Chicken Taco Soup (link)

We enjoy this meal!  Last night I made it in the pressure cooker (Instant Pot style) instead, using 2 large cans of chicken instead of chicken breasts and cooking for 5 minutes with a quick release.  Delicious! 

I have used the beer recommended in the recipe, and I have subbed 2 c. chicken broth for it, too.  Either way.  We have one family member that doesn't like beer taste.

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup

(not my image)

Old-Fashioned Custard Pie

Nothing fancy, just tasty and smooth.

Custard Pie 

• 9 inch unbaked pie shell 
• 4 eggs 
• 2/3 c. sugar 
• 1/2 tsp. salt 
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg 
• 2 2/3 c. scalded hot milk (use part heavy whipping cream for an extra rich pie) 
• 1 tsp. vanilla 

Heat oven to 450°F.  Beat eggs slightly, then beat in rest of ingredients.  Pour into pastry-lined pan.  Bake 15 minutes, then (without opening oven door) reduce heat to 350°F and bake 10 - 15 minutes more, until a knife inserted into the filling 1" from side comes out clean.   The center may still look soft but will set later.  TOO LONG baking time makes the custard "weepy" or watery-looking.  Serve slightly warm, or cold. 

Note:  can also bake at 425°F for 25 - 30 minutes instead of switching temps.

60 Minute Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls are a delicious compliment to your hot beverage on a cold morning.  These actually take a little longer than 60 minutes to make, but they're worth it!  I let them rise a little longer than the recipe says, and carefully watch them in the oven so they don't get too dark.

60 Minute Cinnamon Rolls

• 4 1/2 tsp (2 pkt) yeast
• 1/4 c. warm water
• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• 2 c. warm milk
• 1/2 c. butter
• 1/4 c. sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 6 c. flour

Dissolve yeast in 1/4 c. warm water with sugar, in a small bowl. Pour warm milk over butter, sugar and salt. Cool a little. Add 6 cups flour and yeast mixture. Knead in bowl for 5 minutes. Let stand for 15 minutes in a warm place. Roll out into large rectangle with rolling pin or your hands.
Mix: 1 1/2 c. sugar, 4 tsp. cinnamon and 1 c. raisins (optional) Brush dough with a bit of melted margarine and sprinkle with sugar mixture. Roll up, starting with long edge and seal edge. Using dental floss or a very sharp serrated bread knife, cut into slices. Place slices in greased pan(s) and let stand in warm place for 15 minutes. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. When done, top with powdered sugar glaze while still warm.

Powdered sugar glaze:

• 1 Tbsp. butter, soft
• 1 c. powdered sugar
• milk, a tsp. at a time

Work the powdered sugar into the butter.  To be honest, it won't look like anything resembling a glaze yet.  Add milk until spreading/drizzling consistency.  You may have to add a bit more powdered sugar.  Drizzle/spread over slightly warm cinnamon rolls.

Substitutions in the kitchen

There comes a time in every kitchen when an ingredient for a recipe isn't on hand.  What can you do?  Make your own substitute!

1 c. sour milk or buttermilk:  use 1 tsp. lemon juice or vinegar in a measuring cup, then add milk to equal 1 cup.

1 square unsweetened chocolate:  3 Tbsp. cocoa powder stirred into 1 Tbsp. melted butter

1 c. honey:  1 1/4 c. sugar plus 1/4 c. water

1 tsp. baking powder:  use 1/4 tsp. baking soda plus 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

1 c. self-rising flour:  use 1 c. all purpose flour, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1 tsp. baking powder

1 Tbsp. fresh herbs:  use 1 tsp. dried herbs

1 small fresh onion, diced:  use 1 Tbsp. instant onion (can rehydrate)

1 c. brown sugar:  use 1 c. granulated (white) sugar with 2 to 4 Tbsp. molasses

1 c. powdered sugar:  use 1 c. granulated sugar plus 1 tsp. cornstarch

1 c. tomato juice:  use 1/2 c. tomato sauce plus 1/2 c. water

1 tsp. dry mustard:  use 1 Tbsp. prepared yellow mustard

Delicious Soft Meatloaf

Ah, meatloaf.  There are sooo many ways to make it, and this is one that we've found to have a soft texture good for little ones and those that can't chew easily.  We think it has good flavor, too!


Delicious Soft Meatloaf
2 lb. ground beef
1 c. Ritz crackers (plain works fine, but the roasted vegetable flavored crackers are good in this recipe!)
1 c. milk
1/2 c. ketchup
1/3 c. chopped onion
1 egg
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Mix all ingredients together and form any loaf shape you like; place in any baking dish that you prefer.  Bake at 350°F for an hour.  I recommend testing the loaf with a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf, and you want it to read at least 160°F.  Remove from oven.

Slice and serve.

Note: you can also top with your choice of sauce/ketchup about 45 minutes into baking.

Delicious Cornbread

Cornbread.  Everyone's mother makes it their own way, I'm sure.  I don't know if my mom just didn't know how to make cornbread or what, but I never liked it.  Cornbread was dry and gritty and just...ugh.  

Then one of my adult sons made his own version of cornbread, using a Jiffy mix.  DELICIOUS!  I'm sure there are many other recipes for this kind of cornbread, but this is one that we put together and enjoyed!

I made it again yesterday to accompany gumbo.  My 1 year old granddaughter decided to make the cornbread her dinner, turning up her nose at chicken & gravy.  She had 3 pieces with her milk!

I didn't really follow a recipe.  My son gave vague instructions, and here is what I did.

Delicious Cornbread
2 boxes Jiffy corn muffin mix
1 can cream corn (whole corn will work, too)
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
2 eggs
2/3 c. milk

Mix all together.  Pour into greased 9 x 13 pan.  Bake at 400°F for 22 - 24 minutes.  

Note: recipe can be halved