Bean Counter Chowder

Bean Counter Chowder

Chopped Onion

2 Garlic Cloves (I used minced)

1 Tbsp oil

14 oz Stewed or chopped Tomatoes

(I used Petite Diced)

2 -14 oz cans chicken broth

1 3/4 cups water

1/2 tsp each:

basil

Oregano

Celery Flakes

1/4 tsp Pepper

3 cans Great Northern Beans or Pinto Beans

(I always use whatever I have on hand--kidney is fine)

1 cup uncooked Elbow Macaroni

1 Tbsp Parsley

You can either make this on the stove or in the crockpot.

I put it all together except the noodles, in the crockpot, 

then, about 1/2 hour before eating, add the noodles.
This is the original recipe, but I am not exact on the beans or broth when I make it!

It's a great, easy, Friday crockpot meal!

Janine's Salad

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Cherry Tomatoes

Red Onion

Black Olives

Slice veggies and olives, toss with dressing:

Ranch dressing season packet

2/3 cup canola oil

1/4 cup regular vinegar

Very refreshing and delicious!!

Spinach Tortellini Salad

This was my aunt's recipe and she had no exact measurements,

so make it the way you like!

I made a large salad for a large homeschool gathering, so doubled everything!

Spinach

Cheese tortellini (cooked and cooled)

Coleslaw (pre-packaged)

Large black olives

Cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

Dressing:

Ranch dressing season packet

Mayonnaise (I use light Mayo)

Milk

Fresh shredded Parmesan cheese

Mix all together and add the dressing.

This salad was a big hit!

Lite Strawberry Pie

My mom made this recipe up when I was a kid.

It's easy, delicious, lite and pretty!

Lite Strawberry Pie

1 graham crust (I use store bought, but you could make your own) Fresh sliced strawberries

Large container of Cool Whip

Large package of Sugar Free Strawberry Jello

Mix the jello powder into the Cool Whip, add the strawberries, put into the crust and

garnish with nicely cut strawberries on top.

Refrigerate at least 4 hours.

My mom always used frozen strawberries, but in those days, fresh strawberries were not always available like they are today. Fresh definitely taste better!

Both her and I are Type I Diabetics, so this pie is about a carb and a half per slice.

Mandy's Cookies

After being accused of "Not ever baking cookies anymore",

I decided to let Colette help me make a batch of these delicious cookies!

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

3 cups quick cooking oats

1 1/2 cup flour

1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

In large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Beat in eggs & vanilla. Combine oats, flour, pudding mix, baking soda & salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoons full onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 14 minutes.

My husband's, partner's wife is Mandy. She gave us a batch of these once and the kiddos loved them, so we call them "Mandy's Cookies". I tried doubling this recipe once and it didn't work. I finally figured out why I don't like baking that much, it's because I always double everything.

Then it takes twice as long. I now only make one batch and it's much more enjoyable! Especially with great helpers!

Lemon Yogurt Bread

Lemon Yogurt Bread

3 cups flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

2 eggs

2 cups lemon yogurt

2/3 cup canola oil

2 Tbsp lemon juice

In large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and baking powder. In another bowl, combine the egg, yogurt, oil and lemon juice. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.

Pour into 2 8x4 inch loaf pans coated with cooking spray. Bake at 325 for 55 minutes.

Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

My kids can't wait til I make this delicious bread, it was light and very moist.

Fried Rice

(no picture yet, I'll try to add one next time!)

3 eggs beaten

4-5 Tbsp canola oil

chopped cooked ham, pork, shrimp or chicken

1 chopped onion

2 Finely chopped carrots

1 cup peas

6 cups cold cooked brown rice

4 Tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp sugar

salt and pepper to taste

Fry beaten eggs in the 1/2 the oil, remove from heat, cut into shreds Return egg to pan with chopped meat, add onion and veggie, and remaining oil, cooking over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3-4 minutes. Add the rice. Mix the soy sauce with the sugar and dribble over rice. Stir until hot.

*I didn't add peas or salt or meat, as we had this as a side with grilled chicken I got this recipe 15 years ago from my friend Janet. I finally made it the other night and it was a hit with all my kiddos and we had NO leftovers! I fixed the recipe to feed more and added the pepper part, as I like pepper on my food!

**My friend very much stressed that the rice be cold. I made the rice and put it in the freezer and checked it a few times and stirred while cutting and preparing the rest.

Great Play Dough Recipe

Homemade play dough is always fun to make.... It lasts longer and makes a ton!

Jamie's Play dough

2 cups flour

1 T. Alum

1 cup salt

2 cups boiling water

2 T. oil

Combine all. Mix well.

Add food coloring of your choice.

Let kiddos mix it up! *store in airtight containers or baggies

Honey Chip Muffins

Honey Chip Muffins*

1 pkg chocolate chip muffin mix

1 Tbsp cocoa

2 Tbsp honey

1 Tbsp peanut butter

1 egg

3/4 cup water

1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips (I only had milk chocolate, but I think any kind of chip would be good, especially vanilla chip, or butterscotch)

In a large bowl, combine muffin mix and cocoa. In small bowl, combine honey and peanut butter; add the egg and water. Stir into muffin mix mixture with a spoon just until moistened. Stir in chocolate chips.

Fill paper lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 400 degrees for 17-20 minutes.

The kiddos loved this muffin. A easy way to make a box muffin mix way better!

*From the Taste of Home, Almost Homemade cookbook.

Meatball Calzones

I got a new cookbook last week at Sam's Club and found a ton of recipes to try out.

This one was a hit with my family.

Everyone loved it (except me, I don't care for meatballs)

Soo very easy:

Meatball Calzones

Frozen bread dough (thawed)

Meatballs

(I used Sam's Club meatballs, but you can use homemade, which is what the recipe actually called for)

2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

1 egg white

Italian seasoning

Marinara sauce

Set oven at 350 degrees.

I cooked my meatballs in the crockpot with water,

so they'd be ready when it came time to bake them.

Thaw your frozen bread dough on the counter for about 4 hours,

then,

flour the counter and roll out to about 18" by 12".

Down the center put your meatballs,

cover with Mozzarella cheese,

close up the dough and brush with egg white

Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.

Let sit on the counter for 30 minutes.

Bake for 30 minutes.

Heat up Marinara sauce and pour on when slicing the Calzone.

We made 2 loaves and there were about 3 pieces left for Tom to take to work the next day. Excellent cookbook!