Broccoli Cheese Soup
adapted very slightly from Liz K.
1 can chicken broth (about 1 3/4 cups of broth)
1 small onion, diced
1/3 c. flour
1/4 c. butter
Pepper to taste (I used about 1/2 teaspoon)
2 c. milk (I used 1% with great results)
1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese (the sharper the better for flavor - I used sharp cheddar and hopefully next time will have extra sharp cheddar on hand)
1/2 c. shredded swiss cheese
steamed chopped broccoli (the amount of broccoli really boils down to preference - I wanted a lot of broccoli in my soup, so I chopped and steamed approximately 2 1/2 to 3 cups of broccoli florets)
Simmer chicken broth and chopped onion for 15-20 minutes in a covered small saucepan, until onions are soft. Heat milk in microwave for 1-2 minutes. In a separate medium-sized stockpot, melt butter then add flour and pepper. Cook together for a couple of minutes, then whisk in warmed milk. Stir and heat together on medium-high heat until soup starts to thicken. Next add chicken broth and continue to stir until well blended. Add cheeses and steamed broccoli. Serve immediately.
Makes approximately 4 servings (with two adults and three kids, we finished the pot of soup in one dinner serving it in bread bowls, so if you are serving more adults or serving the soup in regular bowls, I would consider doubling according to the number of people)
Italian Bread Bowls
Printable Version
1 1/2 tablespoons yeast
2 1/2 cups warm water
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
7 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon cornmeal
1 egg white
1 tablespoon water
In a large bowl (or bowl of an electric mixer), dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
Add salt, oil and 4 cups flour to the yeast mixture; beat well. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well with an electric mixer at medium speed after each addition until a soft but not sticky dough is formed (you may not need to use all 7 cups).
When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 minutes (or let knead in an electric mixer). Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Punch dough down, and divide into 6-8 equal portions. Shape each portion into a round ball. Place loaves on lightly greased baking sheets sprinkled with cornmeal (or use silpat liners or parchment paper). Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, until doubled in bulk, about 35 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, beat together egg white and 1 tablespoon water; lightly brush the loaves with half of this egg wash. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Brush with remaining egg mixture, and bake 10 to 15 more minutes or until golden. Cool on wire racks.
Recipe Source: adapted from allrecipes.com
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Must Make Goodies
I confess, the below recipe has yet to be made; I am planning on making this tomorrow, but it looked/sounded so divine I just had to post it for each of you! Let me know if you try them. Yum!
Vanilla Pudding Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
Rolls:
½ cup warm water
2 tablespoons active dry yeast
2 tablespoons sugar
3 ½ ounce package instant vanilla pudding
½ cup butter, melted
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
6+ cups flour
Filling:
1 cup butter, softened to room temperature
2 cups brown sugar
4 teaspoons cinnamon
Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese
½ cup butter, softened to room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups confectioner’s sugar
2-3 tablespoons milk
In a small bowl combine water, yeast and sugar. Stir until dissolved. Set aside. In large bowl, take pudding mix and prepare according to package directions. Add butter, eggs and salt. Mix well. Then add yeast mixture. Blend. Gradually add flour; knead until smooth. Do not overflour the dough! It should be very soft but not sticky. Place in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled. Then roll out on floured board to 34 X 21 inches in size. Take 1 cup soft butter and spread over surface. In bowl, mix 2 cups brown sugar and 4 teaspoons cinnamon. Sprinkle over the top. Roll up very tightly. With knife put a notch every 1 1/2 inches. Cut with thread or serrated knife. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet 1 inch apart. Cover and let rise until double again. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Remove when they start to turn golden (don’t overbake). Frost warm rolls with cream cheese frosting (combine butter and cream cheese and mix well, then add vanilla and sugar and mix again, then add milk for desired consistency). Makes about 24 very large rolls.
*Freezable Recipe: After shaping the rolls and placing them on the baking sheet, cover with lightly greased saran wrap and a layer of tin foil. Store in the freezer. The night before you want to serve them take out the rolls and put them in the refrigerator. Let them thaw in the refrigerator. Take them out about 8-9 hours after being in the refrigerator and let them rise until doubled. Bake according to the recipe. (If you have less time, you can take the rolls out of the freezer and let them come to room temperature on the counter - about 4 hours, then let rise until doubled).
Vanilla Pudding Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
Rolls:
½ cup warm water
2 tablespoons active dry yeast
2 tablespoons sugar
3 ½ ounce package instant vanilla pudding
½ cup butter, melted
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
6+ cups flour
Filling:
1 cup butter, softened to room temperature
2 cups brown sugar
4 teaspoons cinnamon
Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese
½ cup butter, softened to room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups confectioner’s sugar
2-3 tablespoons milk
In a small bowl combine water, yeast and sugar. Stir until dissolved. Set aside. In large bowl, take pudding mix and prepare according to package directions. Add butter, eggs and salt. Mix well. Then add yeast mixture. Blend. Gradually add flour; knead until smooth. Do not overflour the dough! It should be very soft but not sticky. Place in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled. Then roll out on floured board to 34 X 21 inches in size. Take 1 cup soft butter and spread over surface. In bowl, mix 2 cups brown sugar and 4 teaspoons cinnamon. Sprinkle over the top. Roll up very tightly. With knife put a notch every 1 1/2 inches. Cut with thread or serrated knife. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet 1 inch apart. Cover and let rise until double again. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Remove when they start to turn golden (don’t overbake). Frost warm rolls with cream cheese frosting (combine butter and cream cheese and mix well, then add vanilla and sugar and mix again, then add milk for desired consistency). Makes about 24 very large rolls.
