Potato Soup Recipe

***Bringing back a post from earlier in the year.
This is our favorite cold weather soup.  Since I have 2 bags of potatoes and temperatures are dropping, this is definitely happening this week at the farm!

I tried several Potato Soup recipes before I found one that all the family loves, even Bear.  As far as recipes go, this one is easy with simple ingredients.  My recipe is based on one I found at A Crafty Cook.

Potato Soup

You will need the following:

4-5 potatoes, peeled and cut into small pieces
1 1/2 tablespoon of butter
1 can of Chicken Broth
1 1/4 cup of milk
salt/pepper to taste

Melt butter in a stew pot, pour in broth, cut potatoes and milk.  The original recipe calls for onions, of which I am not a big fan.  But I do sprinkle minced onions in mine.
Cover the pot, heat to a simmer, then keep on a low-medium heat.  Stir constantly.  You do NOT want this to stick!

Once the potatoes are cooked soft, you can mash about half the pot.  Remember to stir, we don't want it to stick.  I usually pull my pot off the heat to do the mashing. ;-)
We usually add toppings to our individual servings:

Take your pick.  It's really yummy with bacon bits and cheese.

The BEST potato soup recipe I have found and great on a cold winter's night.  It's made several repeats into our weekly menu plan.  Plus I love that the ingredients are things I usually have 'on hand' and easy on the budget.

Do you have a favorite simple soup recipe?

Also linked to Melt in Your Mouth Monday,  

School Routines and Meal Planning

Two years ago, my daughter graduated High School and I thought those good ole school years were gone.  Over were the School Open House nights, Teacher Conferences, homework, forgetting lunch money and filling out TONS of paperwork.  Not to mention band practice, soccer practice, swim practice...football games, soccer games  and swim meets.  I really was OK with experiencing partial empty nesting and quiet evenings.  Until this year.  I am 47 and have a child in Pre-K.  For those that haven't read along, I am raising my nephew.  He has lived with us since May 2011.  We affectionately call him 'Booger Bear'.  Which wasn't because he picks his nose.  But he does, as all little kids do.  Ewww.
So we attended the Open House and have the customary first day of school photos; along with the first day of school paperwork pile.

We called daycare, 'school', because when Bear arrived his 3 sisters already all attended regular school (they live with other family).  We thought calling daycare 'school' would help Bear adjust to moving from in home day care to a structured day care center with other children.  Being excited then helped.  He was even more excited this year.  He is now in "big boy school", as he calls it; along with several of his friends from daycare.

Last week we also had first day of classes at the University where I work.  To say our August has been complete mayhem would be an understatement!  Meal planning has also suffered.  So it's time to reel in the mayhem.  I've planned and shopped today.  It's solid.  And our meals are hopefully designed to keep me out of the kitchen, more than in it.  Bear comes home ready for supper!

My meal planning is only for supper.  Bear eats breakfast and lunch at school.  I am brown bagging lunches in an effort to save a few pennies, because parking is at premium spaces only before 8am and because I really need to drop a few pounds.  Laying off the fast food is best for that! We don't have access to a great microwave, so here is what my brown bag lunches consist of:
- Chicken Salad Sandwiches, with fruit (banana or apple) and a small amount of chips.
- Tuna salad (made with mayo and sliced chucks of Golden Delicious apples) with mini Club crackers.
- Turkey sandwiches, fruit and chips.
- Pasta salad

For Supper this week we are having:

Sunday - Field peas, cornbread; served with homemade salsa
Monday - Leftovers with mac n cheese
Tuesday - Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken, served over rice (new recipe)
Wednesday -  Leftovers
Thursday - Crockpot Baked Potato Bar served with steamed broccoli
Friday - Sloppy Joes with sweet tater fries

How is your school routine?  What's for supper?

Weekly Meal Plan

Yes, I have been meal planning, just haven't had a ton of time to post.  It is all Hectic month!  Out of the next 4 weeks at work, I have 4 days the entire month that doesn't have a Freshman Orientation at the University.  Did I say that during Orientations I do a presentation?  Sometimes I do 4 a day, others only twice a day.  Not to mention a ton of other duties.  This old gal is dragging in the evenings.  So our meal plans reflect KISS.  Keeping it simple sassy.  ;-)   Plus it's been hot and stuffy in Georgia, so the less I heat up the kitchen, the better.

