Easy garlic bread

I splurge and use "white" bread, any kind, usually we buy them at Costco {below is their Torta sandwich rolls.}  Spread some butter, sprinkle garlic salt (I used garlic powder, but Thomas said it needs salt), and Parmesan cheese.  Broil on low for 4 minutes, but check multiple times to make sure the bread doesn't burn.  In the future, we (re: Thomas) want to try to make garlic bread with grated, fresh garlic.

This is from last night when I made chili.

Spicy Potato Soup

This is one of the soups from my childhood.  Thomas says it's his favorite soup that I've made.  However, I don't really have a recipe to write down.  It's all an approximation but maybe next time I make it, I'll note more specific measurements.

4 medium (red) potatoes
6- 8 oz. tomato sauce (so not the entire can)
1/2 - 3/4 lb. lean ground turkey
1 zucchini (or green beans; peas)
chili powder
garlic powder
onion powder {alternatives: saute onion to your taste, or dried onion}
black pepper
salt

Wash and dice potatoes, peeling is optional.  In a medium saucepan, cook for 20-30 minutes until potatoes are tender.  Meanwhile, {saute onion}, brown ground turkey, sprinkle chili powder, garlic- and onion powders, and pepper.  Wash and slice zucchini into fourths, add into turkey mixture.  Drain potatoes (when done.)  Combine the potatoes and meat into the medium saucepan.  Add tomato sauce (until it barely covers food), pour in a little water (about 1/2 cup) to thin out the sauce.  Sprinkle in more chili powder, pepper, salt, garlic- and onion powder.  Stir over medium-high heat until the soup comes together, slightly bubbly and thickened.  My mom's original recipe suggested to top with Tabasco.

Beef Stroganoff

Yesterday we were watching Zonya Health Bites (on KBYU), where her featured recipe was crock-pot beef stroganoff.  Thomas commented that he wanted that for dinner.  He went to the grocery store to get some beef.  He cut up the roast and an onion.  We followed the recipe, except I only added one cup of light sour cream at the end.  It was pretty good, a little bland, but a filling meal.  I know that I've been making too many meatless meals when Thomas craves meat!

1 can cream of mushroom soup (healthy request)
1 can beef broth (reduced sodium)
1 can (4 oz) sliced mushrooms, drained
3 T cornstarch
3/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/3 cup Marsala wine (optional)
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
Stir together in a slow cooker.

1 large onion, diced
2.5 lbs lean top round or sirloin steak, well trimmed of fat, cubed
Add into the soup mixture

Cook on high for four to five hours or on low for nine to ten hours.

About 20 minutes before serving
*stir 1-1/2 cups of light sour cream in the slow cooker
*boil water, cook 12 oz. whole wheat pasta
     *add frozen vegetables about five minutes before pasta is finished
Drain cooked pasta and vegetables, plate beef stroganoff on top
{I found salt and pepper is needed, especially if you didn't add salt in the slow cooker.}

Source: www.zonya.com. Lickety-Split Meals. "Beef Stroganoff over Noodles." http://www.zonya.com/pdf/recipes/Beef_Stroganoff.pdf

Blueberry parfait

I've been very eager to try out my new dessert glasses and -spoons.  I created a parfait with Greek yogurt, blueberries and a granola cereal.  The first layer is about three spoonfuls of yogurt, couple spoonfuls of thawed blueberries and 1/4 cup granola pumpkin seed cereal (from Costco).  I repeated the layers: yogurt, blueberries, cereal, then more yogurt and berries to top off the dessert. 

I was skeptical of my idea at first because I'm not a huge fan of blueberries, but it was an incredible dessert.  The blueberries sweetened the yogurt and the cereal provided a nice crunch.

Should have made one for Julia, too!  She ate half of ours.

"Flower" Biscuits

I made soup last night, but instead of throwing pasta in there, I decided to make biscuits.  Whenever I make biscuits, I ask myself why I like making them so much.  They're messy and the biscuits are saturated in flour.  I used little flower cookie cutters to cut them out, and in the end they turned out pretty well.  We all ate four of them with our soup.  Julia was eating them by the hand full.

The recipe is so easy, and doesn't have any butter in it.

1 cup whole wheat flour {I use wheat pastry}
1 cup unbleached white flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 T. baking powder
2-4 T. oil
1 cup 1% or skim milk

Mix dry ingredients (you may also use 2 cups white flour), add liquids and stir just until blended.  Knead dough on floured counter top for 30 seconds.  Press or roll dough to 1/2-inch thick. Cut into 2-inch circles or squares.  Place on a nonstick baking sheet, bake at 425 degrees for 12-14 minutes.

Recipe source: Merrill Jane P. and Karen M. Sunderland.  "Baking Powder Biscuits." Set for Life.  Salt Lake City, UT: Sunset Publishers, 1995. 94.