Kidney bean Risotto

I love fast recipes that are kind of healthy. The other day I was wanting to try something with rice. But I was kind of low on ingredients. I had a ton of kidney beans so I thought I would search for a rice recipe with beans. This one came up and I tried it and it was wonderful...meaning it was something the girls would ALL eat. It is kind of boring but the next day we had it along with some homemade tortillas and all the trimmings with that so it was good. I find a lot of my German recipes from chefkoch.de

The recipe says otherwise, but sometimes I am really lazy when it comes to cooking so I just threw it all in my rice cooker and stirred it a few times while it was cooking and it turned out great.

-Measure out the amount of rice you want and add water to cook, just like you would for cooking regular rice. (Rice 1 cup, water 2 cups)

-Add green onion to your liking- I am loving green onion right now so I added I think 2 green onions

-Add veggie or chicken broth (depends on what kind of broth you have- I only have the dry mix stuff so I just add one TBS of the dry mix to the stuff and that is more than enough.

-Add 2 TBS of tomato paste

-Add some kidney beans. I think I only added half a can.

-Mix all well and turn on the rice cooker! Would be good with some corn too.

-Make sure to mix a few times while it is cooking.

-Serve with cheese and the kids will love it!

Hünchen in Erdnuss-Frischkäsesoße

(Chicken in Peanut Butter-cream cheese sauce)

This is another recipe from my amazingly great cook friend here in our German ward. I have only made it once, but it was awesome so I want to document it so I don't loose this recipe.

Here is Helen's blog if you want to take a look:
http://helensroadtowellville.blogspot.de/

Ingredients:

500g chicken breast cut small
mixed with 2 EL soysauce and  some "China-Würzen" to soak
cut up one small white onion and some green onion
put 1 TL sesame oil in a frying pan
add the meat mixture and the white onion and cook
add 500ml chicken or veggie broth and cook for 5 minutes
add 4 EL peanut butter and 6 EL cream cheese
mix well and continue to simmer
add the green onion
add spices to taste: Ginger, paprika, chili, pepper and salt
cook for another 10 minutes

serve over rice with steamed veggies

Awesome no knead, no rise time bread recipe

Ingredients:

500g flour (can be a mix of whatever flours you want)
1 cube fresh yeast (Frische Hefe)
1 EL Honey
2 EL Apple vinegar
450 ml warm water
2 TL salt
150g seeds of your choice (oatmeal, pumpkin, flax)

-Spray a loaf pan
-In a large bowl measure out and mix the flour and salt
-In a small bowl put the fresh yeast, warm water, honey and apple vinegar
-Mix the yeast mixture with the flour mixture
-Add the seeds and mix well
-DO NOT preheat the oven! Put the teig into the loaf pan and top with a few more seeds to make it look cute. Put in the oven and then turn it on to whatever the American equivalent of 180-120 degrees C umluft.
-Cook for 70 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean...I have always taken mine out way before 70 minutes, maybe my oven runs hotter. When done, turn oven off and leave in the oven for 10 minutes and then take out and let cool.
-Eat right away with butter and cheese!!
-Enjoy your Abendbrot!!

**do NOT let this mix sit at all before you cook it....it will rise and make a mess. The first time I made this bread I was running late to go pick up the girls from Kiindergarten so I just left it on the counter in the loaf pan and then came back to find that it had risen a bunch. So then I put it in the oven to cook it and then forgot about it and then went to check on it and discovered I had not even turned the oven on so it had totally expanded all over the oven. So I scooped it all into two loaf pans. It was ok but not as good.

I hope there is such a thing as fresh yeast in America. I am getting hooked on this bread.

Molten Lava Cake

This is heavenly! Enjoy Anne!

4 squares semi-sweet chocolate
1 c. powdered sugar
2 egg yolks
1/2 c. butter
2 eggs
6 tbsp. flour

Preheat oven to 425 F/220 C. Butter 4 (3/4 c.) custard/souffle cups and place on baking sheet. Microwave the chocolate and buttter in large bowl on high for 1 min. or until butter is melted. Stir with wire whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar until well blended. Whisk in eggs and egg yolks.  Stir in flour. Divide batter between prepared cups.