Monday -  Sloppy Joes, Potato Salad and fresh cantaloupe
Tuesday -  Sandwich Bar  (deli meats, cheese, veggie toppings) with leftover Potato Salad
Wednesday - Salad Bar  (lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, shredded cheese, chopped ham, boiled eggs, croutons)
Thursday - Pancakes with fresh fruit salad (cantaloupe, strawberries, grapes, bananas)
Friday - Crock Pot Loaded Baked Potatoes with steamed broccoli
Saturday - Grilled Chicken, baked beans and anything leftover (broccoli, salads, fruit)

I am trying to figure out how to cook up some things on the weekend that can be mixed into meals for the week.  Like brown hamburger meat for fast tacos or maybe freeze some meatballs.  Although I normally do fairly quick and easy meals, I need them quicker and easier this month.  And let's not forget 'cheap'.  Ha!

What is your favorite fast, easy, go to summer supper meal?

What's for Supper? Week of 4.2.12

Quick post for my menu this week.  We are having temps near 90 this week!  Craziness for the first of April.  I kept that in mind while building the menu plan; so I wouldn't be heating up the house with a hot oven.  Pretty simple week with one roll over meal that we didn't get to last week.

Monday - Apple Ham Paninis with fresh fruit/yogurt mix  (roll over meal0

Tuesday - Homemade Honey Fruit Chicken Salad  with sliced cantaloupe and crackers

Wednesday - Breakfast - Biscuits, scrambled eggs and cantaloupe

Thursday - Crock pot baked potatoes with steamed broccoli 

Friday - Tacos with black beans (maybe?)

What's for supper at your house this week?

I would LOVE for you to leave a comment with your menu.  Or even what is for supper tonight.  I need the ideas.  Ha!  For other ideas, visit Organizing Junkie's Monday Menu Plan link up with 100's of links.

Supper? or Dinner? Menu Plan

Do you call your last meal of the day Supper or Dinner? 

We usually say supper.  Maybe it's a Southern thang? Here is what we are having for supper this week:

Sunday - Sandwiches and fresh fruit  (We had a big family lunch)

Monday -  Meatballs over Mashed Potatoes with Gravy and steamed broccoli

Tuesday -  Breakfast; biscuits, scrambled eggs, bacon with fresh cantaloupe and homemade jelly

Wednesday - Church Egg Hunt  (they will serve hot dogs with the fixings)

Thursday - Pasta Salad

Friday - Ham Panini Sandwiches with yogurt fruit salad 

What's for Dinner? Menu Plan 3.4.12

When I sat down yesterday to plan this week's dinner menu out I found it came a lot easier than last week's planning.  For those of you contemplating menu plans, starting and sticking with it, even when you are feeling uninspired, makes it easier.  Take it from me, one who does it weekly.  I planned yesterday, then headed out to the grocery store.  Now I am stocked up for the week!  Here is what we are having  for dinner this week down on the farm:

Last night, Saturday, we had Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo with garlic bread.  Simple, easy.

Sunday - Lemon Chicken (new recipe for us),  with leftover Broccoli Fettuccine Alfred

Monday - Baked Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans and cornbread

Tuesday - Clean out the frig  (I have a huge event at work this day, so I planned no cooking).

Wednesday - Sloppy Joes, with baked beans and fries

Thursday - Breakfast:  biscuits, scrambled eggs and sausage

Friday - Pizza

Is meal planning easy or hard for you?

Linking in with:  Organizing Junkie

Ring the Dinner Bell! This Week's Menu

Source

We actually have dinner bell hanging at our driveway on the farm.  It's past dark-thirty here, or I would run out and snap a picture for you!  Maybe I can grab one this week for my next dinner menu post.
I had a crazy week at work playing tour guide and hostess to consultants visiting from out of town.  Luckily last week's plan left us eating more leftovers than expected.  Today I finally cooked Friday's new recipe.