*Freezable Recipe: After shaping the rolls and placing them on the baking sheet, cover with lightly greased saran wrap and a layer of tin foil. Store in the freezer. The night before you want to serve them take out the rolls and put them in the refrigerator. Let them thaw in the refrigerator. Take them out about 8-9 hours after being in the refrigerator and let them rise until doubled. Bake according to the recipe. (If you have less time, you can take the rolls out of the freezer and let them come to room temperature on the counter - about 4 hours, then let rise until doubled).
Friday, January 8, 2010
Sleep-dancing
The other night Peter and I were watching a movie. I had nursed the wee one to sleep on the boppy on my lap. She was out like a light. I'd asked Peter to get me a fudge-sicle, as they were about all I could keep down that day.
Within the movie a band began to play a jammin' song, and all of the sudden, my sleeping babe began dancing!!!! I looked down, her eyes were still closed. Then, in the next second, Peter returned with my 'chocolate on a stick'; Annibelle then opened her eyes, as if she'd be awaiting this moment, and reached out her chubby little hand to the fudge-sicle saying, "Aaaaaaa". My jaw dropped and I laughed 'til it hurt!
What a hilarious little cherub we have!
Within the movie a band began to play a jammin' song, and all of the sudden, my sleeping babe began dancing!!!! I looked down, her eyes were still closed. Then, in the next second, Peter returned with my 'chocolate on a stick'; Annibelle then opened her eyes, as if she'd be awaiting this moment, and reached out her chubby little hand to the fudge-sicle saying, "Aaaaaaa". My jaw dropped and I laughed 'til it hurt!
What a hilarious little cherub we have!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Bum Bum Surprise
Ever since Annibelle was born I have made sure to appreciate her perfect little rear by patting it and singing her a little song. You may think this strange, but no matter. I just can't resist those perfect, pink, little cheeks! (After all, isn't this why we finally have our OWN kids?)
Well, this little babe of mine is hardly a baby any more, and doesn't often let me 'appreciate' her little "bum bum", as I call it. Although this saddens me a bit, it is comforting to know that in just 7 months I'll have a new little caboose to pat and enjoy!
All this said, I must also note how intelligent our little Annibelle is. Not much gets past her. So it should have come as no surprise to me when I stepped out of the shower the other day, only to have her approach me and begin patting MY behind and singing, "Bum, bum, bum, bum, bum..." Oh, how I laughed!!!!!! Could she be any cuter, I ask? I think not. <3
Well, this little babe of mine is hardly a baby any more, and doesn't often let me 'appreciate' her little "bum bum", as I call it. Although this saddens me a bit, it is comforting to know that in just 7 months I'll have a new little caboose to pat and enjoy!
All this said, I must also note how intelligent our little Annibelle is. Not much gets past her. So it should have come as no surprise to me when I stepped out of the shower the other day, only to have her approach me and begin patting MY behind and singing, "Bum, bum, bum, bum, bum..." Oh, how I laughed!!!!!! Could she be any cuter, I ask? I think not. <3
Too Smart for Soda
We aren't big soda drinkers. It's rare. But over Christmas break I and my entire family caught the stomach flu, and once we'd each start to feel a little bit better, we'd sip some soda. My brother, Robbie, was here on one such day, feeling terrible. Later in the evening I offered him some coke to settle his tummy; I filled a glass with ice and poured in the soda. Annibelle quickly went to his side, leaned in and opened her mouth saying, "Aaaaaaaaaa". Translation, "Give me some of that goodness." All she knew is that he had something to drink...with ice. She has no idea what soda is. Next, she moves around to his other side, leans in, looks at me, then back at my brother and says, "Pop?"
All our jaws hit the ground! "Pop?" she says again, as if asking for some. We all began to laugh and shake our heads.
Surely my father must have been standing nearby, whispering into her sweet little ear... who else would teach my 14 month old about soda pop?! Thanks dad. =P
All our jaws hit the ground! "Pop?" she says again, as if asking for some. We all began to laugh and shake our heads.
Surely my father must have been standing nearby, whispering into her sweet little ear... who else would teach my 14 month old about soda pop?! Thanks dad. =P
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Growing up too fast
Our little Annibelle turned one year old just 2 1/2 months ago. Not much time, right? Well, in those 2 short months our little baby has turned into a toddling big girl! It's amazing and thrilling to watch how quickly she learns new things. She repeats back almost everything we say, and even says "Thank you" when we give her something! She absolutely LOVES to read books. She would read all day long if one of us sat with her, and she is always ready to bust a move; it's SO funny to watch her dance and groove when she hears a good beat. <3
As I congratulate my brother and sister in law on the arrival of their first child, I find myself remembering when it was us in that position, holding that tiny new born and staring into her big eyes, wondering what the future held for her... And then you blink, and that baby's a big girl! What really freaks me out is to know that some day she will have a boyfriend, she'll go to college, she'll get married and have a family of her own... But for now, I'm going to beg time to move just a little slower so I can bask in this moment with my little girl, her sticky hands, wild curls, the messy house and all. <3
As I congratulate my brother and sister in law on the arrival of their first child, I find myself remembering when it was us in that position, holding that tiny new born and staring into her big eyes, wondering what the future held for her... And then you blink, and that baby's a big girl! What really freaks me out is to know that some day she will have a boyfriend, she'll go to college, she'll get married and have a family of her own... But for now, I'm going to beg time to move just a little slower so I can bask in this moment with my little girl, her sticky hands, wild curls, the messy house and all. <3
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Food for Thought
Our first night back home was about as restful as being at the hospital, but, thanks to a dear friend, at least I didn't have to make dinner. (Otherwise we'd probably have starved, as we're all too exhausted to blink). Here's to hoping Annibelle feels a little better and sleeps soundly tonight... at least for a couple hours. =)