Split Pea Soup


SPLIT PEA SOUP

1 Honey Baked Ham Bone
2 cups ham pieces
3 quarts water
1 small bag baby carrots, chopped
5 large stalk celery, leaves included, chopped
1 large Vidalia onion, chopped
2 cups split green peas
2 cups split yellow peas
1/4 cup barley
1/4 teaspoon marjoram
1/4 teaspoon basil leaves
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper & white pepper mix
1 bottle beer – Mystery ingredient

  • In a large stock pot, bring ham bone* & water to a boil. Boil until the meat is falling off the bone, about 1 – 1 1/2 hours)
  • Remove the bone and let cool enough so you can cut the meat off the bone.
  • In the mean time add the carrots, celery, onion (4 cups total) and seasonings to the water and return to a slow boil for 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
  • While the vegetables are boiling, rinse the peas and pick out any bad ones.
  • Cut the ham pieces off the bone. Refrigerate the ham pieces and discard the bone.
  • After the vegetables have cooked 45 minutes or until tender, add the peas and barley. Cook for another 1 1/2 hours.
  • Add the beer and ham pieces back in and cook another 1 1/2 hours.
*I always save my honey baked ham bones after the meat is all cut off. I then freeze them and save them for future soups. I always get at least 2 cups of meat off when I boil the bone.

This makes a huge batch and I always freeze it in several batches (3-4) for future easy weeknight meals. In this case it will be a big batch when everyone is here at Christmas.

TODAY’S TRIVIA as heard by hubby on an old game show – Campbell’s soup used to fill the bottom of the bowl with marbles so the vegetables would be at the top giving the appearance of more vegetables in each bowl of soup. That trick was not done here – what you see is what you get.

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Recipes, Cook Books and Decisions

So I need some advice. I’m trying to finish up my next cookbook and I need some Guinea pigs. You guys game? I have a list of recipes that I like, but need to pare down the list. I really want recipes from across the board and represent home style, you know like grandma used to make. I thought I could write up the list and get all of you to vote on your favorites for me to make, photo and post??

What recipes would you like to see posted in the near future?
Boston Cream Pie
Pork Fried Rice
Chicken Kiev
Monte Cristo Sandwiches
Peasant Chicken Breasts
Salmon Spread
Crab Cakes with Spicy Remoulade
Beef Wellington
Chicken Wellington
Split Pea Soup
Firecracker Shrimp
Creamed Corn
Pizza Dip
Turkey Tettrazini
Apricot Cheesecake
Cream of Tomato Pork Chops
Bruschetta Halibut
Tarragon Sherry Chicken
pollcode.com free polls
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Needing to Knead is almost here…

Have you heard about the Need to Knead Bread Roundup? I wanted to do a bread round up and Joy at Joy of Desserts, another Scrumptious Sunday offered to make this great button and co-host this bread Roundup on October 15th along with the help of Barbara at Candy Hearts and Paper Flowers who has so generously offered to be our Mr. Linky person. We will roundup all types of bread recipes. We already have a number of people signed up and it promises to be great. You are all invited to participate. We would love it if you would join us, and we would love it if you would help us spread the word by putting this button in your sidebars or even writing a short post about the roundup.

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Cream of Mushroom Soup or chicken mushroom or ham mushroom or …

8 + 4 tablespoons butter
8 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 box sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 large onion, chopped
1 cup sliced carrots
2 cups chicken or ham stock*
1 cup chopped chicken or ham* (optional)

In the bottom of a stock pot melt the 4 tablespoons of butter. Saute’ the mushrooms, celery, onion and carrots until tender. Add the 2 cups of stock and simmer for 30-45 minutes. Salt, pepper and paprika to taste.

In a saucepan melt the 8 tablespoons of butter. Add the flour and stir until well mixed and golden. Add milk and whipping cream slowly and alternately, stirring until smooth. Simmer over low heat until desired consistency. Add to mushroom mixture and simmer another 30 minutes.

*When using ham I like to use a Honey Baked Ham Bone to make my stock and I usually get more than a cup of ham pieces from it.

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Menu Plan Monday

Weekday breakfasts are always either toast or cereal so I don’t post those. Working from home, lunch is “whatever” so it isn’t definitive either, but weekends are usually a brunch and I will start posting those along with the dinners.

