I come from a long line of ladies who cook. My Grandma C. was unbelievable, she taught my mother and having them around, I just did the basic's. With Grandma's passing and my mother not interested in cooking anymore, HERE I go ! Let's cook together.

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Monday

WW Improved Soup

 This is based on Weight watchers 0 Point Tortilla Soup.

But, I needed meat in mine, (of course)

3 chicken breast, no skin or bone, in a pot of about 6 cups of water.
add 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper. Cook until the chicken is done
Or if you are cooking Grilled Chicken the night before do 2-3  extra and
use 4 cups of Can Chicken Broth (easier)


Pull chicken out and shred.


1 cup Chopped Onions Chopped
2 Garlic Cloves
3 Green Onions Chopped
 3-4 stalks of Celery Chopped
1/2 a Green Pepper
1/3 Cup Fresh Cilantro
Spray pan with spray oil.
Cook these 6 in a pan, to make everything tender 10-15 minutes

Pour Chicken broth through a strainer and back into pot.(if homemade)

 Add Shredded Chicken

Add the rest of the ingredients  to the broth

Add
2 - 12oz cans of Diced Tomatoes
1/2 cup Salsa, we like hot, use what you like
1 can Whole Corn - Or fresh off the cob
1/2 teaspoon Cumin
1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder
1/2 teaspoon basil


Simmer and let cook down.

Serve with Sour Cream (I use Greek yogurt)
And taco chips

 Suggestions

  • When you have leftovers after the holidays or party, make this soup, you can add anything to it and it's wonderful.

  • Try adding fresh spinach, cut up add in about 5 minutes before serving.

  • You can use any meat, shred turkey, shred roast beef or pork, if you use another meat or don't want to do your own chicken stock, use 4 cups of Chicken Broth

  • This is a make it your own soup.

  • We eat this year round, mostly I think because it's a great solo-lunch for me.



Beth is the Author of The Quilt Ladies Book Collection, See her books, eBooks and quilt pattern series, Little Quilt Ladies - HERE       Printed Book Sale - HERE
And See Beth's "Home Quilts" HERE

Friday

Beer Chicken

 I love Paula Deen's cooking and this is one of my favorites, her beer chicken. I've been doing it for so long, no recipe needed.

I have a chicken rack, but I used the can of beer of years and it works just fine.

1 Large Whole Chicken
 I'm a pick about a clean chicken. Wash it, pull off the missed feathers, cut off any fat and wash it again. Also, wash your hand and anything the chicken touches.

Lawry's Season Salt.


I take a baking dish and cover it, both side with foil.

Turn gas grill on to about 400 F

Pour off about 1/4 of the can of beer on to the chicken

Cover the outside of the chicken with the seasoned salt.


Place the chicken in the holder or can of beer and place it in the dish.

Set in the middle on the grill, close the top and let cook about an hour.

Check with meat thermometer to 165-170


Be very careful when you pull the can out, this can sometimes become a 4 hand job, the beer will be very hot.
IF  ! ! Any left overs, this chicken makes the BEST chicken salad ever !

Beth is the Author of The Quilt Ladies Book Collection, See her books, eBooks and quilt pattern series, Little Quilt Ladies - HERE       Printed Book Sale - HERE
And See Beth's "Home Quilts" HERE

Wednesday

Shore Lunch

After Monday's post

 Last October Husband took me on a "Big" fishing week.
He loved it, me not so much........

The guide cooked an afternoon lunch on the beach.


If you EVER need to make a bunch of men speechless just ask,
"Would it be alright if I just stay here and read and you pick me up in a couple of hours?"
 If didn't happen, but was well worth asking.

Husbands plate. What a long trip.......

Beth is the Author of The Quilt Ladies Book Collection, See her books, eBooks and quilt pattern series, Little Quilt Ladies - HERE       Printed Book Sale - HERE
And See Beth's "Home Quilts" HERE

Monday

Fried Fish on Grill

Husband is recently home from his yearly fishing trip to Canada.

He had his limit of Walleye. It's a good solid, firm white fish. with a great flavor.



He's very good at boning and cleaning them, he has to be I'm not doing it.


Cleaned and soak in water and a bit of table salt. Freeze in Zip-Lock bags.

When he gets home he's tired of fish, but in about 3 weeks, it's fish time !

Any good white fish, I'm using Walleye about 10 - 4" pieces

2 Eggs beaten with a bit of water added

Sleeve of saltine crackers, crushed, add 1/2 cup of flour, white or wheat.

Heat 1-2 inchs of olive oil until hot, as fish fries you may need to add more oil.

Dip the fish in the egg mixture and then the crackers.



I like doing this outside on the grill burner, but will works just a well on the stove. Fry each side until golden brown
 

Salt and pepper when turned.


 


Beth is the Author of The Quilt Ladies Book Collection, See her books, eBooks and quilt pattern series, Little Quilt Ladies - HERE       Printed Book Sale - HERE     
 Home Quilts - HERE


Saturday

Quick Supper Spaghetti

 Husband's Step-Mom, Grandma Helen, makes the BEST Spaghetti Sauce


One package of Johnsonville Italian Sausage, we like mild, use what you like. 
Slice into 1" slices and brown in a large sauce pan.

Add 2 Cans of Pasta Sauce, I like Hunts, any flavor you like. Simmer, cover and stir for 10-15 minutes.

If you'd like, cool and put in Refrigerator for later use at this time.




Cook one package of Wheat Pasta as stated on package. Warm sauce and serve.


