Saturday, February 11, 2012

Smoky Blue Cheese Mashed Potato Soup

I just tried this soup for the very first time

-but- it was definitely love at first bite!?!

Smoky Blue Cheese Mashed Potato Soup

Serves 4

4 bacon slices
1 medium onion, diced, about 2 cups
2 celery stalks, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Two 14.4-ounce cans low-salt chicken broth or 3 1/2 cups homemade broth
3 cups mashed potatoes (see recipe below)
1/2 cup Blue cheese, crumbled, about 3 ounces

Garnish
4 scallions, minced
1/4 cup smoke-flavored Blue cheese, crumbled, about 1 1/2 ounces

Cook bacon in heavy, large pot over medium heat until brown and crisp. Transfer bacon to paper towels. Crumble bacon and set aside to use as a garnish. Spoon off all but a tablespoon of bacon drippings from pot. Add onion, celery and garlic, season with salt. Sauté over low heat for 10 minutes or until onions are golden, but not brown. Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 5-10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Blend in the mashed potatoes and Blue cheese. Puree soup in batches in a blender or use an immersion blender directly in the pot. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish each bowl with Blue cheese, bacon and scallions just before serving.

Mashed Potatoes
2-3 large potatoes, about 1 1/2 lbs
1/2 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Peel the potatoes and cut into small chunks, place in a pot, cover with cold water. Boil until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain the water, then add the butter and milk and mash with a potato masher in the pot. Season with salt.

Today I am extremely thankful for cheese!?!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

7 Layer Dip

Getting ready for a Superbowl Party don't forget the...

7 Layer Dip

Sure to be a big crowd pleaser!?!

Ingredients

    • 16 ounces refried beans
    • 1 (1 ¼ ounce) packages taco seasoning
    • 1 cup sour cream
    • 1 cup guacamole
    • 1 cup salsa
    • 1 cup lettuce
    • 1 cup Mexican blend cheese
    • 4 ounces sliced olives
    • 1 cup tomatoes

Directions

  1. Layer in this order.
  2. 16 oz refried beans mixed w/ 1 package taco seasoning.
  3. 1 c sour cream.
  4. 1 c guacamole.
  5. 1 c salsa.
  6. 1 c lettuce.
  7. 1 c Mexican cheese.
  8. 4oz sliced olives.
  9. 1 c tomatoes.


Today I am thankful...!?!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Albuquerque Sunrise

Beautiful Albuquerque, NM sunrise!?!



Today I am thankful for my eyesight!?!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Dill Pickle Lip Balm

All I can say (that I am willing to post here) is Y-U-M-M-Y - this stuff is so good!?!


Today I am thankful that I am not normal - lol!?!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Philipians 4:13

Some days I just have to keep repeating this verse to myself ...
over -&- over again!?!



Today I am thankful that I answer to a Higher power!?!

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Cajun Style Sausage -&- Rice

This crock pot recipe makes a great comfort food meal.

What You Need:

8oz Kielbasa sausage, cut in 1/4″ slices
1 -14 1/2oz can diced tomatoes with liquid
1 medium onion, diced
1 medium green pepper, diced
2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
1 tbsp chicken bouillon granules
1 tbsp steak sauce
3 bay leaves or 1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp sugar
1/4 to 1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce
1 cup uncooked instant rice
1/2 cup chopped parsley (optional)

How To Make It:

Combine sausage, tomatoes, onion, green pepper, celery bouillon, steak sauce, bay leaves, sugar and hot pepper sauce in a medium sized crockpot.
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
Remove bay leaves; stir in rice and 1/2 cup of water.
Cook an additional 25 minutes.
Stir in parsley if desired.



Today I am thankful that I love hot things...mmm, mmm, good!?!

Monday, January 30, 2012

Denny's Skillet Cookie a la Mode

After a long day with getting a chance to eat today - we stopped at
Denny's for dinner!?!
And, after the meal was consumed we decided to share a desert -&- all I can say is the devil must have created this one - because it was so damn good it was evil!?!


$4 NEW! Skillet Cookie a la Mode

Chocolate?!? Say no more!?!
An oversized s'mores cookie made with real Hershey®'s Kisses®, topped with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream -&- drizzled with hot fudge!?!
Served in a skillet warm and all deliciously gooey, it's every chocolate lover's dream come true!?!





Serving Size - 8 oz
Calories - 820
Fat - 37
Calories From Fat - 330
Trans Fat - 0
Saturated Fat - 20

Cholesterol - 85
Sodium - 480
Carbohydrates - 115
Fiber - 3
Protein - 23
Sugar - 83

Today I am thankful that I had someone to share this with - otherwise I'd have eaten the whole thing myself!?!