Yummy Mexican Dish

I made these two recipes last night for dinner. They went really well together. I thought I would share. I used mild Rotel tomatoes for the beef and original for the salsa. The salsa had a little kick to it.

Our Best Bites Southwest Beef Wraps (crockpot) and The Pioneer Woman Salsa

Winter fruit salad with Lemon-poppy seed dressing

My friend gave this recipe to me for my wedding with a cute mixing bowl. I thought it was a good idea for a wedding present. I finally made the recipe tonight for a party with the Jensen girls and it turned out pretty good.

Salad:
1 large head romaine lettuce, torn
1 c shredded Swiss cheese (4 oz)
1 c cashews (or I used sunflower seeds and it was still yummy)
1/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1 medium apple, cubed (about 1 cup)
1 medium pear, cubed (about 1 cup)

Dressing:
1/2 c sugar
2 t onion, finely chopped
1/2 t salt
1/3 c lemon juice
1t dijon mustard
2/3 c vegetable oil
1 T poppy seeds

In a blender or food processor, place sugar, onion, salt, lemon juice, and mustard. Process until blended. Add oil, processing until thick and smooth. Add poppy seeds; process a few seconds. Mix all salad ingredients in a large bowl. Pour dressing and toss to coat.

Oma's Boterkoek

This is a traditional Dutch dessert and since tonight is the Dutch Christmas when we put our shoes out to get goodies, we made it this morning for FHE tonight and thought we would share a family tradition with you all!

2/3 C. butter
1 C. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 egg, beaten (reserve 1 tsp.)
1 1/2 C. flour
1/2 Tsp. baking powder
sliced almonds for garnish

1. mix butter, sugar and almond extract
2. Add egg minus 1 tsp.
3. add flour and baking powder
4. spread batter into 8 in. square dish
5. brush egg mixed with 1 tsp. water over dough
6. sprinkle with almonds
7. bake at 350 for 30 min.

Artisan Bread

This recipe is AWESOME! It is really easy. It is delicious with soups, salads, jam, and homemade apple butter.

1 1/2 T Yeast

1 T salt

3 c lukewarm water

5 1/2-6 cups flour (at least 2 C all purpose flour, the rest whole wheat)

Stir yeast, salt, and water in a large bowl. Add in flour and stir until combined. Do not knead. The dough is really wet. Cover and let rest 2-3 hours, until flattened on top.

To bake: Place pizza stone in oven and preheat to 450 for 20 min. Place shallow pan on the rack below the pizza stone. Dust dough with flour and pull off a grapefruit sized chunk. Dust with more flour and shape into a loaf by stretching the top of the loaf. Score the bread with a sharp knife. Place on stone in oven, pour 1 cup hot water into the shallow pan, and bake 25-30 min., until deeply browned. Cool completely on a rack before slicing. Store leftover dough in a covered (not airtight) container in the fridge and keep up to 2 weeks. to bake refrigerated dough: let formed loaf rest 40 minutes before scoring and baking.

Makes approximately 4 loaves.

Chicken Noodle Soup

I made this soup yesterday and put it in the bread bowls Amy posted a little while ago. It was delicious! Angi says this recipe is the best chicken noodle one. I agree.

http://fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com/2008/01/chicken-noodle-soup-with-homemade.html

One tip. I boiled it down a little too low, so it didn't have a lot of liquid and was really strong tasting. Add some water if yours is like that!

Tomato Basil Soup
(Rachel Rae)

30 oz. chicken stock
28 oz. crushed tomatoes
1 c. heavy cream
20 leaves basil
salt and pepper

Combine the broth and tomatoes over medium heat, when it bubbles, stir in the cream and turn to low. Simmer 15 min. then add half the basil, salt and pepper, stir occasionally. Blend with a submersion blender, top with remaining basil leaves.
Serve with grilled cheese on the cheese bread from the Durango bread store (so yummy...) if you can't get your hands on a loaf of bread from Durango, regular sourdough is a good enough substitute.

Smoothies for a Sunday Afternoon

1 10 oz. bottle naked mango juice
1/2 C. Fat Free Greek Yogurt
1/2 C. Frozen Strawberries
1/2 C. Frozen Blueberries
1/2 Frozen Banana
1/2 C. milk
ice
honey

Make sure the liquid is on the bottom and blend it. We make these often, and started buying the variety pack of naked juice from Costco. The mango is my favorite though.