Week of Nov 14, 2011

Mon - Easy Chicken Noodle Soup
Tue - DCB Microwave White Bean and Chicken Chilli
Wed - Beef Goulash
Thur - Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Fri - Cal-zones


Swanson Easy Chicken Soup

4 cups Swanson® Chicken Broth (Regular, Natural Goodness® or Certified Organic)

Generous dash ground black pepper

1 medium carrot, sliced (about 1/2 cup)

1 stalk celery, sliced (about 1/2 cup)

1/2 cup uncooked extra wide egg noodles

1 cup shredded cooked chicken or turkey

Heat the broth, black pepper, carrot and celery in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat to a boil.

Stir the noodles and chicken in the saucepan. Reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 10 minutes or until the noodles are tender, stirring occasionally.

Tips:

• Flavor Variation: for Asian soup, add 2 green onions cut into 1/2-inch pieces, 1 clove garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon ground ginger and 2 teaspoons soy sauce. Substitute uncooked curly Asian noodles for the egg noodles.
• Flavor Variation: for Mexican soup, add 1/2 cup Pace® Picante sauce, 1 clove garlic, minced, 1 cup rinsed and drained canned black beans and1/2 teaspoon chili powder. Substitute 2 corn tortillas (4 or 6-inch) cut into thin strips for the noodles, adding them just before serving.
• Flavor Variation: for Italian tortellini soup, add 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained, 1 clove garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, crushed and 1 cup fresh spinach leaves. Substitute 1/2 cup frozen cheese tortellini for the egg noodles. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.

Microwave White Bean and Chicken Chili (Pampered Chef)
3 whole heads garlic (about 48 cloves), unpeeled
¾ tsp salt, divided
3 tbsp olive oil, divided
2 poblano peppers
1 medium onion
1½ lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 tbsp Southwestern Seasoning Mix (or taco seasoning, but omit salt above)
2 cans (15.5 oz each) Great Northern beans, drained
1 jar (16 oz) salsa verde
1. Using (5-in.) Santoku Knife, slice about 1/4 in. off the pointed top of garlic heads to expose
cloves. Place garlic cut side up in Classic Batter Bowl. Sprinkle garlic with 1/4 tsp of the salt and
drizzle with 2 tbsp of the oil. Cover batter bowl with lid; microwave on HIGH 3 minutes or until
garlic is soft. Set aside to cool.
2. Meanwhile, finely dice peppers using Santoku Knife. Chop onion using Food Chopper. Combine
peppers and onion in Deep Covered Baker. Trim and finely dice chicken using Boning Knife.
Add chicken, seasoning mix, remaining 1 tbsp oil and remaining 1/2 tsp salt to baker; mix well
using Master Scraper. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 4 minutes; stir to separate chicken. Cover;
microwave an additional 4-6 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
3. Meanwhile, gently squeeze cooled garlic from heads into batter bowl (discard skins); mash using
Mix ‘N Masher. Add beans and salsa to batter bowl. Transfer bean mixture to baker; mix well.
Microwave, covered, on HIGH 5-7 minutes or until chili is heated through.
NOTE: Serve this chili with optional toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, lime wedges, diced
avocado or chopped cilantro. Yield: 8 servings (8 cups) Nutrients per serving: Light (1 cup): Calories 230, Total Fat 7 g, Saturated Fat 1.5 g, Cholesterol 70 mg, Carbohydrate 21 g, Protein 21 g, Sodium 750 mg, Fiber 4 g NOTE: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be substituted for the chicken thighs, if desired.


Beef Goulash
Use leftover beef roast OR 1lb of ground beef (80/20 0r 85/15) browned
2 cup beef or veggie stock
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup Hunts Garlic and Herb spaghetti sauce (or whichever brand/type you prefer)

• 3 cups Elbow Macaroni uncooked
• HOT water, if needed
• Heat all ingredients, except macaroni, in a large sauce pan over med-high heat. Simmer for 30+ minutes. Heat to boiling and add macaroni. Add extra HOT water or HOT broth to just to cover macaroni, if needed. Gently boil macaroni on med-high heat until tender and the sauce is thickened. 

Grilled Cheese and Soup

8 slices of bread

16 slices of cheese (I like cheddar)

butter

2 cans Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup (made according to directions with water)

Goldfish crackers for soup

Lightly butter both sides of bread. Place 2 pieces of cheese on 4 of the bread slices. Top cheese with another slice of bread. move to a large non-stick skillet. Cover and cook on med-high/medium for 5-10 or until the bottom piece browns. Uncover. Turn sandwiches over and cook until brown on other side. Serve hot with hot soup.

