Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

A neighbor brought this soup to me a while ago and it has quickly become a family favorite. In fact I made it last night so I could post a picture - unfortunately it was eaten before I got my camera out. I guess that isn't really a bad thing - family loving your dinner so much they eat it all. That doesn't happen around our house very often - very picky kids!!

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

2 boxes Uncle Bens original Long Grain and Wild Rice

cook this following directions on box except use only 3 cups water total and shorten time to about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile:

In pot saute -

2 T butter

4 carrots sliced

4 celery stalks chopped

1 onion diced

(cook until onions are translucent)

now add:

6 cups chicken stock ( this is more rich than chicken broth)

2-3 chicken breast cooked and cubed

(I bottled chicken and just use one bottle shredding the chicken as I add it - this is the easiest way to make this soup)

cooked Rice with any remaining liquid

1 pint whipping cream - you didn't think it was all going to be good for you did you?

I sometimes end up adding more chicken stock because the rice takes alot of the liquid - just do what you like.

Simmer and serve. YUM!!!

Hope you enjoy this as much as we do.

Peanut Butter Pie

This was a recipe that came from a class taken from the "Pie Goddess". This lady started making pies in our small town and sold them. She would get up to 30 dollars for one pie. She now makes them exclusively for a restaurant that opened a few years ago. She has a few others that I will share later on. I just thought for those of you who were looking for something different to serve this Thanksgiving, you might find this fun.

Peanutbutter Pie

8 oz. cream cheese
8 oz. whipped topping + 4 more oz. for topping (Cool Whip)
1 cup peanut butter
2 Butterfinger candy bars crushed (saveout 2 Tablespoons for garnish).

Combined all ingredients (except 4 oz of whipped topping) and spread into a prepared pie crust. Sed aside.

Melt 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips in microwave for 1 minute. Now add 1/2 cup whipping cream and microwave for another 30 seconds. Stir until well blended and spread on top of peanut butter pie filling. Garnish with whipped topping and crushed butterfinger candy bar.
Keep refrigerated. Serves up to 12.

Another picture I will need to take :) Also Uncle Matt loves peanut butter so if someone could make this for him... thanks!

Sausage Dip

Another favorite in the family. In fact I shared this with a friend who had a son that went on his mission to Ireland. She figured out some way to get the ingredients to him and that is what she sent him last Christma because it was one thing he loved. They use to make it almost every other day in their house (with 2 teenage boys). This is sure to be a big hit if you take it to a party. You just need to figure out how to keep it warm. Maybe a small crockpot? I have taken it in a bowl and then microwaved it when it cooled down. Serve it with tortilla chips.

Sausage Dip

1 package sausage (like Jimmy Dean)
3 1/2 (8 oz.) packages of cream cheese
2 cans Ro-Tel tomatoes (you can find these by the stewed tomatoes

Brown sausage in pan.



Add cream cheese and heat until smooth.


Add tomatoes and mix until well blended. Serve warm with tortilla chips.



This is what the Rotel Tomato can looks like

Popcorn Crispix Mix

I seriously can't believe I haven't posted this yet. No picture, but trust me, this will be a family favorite. It is also great to make, put in a cute bowl or bag and deliver to neighbors. I got this recipe from one of my sisters (I think Wendi). I usually go a little lighter on the popcorn and a little heavier on the Crispix. But you can make it however you want. Just trust me and make it!

Popcorn Crispix Mix

4 cups popcorn, popped
3 cups Crispix cereal
1/2 cup slivered almonds
2 cubes butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 bag miniature Marshmallows

In a large bowl combine popcorn and cereal. Melt butter in microwave. Add marshmallows and put back in the microwave for 30 second increments, stirring in between. When melted enough to make stirring consistency smooth, add brown sugar. Stir well and pour over popcorn and Crispix. Stir in almonds and enjoy!

I will get a picture next time I make it.