Broccoli Cheese Soup

      This soup is AMAZING!  That is, if you like broccoli cheese.  I just love this recipe.  And I love that it uses real cheese instead of processed cheese like lots of recipes for this kind of soup calls for.  It's very easy to make, and even my kids will eat it!   note: it says to puree it, but it's good both un-pureed and pureed, your preference.  I found this recipe on this website... http://diethood.com/2011/04/18/broccoli-cheese-soup/

·                                  tablespoon butter

·                                 1 onion, chopped

·                                 1/4 cup butter

·                                 1/4 cup flour

·                                 2 cups whole milk

·                                 2 cups chicken broth

·                                 1/2 pound fresh broccoli, cut into florets

·                                 1 cup carrots, (about 3 large carrots) chopped

·                                 salt and pepper, to taste

·                                 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

·                                 8 ounces grated cheddar cheese

Directions:

·                                 In a small pan, saute the onion in butter. Set aside.

·                                 Next you need to prepare the roux; cook butter and flour using a whisk over medium heat for 3 minutes. Stir constantly.

·                                 Slowly add in the milk and continue to whisk.

·                                 Add the chicken stock whisking all the time. Simmer for 20 minutes.

·                                 Add the broccoli, carrots and sautéed onions.

·                                 Cook over low heat until the veggies are tender, about 20 minutes.

·                                 Add salt and pepper.

·                                 Pour in batches into blender, or a food processor, and puree.

·                                 Return to pot over low heat and add the grated cheese; stir until well blended.

·                                 Stir in the nutmeg and serve

Mimi's Cafe Corn Chowder

(photo courtesy of Tea Jenny)

4 tablespoons butter or margarine
6 tablespoons onion, chopped
3/4 cup celery, large dice
2 1/2 cups hot water
2 cups raw potato, peeled, cut in 1/2-inch cubes
3 cups frozen corn, thawed
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 pinch white pepper
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 quart half and half, divided use


In large pot, melt butter using medium heat. Add onion and celery, simmer until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. 

Add water, potatoes, corn and seasonings. Cover and simmer 30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. 

Whisk flour into 1 cup half and half, and stir flour mixture into soup. Add remaining half and half. Simmer about 15 minutes, until soup thickens. 

Add salt and pepper if needed. To thin soup, add milk. To thicken soup, simmer 5-10 minutes more as desired.

Zucchini Pie

4 c thinly sliced zucchini

1 c chopped onion
1/4 c butter plus 2 T olive oil
2 eggs beaten
1 c grated cheddar cheese
1 c grated monterey jack cheese
(you can use 2 c colby jack for the cheese)

seasonings:
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 t garlic powder
2/ T parsley flakes
1/2 t basil flakes
1/2 t oregano flakes

one tube croissant rolls or dough of choice

here's the pie crust recipe i like to use  http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Butter-Flaky-Pie-Crust/Detail.aspx

Saute zucchini and onion in butter and oil.  Add seasonings. Line 9" pan  with dough.  In large bowl mix eggs and cheese then add zucchini mix.  Pour into lined pan and bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 30 mins.

Pizza!

This is a very simple and totally delicious recipe that my mother in law makes, and I am completely addicted!

Pizza Dough

1 cup warm water
1 Tbsp or package of yeast
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. sugar
¼ cup cooking oil
about 3 cups of flour (I like to use half whole wheat /half white)
(you can use a little less oil and add extra water instead if you prefer)
Dissolve yeast and sugar in water.  Add salt, oil, and half the flour to yeast.  Beat vigorously until smooth.  Mix in rest of flour until dough is very firm. Knead on floured breadboard until smooth.  Pat or roll in pan to desired thickness.  


Tip: you can use a bread machine to mix the dough, and just add all the flour at once.


I like to make it simple and use my favorite spaghetti sauce from the store, but when I have time I definitely prefer this homemade sauce:

Sauce

1 can tomato sauce
chopped onion
½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp Italian seasoning or ¾ tsp. oregano, dash garlic powder, pinch rosemary.  
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix together.  Spread a thin layer on top of rolled out pizza dough.  
Top with shredded cheese and your favorite pizza toppings.  (My favorite toppings are red bell peppers, spinach, olives, mushrooms, artichokes, ham, and pineapple.  Sometime I want to try a chicken alfredo pizza with sliced tomatoes and green onions.)


Bake 425 for about 10-12 minutes.  Enjoy!


And if that isn't delicious enough, try this on for size...


Peach Cobbler Pizza Pie

Use the same dough as above, but top it with:
Peaches cut into bite sized pieces, frosting, caramel, and streusel topping!   Mmmmm!

Frosting (save half the frosting to put on after baking)

just make a basic butter vanilla frosting, but make it thin

butter

powdered sugar

milk

vanilla

Caramel  (heat all together in pan on stove, or in microwave)

 2 Tbsp butter

1/4 c cream (or half n half... but add a little flour)

1/4 c white sugar

1/4 c brown sugar

Streusel topping

1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter

dash of cinnamon

Bake 425 for10-12 minutes.