snow this morning.

We got about 5-6 inches. I am hoping that I will be able to use a snowman kit today!!!

Back in December I started exercising just so I feel better through out the day. I didn't join a gym, I just use DVD tapes.

As soon as I started exercising someone I know asked if she could exercise with me. I thought hey Great!!!

So here is my exercise buddy...

Ballerina exercises with me every time I exercise. We give each other positive encouragement to keep up the good work. She always asks me to exercise even though sometimes I am too tired!! She is a great exercise buddy. She really does get into it.

Not only do I have an exercise partner but I also have a cheering section!!

(If you don't have a cheering section you just think about getting one for yourself)

Don't they look like a wild cheering squad!!

I do have to say that Speed Racer did try to exercise last week but a certain dance expert told him he was doing it wrong!! LOL!!! I of course told Ballerina we can always do things our own way as long as we got moving. Then I started acting goofy!!





When we are done exercising we give each other hugs, high fives, and Girl Power!!

Boy, we both need a manicure!!

Monday night was pasta night and I still had half a rotisserie chicken in the fridge so when I saw the recipe for Chicken Spaghetti in "The Pioneer Woman" cookbook I declared this is what we will have for dinner!!!

Image from Pioneer Woman Website
Ingredients



■2 cups Cooked Chicken


■3 cups Dry Spaghetti, Broken Into Two Inch Pieces


■2 cans Cream Of Mushroom Soup


■2 cups Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese


■¼ cups Finely Diced Green Pepper


■¼ cups Finely Diced Onion


■1 jar (4 Ounce) Diced Pimentos, Drained


■2 cups Reserved Chicken Broth From Pot


■1 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt


■⅛ teaspoons (to 1/4 Teaspoon) Cayenne Pepper


■Salt And Pepper, to taste


■1 cup Additional Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese


Preparation Instructions


Cook 1 cut up fryer and pick out the meat to make two cups. Cook spaghetti in same chicken broth until al dente. Do not overcook. When spaghetti is cooked, combine with remaining ingredients except additional 1 cup sharp cheddar. I skipped this step because I had the Rotisserie Chicken leftover. I just cooked my spaghetti in water.






Place mixture in casserole pan and top with remaining sharp cheddar. Cover and freeze up to six months, cover and refrigerate up to two days, or bake immediately: 350 degrees for 45 minutes until bubbly. (If the cheese on top starts to get too cooked, cover with foil).





Our Reviews:
 
I thought it was ok. I am not really into creamy food!! I would make it again if requested.
Tommy thought it was pretty good!!
Speed Racer ate his right up!!! (He pretty much eats anything when dessert is at stake).
Ballerina she ate out all of the peppers and declared she was done!!
 
If you like creamy things then you will love this recipe!!!
 
Yesterday I took the kids on a little field trip to the East Stroudsburg Airport. I know you a like I didn't know you have an airport!! Its really for parachuting, sightseeing, and junk cars.
 
Well needless to say Speed Racer was thrilled to pieces. He requested that he be able to take two people there. Pops and Uncle Dun buggy (Tommy's brother).
 
Here is what we saw...
 
 

The Plane

I have to get a car just like this!!!

I love the trash can top!!!

The kids wanted to know if this is Daddy's plane. I love that they think Tommy has a plane!!

This reminds me of me and Tommy. We both want an old fixer upper I want an old Waggoner/Cherokee and he wants an old red pick up truck.

 
  I can't wait to go back in the spring so we can walk around!!!
 
Happy Digging!!!!
 

Chili and Kiddies

Since the weekend was going to be so cold and snowy.  Saturday's menu schedule called for Comfort Food. I decided that I would make Chili from "The Pioneer Woman Cookbook."

I made the chili first thing in the morning because we had a busy day ahead of us and I was hoping to play with the kids in the snow.

Ballerina has dance class in the morning and for some reason Speed Racer and I were moving very slowly so Tommy took Ballerina to dance.

Speed Racer and I stayed home got ready for the day, packed up and our snacks and our lunch. (Remember January is a NO eat out month).

Speed Racer and I made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. He washed the apples and cut them up. He packed everything up in our lunch bag cooler. It was so nice to have 1 on 1 time with him. He started out being SUPER cranky and whiny. I guess just spending some quiet time at home with one parent did wonders for him.

Once Tommy and Ballerina came home we loaded into the car and headed to Border's. Tommy has some gift cards that was burning a hole in his pocket. We spent some time there and then headed to BJ's to pick up a few things we needed for the house.