Bake 13-14 min or until sides are firm but centers are soft. Let stand for 1 minute. Carefully run a small knife around the cakes to loosen. Invert the cakes onto serving plates. Serve immediately with cream or ice cream. Makes 4 cakes.

Poppy Seed Dressing

1/c c. oil (canola)
3/4 c. white vinegar
3/4 c. sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp. grated red onion (I have used 1/2 tsp onion powder and it works too)
1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1 1/2 tsp. poppy seed

Blend all ingredients minus the poppy seeds. Fold in poppy seeds and then you are done!!
Yummy on spinach salad with strawberries, chicken, nuts.

Carmelitas

Warning: Only make this recipe if you have other people to help eat it! It is sooo good, that you might eat the rest of the pan while hubby are at work the day after you make it!!!

2 c. flour
2 c. reg. oats
1 c. brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Combine.
1 c. melted butter.
Mix.( I used my hands to get it all mixed together well. ) Press 1/2 oats mix into greased 9x13 pan. Bake 10 min at 350 deg.

1 12oz jar caramel ice cream topping
6 tbsp flour
Whisk together til smooth.
1 pkg. milk chocolate chips
1 c. chopped walnuts
Layer chips, nuts, caramel, other 1/2 oat mixture. Press lightly down lightly so the oats are not so crumbly after baking.
Bake 20 min at 350 deg.
ENJOY!!

Thai Pineapple Chicken Curry

I went to a bridal shower last weeend and had this...it was HEAVENLY! I could have eaten the whole bowl. Needless to say, I can't wait to make this. Maybe for a late dinner date night soon??

1/2-1 tbsp. concentrated red curry paste
2 cans (13.5oz) coconut milk
2 chicken breasts cut into strips
1 1/2 tbsp fish sauce
1/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. sliced bamboo shoots, drained
1/2 red pepper julienned
1/2 green pepper, julienned
1/2 sm. onion chopped

In bowl, whisk together curry paste and 1 can coconut milk. Transfer to a wok, and mix in remaining coconut milk, chicken, fish sauce and bamboo shoots. b ring to boil, cook 15 min til chicken done.
Add the peppers and onion, cook 10 more min. til peppers tender. Remove from heat and add pineapple.

**This is from allrecipes.com. One review said, "First, heat about 1 TBSP of vegetable oil in large skillet or wok over high heat. Stir in the red curry paste and stir briskly, until it "foams". Add the coconut milk, then add chicken. Cook on high heat for about 4 minutes. Add the veggies and cook another 3-4 minutes." **

Easiest Enchiladas EVER

Ok this isn't a freezer meal, but it is the quickest prep meal I know that isn't take-out. I make these all the time because they take about 7 minutes to make and not that long to cook. Seriously, we probably eat these once a week.

Mix together:
1 can beans, drained (black or pinto)
1 can corn, drained
1 can chicken (actually I skip this most the time and it is still good)
Around a cup of cheese
Enough salsa to moisten everything up, maybe 3/4 to 1 cup

Grease 9x13 pan. Divide mixture into the small sized tortillas (about 12 or so), roll them up and put in pan. Open one can red enchilada sauce, (14 oz size) and pour over top. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. We eat them with sour cream and lettuce.

This is usually enough for Curt and I to eat for dinner and lunch the next day, without the chicken added. You could easily double it or just make it like a layered casserole if that is easier.

Other freezer meal ideas-- I've made Liza's recipe for lasagna, cooked and then frozen that before and you just have to plan ahead and take it out the night before or in the morning and then bake for about an hour. If you are making lasagna anyway, it is easy to make a lot for later.

Freezer meal ideas?

