Cream of Broccoli Soup

I asked my mother in law for this recipe since hers was absolutely delicious!  This is what she sent me, although we both added some velveeta to ours.  You could leave out the ham to make it meatless too.

Creamy of Broccoli Soup or Broccoli Cheese Soup

4 cups chicken broth
1 large bunch broccoli, chopped (3 cups)
1/2 cup diced onion
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp salt
dash of ground pepper
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2 oz ham (1/3 cup diced)
1/2 cup heavy cream (I used half and half, my  mother in law uses evaporated milk)

Combine broth, broccoli, onion, bay leaf, salt and pepper in large saucepan over high heat.  When broth comes to a boil, turn down the heat and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes.  The vegetables will become tender.
Remove bay leaf and discard.  Transfer a little more than half of the broth and vegetable mixture to a blender or food processor.  Mix on low speed for 20 to 30 seconds.  This will finely chop the vegetables to nearly a puree.  (Be careful blending hot liquids. You may want to let it cool a bit before this step.)
Pour the blended mixture back into pot over medium/low heat.  Add flour and whisk until all lumps have dissolved.
Add ham and cream.  Continue to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until the soup is as thick as you like it.
If you're adding cheese do it at the very end and just warm until melted.

This made 6 cups for me.  It says that it makes 4 servings as an appetizer or 2 servings as an entree but we got three servings easily out of this one.

This post is linked to:

It's a Keeper Thursday
Show Off Your Stuff at Fireflies and Jellybeans
Tasty Traditions at Coupon Cookin'
Recipe Swap Thursday at Prairie Story
Tuesday Night Supper Club at Fudge Ripple

Amish Friendship Muffins

I got some starter from a friend last week and made my bread yesterday.  I used this recipe which actually is for muffins but I made two loaves out of it instead.  Very tasty, my hubby is happy with it!

Amish Friendship Muffins

1 cup Amish batter
2 cups flour
3/4 cup oil
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp vanilla

Stir well.

Add 1 cup chopped nuts if desired.

OPTIONAL:
1 cup apples, chopped
1 cup raisins or
1 cup blueberries

Mix well.  Put into muffin tins well greased if not using liners.  Sprinkle with topping on each muffin and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until done.

TOPPING:
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup margarine

Mix well and sprinkle over tops of muffins before baking.

Chicken Puffs

These would have been good if they had more filling in them.  I think since I used homemade crescent roll dough they  needed more filling than called for but I would make them again.

Chicken Puffs

2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cubed
3 Tb chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
3/4 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese
6 Tb butter
3 (10 oz) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough (or I used homemade crescent roll dough)

In medium saucepan over medium heat slowly cook and stir skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, onion and garlic.  Cook until onions are tender and chicken is lightly browned.

In medium bowl, blend chicken mixture, cream cheese and butter until creamy.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Unroll crescent rolls and divide in half to create 12 rectangles.  Place approximately one tablespoon of chicken mixture on each rectangle.  Fold into balls.

Arrange balls on large baking sheet.  Bake for 12 minutes, or until golden brown.

Grilled Turkey and Swiss

The hubby was making grilled cheese one day for the kiddos and made this for himself.  We're on a big swiss cheese kick so we also had these for dinner one night recently.  They're very yummy!

Spread two pieces of bread with butter.  Place one slice butter side down in hot skillet.  Top with a few slices of turkey (or ham or roast beef, whatever your choice may be), and a slice or two of cheese (in this case, Swiss).  Place other slice of bread on top.  Flip and finish cooking other side.

I added a bit of mayo to the inside of mine, as well as a few slivers of onion.  Then we dipped the sandwiches in honey mustard.

String Pie

I used to make this a lot but haven't made it for quite a long time until tonight.  I remembered how good it was!

String Pie

12 oz spaghetti
4 Tb butter
salt and pepper
2 eggs, beaten
2 lbs ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper (I use red)
2 Tb oil (I omit this)
1 jar spaghetti sauce
2 tsp sugar
garlic, oregano
2 cups cottage cheese
8 oz mozzarella
2/3 cup parmesan

Cook and drain spaghetti.  Place in bottom of 9x13 dish.  Combine butter, parmesan, salt, pepper, and egg.  Spread over noodles.  Spread on cottage cheese.  Cook ground beef, onion, green pepper in oil.  Stir in spaghetti sauce, sugar, garlic, and oregano.  Layer over noodles and cottage cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Sprinkle with mozzarella.  Bake 10 minutes more until cheese is melted.

Menu Plan

I've been neglecting my blog.  Had a short trip, sick kids and just an overall crazy schedule lately.  I'm hoping it all gets better soon.  For now, here's my plan for the next week or so.

~Zucchini Casserole - from last week we never got to.  I went ahead and made it and stuck it in the freezer.  Will post soon I hope.
~String Pie, fresh string beans
~Crockpot Pork Chops, mashed potatoes, blueberry muffins
~Broccoli Cheese Soup, fruit, breadsticks
~Shepherd's Pie, fruit
~Leftovers
~Baked Potatoes
~Pizza Night

Menu Plan

Things have been a little crazy lately but I will get some posts up from last week as soon as I can.  Here's my next menu that will probably last more than a week.

~Chevy's:  got a Groupon to use before it expires.
~Chicken Noodle Soup from a friend
~Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry, broccoli, fruit
~Lasagna Soup, crescent rolls
~Chicken Puffs, zucchini casserole - both NEW!
~Grilled Turkey and Swiss Sandwiches, tater tots, fruit - NEW!
~String Pie, green beans - NEW!
~Leftovers
~Waffles/Breakfast Night, or just something quick like pizza or ravioli