Soup...Warms The Heart and Soul

 MMMMM.....Soup

It's what's for Lunch, Dinner and sometimes a snack..

I love soup

After our Christmas Ham Dinner,

I promptly placed the Bone from the Ham

into my deep freezer for a cold day in

January when I knew I would crave a nice

hot bowl of soup..

The day has/had come...

I prepared this pot of Ham and Bean soup with Rivals

a few days ago,

when the weather forecast was predicting

a Cold and Snowy start to the week..

The "white" you see on the top

is what we in PA Dutch Country call..

"Rivals"

Rivals are a,

Crumb Size Noodle...

Made with flour and egg.

Simply put about two cups of flour to one egg in a small bowl,

and gently mix together with a fork.

Take small amounts of the mixture

and drop by your hand

(your hand will get a bit messy)

into the Simmering Pot of Soup...

Giving a gentle stir after each handful.

This Crumb Egg Noodle is added to 

many Soups made here in PA,

if your a true PA Dutch Cook...!

I let my soup Simmer for at least 30 mins

after all ingredients are added,

giving a gentle stir every now and then...

 

Now here is a fine looking pot of

Ham and Bean Soup with Rivals...

This pot of Soup lasted two days..

warming it for lunch and dinner,

I must say, too

with each warm-up..

the taste was enhanced with all the flavors of this 

comfort food on a cold and windy day.

Instructions:

Make a pot of broth with a Ham Bone or Ham Hock,

Cooking for approx. 1 1/2 hours.

Remove Bone or Hock from Broth and trim ham

from bone, removing any fat.

Add the ham you just removed back into the broth.

**(You may need to purchase more ham to add to the soup

if your only using ham leftover from a ham bone,

you can find ham cubes in your meat department at most 

grocery stores or purchase a Ham Hock 

and cook along with the ham bone to make the broth)**

Take two or more Large Cans of Northern Beans and

rinse each can of the beans in a culender,

then adding them to the broth.

Let the beans cook on Med Heat for about 10-15 mins

with the ham.

Add some Tomato Juice or V8 Juice,

whichever you have on hand or like..

Add the juice to fill the pot full to the top...

Stir gently and let this continue to cook on Med heat.

Mix your Crumb Egg Noodle together

Add this as instructed above.

After the Rivals have been added,

Stir the soup gently and place a lid on top

leaving a small opening on one side,

and let the soup simmer for 30 mins or so...

I cook all my soups in my

"Green Pan"

this pan allows me to keep the soup in the pot 

and store in the refrigerator over night,

I simply take the pot from refrigerator to stove

the next day and warm up 

for another hot and tasty bowl of soup..!

Bon Appetit

Tiffany, one of the gal's I work with at my business,

Shared some of her homemade

Banana Nugget cookies with me..

She claims had she not shared the half dozen with me,

She would have eaten them all...

Well Tiffany, 

Thanks..!

Cause now "I" ate them ALL...!!

This cookie recipe is the tastiest...EVER!

The texture of the cookie is very moist,

it reminds me of fresh Banana Bread,

Minus the strong taste of Banana..

If that makes any sense..?!

I would have posted a picture,

but they didn't last long enough:))

Banana Nugget Cookies

Tiffany Miller

1 ½ c flour

½ tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

¼ tsp nutmeg

¾ tsp cinnamon

¾ c shortening

1 egg

1 ½ c mashed bananas

1 ¾ c quick oats

1 c sugar

Chocolate chips

Mix all dry ingredients together.

Set aside.

Mix rest of ingredients and beat well.

Combine dry ingredients into mixture.

Bake cookies at 350 degrees until done.

Coconut Ice Cake

My Blogger Friend Chris,

who I have come to adore immensely...!

Posted this recipe on Facebook

I plan on making this easy sweet treat for 

Valentine's Day..!

And maybe before:))

RECIPE FOR COCONUT ICE

5¼ cups icing sugar

2½ cups coconut
395g can sweetened
condensed milk
1 egg white, beaten lightly
...pink food coloring
METHOD

Line deep 19cm-square cake pan with strips of baking paper.

Sift icing sugar into large bowl; stir in coconut, then condensed milk and egg white.

Divide mixture in half; tint half with pink coloring. Press pink mixture into pan then top with white mixture. Cover; refrigerate about 3 hours or until set before cutting into squares.

Makes 64

The Frinzy Begins..

