and here comes the C-O-L-D!

Here in Michigan it’s hit the REALLY cold temperatures (getting close to or under ZERO) with wind chills of -11 degrees F. ; we’ve canceled my special needs group for the night because of it (we have students in wheelchairs and using walkers and with it that cold, it’s really miserable just getting from the parking lot to the building). Spent the greater part of the day babysitting my (now) 10 month old grandson – we had fun (he’s working on growling at the moment, so we did a LOT of that). We had a small amount of snowfall in the past few days making the side roads a bit slippery – SO glad I’m staying IN tonight! Last night was my Knit group and I got to Panera Bread at around 6 p.m. only to see a notice on the door: “This evening we will be closing at 7 p.m. for an employee food tasting of our new menu items.” Great . . . being it’s really cold, I didn’t expect many ladies (there were around 8 who came in & out); I stayed, chatting, until 7:05 (there were still LOTS of people in the place – not my job to worry about how they were going to gently get them all to leave!).

Now that we’re past the holidays (AND the holiday foods) I thought I’d start posting some winter foods – enjoy!

==========

2-ingredient Chocolate Coke Cake

1 box chocolate cake mix
1 (12 oz) can Coca-Cola
–
Preheat oven 350 degrees F.
In large bowl combine cake mix
& Coke using elec. mixer until
smooth. LIne a 9 X 13″ baking
dish with parchment paper &
pour batter into pan. Bake 35
minutes until a knife inserted into
center comes out clean. Cool
before cutting – use a sharp knife
to cut.

(recipe: kirbiecravings.com)
——————————

Mexican Chicken & Corn Chowder

3 T. butter or olive oil
1 to 1 1/2 lb. boneless, skinless
chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 large onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. paprika
1 lb. potatoes, cut into bite-sized
pieces
1 (14.75 oz) can cream-style corn
1 (10 oz) can Ro*Tel diced tomatoes &
green chilies
1 (12 oz) bag frozen corn
hot sauce, to taste (optional)
1 (32 oz or 4 C.) chicken broth
2 C. heavy cream
2 C. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
fresh cilantro, chopped (optional garnish)
–
In Dutch oven or soup pot melt butter over
medium-high heat. Add hcicken, onion,
carrots & garlic – cook, stirring occasionally,
until chicken is no longer pink. Stir in chili
powder, cumin, salt, paprika, potatoes,
cream-style corn, tomatoes, frozen corn,
hot sauce (if using), & chicken broth – bring
to boil then reduce heat to medium-low.
Cover & cook 10 minutes. Stir in cream &
cook over Low heat 7-10 minutes until
chowder is slightly thickened & potatoes
are fork-tender. Stir in cheese, stirring
frequently, until cheese melts. Serve,
garnished with cilantro, if desired.
Serves 8-10

(recipe: lovebakesgoodcakes.com)
———————————–
Crockpot Beefy Nacho Soup

1 lb. ground beef
2 T. taco seasoning
1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted diced
tomatoes
2 1/2 C. milk
8 oz. shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
(or mild), plus more for topping
–
crushed tortilla chips (garnish)
–
Brown ground beef in skillet over
medium-high heat; drain. Add taco
seasoning, tomatoes, cheese & milk.
Cover & cook on High 2-3 hours or Low
4-6 hours. Remove lid & stir well until
cheese is melted & combined. Top with
additional cheese & crushed chips, if
desired, when serving. Serves 6

(recipe: slowcookergourmet.net)
——————————-

Stuffed Chicken with Gravy

1 boneless, skinless chicken thighs*
1 (6 oz) box chicken stuffing mix
1 (12 oz) jar chicken gravy, heated
salt/pepper/garlic powder – to taste
–
Preheat oven 375 degrees F.
Spray a 9 X 13″ baking dish with
nonstick cooking spray. Prepare stuffing
mix accordg. to pkg. directions; cover &
set aside. Season chicken with salt/pepper
& garlic powder. Place about 1/4 C. stuffing
on each piece of chicken & wrap sides around
to create a little bundle – place in prepared dish.
Spoon remaining stuffing around chicken
bundles. Cover with foil & bake 20 minutes.
Remove from oven, remove foil & continue
cooking, uncovered, 15-20 minutes longer
until chicken is fully cooked. Pour gravy
over chicken & stuffing when ready to serve.