9/22 MONDAY ~ Taco Ring Salad
9/23 TUESDAY ~ Chicken Cordon Bleu & Applesauce
9/24 WEDNESDAY ~ Orange Honey Chicken & Fried Rice

9/25 THURSDAY ~ Great Grandma’s Chicken & NoodlesI’m working on a written recipe for this – I’ve made it from scratch for so long without a recipe – so it’s hard to write it down – LOL
9/26 FRIDAY ~
Chili and Beer Bread
9/27 SATURDAY ~ Heavenly Ham Hash /
Chicken Enchiladas & Refried Beans
9/28 SUNDAY ~ Quiche Lorraine /
Stuffed Pork Chops & Salad
SO
I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, Tasty Thursday hosted by Pumpkin Patch, Watchin’ What We Eat hosted by Lorie at Honey I Shrank Myself and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

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Scrumptious Sunday ~ Sesame Garlic Green Beans



Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks

Sesame Garlic Green Beans
1½ pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
1 bunch green onions, finely sliced
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons minced garlic (jar)

Cook the green beans for 5 minutes in boiling water.

While the beans are cooking, combine the soy sauce, sugar and oil, set aside. Spray a sauté pan with PURE. Over a medium heat sauté green onions and garlic until soft. Add the beans. Stir several minutes until well coated. Add soy sauce mixture, stirring constantly until most of the liquid is absorbed.

Pomodori Sherried Chicken Florentine with Angel Hair Pasta

Pomodori Sherried Chicken Florentine with Angel Hair Pasta

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
1 box chopped spinach, thawed and drained well
3 tablespoons sun-dried tomato pesto
1 can petite cut diced tomatoes, drained
2 cloves garlic or 2 teaspoons minced jar garlic

1 large bunch chopped green onion

2 + 2 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup cream sherry

1 cup
sauce
1 cup +/- mozzarella cheese

  • Whisk sun-dried tomato pesto into 2 tablespoons olive oil, mixing together well. Add spinach and tomatoes. Set Aside.
  • In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons olive oil to a medium high heat.
  • Add the chicken pieces and saute’ well.
  • Add garlic and onions and continue sauteing about 5 minutes.
  • Add sherry and basil. Lower heat and cook until a thick glaze sauce forms.
  • Toss with prepared pasta and spinach mixture.
  • Toss with sauce, top with mozzarella cheese and bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, Tasty Thursday hosted by Pumpkin Patch, Watchin’ What We Eat hosted by Lorie at Honey I Shrank Myself and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

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September Homemaking Shape-Up & Thank you

Barbara over at Candy Hearts and Paper Flowers has been hosting the Homemaking September Shape-Up. She had asked me to do some guest posts as well as other bloggers. I got this great package this morning, ON my birthday – she couldn’t have timed it better. It has a birthday card, a thank you card for a package I sent her and 1/2 of a Hallmark ornament set so we both have a 1/2, a CD of the songs to clean by and this great antique guide to entertaining (we may have to revisit some of the earlier posts on The Revival of Common Courtesy if I find some really good stuff). I can’ t wait to explore the great book.


Thanks again Barbara! I love it and it meant so much to me that you remembered.

Thank you everyone who stopped by
and wished me Happy Birthday.
It really means a lot to me.

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Honey Banana Whole Wheat Bread


Honey Banana Whole Wheat Bread

1 1/2 pound loaf

1/2 cup 1% milk, room temperature
1 tablespoons butter, cut into chunks
3 tablespoons honey
1 egg, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cup bread flour
1 medium banana sliced
1 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast

The beauty of bread machines is that they always want the same layering.
Liquids
Butter chunks, vanilla, egg & honey
Flour & Sugar
Yeast
The key to any good bread is using quality fresh ingredients.
Just remember, garbage in is garbage out.
Let your bread maker do the rest!

Don’t forget to come back and join us for the Bread Round-Up on October 15th.