Okay, I need some freezer meal ideas that I can make with Scott. Our idea for date night this week or next is to make a bunch of freezer measl that Scott can do for dinners. 'Cause by 5 pm, I am stuck on the couch for the night! (Or 9 am like today...) I figure we just need to make it til this baby comes (along with Mom) and then we'll be okay, but that is 1 month away, so help please!

Cornell Barbeque Chicken & Salt Potatoes

Cornell Chicken

1/2 c. oil
1/2 pint cider vinegar
1 1/2 T. salt
1/2 T. poultry seasoning
1/4 t. pepper
1/2 beaten egg

Blend egg, then add oil, then remaining ingredients. Marinate chicken overnight or at least 4 hours in fridge. Grill and enjoy!

Salt potatoes
2 lbs. new potatoes (The smaller the better- don't cut the skins AT ALL, or the potato will be VERY salty!)
1/4 c. salt

Wash potatoes. Fill large pot with water, add salt and stir till dissolved. Bring to boil and simmer potatoes till tender but firm, approx 15 min. Serve with butter. 4 servings.

Green Bean Casserole

This is the only way to have green beans for Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve!!

1 T.  flour
1 t. butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 c. sour cream or plain yogurt
2 cans french-style green beans
1/3 c. crushed cornflakes, or bread crumbs
1 T. flour
1 1/2 c. swiss cheese

Mix together the flour, salt, sugar, pepper, onion powder. Melt 1 T. butter, and then add the dry ingredients. Whisk in milk.  Remove from heat and add sour cream. Add cheese and beans. Melt 1 T. butter and mix with cornflakes. Spread beans in 9x13 pan and top with cornflakes. Bake at 400 deg. for about 20 min, or until bubbly.

Creamy Mexican Turkey Soup

Here is a leftover turkey recipe- we love it!!
1 tbsp. oil
1 large carrot, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 c. chopped onion ( I usually do 1/2 c.)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 c. chicken or turkey broth
1 can diced green chilies, drained
2 c. milk
1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
2 c. shredded/chopped turkey
3/4 c. corn
3 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro ( I never have this, so have never tried it)
1 c. grated cheddar or monterey jack cheese

In large stockpot, heat oil over med-hi heat and saute veggies and garlic for 5 min. Add broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat to med-lo and simmer, covered, for about 10 min. Add chilies.

In a bowl, whisk together milk, flour, salt, chili powder, cumin. Increase heat to hi and whisk milk mixture into soup. Stir until thick and bubbly, about 5 min. Add turkey, corn, cilantro and cheese, stir until cheese is melted and soup is hot, about 5-10 min.

Makes 5-6 servings.

Kool-Aid Playdoh

So this is really easy, fun and smells a lot better than the original homemade playdoh. I am not sure how long it lasts though, we just made it today. Good for winter days and sundays when you need something for sunbeams to do!

1 c. flour
1/2 c. salt
3 tsp. cream of tartar
1 pkg kool-aid in the color you want

Mix in pan. Add:
1 c. water
1 Tbsp. oil

Mix over med. heat until smooth and thick, 6-7 minutes. Stir constantly so it doesn't burn.

Makes enough for good size portions for 4 kids. It is edible, but not very tasty. Andrew prefers eating the name brand store bought playdoh to the warm, homemade berry blue playdoh!! Go figure...

Cranberry Chicken

This is in the oven cooking for dinner. It is SUPER easy and delicious. Curt's mom gave me the recipe.

2-3 large chicken breasts
1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
1 onion soup mix package
1 cup Russian or French dressing


Defrost chicken and cut into chunks. Mix other ingredients together and pour over chicken. Cook at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until chicken is done and sauce is bubbly. Serve over rice.

Vegetarian Fajitas

This is my favorite meal lately. I like that I can just make the seasoning for this myself because I never remember to buy those fajita seasoning packets. The mushrooms in this are delicious! I got this recipe from my friend's blog: www.thevegetablecollaboration.blogspot.com. We eat it with refried beans and fresh salsa on corn tortillas.

