Potato Leek Soup

My sister gave me this recipe for Potato Leek Soup today. It's really good! It's creamy and super easy. I made a double batch because I like to freeze the left overs for another time. I used both red and brown potatoes but you can use what you like. I also used the chicken broth that comes in the box. I added a lot of pepper and salt to spice it up... This goes great with a warm sandwich or a salad!


Potato Leek Soup:

• 1 box chicken broth
• 5 red potatoes, 1 brown potato
• 1 leek
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp butter
• salt and pepper

1. Bring chicken broth to a rolling boil and cover.
2. Peel and cut potatoes into cubes, add to boiling broth.
3. Saute the leeks in the butter, garlic, salt and pepper then add to soup.
4. Let cook until potatoes are tender, add your cream, more salt and pepper and cook on low.
5. I then smashed some of the potatoes to thicken the soup and you're ready to serve! I'm betting that this is going to be even better left over...

TTFN, Cindy

Beer Mac N Cheese

It's our 9 year anniversary so I decided to make one of Chris' favorites... We love having the Beer Mac N Cheese at our local Stone Brewery so I went and got the sausage from T&H where Stone gets theres. I just used their sausage this time and added a little Stone IPA to the mix!

-Cindy

Turkey Goulash

I was struggling one night on what to make... Tired of the same old Rogers house favorites, I decided to make something up with what I had on hand in the house. I admit, I was worried but thankfully the family LOVED it! I named it Turkey Goulash. It was super easy and fast to make! I hope you like it as much as my family does...

Turkey Goulash:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 5-6 potatoes
• Loose hand full fettuccine noodles
• 1 pack onion dip mix
• 1 pack brown gravy
• 4-5 cups water
• 1-2 cups carrots

1. Brown meat with 1/2 pack onion mix, garlic salt and lots of pepper, put aside.
2. Peel and chop potatoes into small cubes.
3. Boil 4 cups water with potatoes, carrots and noodles until tender. (about 10 minutes)
4. Add rest of onion pack and gravy pack, simmer on low until it thickens.
5. Add meat, stir and serve!

~enjoy~ Cindy

Heart Shaped Dumplings

It was a cold rainy day and I decided to make homemade chicken and dumpling soup with a little extra love... It turned out great and fun!

-Cindy

Italian Macaroni

Last night I made Italian Macaroni.... This time I used ground turkey and 2% light cheese. We have been eating a lot healthier around here so I thought I'd try this recipe out but with the healthier choices. I got this recipe from Barb's Mostacoli and just changed a few things...

When cooking the ground turkey I added a medium size onion (finely chopped) and three cloves of garlic. I did this because turkey is a little blander and this spices it up a bit!

Hope you all enjoy! I'll be posting soon.... Chris is going to make his yummy turkey burgers and I'm going to blog them, check back soon.


~Cindy~

Yummy Appetizers

These were so yummy! I made these when Barb and Lee were here.... The only bad part is, it's not healthy at all!

They're still great for a party or just having some company over. They're super easy and taste like you've slaved away in the kitchen....

Pita Appetizers:

• Pita chips
• Bacon
• Parmesian grated cheese
• Bruschetta
• 1-3 tbsp olive oil

1. Mix oil and cheese together so it will clump together when you put it on top of the chip.
2. First put a little bruschetta on top then your cheese and bacon last!
3. So easy! I broil it for 3 to 5 minutes... Keep checking all stoves are different.

Hope you enjoy this easy appetizer!

~Cindy~

WOW...... It's Been Forever!!

Hello all! I don't even know if anyone is following us anymore....... lol It's been forever!! I'm going to be back to posting soon, my hubby has had the summer off so we've been quite busy. Plus, he does all the grilling during the summer so there wasn't much to blog. We have been eating healthier and have lost a whopping 99 pounds combined!!! I've lost 49 and he's lost 50..... I'm pretty excited about it and can't wait to try and share some new recipes. Be back soon,
~Cindy

Homemade Chili

I made up this Chili recipe two years ago when we had a big family gathering. I haven't made it in awhile so I thought it was time to make it again. I forgot how yummy it was and easy to make! I used the original recipe that I had written down and it made a lot, so you can half the recipe if you don't want leftovers. I love having the left overs because I think it'll be good on top of a baked potato or on top of a salad to create a taco salad....... Plus, then I don't have to come up with two more meals!



Homemade Chili:

• 2 pounds ground turkey
• 2 Chili packs
• 1 large onion
• 2 29 oz cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 14 oz can kidney beans (I love beans so I think next time I'd use 2 cans)
• 1 can black beans if desired 

1. In a crock pot empty your canned goods.
2. Cook your meat.
3. Add onion and chili packs to your meat.
4. Add all your meat to your crock pot and put on low.

I usually cook it for a couple of hours and then it's ready to serve! I top it with cheese and some sour cream, I also like to put tapatio (hot sauce) sauce in mine because I love spicy things. I think it would be great with some raw onion on top!

I love crock pot meals, you don't have to tend to them and they seem to taste better when they sit and cook.

Enjoy it!
Until next time, Cindy

Lemon Pepper Chicken, Rice, and Veggies

I'm back! Sorry it took so long...... I mentioned in a earlier post how our family wants a lifestyle change, so here's a little bit of what we've been eating........
It's definitely a lot simpler but it's healthy and very yummy!

Barbara told me about these steamer bags that you can put your veggies in and it only takes 3 to 4 minutes to cook, they're amazing!!! It's so easy and fast, the best part is there's no clean up! I've been buying fresh veggies and cutting them all up, portioning them out into the bags and putting them into the fridge for the next mealtime. It's made it so easy...... It says on the bag that you can also steam meats but I haven't tried this yet, we've been having such beautiful weather here that it's been a great time for barbecuing. We had lemon pepper chicken, rice and veggies.......

TTFN, Cindy

Soon to come!

Our house has been the sick house lately, we've all been sick at different times for over a month. Yes, I'm tired! lol I promise I'll be back soon.............. I'd love the challenge of healthier cooking!! I want a lifestyle change for 2009 and what a great way to try new things! See you soon, Cindy