• FRI -  http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/pizza-joe-crescent-sandwiches/deb6b104-5465-4522-a0b8-85ff39ed2ee9/ NOTE: I wall be using the rest of the Hunts spaghetti sauce instead of pizza sauce

Week of Nov 7, 2011

Sun - Sun Dried Tomato and Smoked Cheese Sauce
Mon - Hot Italian Sandwiches
Tue - BBQ Pork Sandwiches
Wed - Shredded Pork Nachos (use leftover pork)
Thur - Italian Wedding Soup
Fri - Potato-Ham Bake (Better Homes and Garden Recipe) 
Sat - Stove Top Easy Chicken Bake


Sun Dried Tomato and Smoked Cheese Sauce

3 tbsp butter

3 tbsp flour

3 cups milk

1 cup shredded Smoked Gouda or Smoked Cheddar

1 cup shredded Mozerrela cheese

1/4 cup Sun Dried Tomatoes in oil

Salt and Pepper to Taste

In a large non-stick pan, melt the butter on a high heat. Whisk in the flour, turn down the heat to low, and keep it moving for about five minutes. Make sure it's free of lumps. Turn the heat back up to high and stir in the milk, simmer, stirring, until it starts to bubble. Turn down heat to medium. Stir in 1/3 of the cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted, then repeat 2x until all the cheese is incorporated. Stir in the Sun Dried tomatoes with oil. Taste. Season with salt and pepper. Serve over pasta - great on penne (3 cups uncooked, prepare according to package) or cheese stuffed pasta such as tortellini.


Hot Italian Sandwiches
1 Pillsbury Italian Loaf  (prepare according to package)
1 package sliced pastrami
1 package sliced deli ham
sliced porchini peppers
Sliced onion
5-8 slices provolone cheese
Mayo and Dijon Mustard (optional) 
Heat meat in microwave for 30 seconds, or until just warm. Layer ingedents on bread. Serve with chips and veggies with dip.


BBQ Pork
5 lb pork shoulder/roast (so there are leftovers)
2 tbsp BBQ Rub - such as Pampered Chef Smokey BBQ Rub
1/2 apple juice
Sauce: mix 1 cup BBQ sauce (you favorite brand), 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp ketchup
4-6 hamburger buns
Rub pork with rub on both sides. (For better flavor, marinate in rub for 2 hours - to over night, if possible). Pour juice in roasting pan or dutch oven. Put pork in pan. Cover and bake at 325F for 4 hours or until the pork is fork tender and falling apart. Shred/chop about 2/3 of the roast and mix with sauce. Serve on buttered toasted buns. Top with cole slaw if desired. I will also be serving sweet potato fries (from frozen bag).


Pork Nachos - Toss 1 cup shredded pork with 1/2 cup salsa. Use Nacho recipe from week July 31, 2011 but add the shredded pork.


Italian Wedding Soup
Meatballs: Combine 1 lb ground turkey, 1/2 cup Italian style bread crumbs, 1 egg, tsp salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl (I like my Batter Bowl for this), mix just until combined. Do not over mix. Using small scoop, spoon out scoop-fulls of mix and drop meatballs in large nonstick skillet - all should fit. Cook on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until browned and internal temp of 185F is reached. 

Broth: Saute 1/2 medium onion, 1 chopped carrot, 2 chopped celery stocks and 2 cloves of pressed garlic in 1 tbsp olive oil in soup pot until tender. Add 12 cups chicken stock, meatballs and 1/2 lb chopped escarole. Simmer for 10 minutes. Serve with Parmesan Cheese shredded on top.

THUR - http://www.bhg.com/recipe/pork/potato-ham-bake/

FRI - http://www.kraftbrands.com/stovetop/hearty-meals/easy-chicken-bake/

Week of Oct 30, 2011

Sun - Homemade Marinara and Spaghetti

Mon - Chicken Enchilada Mummies (I'm doing beef instead of chicken) Pillsbury.com 
Tue - Roasted Pork and Veggies

Wed - Parmesan Chicken Strips and Potatoes

Thurs- Meatloaf

Fri - Picante Chicken Bake (Campbell's Kitchen)

Marinara Sauce

6 large fresh tomatoes, peeled and seeded, diced
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes with juice (or double fresh tomatoes)

2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp each fresh basil and oregano, chopped
2 tsp italian parsley, chopped
4 cloves garlic, pressed
1 medium onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb ground meat (1/2 mild italian sausage, 1/2 beef, recommended)
1 tbsp granulated sugar
2 cups stock (any you prefer, I use veggie)
Salt and pepper to taste
In a large sauce/stock pan: Brown meat. Drain, chop. (can do meatless if prefer). Saute onion, green pepper in oil until tender, add garlic until fragrant. Add other ingredients. Simmer on med-low heat for at least 1 hour (3 hours best). Can refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze in air tight container(s) for up to 6 months.

