Hawaiian Volcano

What's for dinner, Hawaiian Volcano!

This is a great twist on chicken and rice. Cook extra rice when you do stir fry and extra chicken when you make enchiladas to have a fast Friday night dinner.

Hawaiian Volcano

Prepare all ingredients and layer in this order:

Brown rice

Cooked chicken, chopped or shredded

Pineapple, crushed or tidbits

Chow mein

Slivered almonds noodles

Green onions, sliced

Shredded cheddar cheese

Gravy (chicken broth slightly thickened)

Once you have layered, pour the gravy over the top as the lava that flows down. Enjoy!

Cream of ____ Soup, take 2

What's for dinner, White chicken enchiladas!

What's in the dinner, homemade cream of mushroom soup!

The first post on cream of ___ soup I posted a recipe but it did not get thick enough. Now that my mix was gone I decided to try another. I looked for one that had more thickeners in it. Once again, allrecipes to the rescue. I prefer to measure ingredients in weight because then you hadn't have 4 measuring cups and spoons dirty. So, as I made this recipe I scaled it in weight. I made one batch of celery and one batch plain. That way I could make plain for potato, broccoli, mushroom ect. One recipe fits into a pint size canning jar. I love storing stuff in canning jars. Cheap, buy in bulk, see through, glass, and homey.

Homemade cream of ____ soup mix.

2 c powdered milk, 5 oz

1 c cornstarch, 3 oz

1/2 c potato flakes, 1 oz

1 t onion powder

1/2 t garlic powder

1/8 t pepper

1/2 t marjoram

Put ingredients in the food processor and mix until blended. To make whisk 1 1/3 c broth and 1/2 c of mix in a small pot. Heat over med high heat, whisking until thick. Remove from heat and it thickens up beautifully. Make sure your broth is not hot because the cornstarch will not incorporate but clump up instead

For celery soup add 2 T dried celery to the mix in the food processor or simply saute 1/4 c, add mix, add broth, and whisk until thick. To dry celery it is really easy. You can dehydrate it or chop it finely and leave it out until it is dry.

For mushroom soup add 2 T dry mushrooms or simply saute 1/4 c, add mix, add broth, and whisk until thick.

Chicken Pot Pie

What's for dinner? Chicken Pot Pie

Guy has asked for weeks that I make him a meat pie. Well folks, today was the day. I am so thankful that Jesus laid on my heart to make this meal since my dear husband will be working on my car tonight.I put chicken leg quarters and a cup of water in the crock pot this morning and then I was committed. Once the chicken is done I removed the chicken and poured the broth into a dish. I let it cool then skimmed fat from the top. Then I have MSG free broth to make my own sauce. I will make a salad topped with tomatoes from my sisters garden to go with our dinner.

Chicken Pot Pie

2 unbaked pie crust

1/3 c butter

1/3 c flour

1/4 c diced onion

1 3/4 broth

2/3 c milk

1# frozen bag mixed veggies thawed and drained

1 c chopped chicken

salt/pepper

1 t thyme

Melt a bit of the butter and saute the onions. When tender melt the rest of the butter. Sprinkle in flour until you have something that looks like peanut butter, you may need more flour. Then whisk in the liquids. Bring to a boil and watch closely because milk burns easily. Then add the veggies and meat. Season with thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour over pie crust and top with another. Cut vent holes and bake at 350 until hot and bubbly. Tip: I like to make my own crust so for the top of take balls of crumbly dough and pat then down making a bunch of small biscuits. This is how Missy Bailey wins the heart of her bread lovin' husband!

Happy Birthday Eva!

My dearest daughter turned two today and her momma made her some yummy cupcakes. I love this recipe because it has almond in it, simply put.

Almond White Cake, from allrecipes

1 white cake mix

1 c flour

1 c white sugar

3/4 t salt

1 1/3 c water

4 egg whites (save the yolks and add them to mashed potatoes. It makes them really rich.)

1 c sour cream

1 t vanilla ex

1 t almond ex

2 T veg oil

Preheat 350. Sift dry, mix wet, add wet to dry. Mix on low about 4 minutes. I fill my cup cakes with 1 large cookie scoop and 1 small cookie scoop, at is about 2/3 full. Bake 20 to 25 minutes.

Sharon Family Buttercream Icing

1/4 c butter, soft

2 c pwdr sugar

1 to 2 T milk

1/2 t vanilla ex

1/4 t almond ex

Cream butter, add sugar alternating with milk and extracts. Beat to desired consistency. Stir in color. For chocolate add 1/3 c coco, up the milk to 3 to 4 T and take out the almond.

Maple syrup, kinda

What went with breakfast? Maple syrup

My mom's family makes 'homemade' syrup which is so good and brings back so many memories. My Papa and Aunt Becky make it whenever we have big breakfast but it is also easy to have the stuff around for emergencies. An emergency can take place when there is no syrup, if you know me you know this as fact.

Homemade simple syrup

1 c boiling water

2 c white sugar

1/2 t maple syrup flavoring.

Boil water, add sugar. Once the water is clear take off heat and add flavoring. Serve hot. Cut in half for 4 or less people cut in half. Left overs can be reheated but the sugar will re-crystalize in a few days.

Waikiki Meatballs

What's for dinner, Waikiki Meatballs!

This sweet and sour meatball dinner is so easy and so good. Guy had 4 helpings and I had 3. I am happy there was still left overs with our big appetites. I usually serve this was a salad but tonight we had watermelon.

Waikiki Meatballs

1# frozen meatballs, thawed

1# egg noodles

2 T cornstarch

1/2 c brown sugar

1/3 c vinegar

1 T soy sauce

1 (20oz) can chunk pineapple, drained and juice reserved

1/3 c chopped green bell pepper

Cook pasta according to packaging. Thaw meatballs. Combined the rest of the ingredients in a bowl, stir until smooth. Pour into skillet and heat until thickened. Add meatballs and coat in sauce. Serve over pasta or rice, enjoy!

Old School Muffins

What's for breakfast, Old School Muffins....take 2

Alton Brown's base recipe for muffins, man these things are awesome.

All purpose flour 11 oz

Baking powder 1/4 oz

Baking Soda 1/8 oz

Salt pinch

Sugar 3 3/4 oz

Mashed bananas 3/4 c, 2 medium bananas

Whole egg, 1 large

Egg yolk, 1 large

Plain yogurt 3/4 c

Top with chopped walnuts

Preheat 375

Mix dry, mix wet; add wet to dry. Mix only until flour is gone. Fill cups to top. Bake 18 to 20 minutes. 12 muffins

I think that it still needs a little oil. May a tablespoon or two would be good.