The kids had a birthday party so we were at the party for awhile!! It was fun!!

When we came home we went in the backyard to go sleigh riding. For some reason the kids think it's cool to go sleigh riding in the dark. We had so much fun!!! The kids and I took turn go down the little hill. Tommy stood at the bottom of the hill to make sure we didn't crash into any of the trees!!!

Once we were done playing outside we came in and enjoyed the chili that I had made earlier in the day.

Pioneer Woman Cookbook

Ingredients:

2 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon ground oregano
1 tablespoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 pounds ground beef (I USED GROUND TURKEY)
One 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup masa (corn flour, found in Mexican food section of many supermarkets) (I COULDN'T FIND THIS SO I USED CORN STARCH)
Optional Ingredients:
1 can pinto beans, drained
1 can kidney beans, drained
1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced (I  DID NOT USE THIS)
1 can diced tomatoes and chilies (I use the Rotel brand)
For Serving:
Shredded cheddar cheese
Chopped onion
Fritos

Preparation:

Begin by measuring the spices: chopped garlic, oregano, cumin, cayenne, and chili powder.

Place the ground beef in a large pot and throw in the garlic. Cook the meat until brown

Pour in the tomato sauce. Followed by the spices and the salt.

Stir together well, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. If the mixture becomes overly dry, add in ½ cup water at a time as needed.

After an hour, place the masa in a small bowl. Add ½ cup water and stir together with a fork.

Dump the masa mixture into the chili. (AGAIN I USED CORN STARCH)

Stir together well. Taste, adjust the seasonings, and add more masa paste and/or water to get the chili to your preferred consistency, or to add more corn flavor. Add the beans, jalapeño, and tomatoes if desired. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Serve with shredded cheddar, chopped onion, and Fritos.

Our Reviews:

Me- I thought this was the best chili I've had in a while.

Tommy- Awesome one of the best chili I've had. (I'm thinking really? what about the chili I made two weeks ago) LOL!!

Speed Racer he ate it and liked it even though it was spicy.

Ballerina enjoyed the chips that we served with the chili. She would not eat the chili.

We enjoyed the leftover today for lunch!! I will be making this again soon!! Next time I will make my guacamole!!!

The kids have a new obsession.

I'll give you a hint he is red and blue.

If you guessed Superman you are so WRONG!!

If you guessed Spiderman then you are so RIGHT!!!

S

Image by My Movie Wallpaper

Ballerina is so obsessed with him. Speed Racer is training to be Spiderman. He is trying to climb up walls and the stair banisters. When they play all they play is Spiderman.

Ballerina has been spelling her name and the name Olivia.

Speed Racer is into not wearing his shirt around the house because he can show off his muscles better!! (Oy Vey)

The kids are too funny!!! Everyday I sit here and laugh at them. Then I get yelled at for laughing at them! Oh well!!!



Dinner Schedule and New Cookbook

I hope that you all had a relaxing weekend and enjoyed all the snow!!

Before the New Year I decided that I would have a set schedule of meals for dinner.

The kids are always so excited for Friday nights because they know that they are having pizza.  I thought that if they knew that on Monday they were having pasta they would be excited and maybe eat their dinner.

Just because it's Monday and it's pasta night that does not mean spaghetti and red sauce oh no!!!! That would be so boring for me!!!!

Our Meal Schedule:

Monday is Pasta night.

Tuesday is Sandwich night.

Wednesday is Burger night.

Thursday is Soup or Salad night.

Friday is Pizza night.

Saturday is Comfort Food night.

Sunday is Rotisserie Chicken night. (This means I go to BJ's and pick up an already cooked chicken and make something.

We've done this for one week and it has gone wonderfully!!! I like this because it helps me plan meals ahead of time. I have our whole January menu planned already. When I see a recipe or someone is asking for something I put it on the calendar.

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I recently got a new cookbook for the holidays from my not so Secret Santa Gav.

I was sooo excited to get this cookbook because I have been wanting it for a few months since I found this lady's blog.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/

I simply LOVE LOVE her blog!!!!

Ree grew up in a Golf Course Community, went to school in California, and was getting ready to move to Chicago to begin her career. One night she went to a local dive bar and met and fell in love with a real life cowboy.  How cool is that? She blogs about her life as a cowboy's wife.

I love this cookbook!!! I have already made two recipes from the book and all this week I will be cooking from this book!!!

This cookbook rocks in my eyes!!!!

I'll share the recipes I've made from here and give you the reviews from me, hubby, and the kiddies!!!