Well...the Holiday is officially over for me today:(

Today my son returns home from a Holiday Vacation in Pittsburgh 

with very close friends of his High School Years...

So after today...

It will be back to whirlwinds of quickly entering through one door,

grabbing a bite to eat and out another door..

Going to the dryer to find clothing left there from

the night before, 

by someone else;/

The kitchen sink needing to be emptied first thing  in the morning,

only to have the dishwasher within inches...

It's the life of,

I know you were here,

the proof is in the Sink, Dryer and Refrigerator...!!

But, I will not complain!!!

After All...

It's what makes a Parent a Parent...Helping their Children to achieve

a better life and responsibility all in due time..!!!!

I want my son to know this will always be his home,

and as long as he is working hard, achieving and being productive 

in society, I will clean a dish or two before I hear his spoken words,

"Mom, I was going to wash that"..!

Stay warm...and remember to check on that elderly neighbor 

during these cold dreary months..!

And if by chance you have an extra bowl of soup,

share it..!!

Tomorrow I will be making a large pot of Ham and Bean Soup with Rivals,

with the Ham Bone left over from Christmas Dinner..

Have a great week...

K

Unstoppable and Inspirational....

Chris Kaag, The Nephew of a very dear and long time friend of mine,

Is the Grand Prize Winner 

Of this year's

Penn StateFootball UnitedHealthcare All-Star of the Game award!!

"We are pleased to announce that Chris Kaag of Reading, PA is the 2010 Grand Prize winner of the Penn State Football UnitedHealthcare All-Star of the Game award. During each Penn State football broadcast UnitedHealthcare recognized one Penn State All-Star, someone who is making a healthy difference in their own life or the lives of others. This short slide show/video introduces the ten All-Stars from the 2010 Penn State Football Season and recognizes Chris as the Grand Prize winner. www.getupandmove.org
Thanks to UnitedHealthcare for sponsoring this creative promotion to recognize Penn State fans who make a difference."

 

 

 Chris is such an inspiration to ALL who come in contact with him...

A hereditary debilitating Neuro-Muscular disease 

may have effected Chris with physical limitations,

but the disease has not stopped Chris

from pushing forward, achieving the highest levels

and most importantly...

Giving Back!!

  

Congratulations Chris...!!

 

Me with Proud Aunt, Vickie

This picture was taken recently at the Open House 

for my Salon Business...

Vickie has always been a true, supportive and dear friend...!

Gut Bree

Wet Bottom Shoofly Pie

In my last post I mentioned a Dessert very well

known to Pennsylvania...

ShooFly Pie...

I follow the Blog

The Pennsylvania Dutch Country Blog

and they have featured this Awesome Pie...

the only thing missing in the article is a recipe.

However, If you Google

ShooFly Pie..

You'll be sure to get several recipes you can try..

I found this "Wet Bottom" recipe on Allrecipes.com

it is very similar to my Wet Bottom Shoofly recipe...

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons shortening
•  
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1/2 cup dark corn syrup
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

Directions

1. To Make Crumbs: In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar and shortening. Cut ingredients together with a pastry cutter or rub with fingers until dough forms fine crumbs. Set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
3. To Make Filling: In a medium bowl, dissolve the baking soda in the boiling water. Stir in corn syrup, molasses, salt and egg being sure to stir well. Pour 1/3 of mixture into unbaked pie crust. Sprinkle 1/3 of the crumbs over mixture. Continue this process until crumb mixture and liquid mixture have been used up.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes, then lower oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake for an additional 30 minutes. 
   

The pie is excellent served warm with a huge 

scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream on top...

Or 

Whipped Cream....

  "gut bree" 

Good Food At Dinner

Only the Numbers Change....

 HAPPY 2011

Making the customary dinner for Pennsylvania,

Pork and Sauerkraut with Mash Potatoes..!!

Usually this dinner is topped off 

with the sweetness of

A Wet Bottom Shoofly Pie...!!

Grandmother always had several pies made,

waiting patiently in the Dining Room

on top of the Side Board...

It seemed no matter how stuffed you were

from the Pork and Kraut,

You somehow found room for the

ShooFly Pie...

No Pie this year, though...

I had my quota of sweets for a few months:)

Whatever this New Year Brings to you,

May it be a year of Growth, Understanding and Compassion

for you and those you encounter..!

Wishing YOU a very Blessed New Year..!!