Roast Pork and Veggies

3+ lb pork roast

salt and pepper

1 large yellow onion, chopped

1 lb bag carrots, chopped or baby carrots

4 celery, chopped

4 cloves garlic, pressed

3-4 medium sweet potatoes, (yams) cubed

1 tsp thyme

3 bay leaves

1 tsp dried rosemary

2 cups stock

1/2 cup apple juice/cider

Directions

Remove meat after 2 1/2 hours, and add potatoes to pot, and return meat. Add more hot stock if there is none left in pan. Cover with foil. Cook for one more hour or until potatoes are tender.

Sprinkle roast with salt and pepper. Add all (except sweet potatoes) to roasting pan or oven safe pot. Add stock and juice. Add roast. Bake covered with foil for 2 1/2 hours at 350F. Turn meat over every hour. 

Chicken Enchiliada Mummies http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/chicken-enchilada-mummies/24e06831-cb29-4cd2-a838-fb20558bc480/

Parmesan Potatoes

4 Baking Potatoes, sliced into thin circles

1 cup Kraft Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup flour

2 tbsp each salt and pepper

1 tbsp garlic powder

Put flour, salt, pepper, garlic, and cheese into plastic freezer bag (gallon size) and shake to mix. Put in potatoes and shake until potatoes are coated. Use butter to coat the cookie sheet. Lay potatoes on the sheet in single layer (no over lapping). Bake at 350 in the oven until potatoes are done and light brown - about 30 minutes. Turning potatoes over once.

Chicken - 3-4 chicken breasts cut into strips. Use same coating and method as potatoes above. Bake on greased cookie sheet at 350F until no longer pink and reaches 165F temp. Turning strips over once. 

You can bake both potatoes and chicken in oven on 2 separate sheets, on middle and one rack above middle. Turn pan and switch racks half-way through cooking.

Meatloaf (my oven recipe)

2 lb lean ground beef (or 1 beef 1 turkey for low fat)

1 1/4 cup bread crumbs

1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 tsp each salt and pepper

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp olive oil, for turkey only

Topping: 1/2 cup ketchup, 1 tsp BBQ sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar. Mix in a bowl.

Mix ingredients together until incorporated, do not over mix. Place in a loaf pan, best to use a meatloaf pan that has a way to drain fat off bottom. Bake at 350F for 1 hour or until temp reaches 160F in center. Add topping sauce 20-30 minutes before done, if desired. Allow to stand 5-10 minutes before slicing.

DCB option: place in DCB. Microwave covered on high for 17-20 minutes, or until reaches temp of 150F. Top with sauce, if desired, microwave covered for another 2-3 minutes, or until temp reaches 160F. Allow to stand 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Picante Chicken Bake  http://www.campbellskitchen.com/RecipeDetail.aspx?recipeId=25911&ref=%2fSearchRecipesResult.aspx%3fq%3dPicante%2bChicken%26filter%3d%26fbid%3dU9NzDk-_nsc&fbid=U9NzDk-_nsc

Week of Oct 24, 2011

Mon - Salisbury Steak
Tue - Tuscan Sausage Stew (PC, 29 min to dinner, p89)
Wed - Pork Stew (Campbell's Kitchen)
Thur - Ravioli (frozen, preapred according to package)
Fri - Harvest Soup (squash soup, PC, Stoneware Insperations, p53) contact me for recipe
Sat - Twice Baked Potatoes (Foodnetwork.com)

Salisbury Steak
4 cube steaks
1/2 cup flour
seasoning salt
1 tbsp oil
For Gravy: (or use 2 packets brown gravy mix and follow directions to make)
1 can beef broth
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp browning sauce
salt and pepper to taste
for thickening: 2 tbsp butter, tbsp flour mixed together
Sprinkle steaks with seasoning salt. Lightly cover the steaks in flour. Heat a large skillet to med-high, add oil then steaks. Brown on both sides, about 5 minutes each. Remove from pan. Add thickening mix to pan on high heat, melt, turn down heat to medium and let cook stirring frequently for 2 minutes or until smells nutty. Add broth and sauces, turn heat back up to medium. Replace steaks and cover and let cook for 10 minutes (if gravy gets too thick add more broth or water). Serve with mashed potatoes and a veggie.