The recipe makes a huge meal.  My photo was taken after we had spooned out several plates.
Sunday - Cheesy Hamburger Skillet   This is like Hamburger Helper, except homemade.  It has more flavor than the box meal.
Monday - Leftovers  (Cook chicken for tomorrow night's meal)
Tuesday - My Easy Chicken Pot Pie 
Wednesday - Lasagna with Garlic Toast
Thursday - Chili (from the freezer) with fresh cornbread
Friday -  Pizza or Breakfast for Dinner

What's for dinner at your house?

I could use more ideas!  Even after pulling from my Master Menu list; I just wasn't feeling it this week.  Maybe it's because I am super tired after last week?  I'll be checking out the links for ideas at this party:

Want to participate in my 1st ever Sponsorship Swap for March?  Read all about it HERE.

Valentine's Week Menu Plan

Here is what we are eating for dinner/supper this week; tried n true meals, one special and one new recipe to try.  

Saturday - We had:  Salmon patties, homemade creamed potatoes, English peas and biscuits

Sunday - Pinto's (with pork) and cornbread

Monday - Leftover pintos with mac-n-cheese

Tuesday (Valentine's Day) - Broccoli Chicken Alfredo with Garlic bread (One of our favorites)

Wednesday - Clean out the Frig

Thursday - Breakfast for dinner

Friday - Cheesy Hamburger Skillet (new)

Need more ideas for your menu planning?  Check out hundreds of links at:  

Menu Plan Monday with The Organizing Junkie

What are you eating on Valentine's Day?  A special meal at home or going out?  

Menu Plan 2.4.12

Last week was a fly by the seat of my pants week!  I planned my menu on Friday evening, then life went wild.  I received a call to take a family member Goodwill shopping at my favorite GW store.  How could this thrift addict say no?  As I was pulling back in the drive, family was visiting from out of state and everyone was heading out to eat.  So I ran in the house, dropped the goods and ran back out.  Sunday, I had to work and had planned to go grocery shopping after that.  However, I wore a 'new to me' pair of shoes that ended up NOT being a wise choice!  The shoes are comfy, but not for standing 3 solid hours on a tile floor.  No way I could walk a big box grocery in those shoes!  So we made out with what we had in the cabinets and freezer on the fly.  This week it is back to a plan and I shopped on Friday, as I had the day off.  So here is my plan a bit early.

Saturday - Chicken Ranch Tacos with black beans and Mexican rice (I'm using soft shells and chicken from the freezer)

Sunday - Crock pot Roast (secret recipe) with carrots and potatoes, served with rolls
Letting the pot do the cooking, so we can watch the Super Bowl.  Yay!  Ok, I'm not really a huge football fan.  The game will be on though.  

Monday - Leftovers

Tuesday - Zesty Italian Baked Chicken over rice, with steamed broccoli

Wednesday -  Chili with cornbread

Thursday - Leftovers

Friday - Pizza or a night out

Ok Sherri, why is there this random photo in your menu plan post?  Well, I will tell you!  It's my recent secret recipe discovery that makes my 'crock pot roast' simply DELICIOUS!  Mix one pack of Onion soup mix with the beef broth and pour it over the roast to cook on low 6-8 hours.  Results in a tender, juicy roast with a dipping sauce if you prefer.  Ya know that fancy French term.... Au jus.  ;-)   Leftovers the next night are usually roast beef sandwiches dipped in the sauce.  Yummy, I promise!
For other great menu plan ideas check out....

Organizing Junkie

Menu Plan 1.22.12

Last week's menu offered up more leftovers than expected, so I was able to roll some unused meals into this week's plan.  The purpose of menu planning is to have something in the pantry or freezer READY to cook and avoid extra trips to the grocery store (I shop once a week).  You can read my easy tips on how I plan HERE.  I usually menu plan on Saturday morning and shop Saturday or Sunday; cause I hate going to the grocery store after working all day.  With having to work next Sunday, I am planning a bit further than usual.

Last week's Easy Chicken-n-dumpling noodles

Sunday - Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole (new recipe) with English peas ***Edited to add:  This was easy and was OH SO delicious!  It will be placed on our Master Menu List.  

