Chicken vegetable soup

Today's hearty soup was one made in the spare of the moment. We needed lunch and I knew if I made this there would be enough for another lunch serving or two!

Easy with little effort and you can create a bowl of yumminess.

If you have one boneless chicken breast you can cook it in the broth and shred it before you serve the soup. Boneless chicken cooks quickly in broth or water.  In about one hour after prep. It will be ready to enjoy.

Soup's on!!!!

Note:

Frozen veggies can be used if you don't feel like using fresh.  I used my handy chopper and chop my veggies in advance and freeze them . Like this!

I boneless chicken breast(use more if you like lots of chicken)

1-32 oz or more chicken broth

1cup chopped carrots 

1 cup chopped onions

1 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup diced tomatoes( I didn't use juice but you can do do if you desire)

1medium diced potato 

1can rinsed and drained northern beans

1cup frozen peas

1cup small noodles (acne de Pepe) or orzo, tiny shells etc. but they should be small.

Grated cheese for garnish (optional)

Crockpot Green chilles and tomatoes cubed steak

We had a nice weekend which included our (hubby and my) dual class reunion back in our hometown. I was able to see people I have not seen since graduation.  It was a really nice time.

Today I had to get back to reality so thinking ahead as I usually do; yes I'm a planner. Last evening before I hit the sheets I took out two pounds of cubed steak from the freezer and placed them in my refrigerator to thaw.

Cut in strips as in photo

Note:  If you don't know what cubed steak is it is basically tenderized round steak (beef) which is sold as cubed steak.  They are usually sold in large pieces or patties.

I did not have a clue what I was going to do with them but after a little thought I realized I had a can of diced tomatoes with chile so this is when I decided this would be tonight's dinner. Simple and very tasty.  That is if you like spicy.  It was spicy.

Simply cut the cubed steak in strips.  Slice a whole onion rather thin. In a skillet(I like to brown my meat first) add some olive oil.  Place onion in first and allow it to start to simmer, add steak, salt and pepper and cook until slightly browned.  Place in your crockpot which you have set to low.  Add the 1 can of tomatoes with the chilles (juice and all) on top of the meat. Cook on low for approximately 4 to 5 hours.  It does cook faster than other type steak(round) since it has been tenderized. (pounded with a mallet to tenderize). Hope to hear you enjoyed this easy meal.

I served it over mashed potatoes....Family friendly store bought Bob Evans. xo

Crockpot friendly 

2 lb. cubed steak cut in strips 

Salt and pepper 

1 medium onion sliced 

1 can diced tomatoes and green chilles

Happy Cooking!

A few hours at the Phipps Conservatory

Hubby surprised me and asked if I wanted to go to the Phipps Conservatory. He's not into flowers ,butterflies and all types of plants so this was huge! Here's a few beauties I captured with my camera. Enjoy!

Re-post 6/13/16

This was basically a small tour of their gardens.  If you ever visit Pittsburgh put this on your list of must see.  Relaxing day or a few hours.  There is plenty of information provided as you walk through the conservatory about these flowers and plants. 

It's always a good day when you learn something new.

Smiles and Love,

Baked Potato Poppers!!!!!!

Recipe repost👍

When we think of poppers we think of fried mozzarella or the like, right? Not these!  There are super yummy and I made mine a little larger than the recipe said so make em smaller if you like :)..I guess poppers should be small?. Yummy!

Mine were More than a bite poppers!

Happy Baking and Cooking from my kitchen to yours,

M.J.

2 large russet (baking potatoes)

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1 T cornstarch

1/2 tsp. coarse salt

1/4 tsp. white pepper

1 large egg yolk

1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Ketchup, salsa, or pizza sauce

Heat oven to 425 degrees with rack in middle of oven.   Put in a rimmed baking sheet in the oven when it is pre heated.

Peel and grate potatoes ( I used large mozzarella side of grater)and transfer to large bowl. It was done super quickly.  They were more shredded in my opinion)then grated.   Boil approx 2 cups water and cover potatoes.  Allow to stand for 10 minutes..

Drain the potatoes in a colander and rinse thoroughly with cold water..  Squeeze potatoes to remove excess moisture, and transfer back to large bowl.  Add flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper and egg yolk and fold in the potatoes.

Place Panko bread crumbs on large dish or waxed paper.  I use wax paper.  Easy to dispose.

With wet hands pinch off tablespoons or a little larger( mine were larger) of the potato mixture, form into balls and coat with the panko crumbs.

Carefully remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and coat with 2 T olive oil.  Quickly transfer the poppers onto the baking sheet and drizzle with remaining  olive oil. Bake for about 30 minutes, flipping half way through,(once) until golden brown and crispy.  Serve with salsa, ketscup or pizza sauce.  Yum

Note:  I doubled recipe!  That's how good they were!!!!  I had planned on freezing some.  All gone!!  It was our lunch :)  Great idea for an appetizer.  Make ahead and reheat for a few seconds in microwave....

Recipe adapted from USA weekend 6-14-13
6/19/13




 

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HPRV9256 How to collect zinnia seeds

About 3 years ago I bought some red zinnia seeds at our local garden center.  The package was $1.99 and I have saved the seeds from the blooms from year to year.  The video which may not have audio should help you with the what to do.  You basically wait until the flower is spent and remove it and let it dry out completely.  The seeds will pull out very easily and my seeds are a deep green.  Store in a dry area.  I put mine in an envelope and seal and label the envelope so I'll know what is in the envelope. These will be labeled Zinnia's 2016.

Oh yes these beauties reach a height of approximately 4 ft.  Giant Zinnia's.  I can't begin to tell you the raves I get from these flowers.

xo