Creamy Chicken Rice Soup

Hello one & all...seems that this has become my new "go-to" soup for the season. Super easy and quick; thick and hearty so it "eats like a meal." Plus they all love it...doesn't get any better then that!

Creamy Chicken Rice Soup

1/2 cup chopped onion
1 medium carrot, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped (made the last batch with a few sprinkles of celery seed...tasted the same!)
1/2 tsp garlic, minced
1 TBSP Canola oil
2 cans (14.5 oz. each) chicken broth (or 4 cups broth/bouillon, prepared)
1/3 cup long-grain white rice
3/4 tsp dried basil (I used Italian seasoning...smelled and tasted so wonderful!)
1/4 tsp pepper
3 TBSP flour
1 can (5 oz.) evaporated milk
1 cup cooked, diced chicken

In a saucepan, saute the onion, carrot, and celery in oil until tender. Stir in garlic, broth, rice, and spices. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes or till rice is tender.

In a small bowl, combine milk and flour till smooth.; stir into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or till thickened. Stir in chicken, heat through.

1 cup = 185 calories and 4 gm. fat (when prepared with fat free evaporated milk)

Add bread and butter and/or a salad and it fills and warms. Make and Enjoy!

Blessings, Eve

Beefy Tomato Pasta Soup

Hello one & all...spent the most wonderful Autumn weekend. Saturday I joined my sister and niece for a day at the Buffalo Zoo. We hadn't been in a year and I was amazed at the changes and additions. I spent many a childhood day running around that kiddie hot spot...it always brings back the fondest memories for me. Sunday brought a day of Autumn splendor at the Genesee County Park. Joined by my sister-in-law and her family, we lazed the day away in the surprisingly strong fall sun while the kiddos rode their bicycles and worked hard at conquering the heights of the playground. We had such a great time that I took the children back again yesterday, with bikes on board, for yet another afternoon. It is absolutely beautiful there this time of year and very quiet.

My sister-in-law brought a crock pot of soup on Sunday that warmed us both body and soul and sent me in search of soup recipes both old and new. Came upon this one that I will share and thought it was to be a winner for sure...so glad I was right as the brood was super hungry after yet another day in the fresh air.

Beefy Tomato Pasta Soup

1# ground beef (or venison)
2 medium green peppers, chunked
1 medium onion, chunked
2 cloves garlic, minced
5-6 cups water
2 cans (14 oz.) Italian chunked tomatoes, undrained
1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
1 TBSP brown sugar
2-3 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 cups uncooked spiral pasta

In a dutch oven or soup kettle, cook meat, green pepper and onion till no longer pink. Drain. Add the rest. Bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook for slightly longer than recommended time, stirring occasionally. Pasta should be tender but not mushy. Top with Parmesan cheese and croutons if desired. ***This is a wonderful, hearty soup that I served with bread and butter and a side salad.

***Made this with ground beef (my venison is running low!) and home canned herbed tomatoes. If using home canned I recommend that you go a little heavier on the salt. Also, feel free to use regular diced tomatoes and simply up the Italian seasoning.

Make and enjoy! Blessings, Eve

Easy Bake Oven Recipes

Hello one & all...after a wonderful weekend that included celebrating my husband's birthday, we are back to the daily grind. And that includes entertaining our children. This one is by special request...Easy Bake Oven Recipes. (That you can actually afford and that taste somewhat decent!!! Really!)

Brownies (makes one serving)

2 1/2 TBSP sugar
1/8 tsp. vanilla
4 tsp chocalate syrup
2 TBSP + 1 tsp flour
1 tsp oil

Stir all together until the batter is smooth and chocolate covered. Pour batter into greased and floured pan. Bake 15 min.

Quick Cake

3 TBSP boxed cake mix (or snitch a bit when you make from scratch!)
1 1/4 TBSP water

Start with 1 T water and add as needed to make a traditional cake batter consistency. Grease and flour pan. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

Chocolate Cake

1 cup sugar
3 TBSP unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup shortening

In a medium bowl, combine dry ingredients. Stir with wire whisk until blended. Cut in shorteneing until resmbles coarse meal. Spoom about 1/3 cup mixture into 11 ziploc bags. Use within 12 weeks.

To use:
1 packet cake mix
4 tsp. water

Grease and flour pan. Easy bake for 12 to 13 minutes.

Make and enjoy! Blessings, Eve