Chicken Noodle Soup

Love to make this for New Mother's- not spicy, and makes enough to last a few meals. Perfect for the ill ones in your house too!! You can always make a large pot then freeze half- for later. Makes a large amount!!

6 Chicken Breasts
1 onion peeled
3 bouillon cubes
2 tsp Italian Seasoning
1tsp garlic salt
salt & pepper to taste

Boil together for 1 hour. Take onion out- discard. Drain chicken and broth through a strainer keeping BROTH!! Let chicken cool- and cut into chunks.

1 large package of Egg noodles
2 cans of carrots
1/2 stick of butter
1/4 cup of sugar
1/2 cup graded Parmesan cheese
3 tbsp parsley flakes

Add broth back to large pot and allow to come to rolling boil. Add noodles- cook until soft. Reduce heat to low. Then add all remaining ingredients- leaving cheese for last. *be careful not to let cheese melt on bottom of pot*
Add chicken and simmer for 45 minutes.

*Rating...5 trips back to the Kitchen*

Homemade Pizza by Kids

We love to make Homemade Pizza!! The kids LOVE to Help. Here is what the kids like the most. My Niece A.G. helped us this day!

1 package of Pillsbury Pizza Dough (in the section with biscuits & crescent rolls)

1 jar- of Organic Spaghetti Sauce (you will only use half the jar)

1 package of Oscar Meyer Deli Chicken strips

16 ounces of fresh graded mozzarella cheese

1 bell pepper (thinly sliced)

1 Roma tomato (thinly sliced)

1 small can of sliced black olives

(you can add any more or omit any of the ingredients for your taste)

I only Bake on STONES....so, I like to add a little of cornmeal on bottom of stone before you add dough- it helps it to stick and not slide while you roll out dough.

Bake in oven for 8-10 minutes at 350*

Remove dough and let cool- especially if kids are helping. Then add tomato sauce and vegetables. Top with cheese.

Place back in oven- until cheese is completely melted and crust is lightly golden brown.

*Rating...5 trips back to the kitchen*

Kids love the fact they help create their own pizza. For mini pizzas you can substitute a can on 8 Jumbo Biscuits. This is a great idea for a slumber party- to have each child make their own pizza!! My mom did this for us....glad I can continue the fun tradition!!

Homemade CANDY!!

This is what my kitchen table looks like....at Christmas time- I LOVE to make candy and give it to all the people who help us out during the year!! I try to make enough to give everyone at least one box- with a mixture of these candies! *Note theses batches were all doubled or tripled- The recipes are for only one batch of each.*

The Dark Brown Candy you see in the Picture-

EASY Chocolate Candy

6 ounces of Semi sweet Chocolate Chips

12 ounces of Butterscotch Chips

12 ounces Chopped Pecans

Melt Both chips in microwave 2 minutes at first- then 30 seconds at a time after until melted. Stir in nuts. Drop spoonfuls on wax paper to set up. Let dry completely- then store in air tight container.

The Light Brown colored candy in the picture-

Captain Crunchies

1- 12 ounce package of white chocolate chips

1- 12 ounce package of peanut butter chips

1/2 cups of peanut butter

6 cups of Peanut Butter Captain Crunch cereal (I have started using Reese's Pieces cereal)

Melt chips in microwave 3 minutes. Add peanut butter and stir until blended well. Immediately pour over cereal. Stir together. Drop spoonfuls on wax paper. Let dry. Once dry, store in air tight container.

I was first given a piece of Captain crunchies by a sweet customer of mine named Sybil C. Later found the recipe in a book from a friend Linda G. Good Friends, Great Cooks!!

White candy in picture-

Muddy Buddies aka...Puppy Chow

9 cups of Rice Chex

1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 Cup powdered sugar

Measure cereal in LARGE bowl- set aside. In a 1 quart microwavable bowl melt chips & peanut butter- for 3 minutes. Stir in Vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal covering completely stir very gently. Put cereal in 2 gallon Ziploc bag. Add powdered sugar into bag, shake until coated. Spread on wax paper to cool. When cooled completely- store in air tight container.

Green Bean Bundles

Our Families FAVORITE....Holidays are just not the same without them!!

Preheat oven to 375*

3- 16 ounce cans of whole Green beans
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 stick butter
1 lb. bacon ( I like the peppered bacon)
Salt & pepper to taste

Cut Bacon strips in half. Wrap around a bundle of green beans (3 or 4) and place seam down in 13x9 inch dish. Bring sugar, garlic, salt & pepper to boil. Pour over beans. Cover & Bake for 45 minutes. Uncover last few minutes- to make sure bacon is crisp.

*Rating...5 trips back to the Kitchen*

Fun Snack for Kids

Here is a fun snack- My friend Minna was looking for New Ideas for snacks. I remembered about the post I did about this great snack!
Here is what you will need:
Crackers
Peanut Butter ( If you use organic cashew or almond butter- it is better for you)
Raisins or Craisins
Carrots
Creative mind
Kids

Use PB on each cracker and then place a dried fruit on top. Then make a face on each individual cracker or you can make a large face, as I did.

*You can also use PB on Celery and place dried fruit....or we like to eat bell peppers....that make interesting characters too- with Ranch dressing.

