December 2014 Cooking Day Recipes

Dec 6, 2014  -
Jessica and I knocked this out in four hours. Oh, yeah!

All in the freezer with room for ice cream!

Menus and Recipe Links

1          Chicken and potatoes BBQ  

http://www.5dollardinners.com/slow-cooker-bbq-chicken-potatoes/ 

Modifications: All white meat         

Notes: Kit: Raw ingredients thrown into a bag, waiting to be crocked on the day we eat this.

2          Apple chicken slow cooker  

http://www.5dollardinners.com/slow-cooker-chicken-with-apples-rosemary/

Modifications: All white meat, no lime juice          

Notes: Kit: Raw ingredients thrown into a bag, waiting to be crocked on the day we eat this.

3          Quiche           

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/spinach-and-bacon-quiche-recipe.html

Modifications: Cheddar, not swiss cheese. 1/2 & 1/2, not heavy cream           

Notes: Kit: Spinach, crispy bacon, cheese, and pie crust in a bag. Thaw, assemble, add eggs and 1/2&1/2. Bake as directed

4          Tortilla soup 

http://juliew15.blogspot.com/2012/12/recipe-tortilla-soup.html

Modifications:            None. J

Notes: Ready to go in a large tuppeware dish. Dinner anyone? It feeds an army

5          Taco soup      

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/02/original-taco-soup-crockpot-recipe.html

Modifications: Pretty much as written

Notes: Ready to go, heat and eat

6          Chicken pot pie soup           

http://www.thegunnysack.com/2014/09/slow-cooker-chicken-pot-pie-soup-recipe.html

Modifications: As per usual, subbed out for GF ingredients as needed 

Notes: Never tried it, but it sounded good.

7          Jambalaya     

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chicken-sausage-jambalaya/print

Modifications: Well, yes, we made a few, mostly based on the veggies we do and do not like.

Notes: Will add the rice on the day we serve this

8          Tomato soup Florentine

http://www.mommyhatescooking.com/2012/11/copycat-zios-tomato-florentine-soup.html/print/

Modifications: GF Flour        

Notes: Just like Zios  Mmm!

9          Cashew chicken        

http://asunshinyday.com/slow-cooker-coconut-cashew-chicken/

            Modifications: Used Trader Joes Coconut Cream.            

Notes: Kit: Raw ingredients thrown into a bag, waiting to be crocked on the day we eat this. Will add Cashews on the day served

10       Chili chicken Verde  

http://onceamonthmeals.com/?s=chili+chicken+verde

Modifications:           

Notes: A throw back to my OAMC days with Jane and Cindy

11       Caesar Chicken Sandwich   

http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2011/09/slow-cooker-chicken-caesar-sandwiches.html

Modifications:            Notes: Heat and eat.

12       Herb & Citrus Roast Chicken

http://www.thecomfortofcooking.com/2013/04/herb-and-citrus-oven-roasted-chicken.html        

Modifications: Used BS Chicken Breasts cut in chunks    

Notes: Kit: Raw ingredients thrown into a bag, waiting to be thawed and roasted on serving day

13       Meatloaf        

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/savory-meat-loaf/45f115c8-283b-4e79-8108-d252643ca66a    

Modifications: Well, lots of modifications. Among other things, GF Oatmeal, no BBQ sauce or ketchup. :P    

Notes: Do you really need a recipe for meatloaf?

14       Spaghetti sauce        

http://www.food.com/recipe/oamc-spaghetti-sauce-104281  

Modifications: No sugar, hot italian sausage         

Notes: Get this going in the AM and cook all day. Freeze, heat, and serve over pasta. Best spaghetti sauce ever. You'll never go back to a bland jar.

Now all we do is pick what we want to fix!

  

Recipe: Tortilla Soup

Tortilla Soup

Serves 16

1 large onion, diced
2 15 oz. cans diced tomatoes (pureed, if desired)
8 c chicken stock (broth from cooking rotisserie chicken)
4 c cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken)
2 T ground cumin
4 T chili powder
2 t garlic powder (or 2 T fresh garlic, chopped)
1 15 oz can corn (don't drain)
1 15 oz can black beans (don't drain)
1 28 oz can mild enchilada sauce
1 4 oz can chopped green chiles (don't drain)

In large soup kettle, saute onion (and garlic) in 2 T oil or butter.  Add the rest of the ingredients. Heat through and simmer for at least 30 minutes.

Toppings and other ingredients to put out for people to customize their own bowl:
Brown rice
Tortilla chips
Salsa
Cheese
Avocado chunks
Cilantro
Green onions
Lime wedges

Recipe: Beef Broccoli

Best Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons cornstarch, divided
1/2 cup water, plus
2 tablespoons water, divided
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 lb boneless round steak, cut into thin-as-you-can 3-inch strips
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
4 cups broccoli florets
1 small onion, cut into wedges
1/3 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground ginger
hot cooked rice

Directions:
1 In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 2 tablespoons water and garlic powder until smooth.
2 Add beef and toss.
3 In a large skillet or wok over medium high heat, sweat onions 1 tablespoon oil . Add beef and stir-fry until beef reaches desired doneness; remove and keep warm.
4 Stir-fry broccoli in remaining oil for 4-5 minutes.
5 Return beef to pan.
6 Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger and remaining cornstarch and water until smooth; add to the pan.
7 Cook and stir for 2 minutes.
8 Serve over rice.

