Smoky White Chili

It has finally become December, cold and crisp outside.  My husband  has been working outside this week and is cold and tired when he gets home.  Maybe something warm and yummy will make him feel better when he gets home.  Tonight I am making white chili.  Over the weekend I cooked several chickens over charcoal and hickory, one we ate for supper, the other I picked all the meat off of for this chili.  I also made chicken stock from the yummy smoky bones to use as a base.  Canned chicken broth and whatever leftover chicken you may have is fine for this recipe, but the smoky flavor you get with a pit chicken is fantastic.  A little liquid smoke would probably do about the same thing.  :) 

 You will need 1 medium onion, chopped (or 1 T onion powder), 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped, 1 tablespoon canola oil, 2 garlic cloves, minced, 4 cups chicken broth, 2 cans (15-1/2 ounces) great northern beans, rinsed and drained, 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 to 1-1/4 teaspoons ground cumin, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1/4 cup cold water, 2 cups cubed cooked chicken 

In a large saucepan, cook onion and jalapeno if desired in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the broth, beans, parsley, lime juice and cumin; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; gradually stir into chili. Add chicken. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

We like this with cornbread, but garlic bread would be good too.  Happy Tuesday!

Food Talks With Valerie

Corn Dogs!

We really like what we call game food, easy to eat, finger food, the kind of stuff you might find while tailgating or at a Super Bowl party.  I do try to healthier than tailgating junk food most of the time.  Tonight I am making corn dogs, sort of.

I start with a box or corn muffin mix, whatever brand you like.  Mix it up according to the package directions.  We like corn in it so I add a 1/2 cup or so of frozen corn.  Then I slice a package of hot dogs into the batter.

I cook mine in a "pancake puff" pan on the cook top, but a cake pop pan or mini muffin cups would work as well, at 400 till brown on top.

Serve these with  ketchup and mustard, just like a corn dog.  Yum!

Oatmeal Bars

For many years my darling husband stopped at the local convenient store for breakfast on his way to work.  Breakfast was a sausage biscuit and a coke.  Very nutritious, I know.  Then last winter I started making these oatmeal bars.  This recipe makes and 8 x 8 pan that I cut into 9 large bars.  He takes one every day (with a coke, I can't get him to quit drinking cokes for breakfast!)  

• 4 c. dry oats (old-fashioned or quick cooking)
• 1 1/2 c. flour
• 1 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1 t. cinnamon
• 1/2 t. salt
• 3/4 – 1 c. canola oil or an equal amount of applesauce
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 c. chocolate chips
• 1/2-1 cup chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or peanut butter just to make this different from time to time.

Everything into a bowl, mix well, press into a greased pan and bake at 350 for 25 minutes or so.  

I package them individually and refrigerate them.  Then before he leaves each morning, I microwave one for 15-20 seconds and send him out the door with something reasonably healthy for breakfast. 

By the way, as soon as I find the cable to connect my camera to my computer, I have a picture of these.  ;)

A Country Supper, Bean Soup and Cornbread

I haven't been here in a while, have you missed me?  I wasn't sure anyone was reading these posts but lately I have had a few comments from people who missed them.  So here I am again.

Tonight I am making a favorite of my husband's.  He calls it a poor man's supper.  White beans and potatoes with ham.  

Soak a pound of great northern beans overnight in a large bowl, or follow the quick soak directions on the package.  You can use an equivalent amount of canned beans, but we prefer dried.  Rinse the soaked beans and pour them into your slow cooker.  Add 2 quarts of water, 2 chicken bullion cubes, a garlic clove (smashed or chopped), onion to taste, a bay leaf, 4 or 5 potatoes, peeled and cubed,  and about 1/4 pound of ham, chopped.  Salt and pepper to taste and set your slow cooker to high and go to work.  Supper will be waiting when you get home.  

When I make this, I usually set my slow cooker in the sink because it makes a terrible mess if it boils over.

We like this topped with hot sauce or corn relish and a sprinkle of shredded cheese and served with corn bread.  

Let me know if you want me to pick this hobby back up.  It might take a bit to get back into the habit, but if you want to read my ramblings, I will write them.

On a side note, I found this recipe that my baby girl and I thought looked yummy too.  Kale and White bean soup

Meatloaf isn't a Bad Word!

