Cream of Asparagus Soup

you need:

asparagus

butter

onion

salt & pepper (white and black)

celery

carrots

flour

parsley

thyme

bay leaf

heavy whipping cream

garlic

potatoes

chicken bouillon

boil about a large handful of asparagus in water (1-2lbs) cut off the woody ends
in a seperate pan, add:
          2-3 T butter, 1/2 chopped onion, 1 celery stalk chopped, 1 carrot or a few baby carrots chopped, pinch of salt and pepper. simmer while asparagus cooks for just a few minutes, when the asparagus turns bright green.
          remove asparagus and strain. Add to a bowl of ice cold water.
pan of vegetables, add:
           about 1T flour and mix until combined, 1-2T chicken boillon and 2 c water, 1 c chopped and peeled potatoes.
strain asparagus and add to pan. add:
           a few dashes of salt and white pepper, thyme, parsley, and 1 bay leaf, 1-2 T garlic.
Cover and simmer for 30-40 min on medium.

Once all veggies are soft, remove bay lead and add about 1-2 cups at a time to blender and blend until well combined. Add to a different pot. once all the soup is blended simmer on med-low.
           add: 1-2c heavy whipping cream (whatever amount you want really)
finally, add salt and pepper to taste (if needed).

Add: shredded cheese after you serve in a seperate bowl :) you can even have saved some of the asparagus heads (cooked) and add for garnish.

This was a huge hit with all the kids..even the picky ones! what a great way to give them their veggies:)

Spinach artichoke chicken lasagna

2 cups chicken (or turkey.. which I used in this one from leftover thanksgiving)
1/2-1 can marinated artichoke hearts (chopped)
1 pkg cream cheese
8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 c parmesan
1/2 c marinated sun dried tomatoes (chopped)
1/2 c milk, 1/2 c heavy cream
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp basil
1 c chopped fresh spinach
1/2 c -1 c ricotta cheese
parsley for topping
9 lasagna noodles (pre cooked or soaked)
1/2 c alfredo and 1/2c tomato sauce

I started by soaking in warm water the noodles in a pan
Then combine chicken, artichokes, about 1 c mozzarella cheese, parmesan, sun dried tomatoes, alfredo and tomato sauce.

beat softened cream cheese, milk, heavy cream, garlic powder, basil, spinach, and ricotta in seperate bowl.

add about 1/3 or so of cheese mix to chicken mix and combine.
spread a small amount of cheese mix on bottom, then 3 noodles, then chicken mix, then top again with cheese mix, repeat ( sprinkle mozzarella cheese in between layers)

on the very top, finish with leftover cheese mix and sprinkle mozzarella cheese. sprinkle parsley and cover with foil.
 bake at 350 degrees for about 25 min.

Hobo dinner

I forgot to take a picture, but next time I make one I will take some.. and next camping trip will definitely contain a hobo dinner or foil dinner.. whatever you want to call it.

I used:
steak, red skin potatoes, baby carrots, & white onion.

First, cut up your ingredients to the size of  your preference. I cut everything to about the same size so that they all cooked evenly and so they were easy for my kids to eat. I think next time I will add cabbage as well.

Next, add salt & pepper and creole seasoning (or season salt), and sprinkle some beef broth over it all.

cut about a 2 foot long or so piece of foil and put your ingredients on one end. veggies on the left, meat on the right (or vice versa)

Then, fold the foil over and roll up all 4 sides. Add another piece of foil again to cover the entire thing.

cook over coil in a campfire for about an hour. check after about 30-45 min. and turn over once.

So easy and delicious!! perfect camping dinner.

Macadamia nut chicken

Macadamia nut chicken with white cheddar mashed potatoes, green beans and pineapple-papaya marmalade (similar to Kona Grill Restaurant)

cut white potatoes and boil w/ chopped onions, salt, & white pepper

heat oil in pan and depending on how thick your chicken breasts are.. I sliced them in thirds (cutting lengthwise, so the breasts are thinner)

salt & pepper both sides of chicken

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

prepare in 3 seperate dishes

1st: flour

2nd: 3 eggs and 1/2c milk

3rd: 2c panko bread crumbs and 1/4c chopped macadamia nuts

(chop your macadamia nuts in food processor)

Meanwhile.. cook your green beans

take your chicken breasts and dip both sides in flour, egg wash, and then bread crumb mix

place in hot oil

cook until golden brown

place in oven for about 16 min

make your sauce!!

add 2 c heavy cream, 1/4c soy sauce to boil

mix 2 Tbsp cornstarch and 2 Tbsp water until thick; add to cream sauce

turn heat down on sauce and simmer; add a dash of sugar

drain your potatoes and add to pan with butter, sour cream, cream, white pepper, & salt: mix with a mixer. Add shredded white cheddar and stir w/ a spoon (heat turned off)

in another pan.. heat equal part pineapple and papaya chunks w/ a dash of sugar

blend when softened

Now take a bit of the chicken and scoop up some mashed potatoes and the marmalade all together.. it is legit!

4 Cheese Rosa pasta w/ Steak

Add olive oil to pan and start pan frying the steak on med heat, sprinkle with salt & pepper and a dash of minced dry onion (or fresh)
  Meanwhile...

Add butter to a pan and 2 laughing cow cheese triangles.
Add about 1T minced garlic and 2 cups heavy whipping cream, stir until all mixed well.
Add 1T basil pesto

(For side dish: purple cauliflower.. saute in butter in pan with salt & pepper)

Add 1-2c Four Cheese Rosa sauce and parmesan cheese;  simmer on med-low heat

Drain steak when about 3/4 cooked, in a strainer.

Spray pan with pam and add cooked noodles,al dente (I used flat rice noodle).
Add strained steak, then pour sauce into noodles.. as much or as little as you want.
  Add extra parmesan cheese & salt & pepper to taste.

Pad See Ew

sorry for the tiny photo

flat rice noodle (dry or fresh..if dry follow instructions for stir fry)
brocolli
chinese cabbage
1 egg
chicken
garlic
sweet soy sauce & light soy sauce
sugar
salt & pepper
onion (dry or fresh)

prep your noodles first
  Then, start with some olive oil, a small handful of chopped onion and fry your chicken (sliced) on med heat. sprinkle salt & pepper;  add about 1 T garlic, minced
 Add more oil (you can remove chicken if you'd like and add it back later)
 When about 3/4 done, crack one egg in middle of the pan and scramble.
 Add brocolli, sliced at an angle
 Add chinese cabbage, sliced at an angle about 1/2 in wide
 Add noodles and mix. Then add about 2 T sweet soy sauce and 2T light soy sauce.
 Add about 1 T sugar. mix

Authentic Pad See Ew Thai

Oreo Pudding Cookies

1 cup butter, room temperature

3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 (4.2 ounce) package instant Oreo Pudding mix
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 Hershey's Cookies N Cream Candy Bars broken into small pieces (I used 2.6 ounce King Sized bars)
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and set aside. Cream together butter and sugars. Beat in pudding mix until blended. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add the flour mixture and mix to combine. Stir in cookies n' cream pieces and chocolate chips. Batter will be thick.

Using a cookie dough scooper, place golf ball sized dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. You do not want to overbake these! Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet before moving to a cooking rack. Store in air-tight container. Makes two dozen.

My friend Tiesha made these at a party.. delicious!!! had to get the recipe :)