Broccoli and Chicken Noodle Soup

Broccoli and Chicken Noodle Soup is not a typical chicken noodle soup. The addition of cheese, milk, and half and half  give the soup a thick creamy consistency. This soup is especially delicious during the cold winter months. As you cook the soup, add more chicken broth if you like a thinner soup. If you have leftovers, you may want to thin the soup with a little chicken broth or milk to the desired consistency.

Broccoli and Chicken Noodle Soup

Cooking spray or oil
2 cups chopped onion
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 garlic clove, minced
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups 1% low-fat milk
2 cups chicken broth made with 2 cups boiling water and 1 tablespoon Watkins Chicken Soup and Gravy Base
4 ounces uncooked vermicelli or spaghetti, broken into 2-inch pieces
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded low-fat cheddar cheese or light processed cheese such as Velveeta Light
4 cups (1-inch) cubed cooked chicken breast
3 cups small broccoli florets (8 ounces)
1 cup half-and-half
1 teaspoon Watkins Black Pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt

Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray or a small amount of oil. Add onion, mushrooms, and garlic to pan; saute 5 minutes or until liquid evaporates, stirring occasionally.

Reduce heat to medium; add butter to mushroom mixture, stirring until butter melts. Sprinkle mushroom mixture with flour and cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Gradually add milk and broth, stirring constantly with a whisk; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook 10 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring constantly.

Add pasta to pan; cook 10 minutes. Add cheese and stir until cheese melts. Add chicken and remaining ingredients; cook 5 minutes or until broccoli is tender and soup is thoroughly heated. Serve immediately with crackers, crusty bread, or corn bread.

Makes 10 one cup servings.

Tip
Substitute egg noodles for the pasta.
Set aside some of the cheese to sprinkle on the bowls of soup as you serve them.

Eleisia
www.NotJustVanilla.com
www.EverydayNecessities.com

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Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies


Did you know that today, January 24, is National Peanut Butter Day? I’ve seen several recipes for flour-less peanut butter cookies floating around and always wondered how their taste compared to my Peanut Butter Cookie recipe made with flour and shortening. I was pretty skeptical!

I chose this recipe for Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies because it makes only 18 cookies. I didn’t want to bake a recipe that made dozens of cookies in case I didn’t like the cookies or they didn’t turn out as  described in the recipe. Well, for a recipe that uses so few ingredients, the taste is phenomenal. The basic recipe uses only three ingredients – creamy peanut butter, sugar, and one egg. I added a bit of vanilla to enhance the flavor. Most cooks have these three staple ingredients in their cupboard or pantry so whip up a batch of cookies any time, any day!

Be sure to use good quality fresh peanut butter since peanut butter is the main ingredient. The creamy peanut butter not only provides flavor but also fat for texture.

Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/8 teaspoon Watkins Vanilla Extract
2 squares semi-sweet chocolate or 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup finely chopped unsalted or lightly salted peanuts

Heat oven to 325 degrees F.

Mix peanut butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla until blended. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Roll into 18 balls and then into short logs. Place on baking sheets. Flatten slightly and then press in crisscross pattern, with fork.


Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets 5 minutes. Make sure you cool cookies before removing from baking sheet or they will crumble. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

Melt chocolate in a small microwaveable bowl on HIGH for 1 minute or until chocolate is almost melted. Microwave 15-30 seconds more if necessary. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Or melt chocolate in a double boiler over low heat. The warm water in the double boiler keeps the chocolate liquid enough for dipping. Partially dip cookies in chocolate; gently shake off excess chocolate. Dip cookies in nuts; place on parchment- or waxed paper-covered baking sheet. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm.

I also like these peanut butter cookies spread with homemade raspberry jam! So good!

Eleisia
www.NotJustVanilla.com
www.EverydayNecessities.com

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FREE ebook: All Children Can Be Great Listeners

One of the big things we’re working on with the little ones in our home right now is how to listen.  No talking back and no interrupting.