Meatloaf tends to have a bad reputation. What is it? What is in it? How can you eat that? In my kitchen, meatloaf gets a different reaction. Yum! That's my favorite! Can you pack that in my lunch tomorrow?

My kids love meatloaf and I very seldom have leftovers. I think the secret is in the sauce. I mix 1/2 cup of ketchup with 1/4 cup of brown sugar and spread it over the top. Then I finish the meatloaf under the broiler to make the sauce caramelize. Yum!

The meatloaf itself is pretty basic. 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef, 1 egg, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon thyme, 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon wochestershire sauce, mix together and bake in a loaf pan at 400 for 1 hour. If you line your pan with aluminum foil, you can lift the meatloaf right out with the edges of the foil.
Last night we had the meatloaf with mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and brussels sprouts. yummy!

A New Favorite

I haven't posted here in a while, mainly because I felt like I was repeating myself, cooking the same thing day in and day out. Then one day last week I found this.

This is chicken and gravy over mashed potatoes. Sounds like the same old thing, doesn't it? It isn't! These are amazing. I thought my 12 year old son was going to lick the pan. (He usually isn't a big meat eater but he has already asked for these again)

The best thing about this is that it was easy. Really easy! Start with a package (whatever size you need to feed your crew, I used a package of 4) of boneless, skinless chicken breast. Heat a little olive oil in a heavy skillet, brown the chicken on both sides. While the chicken browns, mix a can of cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup of water and a package of powdered ranch dressing mix in a bowl. When the chicken is brown enough to make you happy, pour the soup mixture over it and cover tightly. Let this simmer over low heat until very tender, then serve over mashed potatoes. Yum!

This would work really well in a crock pot, too. Then supper would be ready when you got home from work. Yum!

Fall is in The Air!

I haven't been here in a while. I tend to cook the same dishes over and over and feel like I repeat myself. Tonight, I have had several people ask me to post this one (even though I think I have before) so here goes!

I am starting with leftover chicken that I marinated and cooked over a charcoal fire in the summer. It is very similar to the chicken that you buy from this club or that church doing a fundraiser. To thaw the chicken I drop it in a pot (5 or 6 cups) of boiling water. When it is thawed and tender I pull the chicken out, strain the water and simmer it down to about 3 cups. I added 2 pounds of soaked great northern beans and 2 cans of chicken broth. Clean up and chop the chicken. When the beans are close to done, I add 3 or 4 carrots, chopped, 4 or 5 potatoes, chopped, 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon dried cilantro, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 rib of celery, chopped and the chicken. Cover and simmer until done.

I have made this with canned chicken and beans for a very quick supper. Top with sour cream, chives, shredded cheese, what ever sounds good! I usually add Mexican cornbread on the side and everyone here is happy!

Chicken Stroganoff

I haven't posted here in a long time, has anyone missed me? The kids are out of school for summer and my days are pretty busy, trying to squeeze every ounce of summer fun into 2 months of break. We are going swimming today and supper is simmering in the crock pot. Actually, I just have a family sized package of split chicken breasts with a little water (or broth) garlic, onion, a package of dry Italian dressing mix,and salt and pepper in the crock pot. When I get home, I will shred up the chicken, strain the juices and set half of each aside for another night.

In a saucepan, stir the broth the chicken cooked in with 1 8 ounce package of cream cheese and a can of cream of chicken soup until the cheese is smooth, add the shredded chicken and cook til hot, serve over noodles.

This can also all be dumped in the crock pot together (the chicken needs to be cubed and the cheese needs to go in the last 1/2 hour or so) and it will be ready when you get home. I just wanted to cook extra chicken today so I don't have to cook tomorrow.

Happy Thursday Everyone, enjoy the sunshine!

Drunken Chicken

I made this last night, to try it out before I recommended it. We (just 4 of us) ate the entire chicken and practically licked the bones. Even my picky, fruit hating husband said it was worth making again. I think the secret was the orange. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

1 whole chicken (about 6 pounds), 1 orange, 1 T oil, 1 T each garlic salt, rosemary and thyme, 1 can chicken broth, 1 beer, and enough carrots and potatoes to feed your crowd.

Preheat the oven to 325. Pour the oil in a large pot with a lid, I used a cast iron dutch oven. Zest the orange all over and rub the zest into the chicken skin. Poke the orange full of holes and insert it into the cavity in the chicken. Mix the herbs and garlic and rub under the chicken skin. Put the chicken and veggies in the pot, and pour in the beer and broth. Cover and bake for 1 hour. Remove the cover and bake for another 45 minutes.