*can substitute chicken breast cutlets for thighs

(recipe: americantimesfood.com)
————————————-

Creamy Veggie Gnocchi

1 bunch asparagus, ends
trimmed & chopped into 1″
pieces
1 C. frozen peas, thawed
1 (16 oz) pkg. gnocchi
1 T. olive oil
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
1/2 C. Parmesan cheese, grated
1/3 C. Half & Half
1/2 lemon, juiced
salt/pepper, to taste
(optional) red pepper flakes,
garnish
–
Bring large pot of water to boil; add
gnocchi & cook accordg. to pkg.
directions. Drain. In a skillet on
medium-high, heat olive oil & onion.
Season with salt/pepper & saute
until translucent. Add garlic, stirring
until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add
chopped asparagus & saute 5-7
minutes until tender. Add peas &
gnocchi – cook 2 minutes. Pour
Half & Half and Parmesan cheese into
skillet & stir carefully to coat with
cream sauce. Sauce is done when
cheese has melted & cream sauce
has thickened. Add lemon juice &
toss before serving.
Serves 4-6

(recipe: 12 tomatoes.com)
————————————

Cheesy Salsa Mini Meatloaves

1 lb. ground beef
1/2 C. finely chopped onion
1 egg
12 saltine crackers, finely
crushed (about 1/2 C.)
1 1/2 C. Mexican-style (Kraft)
finely shredded Four Cheese,
divided
1 C. thick salsa, divided
–
Preheat oven 400 degrees F.
In bowl mix first 4 ingredients
with 1 C. cheese & 1/2 C. salsa.
Spray 12 muffin cups with nonstick
cooking spray & press mixture
into cups – use the back of a spoon
to make an indentation in center
of each. Cover a baking sheet
with foil & place muffin tin on sheet.
Bake 20-25 minutes until meatloaves
are done (160 degrees F.) Top with
remaining salsa & cheese – bake
3  minutes more until cheese is
melted.
Makes 12

(recipe: kraftrecipes.com)
——————————–

Pecan Pie Bread Pudding

1 (6 oz) mini loaf French bread,
cubed
6 large eggs
1 (14 oz) can Eagle Brand Sweetened
Condensed milk
3/4 C. dark corn syrup
1/2 C. firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 C. butter, melted
1 T. vanilla
1 1/2 C. coarsely chopped pecans,
divided
–
Optional:
vanilla ice cream
maple syrup
caramel ice cream topping
–
Spread bread cubes in a single
layer in 15 X 10″ baking pan.
Bake, stirring occasionally, 10
minutes until cubes are toasted.
Spray a 9 X 13″ baking dish with
nonstick cooking spray. Beat eggs
in large bowl using elec. mixer on
medium speed until fluffy. Blend
in Eagle Brand milk, dark corn
syrup, brown sugar, butter & vanilla.
Stir in toasted bread cubes & 1 C. pecans
until evenly moistened – pour into
prepared dish. Sprinkle with remaining
pecans & allow to stand 30 minutes.
=
Preheat oven 350 degrees F.
Bake 40-45 minutes until golden
brown around edges. Cool 5
minutes. Serve warm or cooled
with any options listed above,
as desired. Serves 9

(recipe: allrecipes.com)

======================

Since I now have a ‘free week’ until next
special needs group (next Weds.) I started
another ‘needy’ men’s scarf (had more
various gray yarn, so thought it seemed
like a good idea.) I was all happy I didn’t
have to go out until Sunday then
remembered I have a (church) baby
shower Saturday (yes, I knit a baby
blanket, hat & booties for it plus a few
more items to add to the bag). Oh well,
maybe by then it will be warmer & clear
on Saturday…(naw, who am I kidding!?)

Stay healthy (if you can), stay warm &
try to find something to amuse yourself
during the beginning of this New Year!

Hugs;

Pammie