It’s hard.  Mostly because while I want them to be good listeners I also want them to share what’s on their minds….just not while I’m talking, kwim?  :D

So, when Renee emailed me about her new ebook, I got really excited and clicked over to take a quick look.

The ebook  is called “All Children Can Be Great Listeners.”  and outlines a simple, 3-step plan for immediately improving any child’s listening.

It also includes 12 activity suggestions and 20 worksheets that are designed to be fun and engaging for kids – while helping them hone important listening skills!

Did I mention that it’s totally free – no strings attached?

You can get the ebook by visiting  School Sparks .  You’ll find a link to the ebook on the top right of that page.

At School Sparks, you’ll also find over 500 FREE kindergarten worksheets for parents and teachers to download and use at home or in the classroom. The 500+ worksheets cover a variety of different areas, including cutting worksheets, tracing worksheets, pre-reading worksheets, holiday themed worksheets, alphabet worksheets, math and number worksheets, and lots more.  You can find the worksheets on the kindergarten worksheets page.

I’d love to hear what you think about the ebook and the site in general.  Leave a comment below sharing your thoughts.

 

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January is National Oatmeal Month – Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

January is National Oatmeal Month. The New Year is time to get back to the basics, and oatmeal is one of the most simple, basic and nutritious foods you can eat. Eat cooked oatmeal with your favorite fruit and add-ins for a warm winter breakfast.

These melt-in-your-mouth Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars are wholesome and nutritious! If you prefer, substitute raisins for the chocolate chips.

3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter
1 tablespoon maple or maple-flavored syrup
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon Watkins Nutmeg
2 cups quick-cooking or old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with Watkins cooking spray.

Melt butter over low heat on stovetop or in microwave and mix in the syrup.

In a large bowl, combine butter mixture, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix well and let cool.

Add rolled oats, flour, sugar, and chocolate chips or raisins, if desired; mix well. Press dough into prepared baking dish.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes then immediately cut into bars. When bars are completely cooled cut through them again.

 Eleisia
www.NotJUstVanilla.com
www.EverydayNecessities.com

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Egg and Bacon Cups

These Egg and Bacon Cups are a nice change of pace for breakfast. Each family member gets his or her own individual serving of toast, bacon, and egg cooked in a cup. The kids will enjoy putting together their own egg cup!

You might also try cooked, crumbled sausage instead of bacon. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or cheddar cheese.

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
8 slices white or whole-wheat sandwich bread
6 slices bacon
6 large eggs
Watkins Sea Salt from Sea Salt Grinder
Watkins Pepper from Peppercorn Grinder

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly butter or spray with non-stick cooking spray 6 standard muffin cups or ramekins.

With a rolling pin, flatten bread slices slightly and, with a 4 1/4-inch cookie cutter, cut into 8 rounds. If you don’t have a 4 1/4- inch cookie cutter, cut a 4 1/4-inch diameter circle from a piece of paper or cardboard and cut around to make bread rounds. Cut each round in half, then press 2 halves into each muffin cup, overlapping slightly and making sure bread comes up to edge of cup. Use extra bread to patch any gaps. Brush bread with remaining butter.

In a large skillet, cook bacon until almost crisp. The bacon will continue to cook in the oven. Lay 1 bacon slice in each bread cup.

Crack an egg into a cup and then gently pour into bread cup over bacon. Season with salt and pepper. Bake until egg whites are just set, 20 to 25 minutes.

Run a small knife around cups to loosen toast cups. Sprinkle with cheese if you like. Serve immediately in ramekin or place on plate. Serves six. Serve with fresh fruit or a glass of orange juice.

Tips

  • Substitute Texas toast or biscuits for the bread.
  • Standard muffin pans come in 6- or 12-cup size; if baking 6 items in a 12-cup pan, leave empty space in between. Nonstick pans are nice but not essential. Beware of very thin pans, which often lead to burning. 

Eleisia

www.NotJustVanilla.com
www.everydaynecessities.com

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Free Stuff Friday

Once again our friends at  Savings Lifestyle have graciously allowed us to share their 20 hot freebies from their listing of Free Stuff .  This week the great freebies including: Recipe Books, ebooks, samples and more.   You can visit their Free Stuff page for even more offers.

