Crock Pot Lasagna Soup

This was a HIT with the whole family!  They loved it, and I therefore loved it.  When they don't complain, and actually like something new, it's a keeper!  It was indeed, easy to make and delicious to eat.

ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef or sausage
3 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth)
1 cup water
2 cups V8
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. dried parsley
1 Tbsp. dried basil
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1, 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 cups uncooked shell pasta
shredded mozzarella (for serving)

directions:
1.  Brown the meat, drain the fat.  
2.  Combine all ingredients in the crock pot, except for the pasta and mozzarella.
3.  Cook on Low for 4-8 hours.  1/2 hour before serving, stir in the shell pasta.  Put lid back on and continue to cook for 15-30 minutes.  
4.  Serve and sprinkle with shredded cheese.

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Broccoli Cheese Soup

My friend, Lori, made this for us up at our Girls Weekend in Winter Park.  We all take turns making meals, and this was simply delicious.  I made it tonight for the family, and it was just as delicious as I remembered it!  Thanks Lori!

servings: 9    
prep time: 15 min.    
ready in: 45 min.

ingredients:
9 Tbsp. butter
1/2 cup + 4 Tbsp. flour
4 1/2 cups chicken broth
4 1/2 cups milk
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
3 cups fresh broccoli
3/4 lb. Velveeta, cut into small cubes
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

directions:
1.  Cook/Steam broccoli until it is tender, but not mushy. At this point, you can use a food chopper to make into very small bits of broccoli, or leave as larger florets.  Set aside.

2.  Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat, and mix in the flour.  Reduce heat and cook, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes.

3.  Mix in the broth and milk.  Add the salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer, for about 10 minutes.

4.  Slowly, mix in the Velveeta and cheddar until melted.

5.  Add in the broccoli and continue cooking for about 5 minutes. 

**Serve with your favorite rolls or fresh home made bread!  Yum!

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Lemon Brownies

I found something similar on Pinterest.  After making them (from that recipe), I have adapted it a little bit.  The flavor was delicious.  I can't wait to make them again!

you'll need about 2 lemons for this recipe

ingredients:
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 cup (2 sticks butter), soft

4 eggs
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. lemon zest (about 1 lemon)

glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
additional lemon zest

directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350.  Prepare a 9x13" baking dish with non-stick/flour baking spray. 

2.  In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder.  Mix in butter.

3.  In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together eggs, lemon juice and zest.  Pour wet ingredients into the large dry ingredients and combine well.

4.  Pour batter into prepared baking dish.  Bake for 30-40 minutes or until center is set.  Let cool.

5.  Prepare glaze by combining all ingredients.  Once the brownies are cooled (or slightly still warm), spread glaze over the brownies.  Cut and enjoy!

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Roasted New or Red Potatoes

I really wanted a new "starch" side for dinner, and this sounded fresh and yummy.  It was a HUGE SUCCESS.  The kids really loved it, and I myself, had to be careful not to eat too many!  VERY good--doing it again...soon!


ingredients:
6-8 new or red potatoes (usually 1 potato per person you're serving)
2-4 Tbsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbsp. kosher salt
pepper
rosemary, several dashes
parmesan cheese, several dashes (fresh shredded or from the green can!)


directions:
1.  Scrub and cut up the potatoes into bite sized pieces--not too small though.  Leave the skin on!

2.  In a large bowl, mix together olive oil and garlic.  Add cut potatoes and toss to thoroughly coat. 

3.  Sprinkle salt, pepper, rosemary and paremsan over the potatoes and again toss to thoroughly coat.

4.  Place potatoes in a lipped cookie sheet/jelly roll pan--cut side down. 

5.  Roast in a 450 oven, on the lowest rack for 35 minutes.  Delicious!

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Grilled Chicken Marinade

I found this recipe for marinading my chicken in before grilling it up.  I love to grill in the summer-time.  I think you can probably use up to several breasts or breast tenders.  Enjoy!

ingredients:
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup lemon juice (fresh is best--use a bit less if using bottled)
1 pkg Italian seasoning mix

chicken


directions:
1.  Mix all of the ingredients together.  Place in bag with chicken.

2.  Let marinade for several hours--but not too long as the lemon juice will "cook" the chicken.

3.  Grill your chicken!


I served this up with roasted new potatoes--it was a hit!

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Baked Mac n Cheese

I have a few Mac n Cheese recipes.  Lately, I've loved this one, as it is EASY and QUICK and DELICIOUS!  Very yummy!  Shaking the flour/milk/onion salt mixture helps make this super-simple and the sauce is creamy and yummy.  The leftovers are even delicious!

ingredients:
8 oz. elbow macaroni
2 cups milk
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. onion salt
4 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided (use different types of cheddar for a great taste)
1 cup soft plain bread crumbs
1/4 cup butter

directions:
1.  COOK macaroni according to package directions; drain well. Set aside.

2.  PLACE milk, flour, and onion salt in a quart (mason) jar; cover tightly, and shake vigorously 1 minute.

3.  STIR together flour mixture, 3 1/2 cups cheese, and macaroni.

4.  POUR macaroni mixture into a lightly greased 13x9 baking dish or 2 (11 inch) oval baking dishes.

5.  Sprinkle evenly with breadcrumbs and remaining 1 cup cheese; drizzle evenly with melted butter.

6.  BAKE at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

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Cinnamon Roll Cake

We tried this last night and it turned out fabulous.  It was less cake-like and more roll-like.  But with the ease of a cake and not waiting for dough to rise, etc. etc.  My daughter and I put this together, and it has been very much enjoyed!  I'll for sure make this again.  I'm thinking, it would be really good in the Dutch Oven too while camping!

ingredients
cake:
3 cups flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 cup milk
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

struesel:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp. flour
1 Tbsp. cinnamon

glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
5 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla

directions
1.  Preheat oven to 350 and spray a 9x13" glass baking pan with non-stick spray. 

2.  For cake:  In a mixer, add all the "cake" ingredients (except butter): flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, milk, eggs, and vanilla.  Once combined well, slowly stir in the melted butter.  Pour into the baking pan.

3.  For struesel:  In a medium-large bowl, mix together the butter, brown sugar, flour and sugar together until creamy.  Make large drops of the struesel onto the cake batter.  Take a knife and swirl it through until it is marble-like. 

4.  Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out NEARLY clean.

5.  For glaze:  In a medium bowl, mix together powdered sugar, milk and vanilla with a whisk.  Drizzle over warm cake. 

Serve warm or at room temperature.

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