Tortilla Soup

This is one of my favorites. I started it this morning and it is currently simmering in the crockpot for dinner tonight - can't wait.

4 Chicken Breasts (boiled and shredded)
2 cans petite diced tomatoes (15 oz)
2 cans Rosarita enchilada sauce (10 oz)
1/4 c. Onion
1 can green chiles
2 cans chicken broth
2 cups water
1 tbl garlic (or 1 garlic clove)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 can black beans (strained)
1 package frozen corn

Combine in crockpot and cook for 3-4 hours. Serve with tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream and cilantro.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Shhh...don't tell anyone it is the recipe on the bag of the Nestle Chocolate Chip Bag.

2 1/4 cups Flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup butter (softened - not melted)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups chocolate chips

In a small bowl mix the flour, soda, and salt. Cream the butter, sugar, and vanilla. Add in one egg at a time and mix. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Jodi's addition: If the dough is too sticky and greasy, add some more flour. If they are too sticky the cookies will go flat. The other option is to refrigerate the dough for an hour or so - this always helps.

Bake for 9-11 minutes on 375 - don't over cook.

Banana Cream Pie

I'm not a pie maker - but for Thanksgiving this year I was tasked with the pies. It scared me! I did my best and the pies were clearly unprofessional. But....my Banana Cream Pie was to die for. Here it is:

1 pie crust (9 inch), baked (I cheat and use the frozen pie crusts)
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 2/3 cups water
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
3 egg yolks, beaten
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 medium bananas
whipped cream

In heavy saucepan, dissolve cornstarch in water; stir in sweetened condensed milk and egg yolks. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.

Remove from heat; add butter and vanilla. Cool slightly. Slice 2 bananas. Arrange on bottom of prepared crust. Pour filling over bananas; cover. Chill 4 hours or until set.

Spread top with whipped cream. Slice remaining banana and garnish top of pie. Refrigerate leftovers.

Chicken Parmesan

I'm going to try this one tonight.....can't wait:

4 boneless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2 inch thickness
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
seasoned bread crumbs
2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
8 slices Fresh mozzarella cheese
1 jar (16 oz) spaghetti sauce
Parmesan cheese

Whisk together the egg and milk. Dip the chicken breasts in milk and egg mixture and then in bread crumbs. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken in the hot oil on both sides until golden, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Set chicken in a baking dish.

Slice 8 pieces of mozzarella cheese and put two on each chicken breast. Pour 1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce over all. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and a little more mozzarella and bake at 350° for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until bubbly.

Magelby’s Syrup

1 cup butter

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup buttermilk

Pinch of salt

1 tsp of vanilla or ½ tsp of mapeline flavoring

1 tsp of baking soda

Melt butter in a medium to large saucepan and add the sugar, salt and buttermilk. Bring to a boil and boil for 2-3 minutes (not scientific amount of time). When you remove it from the heat stir in the soda. Make sure your pan is large enough because it raises really high when the soda hits the hot mixture. I whisk it together for a minute to get it all incorporated. Serve warm and it will keep for a couple weeks in the fridge if you have any leftover.

Easy Crepes

2 cups flour

4 eggs

2 – 2 ½ cups Milk

¼ cup melted butter

2 dashes of salt

Combine all ingredients and cook like a very thin pancake.

Crepe Filling

8 oz package cream cheese

1 ¼ cup powdered sugar

1 tbl lemon juice

½ tsp vanilla

1 cup heavy cream whipped or 2 pints of pre whipped cream

Homemade Pancakes

1 ½ cups flour

3 ½ tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 tbl sugar

1 ¼ cup milk

1 egg

3 tbl butter, melted

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.