Potato Soup

This is something I modified from a crock pot recipe.  Last year sometime I had this soup going in my crock pot when it decided to quit working.  I dumped it in a soup pot and realized how quick this was on the stove top.  This is my go-to soup.  I really don't measure.  

In my soup pot (I think it's 8 qt) I add 7-8 pounds of potatoes peeled and diced.  Sprinkle with parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder.  Add 1 box of TJ's chicken broth or 3 heaping teaspoons of chicken bouillon (depending on what I have) then fill the pot with enough water to cover the potatoes.  Bring to a boil then simmer until the potatoes are cooked (about 20 min.).  Here's where I cheat.  I thicken the soup with a bit of instant mashed potatoes.  Since the soup is already hot, I just pour in somewhere between 1/2c. and 1c. from the box.  Add a can of condensed milk to make it creamy.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Serve with bacon and shredded cheese.  YUM!  

***As a rule at our house, things are seasoned pretty mild.  With kids, I know they can be picky.  And if it's 'spicy' they're quicker to complain.  I can always add spice to my bowl but I can't take it out of theirs.  

Tortilla Soup

But, to be honest, we leave out the tortilla chips a lot. =0)

This soup mix is for a gift jar...but we like it so much I keep the mix in the pantry for a quick dinner.  On a rushed night, dumping a bunch of things into a pot to simmer for 20 minutes is my kind of dinner.  

Seasonings:

2T. chichen bouillon granules

2t. lemonade powder with sugar

1t. lemon pepper

1t. dried cilantro leaves

1/2 t. garlic powder

1/2 t. ground cumin

1/2 t. salt (I usually leave this out)

1/4 c. dried minced onions (I use 2 T.)

1c. rice

1 10 oz. can chicken

1 14.5 oz can tomatoes (I like Hunt's Fire Roasted or something with green chilies)

Add everything to a pot with 10c. water.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.  Serve with crushed chips at the bottom of the bowl.  Garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, olives...you name it.  YUM!

Playdough

2c. flour
1c. salt
4t. cream of tarter
2T. baby oil
2c. water

cook on low until it's like thick mashed potatoes.

Peanut Butter Kisses

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. margarine

1/2 c. peanut butter

2 T. milk

1 t. vanilla

1 egg

1 3/4 c. flour

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

Roll into 1 " balls. Roll in sugar. Place 2" apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Decorate immediately with a kiss.

Nanny B's

1/2# butter (2 sticks)

2/3 c. sugar

2 c. flour

1 t. baking powder

1/8 t. salt (I just use salted butter instead)

1 t. almond extract

1/4 c. sugar and chopped almonds for garnish

Shape like a finger and flatten. Brush with egg white and sprinkle with sugar almond mixture. Bake 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

Aunt Stella's Cookies

1 c. butter

1 c. sugar

1 egg seperated

1 t. vanilla

1 1/2 - 2 c. flour

Cream together butter and sugar. Add egg yolk and vanilla. Add flour until it forms a good dough. Roll into 3/4" balls and flatten slightly. Brush with egg whites. Garnish with a walnut or a marachino cherry half. Bake 7 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

Gram's Shortbread

1/2 c. superfine sugar

1 c. butter

1 egg

2 1/2 c. flour

Roll into small balls. Criss Cross with a fork. Decorate with assorted sprinkles. Bake 300 degrees for 20 minutes on an ungreased cookie sheet.