I made this in the oven, but I think the first hour could be done in the crock pot on low for several hours, then finished in the oven to brown and crisp it.

Let me know what you think!

Happy Friday!

Tuna?

It is a rainy, dreary Friday, which seems to be pretty typical of Good Friday. It only seems appropriate. This is the last Friday in Lent and I guess I am ending the same way I began, with tuna noodle casserole. This is not a "Lenten" special for us, it is comfort food. There is just nothing like creamy, cheesy, tuna noodle casserole. It is pretty easy, too.

Start with a package of noodles, cooked and drained. Stir in 2 cans of tuna, also drained. Add a can of green peas (or peas and carrots), a can of cream of mushroom soup and a can of cheddar cheese soup. Mix well. Pour into a casserole dish. Top with about a cup of shredded cheese and then cracker or bread crumbs. Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes.

Enjoy your tuna noodle, and have a happy Friday.

Brats (no, not the kids)

It is a beautiful sunshiny day, although a little cooler than I would like. The weatherman is predicting rain all weekend, so I am going to get my grilling done tonight. The kids have requested bratwurst. We like the ones with the cheese inside. I will put the brats in my crock pot, add a beer, and some thinly sliced onions and green peppers and let them simmer on low all day. This evening at suppertime, I will toss the brats on the grill for that yummy, crispy grilled flavor.

While grilling the brats, pour the liquid you cooked them in into a saucepan, and reduce down until thick. This makes a yummy topping with mustard or ketchup. Serve these with some fries and you have supper. Easy and yummy! Happy Thursday!

Super Duper Pork Roast

Today I am trying a really easy, slightly strange sounding recipe I got from a friend. I have often heard of people cooking roasts or chickens with cokes but I have never tried it myself. This one recipe just sounded too good to pass up.

I started out last night by laying out and thawing a Boston butt roast. It takes a big crock pot to cook a whole Boston butt, so make sure you get one that will fit in your crock pot. On top of the pork, I added 1 t crushed red pepper, 1 T chili powder, 1/2 t liquid smoke, a can of tomatoes with green peppers (ro-tel) and 1 12 ounce Dr. Pepper. Set the crock pot on high and let it do the work for you all day.

Shred the meat and make sandwiches, serve with fries or chips. Let me know what you think because as I write this, I haven't tried it yet either. Tonight for supper I will know if it is a keeper or not. . .

Happy Sunny Sunday everyone!

Breakfast Pizza

I found the basis for this recipe in a cookbook that was a wedding present umpteen years ago. The cookbook is long gone and the recipe has undergone so many changes that it is barely recognizable as the same dish. It is good by itself, as a one dish meal, but tonight I am serving it as a breakfast component.

Start with a pound of breakfast sausage, browned, crumbled and drained. In a skillet, cook a a package of shredded, frozen hash browns according to the directions. Then spread the potatoes evenly on the bottom of the skillet and press down with a spatula. Salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle the sausage over the potatoes evenly. Over the sausage, spread about 1 cup of shredded cheese. Pour 2 scrambled eggs evenly over all and cover, cook till eggs are done, slice like a pie and serve. Tonight I am serving this with biscuits and gravy and fried eggs. Breakfast makes everyone happy!

Happy Monday everyone.

Mom's Blond Brownies

This is a special request because I mentioned on Facebook that I was making these. They are one of my family's favorites. I got the recipe from my mom who got it from my granny who got it from a homemaker's cookbook. yummy!

2/3 c shortening or butter, 2 c brown sugar, 3 eggs, 1 t vanilla, 2 c self rising flour, 1 c nuts (optional), 1 package chocolate chips.

Cream together shortening and sugar, add eggs, vanilla and flour, mix well. Stir in chips and nuts. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes until very brown, the cool til barely warm, cut into squares.

These are also good with a combination of chocolate and butterscotch chips. Tonight I am making sundaes. Place a warm brownie in a bowl, top with a scoop of ice cream, some warm hot fudge, whipped topping and a cherry. YUM!

Meatloaf!

Just the word meatloaf makes people turn up their noses. I don't know why! We LOVE meatloaf around here. It is one of my kids favorite meals, meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans. We only rarely have leftovers, and when we do, they make fantastic sandwiches the next day.

