Food For Thought

Butternut Squash Soup

2010-11-03T15:18:00.000-07:00

This Butternut Squash Soup is perfect for a cold fall day!

Original recipe compliments of Allrecipes.com.

I have slightly altered some ingredients with ones I usually have on hand or left overs I want to use up.

2 tablespoons butter

1 small onion

1 celery stalk

1 medium carrot- or left over cooked carrots from previous dinner

2 medium potatoes, cubed- or left over mashed potatoes from previous dinner.

1 medium butternut squash --- peeled, seeded, cubed.

32 ounce chicken stock- I use water and chicken bouillon cubes.

Salt and Pepper to taste.

1- Melt butter in large pot, and cook the onion, celery, carrots, potatoes and squash 5 minutes.

Until lightly browned

(Unless you are using cooked carrots and potatoes don't add them just yet.)

2- Pour in enough chicken stock to cover veggies. Bring to boil.

Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 40 minutes, or until all veggies are tender.

(If you are going to used previously cooked carrots

and potatoes add them the last 10 minutes just to warm through)

3-Transfer soup to blender a cup or two at a time and blend until smooth.

Return to pot, mix in any remaining broth to attain desired consistency.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

This soup tastes so luxurious and buttery! You can really see how the squash got its name.

Plus, it doesn't call for any milk or cream and still tastes so creamy.

Enjoy with club crackers and a drizzle of sour cream if you wish!

Baked Acorn Squash

2010-11-03T15:05:00.000-07:00

Yummy fall side dish!

Cut medium acorn squash in half.
Scoop out seeds.
Place upside down on foil lined greased baking sheet.
Bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes until soft.
Remove baking sheet and turn squash over.
Spread about 2 Tablespoons of butter on each squash half then sprinkle brown sugar on top.
Place squash halves back together.
Bake on 350 for another 30 minutes.

This recipe is compliments of AllRecipes.com

Zucchini Fries

2010-08-17T13:41:00.000-07:00

Cut zucchini in long fry shapes. About 3-4 inches long
In bowl melt 3-4 Tablespoons Butter
Add one egg to melted butter, mix well.

In another bowl toss 1 1/2 Cups Italian Bread Crumbs and 1/4 C Shredded Parmesan Cheese
Add a dash of garlic powder.

Dip zucchini wedge in egg mixture
Then roll in breadcrumb mixture

Place on greased baking sheet. (line with tin foil for easy clean up)
Sprinkle with Kosher Salt

Bake 400 degrees for 20- 25 mins

Enjoy with fresh ranch dressing, alfredo sauce, or marinara sauce

This is a sneaky way to try and get kids to eat their veggies.

Cupcake Demo

2010-05-21T08:22:00.000-07:00

ALOHA

2010-02-18T06:55:00.000-08:00

I made this Hula cake for a girl turning 10.

Be Mine - Valentine's Day

2010-02-07T10:48:00.000-08:00

I was looking back to a few years ago when I only had one baby, and I can't believe how much more productive I was. Valentine's Day has always been one of my favorite holidays. Since we are in Indiana this year I will miss delivering plates of pink heart sugar cookies to our loved ones. I hope they know we are thinking of them.

Fast Alfredo Sauce

2009-11-18T15:44:00.000-08:00

A quick favorite dish. You can dress it up if you have the time. Steamed Broccoli and Grilled Chicken are our favorites to mix in. Use whatever pasta you have in the pantry. Although, fettuccine is our favorite.

First start with a sauce pan with Med-Low Heat
Melt a stick of salted butter (stir it around as it melts with a wisk)
Add about 1 1/4 Cups whole milk ( you can use skim texture may not be quite as nice)
Sprinkle of garlic powder, and salt
* START bringing your pasta water to boil. Don't forget to add salt and a bit of cooking oil.
Add 1 8oz package of cream cheese cut up.
Add about 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Stir often
When all ingredients are incorporated turn heat to low.
Slowly add small amounts of pasta water to the Alfredo sauce if it gets too thick.THIS IS THE SECRET
SAUCE SHOULD BE SMOOTH AND WHITE

Drain pasta, combine with sauce. Add other sides if desired. ie: Steamed Broccoli, grilled chicken, shrimp,
Enjoy with crusty bread.

Check out some of these books that my work has been published in.

2009-11-15T18:18:00.000-08:00

Fishing Creel Cake

2009-11-14T06:50:00.000-08:00

Cake was created with chocolate frosting and chocolate fondant.

Fly Fishing Birthday Appetizers

2009-11-14T06:48:00.001-08:00

My husband loves to fly fish, so I surprised him with an indoor fly fishing picnic.

Neverland Cake

2009-11-14T06:43:00.001-08:00

Made for Zoey's 4th birthday. Which was a Peter Pan party of course.

Volcano Cake

2009-11-14T06:41:00.001-08:00

Peach Tarts

2009-11-14T06:26:00.000-08:00

From Scratch

2009-11-13T20:47:00.000-08:00

I wanted to start a blog, mostly for my benefit, to keep track of new and favorite recipes our family enjoys. I enjoy cooking, food styling, and eating delicious food. This will be a work in progress...