Tuscan White Bean and Sausage Stew

3/4 lb hot Italian sausage links
2 medium carrots
1 medium bulb fresh fennel
1 can (14.5 OZor 398 mL) petite diced tomatoes, untrained
2 cups (500 mL) chicken broth
4 garlic cloves, pressed
2 cans (15 OZor 540 mL each) cannellini beans
1 pkg (18 g) fresh basil
1. Remove casings from sausage. Cut in half lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1/2-in. nuggets.
2. Place sausage into (4-qt./4-l) Casserole and cook over medium heat 5 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.
3. As sausage cooks, peel carrots. Chop carrots and fennel; add to Casserole and cook an additional 3-5 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink and vegetables begin to brown.
4. Stir tomatoes, broth and garlic into sausage mixture. Drain and rinse beans using small Colander; add to Casserole.
5. Simmer stew, uncovered, 10-12 minutes or until vegetables are tender, As stew simmers, chop basil. Remove Casserole from heat; stir in basil. Serve immediately.
Yield: 6 servings U.S. Nutrients per serving (1 CUP/250 ml): Calories 330, Total Fat 18 g, Saturated Fat 7 g, Cholesterol 4S mg, Carbohydrate 27 g, Protein 16 g, Sodium 800 mg, Fiber 7 g u.s. Diabetic exchanges per serving (1 CUP/250 mL): 1 starch, 2 high-fat meat, '/2 fat (1 carb)

WED - Pork Stew http://www.campbellskitchen.com/RecipeDetail.aspx?recipeId=60556&EID=4761&MID=4390169&LID=4460&fbid=U9NzDk-_nsc

SAT - Twice Baked Potatoes http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/twice-baked-potatoes-recipe/index.html I will be adding bacon

Week of Oct 16, 2011

SUN - Chili Mac
MON - Patisserie Chicken (from store)
TUE - Baked Chicken and Dumplings
WED- Corn Chowder and Cheese Biscuits
THUR - Tatar Tot Casserole
FRI- Quick Chicken Primavera Risotto Recipe (Pampered Chef, SB FW 2006)


SUN - Place two cups mac n cheese (or a boxed mac n cheese, prepared), and 1 1/2 cups leftover chili (or 1 can of chilli) into a pot with a 1/2 cup water. Heat over medium heat until hot. Top with shredded cheese and/or fresh chopped onions.

Baked Chicken and Dumplings

1 lb cooked, diced or shredded chicken

1 can cream of celery or chicken soup

2 stalks of celery, diced

2 cloves of garlic, pressed

1/2 medium onion, diced

1 small bag of frozen mixed veggies

1 1/2 can of water

salt and pepper

Sauté the onion, celery and garlic until onion is translucent. Meanwhile, mix soup, water, salt and pepper in a 9x13 baking pan. Add all other ingredients, and mix together.

(dumplings - drop biscuits)

2  cups flour

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

4 tbsp soft butter

4 tbsp shortening

3/4 cup butter milk (to make butter milk - add 1 tsp of white vinegar to 3/4 cup milk, let sit 2 minutes)

 Mix dry ingredients, butter and shortening in a large mixing bowl with a fork or pastry bender. Until it resembles peas. Add butter milk, mix until it forms a dough. Scoop small dumplings out of the mix and drop into the pan on top of the chicken/veg mix.

Bake at 375 uncovered until the dumplings are golden brown and done all the way through. About 30-40 minutes.