*You can slice an apple and they can place then in different shapes. It is a good math lesson too- teaching about fractions and also good lessons in sharing.

*You can use it as a learning colors, shapes & textures- all different fruit & veggies.

*I cut open a whole pineapple after T asked over and over- when we would go to the store, "what is that- it looks ugly?" I used it as a lesson on how just because something looks bad on the outside- when you cut it open and it smells sweet & tastes great....You never judge by the outside of anything or anyone. You look inside at their heart!!

You can use different veggies & fruit- and I makes eating healthy fun!!I surprised T one day when he came home from school- HE LOVED IT!! Thought it was the neatest thing!! We have special snacks like these often!!
What snacks do you like to fix with your kiddos??

How to Make Homemade Mashed potatoes

This is how I make my mashed potatoes....I would love to see how you make yours...send me a link- I will check it out. I learned this technique from watching my mom & my Mamaw cook potatoes.

I start out with 5 red potatoes. I usually use red- unless I have others that need to be used. I then wash them thoroughly and cut any yuck spots out-you know nasty little black looking things.

I also like to keep the outside skin on....it is good for you- If I use Russet potatoes I usually peel them. Each their own. If you like them peeled....peel away at this point. If you have ever had Cracker Barrel creamed potatoes....they leave their skin on- taste the same to me.

Then I cut them up into chunks and boil them in water (or chicken broth if I have it) while whatever else I am cooking is getting prepared & cooking- I have NEVER really paid attention to the time. But if you put a knife in the pot and a potato comes out with it....they are not done...probably about 20 mins or so.

Then I drain the pot of all water and the potatoes should look like this.

I then take about a 1/4 cup of milk (you can add more if needed) and 2 spoons of butter- and mash them up with a handle masher. You can use a electric mixer if you would like-they will be much more creamier and no lumps....we are lump likers....so I use my hands. Mash up and down and stir side to side and when the become creamy.Once they are creamy I add the two things I think all kitchens should have Salt & Pepper...I love the fresh ground black pepper and have recently fallen in love with sea salt- thanks to my sister, she says it is better for you! *Rating...5 trips back to the Kitchen*

I love to make mashed potatoes and I love my masher- every time I make them I think of my Mamaw, she passed away in September 2009. She was famous for her fried chicken and mashed potatoes!!

When I moved out on my own, I was making fried chicken and mashed potatoes for my boyfriend (husband now) and I had NO MASHER?? What to do?? I used a FORK... mashed a whole pot of potatoes with a fork!! Work let me tell you!!

I saw my Mamaw the next week and said "Hey what do you use to mash up the potatoes when you are making mashed potatoes?" Told her about my FORK story....and she showed me her masher. I said " I need to get one of those!"

The next day she came by my house- and had gone to the store and bought me a potato masher. The same one I use today!! If you knew my Mamaw you would really be shocked by this- she was VERY frugal, we didn't get any gifts unless it was Christmas or birthday. For her to spend money on me for my need- I was very honored and happy to receive it!! I have NEVER EVER NOT thought of her when I am making mashed potatoes since.

Hope your Potatoes are Creamy, your Belly Full and you heart filled with Happiness!!

Mollie

Fried Deer Steak, Mashed potatoes & Green beans

This is my Husband FAVORITE MEAL EVER!!!

Fried Deer Steak

1 package of deer steak...can't find it in the store- ask your local hunter!
3-4 cups of Flour
2 sheets of wax paper
Salt
Pepper
Cast Iron skillet ( you can use regular-it is not the same, it will do though)
2 cups of Canola Oil

Put your oil in the skillet and turn on medium-high.
While oil is getting hot- Prepare meat.
If you meat is NOT tenderized....wait to heat oil- it takes longer.

Prepare meat-
Take each piece, trim fat off (white part) and tenderize with either and tenderizer mallet or a Knife (by making short small movements on meat)
Then salt & pepper each side and set aside.
When all the meat is done- move on to flouring

Flouring Meat-
Take your wax paper and lay in a cross shape- (this way when you are through you fold all four sides of wax paper up and make a ball to throw in the trash)
Add flour to middle of wax paper
Then take each piece of meat and flour each side- twice.
If your oil is HOT enough place it in the skillet (to know if you oil is hot enough, throw a pinch of flour in the skillet- if it sizzles, it is ready. If NOT wait a little longer)

Let each piece sit in hot oil for a few minutes, moving it with a fork to make sure it doesn't stick to pan. Then turn and when both sides are golden to medium brown remove.

After first batch might need to remove heat to medium- so grease does not burn!!

I lay the steak on a plate with a paper towel to drain the grease.


IF YOU HAPPEN TO BURN THE GREASE remove from heat completely....or cause a GREASE FIRE......take that FLOUR on the wax paper you have and throw it on the pan. Call the Fire department if that doesn't do it--- and get out of the house......PLEASE!!!

Mollie's Kitchen is NOT responsible for any Kitchen Fires- But my own!!

Side items are:
1 bag of frozen Pict sweet Cracked Pepper Seasoned Green Beans with Red Pepper & Onions
Follow instructions on cooking on the bag.

Homemade Mashed Potatoes (click to get recipe)

This a good southern meal- Hope you like it!!

*Rating...5 trips back to the Kitchen*