 Served with Garlic Bread and Apple Slices
Beth is the Author of The Quilt Ladies Book Collection, See her books, eBooks and quilt pattern series, Little Quilt Ladies - HERE       Printed Book Sale - HERE      Home Quilts - HERE



Thursday

Chicken Breast on Grill

 Quick, easy and wonderful on the Grill

4 Skinless Chicken breasts

Heat a gas grill to 350, place chicken breast on the grill,
season with Lawry's Seasoned Salt, and Course Ground Black pepper.

Cook on first side,  Turn Chicken, season again. Cooking time on each side 5-8 minutes.

Using a Meat Thermometer -  Internal temperature of 170 degrees is the best for Chicken,

I serviced with frozen hash browns, placed on the grill 5 minutes per side  and tossed lettuce salad.  



Beth is the Author of The Quilt Ladies Book Collection, See her books, eBooks and quilt pattern series, Little Quilt Ladies - HERE       Printed Book Sale - HERE      Home Quilts - HERE




Tuesday

Strawberry Freezer Jam

 Have you seen the Strawberries at the store?

We don't have places to get them off the plants, but this year at the grocery store they have been fantastic, so fantastic that I did the whole thing  !



Isn't this a Perfect berry !

I made Freezer Jam,

I used the Sure-Jell Fruit Pectin  and the recipe inside.

It took a bit of time, but was not hard at all.

Each fruit of different, so read all instructions.

Strawberry's 4 Pints, stems removed and berries crushed.
you need 4 cups of crushed strawberries and 3  cups sugar.

Wash and rinse plastic containers
Prepare fruit, crush I used an old hand potato masher

Measure fruit and sugar out be exact

Pour sugar into a large saucepan, Stir in one box of Sure-Jell, mix thoroughly.

Stir in 1 cup of water, bring to boil at medium heat, stir constantly, boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat.

Stir in Fruit, Stir for 1 minute, mix thoroughly,


Pour into containers, leave 1/2" at the top of each.

Let stand at room temperature for 24 hours to set,  Refrigerate for 3 weeks, and freeze up to 1 year.

Here the Sure-Jell site,  My jam is VERY good, but I'll try one of the less sugar recipes next time ! something about seeing all the sugar go in....

Beth is the Author of The Quilt Ladies Book Collection, See her books, eBooks and quilt pattern series, Little Quilt Ladies - HERE       Printed Book Sale - HERE      Home Quilts - HERE


Monday

Green Beans on the Grill

 I've learned over the years, the gas grill is my friend and heavy duty foil is easy clean up

Wash and snap the ends of fresh green beans
I gauge the amount of green beans as, One person, one handful and so on.

Use enough heavy duty foil to cover and tightly wrap.

Spray the inside of the foil with No-Stick Spray
Add Green Beans

Dot with margarine, say 1-2 teaspoons,
Sprinkle with Mrs. Dash  Onion and Herb Seasoning, I like Salt-free



Place on the rack of the grill about 5-6 inch's from heat, close top and cook for
one hand full - 40-45 minutes.
two to three 45 - 60 minutes  Turn bag over half way through cooking.

If you do a large amount, make sure your foil package is larger and flat, cook 45 - 60 minutes.

Enjoy, it's easy,


Beth is the Author of The Quilt Ladies Book Collection, See her books, eBooks and quilt pattern series, Little Quilt Ladies - HERE       Printed Book Sale - HERE      Home Quilts - HERE



Friday

Grilled Cheese Hamburgers

 I never said, "This will be a diet site !"

We love these at our house !



1 Pound hamburger made into 4 patties.

1 Medium onion sliced

Both on grill, cook.





When meat in cooked,

8 Slices of bread, buttered on one side,  put on grill, add cheese, any kind you like

Add burger, onions, another bit of cheese,
 and buttered bread, butter side up.



Turn to grill other bread side and serve.


If you like, before adding second bread, add pickles, ketchup, mustard, anything.

Beth is the Author of The Quilt Ladies Book Collection, See her books, eBooks and quilt pattern series, Little Quilt Ladies - HERE       Printed Book Sale - HERE


Thursday

Onion Tart

"Spread a Little Joy"  by Kraft
and I did with "Rustic Caramelized Onion Tart" page 31

  • 1 Large Onion, thinly sliced
  • 8 Slices bacon, chopped ( I used 4 slices)
  • 1 ready-to-use refrigerated pie crust, use one crust
  • 1 pkg, (8oz) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened ( I used about 5-6 oz's)
  • 1/4 cup sour cream (used greek yogurt)
  • 1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese (I didn't add) 
  1. .COOK onions and bacon in skillet for 10-12 minutes, until onions are tender, stir as they cook
  2.  HEAT oven 400 F. unroll pie crust on baking sheep, mix cream cheese and sour cream. Spread on crust. Top with onion mixture. Leave a 2" border. Add cheese to top, (optional)
  3.  Fold over edge, leaving the center open, fold crust as needed
  4.  BAKE for 12-15 minutes - Cool a bit. 
  5. You can also see, I'm the same with recipes as I am with quilts, I just can't leave them the way they come!


From the oven



The tart was just wonderful, I served with homemade Chicken Noodle Soup.

This is book is one to pick up, very nice !
Published by Kraft Foods, ISBN #978-0615-37248-8


Beth is the Author of The Quilt Ladies Book Collection, See her books, eBooks and quilt pattern series, Little Quilt Ladies - HERE       Printed Book Sale - HERE


See my "Home Quilts" HERE