K

Chocolate Ice Cream Cake...

What are your plans for the
New Year..?

Long time friends are coming to my home

to help bring in 2011 ...

They are bring a Bottle of Wine 

and

A Dessert..

I'm not sure what I am more excited about,

a New Year

or 

the wine and dessert..?!!

Easy Chocolate Cake to make for your 

New Year's Eve Festivities...

• One box of Devil's Food Cake Mix

• 3 Large Eggs

• One cup of water

•  One Pint of Chocolate Ice Cream

This cake is very moist and very very delicious..!! 

One my Mother made often...

Mix with Mixer,

place in Angel Food Pan

Bake for Approx 30 mins at 350 degrees

cool and turn upside down onto flat plate 

and icing with your favorite icing..

I use the cooked icing of...

• 5 Tablespoons Flour

• One cup of Milk

Cook on top of stove stirring until thick,

place saran wrap on top until cool..
(this prevents a thick skin from forming on top)

Add 

• One cup of sugar to flour mixture and mix well with mixer

and 

• Two sticks of room temperature butter...

Mix until very fluffy and smooth

Keep Cake Refrigerated...

 Enjoy

Ice Cream Cake

Sealed With A Kiss..

 Last minute sweets...

Believe it or not I had a cake baked for an 

afternoon Christmas gathering...

But someone or two decided to sample it last night...

I must confess..I was one of the two

I decided I would take the cake any ways with only two small pieces 

sampled and then decided to bake some 

Chocolate Pies...

I found this recipe several weeks ago and thinking they would be so easy 

and quick to make if your in a pinch for a small dessert or appetizer..

The preparation time was about an hour,

Ingredients Needed:

One Round Pie Shell (not in pie pan if store bought)

Hershey Kisses or in my area, Wilbur Buds are a favorite 

One Egg

One Tablespoon Water

Sugar

 I wanted a sturdy surface to work from and easy clean up,

I placed the round pie dough on my very seasoned round stone..

I lined my rectangular stone with parchment paper..

I did this because my rectangular stone is only 6 months old from 

Pampered Chef and not seasoned enough...

I did not want to spray the pan with a non stick stray for this recipe..

I used a small jar to make the round circles

needed for the small pies...

It worked great!

 

I then placed a Kiss in the middle of each dough circle

 Folded the two sides into the middle and giving a pinch

 I then did the same to the other two remaining sides..

 Gently Pinching the tops closed and sealing them

One 9 inch Pie Shell gave me 15 Chocolate Pies

Egg wash the outside with the egg mixture of one egg and a Tablespoon of Water

Sprinkled on top some large Sugar Crystals I had on hand

And Baked at 350 for 20 mins...

You need to watch these closely while baking..

I started at 10 mins and then added another 10 mins..

Remember this is pie dough and not cookie dough..

so baking time will be a bit longer depending on what type of baking pan you use

and how thick your dough is..

The Chocolate Pies were a big hit..

I came home empty handed...!

Even the Cake was left behind..

what was left of it..!!

I was "told" I'll get my empty plate back...!

I love sharing my treats with those who

really appreciate them and the sincere
 thankfulness I receive for sharing, 
they truly are Dear Friends and a Blessing..!

Winding Down..

What a week it's been...

Thank Goodness Christmas ONLY comes once a year,

Although I have scaled down,

way down in the gift purchasing department...

This year has been a busy one.!

I only have one package to wrap and ship..

It will be a bit late,

but will be a nice surprise between the 

Christmas and New Year Celebrations..!

Christmas Dinner Menu is planned

and all the food is purchased...

I think I'm ready..!!

Now I am able to enjoy the Reason for the Season..

I am thinking of maybe attending two Christmas Eve Services..

My church has early services which I attend when home,

and a beautiful old church in the City where the services start at 11pm...

 

It's been years since I attended this service,

I have family and friends who attend this late service

and will be more than surprised to see me there, also...

All we need is a little bit of snow..!!

Just a little bit

 

Have A Wonderful Christmas

K

This Year's Pick....

 I always make at least one hand crafted gift for giving,

this year I decided on Mr. and Mrs Frosty..

Surprisingly, I had all the material needed on hand to 

bring Mr and Mrs to life...
(instructions below)

This years pick for Truffles....Chocolate Peanut Butter

Along with my hand crafted item,

My Truffles are a most...

I have family and friends who look for these every year...