WED: Paula Dean's Corn Chowder http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/chef-jacks-corn-chowder-recipe/index.html Serve with cheddar biscuits, recipe follows:

Cheesy Drop biscuits

2  cups flour

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp garlic powder

4 tbsp soft butter

4 tbsp shortening

3/4 cup butter milk (to make butter milk - add 1 tsp of white vinegar to 3/4 cup milk, let sit 2 minutes)

1/2-3/4 cup finely grated cheese

Egg wash: 1 egg, 1/2 cup water beat together

 Mix dry ingredients, butter and shortening in a large mixing bowl with a fork or pastry bender, until it resembles peas. Add butter milk, mix until it forms a dough. Fold in cheese. Scoop small amount out of the mix. Form into balls with you hand and drop onto a greased cookie sheet. Brush with egg wash or melted butter. Bake at 350F until biscuits are golden brown and done all the way through. About 15 minutes.

tator tot casserole

1 can of condensed cream of mushroom soup

1 bag of tator tots

1 lb ground beef

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

salt and pepper

1. Crisp tots in oven on a cookie sheet at 425F for 10 minutes. Brown and drain ground beef.

2. Layer 1/2 the tots, 1/2 the soup, 1/2 beef and then 1/2 the cheese in a 2 quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Repeat. Bake at 350F until warm in center, about 30 minutes.

Quick Chicken Primavera Risotto Recipe (Pampered Chef)
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces each)
Salt and coarsely ground black pepper
Basil Oil or olive oil
1 lemon, cut in half crosswise
1 medium onion
1 large garlic clove, pressed
2 packages (8.8 ounces each) buttery or roasted chicken flavor pre-cooked rice
1 medium carrot, peeled \
1 medium zucchini
2 plum tomatoes
2 - 2 1/2 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated Asiago cheese

1/4 cup snipped fresh basil
2 ounces mascarpone cheese or cream cheese (optional)
Flatten chicken to 1/2-inch thickness using flat side of Meat Tenderizer. Season both sides with salt and black pepper. Lightly spray (12-in.) Skillet with oil using Kitchen Spritzer; heat over medium-high heat 1-3 minutes or until hot. Arrange chicken and lemon halves, cut sides down, in Skillet; cook 3-4 minutes on each side or until center of chicken is no longer pink (do not turn lemon halves). Remove chicken and lemon from Skillet. Cool slightly; slice chicken into 1/2-inch pieces using Chef's Knife and set aside.
Chop onion using Food Chopper. Lightly spray same Skillet with additional oil. Cook onion and garlic pressed with Garlic Press over medium heat 4-6 minutes or until onion is tender.
Add rice; juice caramelized lemon halves into Skillet using Citrus Press. Cook and stir 3-4 minutes or until juice is completely absorbed into rice. Cut carrot into julienne strips using Julienne Peeler. Slice zucchini using Crinkle Cutter. Seed tomatoes; dice using Utility Knife. Add vegetables and 2 cups of the broth to Skillet; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer 4-5 minutes or until broth is slightly thickened. Stir in chicken; cook until heated through.
Remove risotto from heat. Add Asiago cheese and basil; stir until cheese is melted and sauce is thickened (adjust sauce consistency with additional broth, if necessary). Stir in mascarpone cheese, if desired.
Yield: 6 servings  Nutrients per serving: Light: Calories 250, Total Fat 5 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 45 mg, Carbohydrate 31 g, Protein 20 g, Sodium 940 mg, Fiber 3 g

Week of Oct 17, 2011

Mon - Spaghetti and Meat Sauce 
          (packages noodles, jar sauce with browned/drained ground beef)
Tue - Mexican Turkey Crescent Bake (Pillsbury recipe, link below)
Wed - Chicken and Rice Casserole
Thur - Filipino Adobo (Foodnetwork.com)
Fri - Three Bean Chili
Sat - Homemade Make n' Cheese


TUESDAY = http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/mexican-turkey-crescent-bake/e7ac45ea-6adb-4e95-82ba-8a1afb58fc77/?WT.dcsvid=Njc1ODkwMTg0MwS2&rvrin=3AC57D31-8533-4DCE-B83D-2E89FBE7B47&WT.mc_id=Newsletter_PB_PB_2011_10_4_Dynamic%20Content%20Send


Chicken and Rice Casserole
4 skinless, boneless breast filet
1 can cream of mushroom soup (I perfer Campbell's Healthy Choice)
1 1/2 cans of water
2 cups dry Long Grain White Minute Rice
2 tsp Salt
Salt and Pepper to taste
Grease a 9x13 pan with butter. Sprinkle Chicken Beasts with salt and pepper - both sides. Mix rice, salt, soup and water in the pan. Evenly spread out rice. Place chicken on top. Cover with foil. Bake in 350F oven for 40-60  minutes, or until rice is done and chicken is no longer pink and liquid is adsorbed.

THURSDAY - http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/filipino-chicken-adobo-recipe/index.html I will be doing a pork shoulder instead of the chicken thighs. 




