Hello! I know my purpose with these "Cook by the Book" posts is to try new recipes from my cookbooks but today I'm sharing an old recipe from a cookbook we've had many years. I served this back at our Winter Wonderland Tea as a warm start to our meal. It's a soup recipe pronounced /vi~shee~swaaz/ but sounds way more complicated and fancy-schmancy than it really is. Not convinced? Ok, here's my secret. This recipe comes from a children's cookbook! When our girls were little, we took them to see the Ratatouille movie and we all enjoyed it so much we purchased the Ratatouille What's Cooking? cookbook, and this was one of our favorite recipes. So, if a kid can make it, anyone can make it no ... Read more
Cook by the Book: Between Seasons Luncheon
Welcome back! In my last post I began to share a little about a luncheon my daughter and I prepared for my mom and my mother-in-law for Grandparents Day. Today I'd like to share the recipes. And since we're between seasons right now I selected recipes that would blend summer and fall! Also, as I've mentioned before, I'm challenging myself to use my cookbooks more, so I planned my entire menu from cookbook recipes. It was true lady food! Between Seasons Menu Rosy Raspberry Soup Chicken Salad Croissants, Broccoli Salad, and Cheese Straws Apple Raspberry Iced Tea Hummingbird Cake & Coffee The first cookbook I want to feature is actually not even a true cookbook but a ... Read more
Happy Almost Fall!
Lately we have caught the fever--the fall fever! We are still more than a month away from the first day of fall and even then, here in the deep south, it'll be a while before those crisp, cool days make their appearance. So yesterday we had a "Let's-Pretend-It's-Fall" day! Nothing extravagant, just a few autumnal pleasures to tide us over for the rest of summer. We lit a deliciously-scented apple candle and whipped up some pumpkin muffins with butterscotch chips. I found some fall cupcake liners left from last year. I've been on a detox diet this summer so, sadly, no muffins for this mama. BUT, I did stir some pureed pumpkin and maple syrup into my steel cut oats and it was ... Read more
Creamy Chicken Chili
This is about the easiest crockpot meal you can put together! I love a crockpot recipe that does not require any precooking, chopping, or other prep besides popping open some cans and a pack of meat and dropping it all in the pot. This one fits the bill! Creamy Chicken Chili Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed 1 can corn, with liquid 1 can Rotel, with liquid 1 package ranch dressing mix 1 tsp cumin 1 Tbsp chili powder 1 tsp onion powder 1 8-oz light cream cheese Place the chicken in the bottom of the crockpot. Pour in the can of corn (with liquid), Rotel (with liquid), and rinsed black beans. Add in the ranch mix and other seasonings, and stir. Place cream ... Read more
Thanksgiving (Leftover) Soup
I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! If you have leftover turkey, I've got the recipe for your weekend! I just call this soup "Thanksgiving Soup" because it has all the flavors of Thanksgiving in a soup and makes excellent use of leftover turkey. Thanksgiving Soup ***** -Cook 1 box long grain and wild rice according to box directions; set aside. -Heat 1 Tbsp. butter in a pan. -Saute the following ingredients until golden: 1 yellow onion, chopped 1 cup celery, chopped 1 cup carrot, chopped 1 cup sliced mushrooms (fresh are best, but I have a can in the pantry I'll be using this weekend) 1 tsp. dried basil & 1 tsp. dried chopped rosemary -Add in 2 cups diced ... Read more