I will start with 2 pounds of ground beef and a pound of breakfast sausage or Italian sausage. Add 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon onion powder and garlic powder, an egg, and 1/2 cup ketchup. Mix well and press tightly into a loaf pan. Top with 1/2 cup of ketchup mixed with 1/4 cup brown sugar. Bake at 375 for an hour. Let sit at least 10 minutes before trying to remove from the pan.

You can do all the prep the night before and cook on low for 8 hours in the crock pot, too. YUM!

Grillin' Out

As the weather warms up, I begin to turn to my grill for my meals. I really enjoy sitting on the patio with a cold drink and a book, checking on my supper every few minutes, while it all cooks in one place.

Tonight I am making something super easy, polish sausage. Pitch it on the grill, turn it a few times, supper is done. But what to serve with it? Especially right now with no fresh veggies.

One side I am serving is something no one likes but us. Okra! I freeze it whole during the summertime, then toss it in olive oil, black pepper and kosher salt and grill it till it is very brown. The kids and I love it! I realize no one else even wants to try it like this. Your loss ;)

I tend to hit a wall when I try to find a potato recipe for the grill that will suit my picky, potato eating husband. I think this one will work, let me know what you think.

ingredients
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 medium baking potatoes, cut into 1/4 inch slices
1 small onion, sliced and separated into rings
2 tablespoons butter

Directions
In a large bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Add potatoes and onion; toss gently to coat. Spoon onto a double thickness of greased heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Dot with butter. Fold foil around potato mixture and seal tightly. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 30-35 minutes or until potatoes are tender, turning once.

To cook this faster on the grill, microwave the sliced potatoes for about 5 minutes in a container with a lid and a little water. This is also good with ranch dressing instead of mayo. Happy grilling!

The Luck of the Irish!

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day. Because I can't take my kids all over the world, I try to use various holidays to expose them to other cultures through something I do well, food. One of my favorite things to eat is corned beef. The rest of my family will eat it, but it isn't something they ask for. On St. Patrick's Day I cook them a "traditional" Irish meal of corned beef, boiled potatoes and cabbage. I would make it even if it was a pain to do, but as an added advantage, it is REALLY easy.

The corned beef is easy, it comes pre-seasoned and ready to drop in the crock pot. Add enough water to cover it and enough potatoes for you family and let it cook on low for 8 -10 hours or high for 5-6. When the corned beef and potatoes are done, remove them from the crock pot, strain out a cup or so of broth into a pot with a lid. Add enough shredded cabbage for your family and cook till tender. Slice the beef across the grain and enjoy.

Leftovers make wonderful Reuben sandwiches or corned beef hash. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wonderful, White Chili Wednesday!

It has been rainy and dreary all week, but today and the rest of the week is supposed to be beautiful! For the past week I have been in a soup mood, maybe because I know when the weather warms up we won't eat much soup. We have had vegetable soup, potato soup, and chili. Tonight I am making white chili.

I started soaking and rinsing and soaking and rinsing my dry beans yesterday and they will simmer on the stove most of the day today, You can make this much quicker by using canned beans, just be sure to rinse them really well. After I have simmered the beans for an hour or 2, I will drain and rinse them one more time, the start seasoning them.

To the beans I add a couple cans of chicken broth, a teaspoon each onion powder and garlic powder, a tablespoon chili powder, a small can of chopped green chilies and the leftover chicken I saved from the chicken and dumplings earlier this week (about a pound, cooked and chopped). We like our white chili a little smoky, so I add a 1/2 teaspoon or so of liquid smoke, too. Let all of this simmer till the beans are soft and serve with cornbread. YUMMY!

Happy Sunshiny Wednesday!

Chili Dogs!

Wonderful! We have another dreary, yucky, rainy day. It is enough to depress anyone. Today I have a sickly child to go with the rain. He seems to have the typical head cold type symptoms that go with the change of the seasons. I am going to make one of his favorite meals for supper, to make him feel better.

Over the weekend I made a big pot of chili (which we LOVE). Tonight I will heat up the remaining chili (canned chili works, too if you don't have any left over). We like our chili dogs topped with cheese, pickle relish, chopped onions, mustard, and they are usually so big we have to eat them with a fork. I will probably make something easy to go with these, like fries or baked potatoes, but the leftover chili is good on those, too.

Enjoy your dreary day, I will, watching movies on the couch with my sweet boy.