Three Bean Chili

1 lb ground beef

1 15.5 oz can Pinto beans

1 15.5 oz can Black beans

1 15.5 oz can Kidney beans

2 14 oz cans diced tomatoes (use ones with chilis, for hotter chili)

1 tbsp tomato paste

1 onion, diced

2 small cloves garlic

1 green and/or red bell pepper

2 cups beef stock

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tbsp oil

Brown beef, drain. In a large stock pot sauté onions and bell peppers in oil on medium until onions are translucent. Add garlic, cook until fragrant. Add beef, beans, tomatoes with the juice, paste, and stock to pot. Bring to a boil. Boil over medium heat for at least 30 minutes, up to 6 hours on med-low heat. 

OR cook in slow cooker (with the browned beef) on high for 8 hours. Taste and add salt and pepper accordingly.
I will be serving this with corn bread - a box of Jiffy and the ingredients listed on the package to make, it plus 1 tbsp honey.

NOTE: This makes a lot of chili! You can refrigerate, after cooling completely, for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 6 months if in an airtight container.

Mac n' Cheese

2 1/2 cups dry elbow macaroni

3 tbsp butter

3 tbsp flour

3 cups milk

3 cups sharp cheddar, shredded (feel free to use other cheeses, or combinations - such as 1 cup Cheddar, 1 cup Provolone  and 1 cup Smoked Gouda is fantastic with crispy bacon!)

Salt and Pepper to taste

Fresh black pepper

Topping (optional): 3 tbsp butter,1 cup bread crumbs. 

 if you desire a crispy topping: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Boil the pasta to al dente. The water, like all pasta water, should be salted before hand until it tastes like salt water.

While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter on a high heat. Whisk in the flour, turn down the heat to low, and keep it moving for about five minutes. Make sure it's free of lumps. Turn the heat back up to high and stir in the milk, simmer, stirring constantly, until it starts to bubble. Turn down heat to medium. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix. Taste, add more salt and pepper if needed. May serve now, if desired, top with remainder of cheese.

 If you desire to bake to get a crispy crust: Pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese. Melt the butter in a saute pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat. Top the macaroni with the bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving.

Week of Oct 2, 2011

Mon - Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Tue - Swedish Meatballs
Wed - Ham and Beans
Thur - DCB Chicken Dinner with Stuffing
Fri - Mushroom Smothered Beef Patties (Campbell's recipe)

Loaded Baked Potato Soup 

4 large baking potatoes, diced small

6 green onions, chopped

1/2 lb bacon

1 1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup sour cream

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Thickener: 2 tbsp AP flour, 1 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp bacon grease; you may use 2 more tbsp of butter instead of bacon grease if you prefer.

Salt and Pepper to taste

Cut bacon into cubes. Cook bacon. Reserve 2 tbsp of drippings for thickener, drain the rest.

Put diced potatoes in a large soup pot. Cover potatoes with water - just enough water to cover no more. Cook on high until potatoes are tender, stirring often. Remove half of the potatoes and set aside. Lightly mash the potatoes that are in the pot with the liquid, do not over mash, leave lumps. Return diced potatoes to pot. Add milk, half the onions, sour cream, thickener and 1/2 the bacon. Boil until desired thickness is reached, stirring often. Serve with the remaining onions and bacon, and cheese as toppings.

HAM AND BEANS

1 ham bone

1 pound navy beans, rinsed, picked over, soaked overnight and drained

2 32 oz boxes of stock (veggie, pork or chicken)

2 carrots, diced fine

1 celery, diced fine

1/2 onion, diced fine

4 cloves garlic, pressed

1 tbsp olive oil

1 bay leaf

salt and pepper to taste

In a large stock pot, on medium heat saute onion, carrot, garlic and celery in oil until fragrant. Add stock, heat to a boil (high heat). Add ham bone and bay leaf. Simmer for at least 3 hours on medium-low heat, stirring and checking liquid leave often. Add pepper and salt to taste when ready to serve.

If desired, you can put all ingredients in a slow-cooker for 8 hours on high instead of on the stove.

Thur - 30 minute Chicken Recipe using Chicken Breasts and adding 1/2 tsp ground sage to seasonings (see week of Sept 25, 2011), served with Stove Top Stuffing and Green Beans

Fri - http://www.campbellkitchen.com/RecipeDetail.aspx?recipeId=25629&categoryId=9&ref=%2fRecipeCategory.aspx%3fcategoryId%3d9%26fbid%3dNHPvBDG3ijG&fbid=NHPvBDG3ijG