Monday - Lasagna with Garlic bread  (rolled over from last weeks menu)

Tuesday - Leftovers (if not, then Breakfast - because we didn't have it last week, thanks to plenty of leftovers)

Wednesday - Sloppy Joes with sweet tater fries and slaw

Thursday - Leftovers or fend for yourself

Friday -  Pizza

Saturday - Field peas with Hashbrown Casserole 

Sunday - Leftover peas and casserole  (I have to work)

Need more menu ideas and inspiration?  Check out the Organizing Junkie's Monday Menu link up.

What's cooking up in your kitchen this week?

Weekly Menu Plan 01.15.12

Enjoying a three day weekend after a long busy work week.  Bitter cold came barreling into Georgia on Friday and hung around for Saturday.  I wanted a lazy day, so I skipped heading out on Saturday for my weekly shopping.  Will have to go by Monday to stay on the plan.  Thankfully, this menu plan keeps me with a short grocery list!  Plus I planned for leftovers on Tuesday, when I head back into the office. 

Saturday - Roast beef gravy over loaf bread (used up the last of the leftover roast beef)

Sunday - Potato Soup and grilled cheese

Monday - Easy Chicken-n-dumplings (using pasta noodles)

Tuesday - Leftovers

Wednesday - Crock pot Pork Chops with Gravy  This was a HIT the first time around.

Thursday - Breakfast for dinner

Friday - Lasagna, garlic bread, salad
Need more ideas?  Check out the Organized Junkie's Monday Menu Plan link up party.

Busy Week Menu Plan

It will be a busy, very tiring, long week for me as spring semester classes begin Monday at the U.  Our office is always swamped and I don't always clear the door at quittin time.  Add in one night scheduled late and we need easy meals this week, with help from my beloved crock pot.

Tuesday, I would like to share with you how I actually plan out our menu - from choosing meals to grocery shopping.  So if you are interested in a menu planning routine for the New Year, but are unsure of how to get started; I have a 5 simple tips.
Sunday - Chicken Pot Pie
Monday - Leftovers

Tuesday - Loaded Baked Potatoes and Broccoli
Wednesday - Crock Pot Roast and au jus with potatoes and rolls (use the recipe for a tender roast!)
Thursday - Roast Beef Sandwiches with sweet tater fries
Friday - Taco's and refried beans

That's what we are eating this week.  What about you?  Need ideas?  Check out over 400 menu plan links, with recipes at The Organizing Junkie every Monday.

Christmas Week Menu Planning

I'm off work for the next 2 weeks.  Yippee!

There are still crafty gifts to finish, then tons of wrapping and the last minute counting of the stocking stuffers.

Plus three family gatherings this week.  So, I'm keeping it pretty simple.

Sunday - Potato Soup  (yes, I know it's Monday, but I usually plan Sunday through Saturday)

Monday - Family Christmas Gathering - I'm baking my 'Famous' Christmas Cake

Tuesday - Lasagna with Garlic Bread

Wednesday - Salmon patties, creamed potatoes, biscuits and english peas

Thursday - Poppy Seed Chicken with steamed broccoli

Friday - My great-niece's 1st Birthday Celebration (eat there or pick up something in town)

Saturday - Christmas Eve Family Gathering - I'm taking Broccoli Casserole

Sunday - Christmas Day - We will be doing easy here too!  Breakfast will be biscuits, eggs, sausage and oatmeal.  Later in the day we will have pinto beans and cornbread.  A lazy day enjoying family and the magical excitement of having a 4 year old in the house this year. 

Breakfast this week will be raisin toast, cereal or pancakes

Lunches will be leftover soup or sandwiches

What's on your menu this week?  What about Christmas morning? Anything fancy?

Christmas Cake

It's time to bake my 'famous' Christmas cake.

I've shared this recipe before in 2008 on my blog.  However, I thought it might be time to bring it back.

My family INSISTS that I don't show up for our family Christmas gathering without this cake.

I think I could forget their gifts, but not this cake.  Ha!

