My grandma is a legend when it comes to jello.
Everyone remembers her for her jello. She didn't learn to cook until she was married. Everything she made was simple and wholesome. She was amazingly organized and clean. A modern lady and an old fashioned mom whose table was always full and always ready for family.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Crockpot Soup Stroganoff

Yeah...that is my own title cause it tells me what it is and what it is not... :)

2 cans cream of cream of mushroom soup
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup onion, diced
1/4 - 1/2 cup italian dressing
1 small package mushrooms, sliced
milk (how ever much you want to make the consistancy you want)

I put the onions, mushrooms and dressing in the crockpot on high for awhile till they are cooked. Add the rest and turn to low or simmer. You can easily make it on the stove. Serve over noodles or rice.

Quinoa Butternut Squash Soup



1 tablespoon butter
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or fresh oregano (also used some fresh rosemary)
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
4 cups chicken broth/vegetable broth
1 can (14-oz) stewed tomatoes
2-3 cups chopped butternut squash
2/3 cup uncooked quinoa
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1-2 cups chopped fresh spinach (you don't have to have the spinach although we like it)


Saute chopped onions, oregano, and garlic in butter. Add the broth and bring to a boil.
Add the tomatoes, butternut squash, and quinoa. Simmer for 15 minutes until the squash is tender and quinoa is cooked. Add pepper and more flavor if needed. Stir in the spinach. Cook 1-2 minutes until the spinach is wilted.

PS Sometimes I have added a link or two of turkey sausage but if your broth is flavorful you don't need the meat...

Monday, April 30, 2012

Sweet Lemonade

I have been working on this one for awhile. It is sort of a take on Asian lemonade/drinks I would have in Korea. The basic recipe was given to me by a friend. These amounts are not set in stone...I just finally measured what I was putting in to give approximate amounts...

7 C water
1 C sugar
1/8 C pineapple juice
1/3 C sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 tsp citric acid
1 tsp lemon extract

This is beyond delicious. I put mine in a blender and pulse it two or three times just to get the milk mixed in well...

Friday, April 6, 2012

Orange Butter

1/2 C butter, softened
1/4 C honey
1/8 C grated orange zest

Spring Pasta

1 onion, diced
4-6 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp butter
2 C asparagus, cut in 1 in
1 C peas
about 12 - 15 oz fettuccine, cooked
1/2 C chicken/veg broth
1 1/2 C milk
8 oz cream cheese
1/8 - 1/4 C parmigiano-reggiano
dash of pepper
1 Tbsp tarragon

In big saute pan, saute onion and garlic in butter. Boil asparagus and peas for 2-3 minutes. Add milk, cream cheese, broth to onion mixture and cook until melted and creamy. Add asparagus, peas, pasta, spices, and parm cheese.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Honey Beans


1 (15-ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 onion, diced finely
3-4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground corriander
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 lemon, juiced
1/4 cup honey
1 (12-ounce) bag baby spinach, washed or use frozen
2 tablespoons cream chees

The Directions.

Use a 6-quart slow cooker. Drain and rinse both cans of beans, and dump them into your crockpot. Add the onion, garlic, and sweet potato. Add dry spices, and stir in honey and lemon juice-- you want the beans and veggies in the pot to be coated with them. Rinse off your spinach, and add it to the pot. You'll need to squish it all in, but I promise it'll fit. Plop a dollop of cream cheese on top. Cover, and cook on low for 6 hours, or on high for about 3. Stir well before serving over a bed of white or brown basmati rice.


Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Chili Cheesy Mac

1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp coriander
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (small) diced chiles
2 cup beef broth or veg broth
2 1/2 cup water (you can do all broth too)
12 oz macaroni, uncooked

1/2 - 1 cup milk
8 oz cream cheese
2-3 cups shredded sharp cheddar

Mix first set of ingredients in large pan and cook until the liquid is gone and the pasta is done. In a different pan mix milk and cream cheese, heat until melted, combined and smooth. Add cheese and melt.  Add cheese mixture to the mac...

You can add ground beef to this with beef broth if you are wanting a "meatier" meal...