Easy Chicken Lo Mein

Ingredients:
1/2 lb. spaghetti, uncooked
1/4 cup Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing (KRAFT)
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
2 T Minced garlic
1/2 red Pepper - chopped
1/2 green Pepper chopped
1 small onion Chopped
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro - or use the stuff in the tube.
2 Tbsp. chopped P\peanuts


COOK spaghetti in large saucepan as directed on package.

Heat dressing in large nonstick pan on medium-high heat. Add chicken and garlic; cook for 3-5 min. or until chicken is no longer pink. Add vegetables, broth and peanut butter; cook another 3 to 5 min. or until chicken is done.

Drain spaghetti; return to pan. Add chicken mixture and soy sauce; mix lightly. Spoon onto platter; top with cilantro and nuts.

Gourmet Hot Dogs

Yesterday we had a "small" gathering at our house to celebrate Anders 3rd B-day & to have a Summer Kick off Party (the weather did not cooperate, but the party went on). We served Gourmet Hot Dogs with ALL the Fixen's... Below are the concoctions we served.


Thanks, Jorgen

Breakfast Sausage Won ton Appetizer

Fun & Easy appetizer recipe can easily make ahead and then heat up for serving. We made these last weekend for the Super Bowl.

16 oz Jimmy Dean's Breakfast sausage

3 cups cheddar cheese

1 packet dry ranch seasoning mix

2.25 oz can chopped black olives

1/2 cup chopped red pepper

1 small onion chopped

1 package won ton wrappers

oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, press a won ton wrapper into each of the cups or a regular size muffin tin & brush lightly with oil. Back for 5-7 minutes until golden brown. Remove from tins & place on cookie sheet or store in an air tight container if you are making them ahead.

In a separate pan, combine red pepper, onion, & sausage. Brown & drain. Add in olives, ranch packet & cheese, mix well. Fill each won ton 3/4 full with sausage/cheese mixture & return to oven for 5 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

Potato Ham Soup

Ingredients:
3 1/2 C peeled & diced potatoes
1/3 C chopped celery
1/3 C chopped onion
1 1/2 C cooked diced ham ( I used a 1 lb ham steak)
3 3/4 C water
2T chicken Bouillon granules
1 tsp black or white pepper
5T butter
5T flour
2 C milk
1/4C shredded cheese (any kind)

Step 1:
Combine the potatoes, onion, celery, ham & water in large stock pot. Bring to a boil & cook over medium heat for 15 minutes. Stir in Chicken Bouillon & pepper.

Step 2:
In a separate sauce pan, melt butter over Medium/Low heat. Whisk in flour, stirring constantly until thick (about 1 minute). Slowly stir in milk - do not allow lumps to form. Continue to stir over Medium heat for 5 minutes.

Step 3:
Stir in the milk mixture into the stock pot & cook until heated thru. Slowly add cheese & keep stirring for 5-10 minutes.

Delicious - Next time I want to add shredded carrots!

Creamy Tomato Soup

Ingredients:
1 can chicken broth
14 Roma tomatoes
1/2 c onion
18 - 20 fresh basil leaves
minced garlic
1 tsp sugar
1 c milk
1 c heavy cream
1 T butter
salt & pepper to taste


Chop your onions & saute with garlic

Quarter your tomatoes (leave the skins on)


Boil your tomatoes, onion, garlic, salt, pepper & sugar in chicken broth.


De-vein the basil & give a rough chop. Add to pot, keep soup on a low boil.

Reduce heat & add butter, milk & cream - stir continually & bring to a low boil.

Use your hand blender to puree soup.
Enjoy!

Not the best photo...but Anders & Grandpa loved it!

We froze some too... not sure how it will turn out with the milk & cream - will keep you posted.

Meat & Cheese Braid Update

Remember this post from a few months ago?

Well, we finally perfected the braid. This is how a finished one should look.

(Thanks Kari for your photo & braiding lessons)

The trick is to twist the bread 2 times & then the "tails" should be

"tucked" under the next braid.

Last weekend we made 8 (YES 8) of these.

Two were to eat right away (dipped them in marinara sauce) YUMM & 6 are in the freezer.

Another tip, we wrapped the braid in freezer paper, then in plastic wrap, then in foil.

We had some trouble with the bread sticking to the plastic wrap

once it was thawed out & hope this will help.

Enjoy!

Plenty of Peppers

If you have a green thumb & are blessed with an abundance of Peppers, I suggest freezing them.

The are one of the easiest veggies to freeze... just wash, de-seed, chop & bag.

I use them year round for adding to soups, sloppy joes, spaghetti, hot dishes or even just adding as a frozen pizza topping.