Adapted from:  http://www.food.com/recipe/the-best-easy-beef-and-broccoli-stir-fry-99476?oc=linkback

Recipe: Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup

Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe

Modified from www.SecretRecipeWorld.com’s recipe

1 onion diced (1 c)
1/2 lb  bacon, diced
1 1/4 teaspoon garlic cloves, minced
4 cups chicken stock
3 or 4 medium potatoes, scrubbed, not pealed, and cut into cubes

2-3 cups baby spinach,
1 lb spicy Italian sausage links, removed from casings

White sauce made from:

¼ c butter, ¼ c flour, salt & pepper – browned together

1 cup half & half plus1 cup milk  - whisk in and bring to low boil, bubble gently for one minute

Directions

Brown bacon and Italian sausage until crispy. Add onion and garlic to sweat.

Add chicken stock and potatoes
Bring to a quick boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Add remaining ingredients.
Simmer for 5 more minutes, or until potatoes are cooked through.
Spoon into soup bowls, top with parmesan cheese (optional), and enjoy!

Serve with fresh green salad and hard rolls or biscuits. 

Recipe: Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Saute in large soup pan:

2 T. butter

1 large onion, chopped (sweat the onions before adding anything else)

1 T fresh minced garlic  (or add 1 t garlic powder to soup stock later)

1 c. chopped carrots (about 2 carrots)

1 c. chopped celery (about 2 stalks)

Add to veggies:

6 c. chicken stock

3 c. cooked chopped chicken
One or more teaspoons (combined) of any or all the following herbs:

• thyme
• marjoram
• rosemary
• sage
• basil 

Simmer together for 30 minutes

In a separate sauce pan, make white sauce and add to soup:

Melt 2 T Butter, whisk in 1/4 c. flour, 1/2 tsp. pepper, 1 tsp. salt

Slowly add 2 c.  milk + 1 c. half and half, stirring constantly.

Boil gently for 1-2 minutes until mixture thickens. 

Add to soup - Heat through

Just before serving, add 12 oz wide egg noodles - prepared according to package directions

If you add these too early, you wind up with chicken noodle casserole! 

GF Option: If you want this to be gluten free, sub 2 T corn starch for flour and use rice pasta instead of noodles. 

#DecemberMenus

How often do I gaze into my refrigerator and cupboards and wonder what to fix for dinner?

I imagine you may suffer the same dilemma. So to help both of us, I'm posting my menu plans for the month of December. Perhaps your comments will give me ideas that will be posted in a future month.  For now, perhaps some of these ideas will help you plan your December meals.  Enjoy! Let me know if you find this helpful.

Note that lunch is often leftovers from the night before.
YOYO=You're on Your Own

	Date	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Sunday	2-Dec	YOYO	Rotisserie Chicken Tacos	Tortilla Soup (Recipe)
Monday	3-Dec	Eggs, Bacon, & Veggies	Tortilla Soup	Cr. Baked Chicken & Oven Roasted  GrBeans
Tuesday	4-Dec	Yogurt/Oatmeal/Fruit	YOYO	Chili & Rice
Wednesday	5-Dec	Eggs, Bacon, & Veggies	Chili	Cr. Chick Noodle Soup (Recipe)
Thursday	6-Dec	Yogurt/Oatmeal/Fruit	Cr. Chick Noodle	Left Overs
Friday	7-Dec	YOYO	Tuna Salad Wraps	Taquitos
Saturday	8-Dec	Pancakes	YOYO	Beef Broccoli (Recipe)
Sunday	9-Dec	YOYO	Chicken Enchiladas	Burgers
Monday	10-Dec	Eggs, Bacon, & Veggies		OG Tuscany Potato Soup (Recipe)
Tuesday	11-Dec	Yogurt/Oatmeal/Fruit	YOYO	Meatloaf
Wednesday	12-Dec	Eggs, Bacon, & Veggies	Enchiladas	Tacos
Thursday	13-Dec	Yogurt/Oatmeal/Fruit	Taco Salad	Cashew Nut Chicken
Friday	14-Dec	Oatmeal, Fruit	Cashew Nut Chicken	Peppers Tomatoes   Beef
Saturday	15-Dec	YOYO	YOYO	MBC Christmas Dinner
Sunday	16-Dec	YOYO	Minestrone	Creamy Broc & Cheese Soup
Monday	17-Dec	Eggs, Bacon, & Veggies	Creamy Broc Soup	Fettuccini Alfredo   & Pasta Fagioli
Tuesday	18-Dec	Yogurt/Oatmeal/Fruit	YOYO	Chicken   Corn Chowder
Wednesday	19-Dec	Eggs, Bacon, & Veggies		Crab & Chinese Chicken Salad
Thursday	20-Dec	Yogurt/Oatmeal/Fruit		Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Friday	21-Dec	Eggs, Bacon, & Veggies		Pulled Pork over Rice
Saturday	22-Dec	YOYO		Beef Stew
Sunday	23-Dec	YOYO		Burmese Stackie Uppie
Monday	24-Dec	YOYO		Swedish Meatballs, etc
Tuesday	25-Dec	Special Breakfast (Quiche, Fruit, Hash Browns)	Roast Turkey, etc	Christmas   Dinner
Wednesday	26-Dec	Eggs, Bacon, & Veggies		Chef Salad
Thursday	27-Dec	Yogurt/Oatmeal/Fruit		Baked Chicken & Green Beans
Friday	28-Dec	Eggs, Bacon, & Veggies		Enchiladas
Saturday	29-Dec	Pancakes		Fettuccini Alfredo & OG P. Fagioli