Menu Plan Monday

9/15 MONDAY ~ Out for my birthday dinner
9/16 TUESDAY ~ Mexican Baja Casserole
9/17 WEDNESDAY ~ Spaghetti Bolegnese & Salad
9/18 THURSDAY ~ Sauteed Garlic Shrimp & Salad
9/19 FRIDAY ~ Meatloaf Muffins & Garlic Smashers
9/20 SATURDAY ~ Chicken and Onions in White Cream Sauce
9/21 SUNDAY ~ Beef Stew & Cheddar rolls

I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, Tasty Thursday hosted by Pumpkin Patch, Watchin’ What We Eat hosted by Lorie at Honey I Shrank Myself and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

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There is a NEW MEME in town

Joy at Joy of Desserts is hosting a new meme.
Head on over and check out the rules!

1. Almond Macaroons

2. Coconut Macaroons

3. Apple Pie

4. Peach Pie

5. Peach Cobbler

6. Black Forest Cake

7. Apple Tart

8. Tiramisu

9. Belgian Waffles

10. Ice Cream of all types

11. Macademia Nut Cookies

12. Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies

13. Cherry Clafouti

14. Lemon Curd

15. Candied Blueberries

16. Bread Pudding

17. Tapioca

18. Creme Brule

19. Pumpkin Pie

20. Brioche Egg Bread

21. Lemon Bundt Cake

22. Parfait

23. Cheesecake

24. Brownies

25. Maple Fudge

26. Chocolate Mouse

27. Pates de Fruit (Real Fruit Jellies)

28. Gingerbread

29. Madeleines

30. Boston Cream Cake

31. Berry Shortcake

32. Pecan Pie

33. Pot de Creme

34. Marzipan

35. Mexican Hot Chocolate

36. Compotes

37. Beignets

38. Applesauce Kugel

39. Truffles

40. Crepes

41. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

42. Blintzes

43. Eclair

44. Mille Feuilles (Napoleons)

45. Palmiers (Elephant Ears)

46. Chiffon Cake

47. Buche de Noel (Yule Log)

48. Lemon Meringue Pie or Key Lime Pie

49. Pound Cake

50. Cream Puffs (Petits Choux)

51. Turnovers (Chaussons)

52. Tartelettes aux Poires (Pear Tartelettes)

53. Mocha au Cafe

54. Cornets a la Creme (Cream Horns)

55. Glazed Strawberry Pie

56. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

57. Magic cookie bars

58. Banana Cream Pie

59. Dump Cake

60. Baked Alaska

61. Dirt Cake

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Tropical Glazed Roast Chicken

TROPICAL GLAZED ROAST CHICKEN

1 Whole Chicken
kosher salt & pepper
16 oz. can*
1 Bartles & Jaymes Tropical Mango Malt Ale
2-3 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon water
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup apricot pineapple jam or plain apricot
1/4 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons ground mustard
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees. Spray can with PURE.


Rinse and pat dry chicken. Tuck wings on the chicken. Puncture large fat deposits at top of thighs and breasts. Pat kosher salt and pepper onto chicken.

Fill can ½ full of Tropical Mango malt ale. Drink the rest. Spray 9 inch baking dish with PURE. Stand chicken over can in 9 inch baking dish.

Set oven shelf to lowest position.

Roast chicken 90 minutes OR until internal temperature is 140 degrees.

While chicken is cooking whisk cornstarch and water together until there are no lumps – set aside. Bring remaining ingredients to a simmer in a medium saucepan until reduced and thickened to about ¾ cup, 6-8 minutes.

Remove chicken from oven and increase heat to 500 degrees.

Slowly whisk cornstarch mix into glaze and simmer 1 minute. Remove from heat.

Place 1 cup water in saute’ pan and place in bottom of oven. Return chicken to oven for 15 minutes more.

Remove chicken and brush with ⅓ of glaze.** Return to oven until glaze is browned and sticky. About 10-15 minutes.

Remove from oven and brush with another ⅓ cup of glaze. Let rest 20 minutes.

Strain drippings and add to remaining glaze over low heat until heated through and use as gravy. I like to serve with mashed potatoes.

Recipe works really well on chicken legs too. If using these, foil tent the pan with the legs and can of ale for first 60 minutes to infuse the flavor.

*I use a green bean can that I put in the dishwasher after each use and reuse for future chickens. I like it better because of the more substantial than a beer can and supports the chicken throughout the cooking time.

**If glaze has become stiff, return to heat for a few minutes to soften.

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