Butternut Squash Soup

When we still lived in Iowa, my hubby and I had the privilege of getting to go to 801 and Grand. It is a Steak House and oh my goodness, YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!! The steaks we got just melted in your mouth! And the desserts were pretty amazing too! :)

Anyways, my hubby got butternut squash soup as an appetizer and he told me he had it one other time. He really liked it, I am thinking, ok, I can make that, right? Well, I never tried his, so I wasn't sure what it really was supposed to taste like! I took 2 different recipes and put some other things in it on my own to make this soup. I tried it and was like, I am not sure if this is right or not? But my hubby really liked it! It was pretty good! I think next time I make it, I will have some steaks to go with it! We just ate it with bread!


Chop up the squash, carrots and onion and bring it to a boil. Simmer for 20-30 minutes...

I added some sugar, cinnamon, chicken broth, water, salt, pepper, turmeric before I brought it to a boil.

When it's soft, take half of the pot and put in blender, blend it up, put the other half in there, blend it until nice and smooth, add the milk and let it warm back up, and ENJOY!!!!


Butternut Squash Soup

2 butternut squash, cubed
1 medium carrot, sliced
1 medium red onion, sliced and cut up
14oz chicken broth
1 - 2 cups water
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
salt and pepper to taste
sprinkle/dash of turmeric
4 oz cream cheese
milk
3 to 4 teaspoons sugar

Combine the butternut, carrot, onion, chicken broth, water, cinnamon, salt and pepper, turmeric, and sugar in pan. Bring to a boil and then turn down heat and cover and simmer for 20 - 30 minutes. Just until veggies are nice and tender.
Put 4oz cream cheese in blender, dump half of the pan into the blender. Blend until smooth. Remove that, then dump in the other half and blend until smooth. Put it all back in the pan and add just enough milk to make it the consistency you want it. Add less for a nice and thick soup, add more, for a thinner soup.

*To make it easier to cut the squash, place in microwave for a minute or until the outside is slightly warm. It will be easier to cut!
Don't add more than 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric. I think I added in between 1/4 and 1/2 teaspoon!
I probably added about 1/2 to 3/4 cup milk.
Enjoy!!!

Sloppy Joes

Yummy! Sloppy joes!!!!!

I didn't take pictures as I was making these, but they are pretty easy! :)

I browned my beef, I added onion and garlic to it. After it was brown, I drained all the extra grease off, which wasn't very much since I got 93-7 ground beef. Then I put it all in the crock pot with all the other ingredients. i put it on low and let it sit for 3 hours. IF you are putting it in the crock pot, and it will be in longer than 3 hours, make sure you add MORE liquid, like ketchup, tomato sauce or bbq sauce, that way it won't burn.




Sloppy Joes

2 pounds hamburger
1 onion
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 teaspoons mustard
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Brown onion and hamburger and drain fat. Add all the other ingredients and simmer for 20 - 30 minutes.
Serve on hamburger buns.

* I should mention this is my mom's recipe, so thanks mom! :)
You can also either use all turkey, or half turkey and half beef.
I also add a couple gloves of garlic when browning the hamburger and onion. I like using purple onions too.
I add a small can of tomato sauce, but if making a bigger batch, like double, I use the bigger can.
I sometimes add bbq sauce too.
I haven't measured the ingredients to this for years now. I just dump! :)
I don't always add the vinegar either.
Those of you who are "beginners, try using the recipe then add and take away after you've made it. Or if you feel comfortable, try it anyway you like!
I guess this recipe is more of a "guideline"!
Enjoy!

Wild Mushroom Beef Stew

(It may not look so tasty, but it really is GOOD!!!!)
Here is a very yummy crock pot recipe! Super easy, throw it all in the crock pot, turn it on and forget about it til you are ready to eat! Smells good and tastes good!



Mix flour, salt and pepper in a small dish, then our over beef stew meat and then stir to coat


Then add beef stock and paprika


Then add all the other ingredients


Ready to eat!!!


Wild Mushroom Beef Stew

1 1/2 pounds beef stew meat
1/8 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon paprika
4 shiitake mushrooms, sliced
2 medium carrots, sliced
2 medium potatoes, diced
1 small onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, sliced

Put beef in crock-pot. Mix together flour, salt, and pepper, pour over meat and stir to coat each piece of meat with flour. Add beef broth and paprika and stir. Add the remaining ingredients and stir well to mix.
Cover and cook on low 10 to 12 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours or until done.
Stir before serving.


*I bought already cut up stew meat.
I added more than 1 1/2 cups of beef broth.
You can use a different type of mushrooms if you want.
It only took about 3 hours on high for my crock-pot.
I would add more carrots and potatoes.

Egg Sandwiches

This is not the "normal" egg sandwich. I tried this over 9 years ago. It's the way the Cecil's make it. I remember my hubby cooking one up for me and then I saw what he was putting on the bread. I am like, I am NOT going to eat this, let alone like it... Well.... This is the only way I make egg sandwiches now, and my kiddos love them as well! Don't knock it til you try it! That's all I'm gonna say!!! Seriously, let me know what you think. AFTER you try it! Good and bad comments, I can take it!! :)



Put some coconut oil in a pan..


Poke a fork in the yoke...


... break it up, but don't scramble it


I season my egg sandwiches with Spike (it can be used for other things as well...)





Cook until light brown and crispy...


Remember, don't knock it til you try it!
Peanut butter on one side and ketchup on the other


Place egg on one side...


Enjoy!!!


I am not going to type this one out, it is pretty easy...

Cook as many eggs as you need, one per sandwich... Put peanut butter on one side of a piece of bread, and ketchup on the other piece. Cook the egg until light brown and crispy, place on the bread, close up and enjoy!

