Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

In honor of St. Patrick's day coming up, I made some shamrock sugar cookies. I love sugar cookie dough, and this is by far the best dough I have ever tasted! The cookies always come out perfect. I am always trying new sugar cookie recipes to see if I can find another one I like, and so far these still are my No. 1 sugar cookie!

1 c. sugar 1/2 c. shortening and mix together

add 2 eggs, 1 c. sour cream, and tsp. vanilla and beat until smooth

add 3 c. flour, 1/2 tsp. salt, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp. soda

Let stand in refrigerator for some time. add more flour when rolling out for the first time ( soft and sticky dough). Roll out to 1/4 inch thick. Bake at 350 for 6 to 8 min. TIP: these do not get brown so DO NOT OVERCOOK!

Nancy's Mexican Soup

This recipe is not in the cookbook, but while we were in Utah last October, my Aunt Nancy made this for us while we stayed at there house. It was so good I probably ate it 3 times while I was there. It is made with homony which is a mexican canned corn I had never tried before. It almost tastes like a bean and is delicious! I highly recommend trying this soup and adding a little more Ancho Chili Pepper if you like some kick :)

Nancy's Mexican Soup

2lbs chicken or turkey (boiled with broth reserved)

1/4 c. olive oil ( I used just a tablespoon or so to cook the onions and red peppers in)

2 large onions

2 red peppers

Saute onion and red peppers for about 7 minutes. Add chicken.

1-2 TB Ground Cumin

1-2 TB Ancho Chili Pepper

Sprinkle on meat and peppers. Stir in the following:

2 TB crushed garlic

1-3 c. Crushed tomotoes (can use canned or fresh)

2 qts Chicken Broth

1-28oz can of Homony

Heat and Simmer for about an hour. Adjust seasoning to your liking.

You can choose a number of toppings on this soup. Here are some ideas:

cilantro

sour cream

guacamole

jack cheese

avocado

tomatoes

tortilla chips

salsa

Mom's Famous Caramels

These Caramels are to die for! I can seriously eat the whole pan if I let myself. When the boys were first born I would always sneak a caramel during the midnight feedings, and it was so worth getting up just to sneak a caramel :). The trick to these is to not over cook!! Get a candy thermometer and test it out before you make the caramels by boiling water, water boils at 212, so if your water boils at a different temp then you know how far off your candy thermometer is. Enjoy!

1 c. butter
2 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. light Karo Syrup
2 c. light cream
dash of salt
1 tsp vanilla

Butter sides of heavy pan and combine sugar, karo butter a 1 c, cream. Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Slowly stir in remaining cream and cook over medium heat till 242 temperature. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour into buttered 9 x 13 pan. Mark into squares when partially cool. Cut when cold. Easier to work with when made a day ahead. Wrap cut caramel into waxed paper.

Tortellini Soup

We finally got some rain around here which means it is time for soup! This recipe is super easy and super yummy too!

Tortellini Soup

2 Tb olive oil

3 cloves minced garlic

1 medium onion, chopped

9 c. chicken broth

2 tsp. Italian herb blend

9 oz. or more spinach or cheese tortellini

1 (20oz) can crushed tomatoes in puree

8 oz. fresh spinach, rinsed and chopped (or frozen)

salt and pepper

1 c. fresh grated Parmesan

Heat oil in pot. Add garlic and onion. Cook 10 minutes. Stir often. Add broth and seasonings. Boil. Add pasta and simmer 5-10 minutes. Add tomato and simmer 5 minutes. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Season to taste and top with grated cheese.

Favorite Baked Potato Soup

This soup is probably the easiest and one of the best potato soups I have ever tasted. It is just so nice and creamy and has such a good flavor! Its a favorite in our house, in fact my husband requested I make this for our special valentines day dinner. Having kids, I like to make this ahead of time so that making the actual dinner is really quick. So in the morning I Baked the Potatoes and Bacon so when I was making the soup i just threw everything together.