 

Snuggle Puppy by Sandra Boynton (Online Storytime)

Knowing God by J.I Packer (January audiobook)

Red Dress Pin from American Heart Association

The Secret Holocaust Diaries by Nonna Bannister and Dennis George

Organize For a Fresh Start: Embrace Your Next Chapter in Life by Susan Fay West

Heir To The Everlasting by Janice Daugherty

Little Shoes (A Colorful Children’s Picture Book) by Amy Sansome & Anna Roth

Disrupt: Think the Unthinkable to Spark Transformation in Your Business by Luke Williams

Dragonsaurus (Fun Dinosaur Children’s Picture Book Perfect for Bedtime & Young Readers) by Sharlene Alexander

5 Simple Ways eBook : Saving Money, Taking Better Photos, Decorating On a Dime + More!

Meow Cat Mix Sample

Cranimals Pet Food Supplement Sample (Select Sample Request in drop down menu)

eBay 101: Selling on eBay For Part-time or Full-time Income, Beginner to PowerSeller in 90 Days by Steve Weber

Morning Song High Energy Suet Cake at Valu Home Centers (Valid through 1/14//2012)

The Golden Acorn (The Adventures of Jack Brenin) by Catherine Cooper

Gluten Free Meal Plan and Shopping List Printables

Jiffy Recipe Book (mail order or view online)

Carefree Acti – Fresh Sample

Dora’s Shape Adventure

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Stuffed Mushrooms

I made these stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer for Christmas Eve and they were a big hit!

Stuffed Mushrooms

20 fresh mushrooms
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons finely chopped onions
2 tablespoons finely chopped red bell peppers
14 Ritz crackers, finely crushed (about 1/2 cup)
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Seasoning Salt
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Garlic Powder

Heat oven to 400 degrees F.

Remove stems from mushrooms. Finely chop enough stems to measure 1/4 cup. Discard remaining stems or refrigerate for another use.

Melt butter in large skillet on medium heat. Add chopped stems, onions and peppers; cook and stir until tender. Stir in cracker crumbs, cheese and seasonings; spoon into mushroom caps. Place on baking sheet.

Bake 15 minutes or until heated through.

Tips

  • Use mushrooms with caps that are 1-1/4 inches to 1-1/2 inches in diameter. If mushrooms are larger you may need to increase stuffing mix.
  • Mushrooms can be stuffed several hours in advance. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.
  • When preparing mushrooms for stuffing, use a melon baller to carefully scoop a little mushroom flesh from each mushroom cap after removing the stem. Then, use the melon baller to easily scoop the filling mixture into the mushrooms.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

Eleisia
www.NotJustVanilla.com
www.EverydayNecessities.com

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From My Home to Yours!


 

 

 

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Holiday Greetings Card!

Greetings Moms in a Blog Friends! 

Wishing You and Your Family the Merriest of Holidays!

Happy New Year 2012!

View Your Christmas Card

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcardm.asp?code=3193256861222&ob=1&cont=1

Eleisia Whitney
Your Friend and Independent Watkins Associate

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Tips for Holiday Eating

I was reading an article about tips for holiday eating and I found several helpful tips. The tip that jumped out at me was this one.

“Ignore the outdated advice that you should eat before you go to a party so you won’t be tempted. That’s absurd! You want to be hungry enough to enjoy your favorites. Pace your eating prior to the event so you’ll be hungry but not famished at mealtime.”
 
You’ve been invited to a one-time a year holiday celebration where the hostess or host has spent a great deal of time and money to prepare delectable food for their guests. Why would you want to eat just before the event so that you won’t be hungry enough to enjoy your favorite foods? Plan to go hungry but not famished so that you enjoy every taste-tempting delight!
 
Quote from 15 Tips for Guilt-Free Holiday Eating
by Michelle May, MD
 
Wishing you the Merriest of Christmases and a Happy New Year! 
Eleisia

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