Here is my original post:

Several years ago while working on a company employee newsletter I came upon a cake recipe. I made it that year for Christmas. The actual recipe is called It Won't Last Cake. However, I renamed it the Christmas Cake because my dear sister has asked that it be her 'gift' every year since! My brother in law loves it too. I am posting the photo of the cake, which I will be making again this week to take to sis's house for our Christmas get together. It is easy and is like a spice cake or banana bread. Very moist and even goes great with coffee in the mornings. 

Ingredients:

1 1/3 cups vegetable oil

3 cups white sugar (regular sugar)

1 cup crushed pineapples (with juice)

2 cups mashed bananas

1 cup chopped pecans (I usually use about 1/2 cup)

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup maraschino cherries (OPTIONAL) 

Directions: 

Grease and flour a 9 or 10 inch bundt pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together. (optional: adding one cup maraschino cherries to mixture makes a nice fruit cake.) Pour into prepared bundt pan. Bake for about 1 1/2 hours at 350 degrees. Do not over bake.This cake is VERY moist and easy to make. I have never added the cherries. Not a big fan of fruit cake. It does bake up 'brown' due to the cinnamon and bananas. Hope you enjoy it!  It's a FAV of my family.

Menu Planning (Halloween week)

I haven't published a menu plan lately, but that doesn't mean I have been planning out our menus.  My menu plans consist of our supper meals, which really helps this working mom!  Keeps the guess work out of 'what's for dinner?' and makes sure I only shop once for the week.  No hurried stops into a busy grocery store on the dash home in five o'clock traffic.  Usually my plan for the week begins on Saturday.  I plan out the menu then head off to the grocery store with my shopping list.  This saves me time in the store and money at the checkout line.  Here is what we will be eating around the family dinner table this week:
Saturday - Bacon Potato Soup with grilled cheese sandwiches; applesauce for 'dessert'

                     ***This soup recipe is Yummy!  Great for the chilly temps we are having in Georgia

Sunday - Hobo Supper & Trunk-n-Treat at the church, with this little Cowboy

Monday - Crock pot Pinto beans with corn bread

Pintos and corn bread

Tuesday - leftover pintos with Mac-n-cheese
Wednesday - Easy Chicken and dumplings (made with dumpling noodles)
Thursday - leftovers
Friday - Crock pot Pork Chops with gravy, creamed taters and steamed broccoli
                   ***New recipe that sounds like a winner!

With Booger Bear in the house, I feel like I'm back to my 'young' Mommy years instead of the almost empty nester that should be with my age.  Although he is such a joy and keeps us young (or makes me feel older!  still deciding. Ha!).  So menu planning really helps manage our nightly routines.  Plus I love using my crock pot to assist with the nightly kitchen duties as much as possible.

 Are you a crock pot cooker?

What's for Dinner?

Yep, heard that a lot last week due to lack of menu planning on my part.  So this week's dinner menu has leftovers and old stand-bys, because we've been living a frenzied life.  Work is busy, life is busy.  Keeping up with a 3 year old is busy!  However, the smiles, hugs and kisses are so worth having your quiet life turned topsy turvy.  Knowing you are making a difference in the life of a child.

KISS this week ladies.  Keep it Simple, Sistah! Not to mention, kid friendly meals.

Saturday - 

Cooking out, burgers, baked beans, chips and fruit 'dessert'. 

Thanks to Jen at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam I have a new EASY healthy 'dessert'.

Mix of whatever fruit with strawberry yogurt.  I bought the 2 lb container of Yoplait Creamy Strawberry and Booger Bear LOVES it.  We happen to like it too. It's a win, win.  Booger Bear thinks he is getting a treat.  I'm happy it's tasty and healthy.  My above photo has grapes, strawberries and bananas.  I've also added chunks of apples to the mix. 

Sunday - Roast in crockpot with carrots and potatoes, rolls

Monday - Leftovers

Tuesday - Orange-apricot Pork Chops, baked sweet pototoes and broccoli

Wednesday - Spaghetti with garlic bread

Thursday - Leftovers, with fruit salad

Friday - Family birthday cookout

As you can see, I need KID friendly meals.  Please feel free to share links in my comments!

Linking in to Menu Planning Monday @ Organizing Junkie; Ask Ms Recipe,