I love watching their face when the container is found at the bottom of the Gift Bag

filled to brim with the rich savory chocolate melt in your mouth o so good delectables...

  Mr and Mrs Frosty are made from a clear glass Christmas ball ornament,

I hand painted a face with acrylic paint directly onto the glass surface....

Hand Painted Face on Glass Ornament Ball

Using some bright red yarn I knitted a scarf and hat to match,

the set was hot glued directly onto the ball,

gluing small sections at a time....

Each ornament is a bit different,

with either the color of  yarn I used and/or placement of the scarf and hat...

You can either tie a pretty ribbon onto the top of the ball for hanging on your tree,

or use the conventional ornament hooks...

I chose the hooks

Completed Mr and Mrs Frosty...Packaged all snug for Gift Giving

Single Mr Frosty...He needs a mate

Homemade Gingerbread Cookies are always a
Must for those good little Boys and Girls

and a few Big Boys and Girls, too:)

Home made Gingerbread Cookies...

I decided to dress up the candy bars  I usually add to some gift bags...

I took a piece of regular print/copy paper and folded in half,

wrapped the paper around the candy bar as I would wrap a gift,

hand painted a face on the front side with acrylic paint,

took some yarn and wrapped it several times around the outside for a scarf,

and wrote a personal message on the bottom...

This is Amy:)

I received this absolutely beautiful Christmas Sleigh from My BFF

for Christmas...She knows I love Ice Skates and found a Glass Pair she added to the

front of the Sleigh....

I LOVE IT...!

And it adds a Beautiful Sight to my Hearth..!

Christmas with Kathy...

Merry Christmas.... From My Home To Yours

K

What's That Vegetable....??!

Marinated Artichokes....

I must confess....

I have not really been a big fan of the Artichoke

Over the years I have had several dips with this unusual  vegetable..

and to my surprise do enjoy a good Artichoke dip.

I came across this recipe while getting a menu together for a Pool Party

and Cook Out this past Summer

I am all about easy, simple and good tasting...!!

And this recipe passed the requirements...

Artichoke Dip with Garlic:

• 2 8-oz. packages cream cheese (light works great), softened

 

• 1 c. mayonnaise (no Miracle Whip or fat free mayonnaise, although low-fat mayo also works great)

 

• 1 c. (packed) shredded Parmesan cheese..Use Fresh Parmesan Cheese that comes shredded and sealed or a block of fresh and shred yourself...

(do not use the fine grated you sprinkle on top of pasta..)

 

• 1 12-oz. jar MARINATED artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

 

• 6-7 cloves garlic, minced

Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, mix the softened cream cheese with the mayonnaise and shredded Parmesan cheese. Gently add in the chopped artichoke hearts and minced garlic. Place the mixture into a 9" pie plate (or divided evenly among smaller dishes) and bake for 25-30 minutes or until it's lightly browned and bubbly on top. Serve hot with slices of bread, crackers and/or tortilla chips.

 

This dip has become a favorite of mine and others to which I can confess I have 

made several times since that first time enjoying the company of good friends and many laughs...

 

It was also  a big hit this past Thanksgiving...

After our belly busting dinner,

time was spent with family and friends with this dip in tow..!

I keep the ingredients on hand for a quick grab when I need something to serve 

or take along in a short days notice.....

 

 

Contact From The North Pole....

This is the coolest...EVER!

O..why do I not have Grandchildren ...??!

Here is a Link to create a Personal Video Message from Santa

You have three different Scenarios to choose from..

 

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/home

What fun I had creating a personal message for my Nephews and Niece...

I just had to share this with...EVERYONE!

Happy Holidays and Be Safe while Christmas Shopping.

A Little On The Top.....

I am Totally in Love with
"Five Guys"..!

Best Burger I have eaten in a very long time...

Mine included!

To know me, I usually eat the boring Chicken, Turkey, Seafood or Salad when I order out..

Rarely do I order a burger or even "Red" meat...

unless dinning at a favorite restaurant that serves a great steak.

NOW that has all changed

Yes...I have found my Favorite Burger Joint...

And the guilt is NO where near that place..!

And the Fries Cooked in Peanut Oil aren't too bad, either!

Lets just say, I forced them...

ONLY because I couldn't stay away from them...!

I was so impressed with the selection of toppings that are FREE..

the size of the burger and the total cost for two,

which was under 20.00..

Life is so good....