Showing posts with label cooking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cooking. Show all posts

Monday, April 11, 2011

Monday's Meals--Crockpot Squash Soup

Last week I made a super easy Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup.
I liked the way it tasted, but it was even better because of how easy it was to throw together!  (*except one minor problem---see below)

The only changes I made were I used Reduced Fat Cream Cheese and replaced marjoram with an Italian Seasoning blend simply because that's what I had handy, and thought it tasted just fine!  Next time I make it I'll defiantly add some broccoli and maybe some other veggies.  It tasted pretty cheesy so I think it will be a good change from your normal Broccoli and Cheese soup


{photo}

2
tablespoons margarine or butter
1/2
cup chopped onion
1
(2-lb.) butternut squash, peeled, cubed
2
cups water
1/2
teaspoon dried marjoram leaves
1/4
teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/8
teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
4
chicken-flavor bouillon cubes
1
(8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, cubed
DIRECTIONS
  • 1 Melt margarine in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.
  • 2 In 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker, combine onion and all remaining ingredients except cream cheese; mix well.
  • 3 Cover; cook on low setting for 6 to 8 hours.
  • 4 About 40 minutes before serving, place about 1/3 of mixture at a time into blender container or food processor bowl with metal blade. Cover; blend or process on high speed until smooth. Return mixture to slow cooker.
  • 5 Stir in cream cheese. Cover; cook on low setting an additional 25 to 30 minutes or until cheese is melted, stirring with wire whisk until smooth





* I decided to get ahead of the ballgame last week and chop up the butternut squash after my Monday night class (~9:00pm).  Apparently I was unaware that butternut squash peelings would (read: WILL) clog your garbage disposal.  After a 45 minute phone conference with my Dad discussing plunging, pressure, clogging, water levels, pipes, buckets, 'gunk', etc, I STILL couldn't get it fixed--despite our best efforts.  The nice handyman came to our house the next afternoon and all was well with the world.
Note to self: squash peelings are not made for a garbage disposal!!!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Bird's Nest Cookies

Every Monday at the clinic I am a part of CIGAR group.  (A support group for adults with cochlear implants)  It is defiantly the highlight of my day and I've loved getting to know the adults and having an excuse to make some treats!
This week I made Bird's Nest Cookies that I found on flamingobear blog.  They looked so cute and festive so I had to give them a try.  Although mine didn't turn out as cute as the ones on her blog, I hope they'll taste good!
PS-these pics are taken with my Blackberry Pearl (circa 2007) but you get the idea!



Recipe:
Birds’ Nests Cookies


makes about 40
1 2/3 cups (11 ounces) butterscotch chips
 ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
 big sprinkle of kosher salt
 2½ cups (10 ounces) chow mein noodles
 1 cup roasted, salted peanuts
 chocolate candy eggs *I used mini Cadbury eggs


Line baking sheets with wax paper or a Silpat.
Melt butterscotch chips and peanut butter together over medium heat. Gently stir in salt, chow mein noodles, and peanuts. Mix well.

Spoon onto prepared baking sheets. Shape into birds’ nests and add a few eggs to each nest. Let stand until firm – can refrigerate to speed this up. Store in airtight container.

 

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