Baked Potato Soup

12 slices of bacon cooked and crumbled ( I like to cut my bacon up first then cook it all togeher, makes it so it comes out in good pieces rather then getting to crumbly)
2/3 cup butter
2/3 c. flour
7 c. milk
4 large baked potatoes, cooked,peeled and cubed.
4 green onions chopped
1 1/4 c. cheddar cheese
1 c. sour cream
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

Bake potatoes at 400 for one hour, take out and peel and cube. Cook bacon and crumble, set aside. In large pot melt butter over medium heat and whisk flour until smooth. Gradually stir in mile, whisking constantly until thickened. Stir in potatoes and green onions. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Mix in bacon, cheese,sour cream, salt and pepper. Continue cooking stirring frequently unil cheese is melted. I put mine in bread bowls, then make rolls for left overs.

Pumpkin Roll

I know its not Fall anymore and not that many people cook with pumpkin, but in our house is it an ingredient that we use all all year round! I love pumpkin, and anything that calls for cream cheese, well you know it makes it that much better. I have always been afraid to make pumpkin rolls because the cake would always break on me, but this recipe never fails me! 

Pumpkin Roll

3 Eggs

1 C. Sugar

1 C. Cooked Pumpkin ( canned)

1 tsp lemon Juice

1 Cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. ground ginger

1 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 tsp. salt

Powdered sugar

Filling:

1 C. powdered Sugar

6 oz cream cheese

4 T. Butter

1/2 tsp Vanilla

Preheat oven to 375. Grease and flour jelly roll pan or cookie sheet. In mixing  bowl beat eggs for 5 minutes. Beat in sugar until smooth. Stir in pumpkin and lemon juice. In separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, spices and salt and stir. Fold dry ingredients into pumpkin mixture. Spread mixture in pan and bake for 15 minutes. Remove cake and turn it onto a dishcloth dusted with powdered sugar. Starting at long end, roll up together and cool. While cooling make filling mixture. Mix filling ingredient together until smooth.  Unroll cake and spread with filling within 1 inch of edge. Roll up cake and chill for 4 hours. Dust with powered sugar before serving. And enjoy this yummy dessert! 

Chicken with Rice Casserole

This is a great meal for when you are short on time or want something to just pop in the oven, I like to make this ahead of time and get it out of the fridge or freezer and cook it. I am all about easy meals lately now that I have twins and don't have much time to cook. Just remember to extend cooking time if you do make it before hand. This casserole is also great because of the almonds on top. It gives it that extra crunch that just makes a casserole that much better. This is a recipe from our great friend / second mom Marsha Clawson.

3 c. cooked white rice

3 c. cooked chicken breast shredded

( save 3 c. of broth you cooked chicken in or 3 c. of store bought chicken broth)

1 med onion

1 10 oz bag frozen peas

1 c. chopped celery

1/2 c. mayo

3 T. Lemon Juice

1 tsp salt and pepper

1/4 c butter

1/3 c Flour

1/2 sliced almonds

In a large bowl combine cooked rice, cooked chicken, onion, peas, and celery, set aside.

In a small pan melt butter, stir in flour. Add 3 Cups of chicken broth stir together. Add mayo, lemon juice, salt and pepper, Add mixture to chicken mixture. Spoon into a 9x13 pan and sprinkle almonds on top. Bake at 350 for 45 min or about a hour if you had it in the fridge.

Enjoy!

Sour Cream Potato Casserole

I love Potatoes, I think they make the best side dish to any meal, and these potatoes do not disappoint. They are sooo good! It might be the fact that they are smothered in cheese, bacon and sour cream, but hey who's complaining :). It also makes for a easy side dish because you can make them before hand, keep them in the fridge then heat later. Enjoy!

Sour Cream Potato Casserole

1 (2lb) bag of frozen shredded hash brown potatoes

4 slices, cooked and chopped bacon

2 cans of cream of chicken soup

1 pt. sour cream

1/2 tsp Salt

Dash pepper

1 med. onion, chopped and sautéed in butter

2 C. grated Cheese

Mix all ingredients and place in a 9x13 pan.

Topping:

2 C. crushed cornflakes or bread cubesn ( I used Bread crumbs in picture below) 4 T. melted butter. Sprinkle on top and bake at 350 for 50 min.