Ingredients
2-3 bell peppers
1 large onion
1 carton mushrooms

Mushroom Marinade
1 Tbsp. water
1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 lime, juice
3 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 tsp. cumin
3/4 to 1 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. paprika

Stir marinade ingredients together. Cut mushrooms into slices and pour marinade over, tossing to coat. Let marinade for 20-30 minutes.
Cut up onions and bell peppers. Saute onions 4-5 minutes, then add mushrooms and bell peppers at same time and let cook until they are as soft as you want them.

Have you ever tried corn tortillas? We never had them until we moved here and they seem to be the tortilla of choice. I like them better than flour. You just have to make sure you heat them up or they break apart really easily when you try and fold them up.

I like to make fresh salsa with this too:

Cut up 2-3 tomatoes. Add a 1/4 of a bell pepper and either 1 green onion (with all the green part too) or some really finely diced regular onions. Add minced garlic, lemon/lime juice and salt and pepper to taste. If you have some cilantro, add some of it too.

Survival recipes?

Hey my amazing cooking sisters, and mother, out there!! I want to know what your survival recipes are? What do you cook when you don't know what to cook? What will your kids always eat, or your spouse always eat?

I was trying to think what my survival recipes would be and this is what I came up with:

Brushetta Sandwiches

slices of tomato
slices of moz
a plate of sauce mixture: olive oil and balsalmic vinegar, minced garlic and sald and pepper
fresh basil if you happen to have it, which we never do
french bread

dip one side of the bread in the sauce and pile on the tomato and cheese
eat...use lots of napkins cuz it's messy but it's easy and yummy. No cooking!! Easier than making regular brushetta cuz there is less cutting involved.

Pesto noodles

lots of the same ingrdients, but still good and easy
cook some noodles
add pesto sauce while still hot
eat with diced tomatoes, moz and or frozen/fresh spinach.
Even Elsa will eat this and Leah loves it...and Casey now loves it too.

Easy Honey Garlic Stir Fry Sauce

Recipe from kimskitchenconcoctions.blogspot.com

I've been looking for an easy stir fry recipe and this is very easy and pretty tasty.

Honey Garlic Stir Fry Sauce

2-4 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup water
1 Tbsp oil
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp black pepper

To make sauce alone: put all ingredients in sauce pan and simmer until thickened. Stir fry vegetables of choice and pour sauce over them.
To make marinade: mix sauce, pour over cut up meat in resealable container. Refrigerate for a few hours. Scoop out meat, and cook in pan until almost cooked through. Then add rest of sauce and let finish cooking. Add stir fried veggies and eat.

New favorite coleslaw recipe

Here is an easy yummy salad!!

1 bag coleslaw mix
slivered almonds
craisins
poppyseed dressing

Toss together and serve!!!

Picnic Cake

This cake is really yummy. I found the recipe on a blog somewhere. Try it out:

1 3/4 cups boiling water
1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups flour
1 tsp soda
1 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp cocoa
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 bag chocolate chips, divided
1/2 cup brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour boiling water over butter and oatmeal. Let sit for 10 minutes. Add sugars and mix with a spoon. Add eggs and mix. Add dry ingredients and half of chocolate chips and mix. Pour into greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips on top and the 1/2 cup of brown sugar. Bake for 30 minutes.

P.S. Anyone have a good idea to organize recipe cards? Mine are all over the place.

Mexican Super Rice!

Well, I threw together this casserole kind of meal for the past two Thursdays and we love it. Anne and I decided to make Thursday nights our Fiesta nights and eat mexican food. Anne and I dubbed it "Mexican Super Rice!!"

Open one can refried beans and smooth out on the bottom of a casserole dish

Layer salsa, cheese, rice, salsa and more cheese.

Warm it up in the oven or microwave.

Then we had lots of lettuce and tomato and sour cream in separate bowls to put on top, so if we did not eat it all we could just save it and add the fresh stuff the next time we at it.

Leah loved this meal and it was quite a hit with me and Anne too. Still working on Elsa, but she never eats anything these days. (sigh!!!)