Fried Rice

I served this with cut with chicken.



Beat eggs and soy sauce together and fry it up


Break it up


Stir fry the cut up celery in sesame oil for a couple of minutes


Then toss in the yummy mushrooms!!! Stir fry that all together for a few minutes


Then toss in all the other ingredients




Fried Rice

2 eggs beaten
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1/4 cup sliced celery
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
2 cups cooked white rice
1 medium carrot, shredded
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/4 cup sliced green onions

In a small bowl combine eggs and 1 teaspoon soy sauce. Pour sesame oil into a wok or large skillet. Preheat over medium heat. Add the egg mixture and minced garlic, stir to gently scramble. When set, remove from wok/skillet and place in a bowl. Pour the cooking oil into wok or skillet, return to medium high heat, and stir fry celery for a couple of minutes. Then add the mushrooms, stir fry for a couple minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add cooked rice, peas, carrots, green onions, eggs and sprinkle with soy sauce. Cook and stir for 4 to 6 minutes or until heated through.


*I used sesame oil when cooking veggies.
I also used 3 eggs instead of 2 and I used 3 cloves of garlic instead of one.
I served this with cut up chicken that I fried in Italian dressing. I cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite sized pieces. Faster cooking that way and then I didn't have to cut it up for the kids! I placed the chicken in the heated skillet and then poured about 1/4 of a bottle of Italian dressing over the top and cooked until no longer pink!

Strawberry Shortcake

Let's just say, the kids wanted more! :)


I didn't cheat, I MADE the biscuits, not with biscuit mix either! :)



Cut butter into the flour
(this is where a pastry blender would come in handy... better go get one before I make this again! :))
Mix butter and flour together until it resembles coarse crumbs...


Poke the egg yolk with a fork before beating. That way you don't "chase" the yolk all around...


Beat egg and then add sour cream


Add liquids to dry mixture...


All mixed up...


Place 8 on a baking stone/sheet


Place on wire rack to cool... nice and brown and oh so good!


Look at those delicious strawberries! They are on sale out here, and boy are they SWEET!!!


I broke the cake in half, put the strawberries in the middle, then the yummy whipped topping


Yummy!


Yep, it was GOOD!!!


Strawberry Shortcake


1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup cold butter
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2 sour cream
2 tablespoons milk
5 cups sliced strawberries
3 tablespoons sugar

Preheat oven to 400d. Lightly grease a baking sheet (or just use a stone).
In a medium bowl combine the flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl combine egg, sour cream, and milk. Add to flour mixture, stirring with a fork until just moistened.
Drop dough into 8 mounds onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden. Transfer to wire rack, let cool.
Meanwhile, combine 4 cups sliced strawberries and 3 tablespoons sugar.

To make whipped cream, in a chilled mixing bowl, add 1 cup whipping cream,2 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form.

Take a cake, break it in half, spread strawberries all down the middle, then add the whipped topping on top!

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

I LOVED these!!! The kids really liked them too and am guessing that they would've asked for more, but I had dessert, so they stopped at one. It wasn't/isn't one of my hubby's favorites, but he did eat it... :) (He would prob want me to mention that he had 2... I will mention that he was hungry, so that's why he had 2!!! :)

It took a little bit of work, not too bad though. I guess it took me longer because I browned the beef, and cooked the rice and tomatoes. Then I took a break to start to make the dessert and then back to make the cabbage rolls, then I had to feed my eating machine, then back to put the cheese on top after they were done baking. :) So to me, it seemed like a little bit of work, but I guess all in all, it really wasn't THAT bad!



Brown the beef and onion together... I added a bit of oregano too...


Drain off all the meat, put back in pan and add can of undrained diced tomatoes, rice, oregano and pepper...
Cover and cook until rice is done and tender... (about 20 minutes, mine actually took about 30 to 35 minutes)



I put the whole head of cabbage in boiling water for a few minutes. ONLY to get the leaves off nice... I had a problem of them tearing...


Line a stone (or a baking dish) with tomato sauce, sugar and oregano mixture...

Now here comes the fun part.... :)






Put some yummy meat/rice mixture on a cabbage leaf, roll it up and place in pan...


I stuffed 8 in a pan, that's what the recipe makes...



Put tomato sauce mixture over the top of the stuffed rolls


Sprinkle cheese on top after cooking it for 35-40 minutes... Let it sit for 2 minutes before serving...



YUMMY!!!!!!!


Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

12 oz ground beef, ground pork, ground sausage
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
1/3 uncooked long-grain rice
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 medium cabbage leaves
1/2 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
1 15oz can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon sugar

In a large skillet cook meat and onion until meat is brown, drain and return to pan. Stir in undrained tomatoes, 1/2 cup water, rice and 1/2 teaspoon of the oregano and the pepper. Bring to a rolling boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
Meanwhile, trim the vein off the cabbage leaf so that it's even with the leaf. Immerse 4 leaves at a time into boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes, or until limp.
Stir in 1/4 cup of cheese into meat mixture. Place about 1/3 cup meat mixture on each leaf and roll up.
For sauce, in a small bowl stir together the tomato sauce, sugar and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon oregano. Pour half of the sauce into a baking dish. Arrange cabbage rolls over the sauce in the dish and cover the cabbage rolls with the remaining sauce.
Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup cheese on top, let stand for 2 minutes, then ENJOY!!!!


*I added about 1/4 teaspoon oregano while browning beef and onion, then added another 1/4 teaspoon when I added the rice and diced tomatoes.
I also put the whole head of cabbage in boiling water for a few minutes so I could get a whole leaf off without it tearing.