Tastes Like Lasagna Soup

It is cold here. It has been weeks of near freezing or below freezing temps. I turned to my trusty Internet to find new soups and I stumbled upon this interesting one on the Food Network from Paula Deen. We are giving it a shot tomorrow night.

Tastes Like Lasagna Soup

1 lb. ground hamburger

1 onion, chopped

1 bell pepper, chopped

3 cloves, minced

1tsp thyme

1 Tbsp brown sugar

1 32 oz box chicken broth

2 cans petite diced tomatoes

1 15 oz can tomato sauce

2 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp salt

2 cups broken lasagna noodles

1 5oz. pkg. grated Parmesan cheese

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Garlic Costini, recipe follows

Garlic Crostini:

1 thin French baguette

1/2 cup olive oil

2 cloves smashed garlic

Salt and pepper

In a large pan cook beef, onion, bell pepper and garlic over med- high heat, until meat is browned. Drain well. Stir in thyme, brown sugar, broth, tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning and salt. Bring to a boil over med- high heat; reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Add noodles and simmer until noodles are tender. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Preheat broiler. Ladle soup into 8 to 10 ovenproof bowls. Evenly sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Broil soups, 6 inches from the heat, for 3-4 minutes, until cheese is browned and bubbly. Add a garlic crostini slice on top. Serve immediately.

For the Garlic Crostini:

Preheat oven to 350°. Cut bread into 1/4-inch round slices. Place on baking sheet and brush with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper; place in oven and bake until golden crisp, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Rub each side with a smashed garlic clove.

Edited to add that this is one of the best recipes that I have ever made from the internet. If you try any of the recipes posted here, try this one!!! Thanks to Paula Deen for her amazing soup!

Gayle from Grocery Cart Challenge hosts a recipe swap here. Check it out!

BBQ Chip Chicken Bites

This recipe is one of my boys favorites. It is a chicken nugget baked with chip crumbs. Chicken and chips- how can you go wrong? My boys request this every week- I try to make it at least once a month.

Make sure you check out Blessed with Grace who hosts Tempt My Tummy Tuesday's for a whole bunch of great recipes.

BBQ Chip Chicken Bites

2 eggs

4 Tbsp milk

1 bag BBQ chips, crushed

1 lb. chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch chunks

In a shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Place chips in a second bowl. Dip the chicken pieces into the egg mixture, then roll it in the chips. Place on a greased cookie sheet in a single layer. Bake at 400° for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken juices run clear.

Menu for week of Dec 28

Here is what we are planning on eating this week. Kind of a busy week- aren't they all?

Monday: Pork Chops

Tuesday: Chicken Alfredo

Wednesday: Tastes Like Lasagna Soup

Thursday: New Years Nibble Menu (Queso Dip, Bacon wrapped Jalapenos, baked sausage, chips, whatever else strikes our fancy)

Friday: Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy

Saturday: Wedding Reception

Sunday: Anniversary - Dinner out

I will try to come back through the week and post the recipes for the soup and the jalapenos. Have a great week!
Check out orgjunkie.com for menus galore!

Menu for week of Dec 13

My sweet husband is off of work this week! Hip! Hip! Hooray!! Here is what we will be making for this week.

Sunday: Leftovers from all the Christmas parties that we have been to in the past three days

Monday: BBQ chip chicken (recipe to be posted Tuesday)

Tuesday: Meatball Sub Casserole

Wednesday: Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas

Thursday: Foil Packet Tilapia

Friday: Dirty Rice

Saturday: Ginger Chicken (recipe to be posted )

Check out Org Junkie for more menues and recipes.

Children helping in the kitchen

From the time my boys were little, they would love to help Mama in the kitchen. They loved measuring ingredients, stirring, and later learning how to crack eggs. It is a magical place, the kitchen is. Now that my oldest is almost 12, he is inventing recipes. I completely encourage his creations and his experiments. This attitude of letting the boys loose in the kitchen is what Works for Me! Check out this link for more awesome ideas!
Here is Son1's best creation so far:

Honey Cinnamon Twists

1 flour tortilla

butter, softened

Cinnamon sugar

honey

Spread butter on the tortilla. Sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar. Broil until the sugar begins to caramelize and get all bubbly. Remove from the oven. Drizzle honey over the tortilla. Roll up and enjoy!

Soft Ginger Cookies

Soft Ginger Cookies

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup molasses

1/3 cup water

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. ground ginger

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. salt

1 TBSP fresh ginger, chopped

2 TBSP crystallized ginger, minced

Extra sugar

In large bowl cream together the butter and the sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the molasses. In a small bowl stir together the baking soda and the water, set aside. In separate bowl sift together the flour, salt and the dry spices. Gradually stir in the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Stir in the fresh ginger and the crystallized ginger. Stir in the water/baking soda. Shape dough into walnut sized balls and roll them in the extra sugar. If the dough is to sticky at this point, put in the fridge for 20-30 minutes to firm up. Place the balls of dough on a ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart and flatten slightly. Bake at 350º for 10-12 minutes.

These cookies are so yummy! All the boys LOVED them and they make you house smell so good while you bake them! Enjoy! For more recipes checkout The Grocery Cart Challenge. The ladies there always share such great ideas!

Hot Artichoke Dip

I love it when you get to a gathering/ party and there is appetizers set out. I love trying out the different nibbles. This dip is one that I like to make for parties. It is so easy and frugal as well.

Head over to Blessed with Grace for Tempt my Tummy Tuesday and see all the yummy treats shard there.

Hot Artichoke Dip

1- 8 oz package cream cheese, softened

2 cups mayo

1- 14 oz. can artichoke hearts, drained

1 3/4 cups grated Parmesan cheese

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Mash artichoke hearts, add to cream cheese, stirring well. Stir in mayo and Parmesan cheese. Spoon into a greased 11x7 baking dish. Bake at 350º for 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Serve with assorted crackers or chips.

Menu Plan for week of 12-5-09

It is amazing that it has been two months since I have posted. We have been a little busier than normal. All of the family of six except one had the H1N1 virus. We had a 9 year old turn 10, and a baby turn 1. Halloween came and went. The boys went as stick figures that glowed in the dark, and the baby went as Raggedy Andy, They looked great! We celebrated 2 weddings- we were the most involved with my sisters wedding, as all of us were in the wedding party, and friends from church were married in November. Flag Football season ended, and basketball season has begun. Thanksgiving was a blur, and here we sit 20 days until Christmas. Phew! Are you dizzy yet? I am. This month I planned out my entire month's menu. For my sanity, I am only posting it a week at a time. Here is what we will be eating this week:

Sunday: Crock pot Baked Potatoes

Monday: Queso Steak and Rice (recipe below)

Tuesday: Peanut Noodles with Chicken (Recipe posted after we try it out)

Wednesday: Tacos

Thursday: Crock pot Orange Chicken

Friday night and Saturday night we will be attending two Christmas parties- the kitchen will be closed!

Queso Steak

Cube steak- one piece or more per person

Garlic Salt

Pepper

Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese

1 can diced green chilies

1 small onion diced

1 Large can Green Enchilada Sauce

Cook meat in large skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper. Place in 13 x 9 in casserole dish. place desired amount of chilies and onions on each individual piece of meat. (My Hubby and I like them loaded, my children just prefer cheese- nice to be able to customize) Pour enchilada sauce over the top and bake until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbling.

This menu plan will be posted on Org Junkie's Menu Plan Monday. Check out all these organized cooks.