Tomato-Basil Soup

My friend, Heidi, brought this soup to our soup swap this week and we LOVED it.  Nathan is a huge fan of tomato soup, but I can’t stand the stuff in the can.  This has a hint of orange that makes it more full flavored.  From the cookbook Fix, Freeze, Feast.  As written, this recipe [...]

Bacon, Onion and Mushroom Pizza

We really liked this.  I used a good white cheddar from Costco, and it made the pizza great.  I wouldn’t substitute with regular cheddar on this pizza.
one recipe pizza dough (OR 1 can refrigerated French bread dough, 11 oz)
2 t olive oil
2 cups vertically sliced onions (about 2 small)
1 (8 oz) pkg cremini mushrooms
1 1/2 [...]

Greek Chicken

Easy dinner I’m just putting out here to remind myself about.  It’s really easy and most of the ingredients are normal pantry staples.  We sauteed chicken breasts (or your can grill them), then I put a bit of Caesar Vinegratte on the warm chicken, after it was cooked, and topped with about a cup of [...]

Fresh Tomato Basil Pasta

Oh heavens this is so yummy.  Thank you, Sisters Cafe, for the idea.  It is a perfect way to use the tomatoes on my extremely overactive cherry tomato plant.  Good chance we’ll be eating this once a week until the tomatoes are done.
2 cups, firm tomatoes, diced
1 Tb fresh chopped basil or 1 tsp dried [...]

Orange Beef and Broccoli

This was good, but not fabulous. I’m posting it even though it’s not 5 stars because it’s so fast, and good enough that I’m sure we’ll have it again because it’s so quick and easy.
12 oz (-ish) broccoli florets
1/3 cup beef broth
1/3 orange marmalade
2 T soy sauce
1/4 t salt
2 T cornstarch
1 (1 lb) cube steak, [...]

PW’s Potato Bundles

Most excellent.  I didn’t follow her recipe,  but the idea is so easy and versatile you can substitute so many different spices and veggies.  We LOVED this and will be doing it again.  Often.
Russet potatoes, cut into chunks
Yellow or white onion, cut into chunks
Butter (regular, salted)
Heavy cream
Kosher salt
Paprika
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons minced parsley
Pile potatoes [...]

Crockpot Ranch Pork Roast

Love this.  Costco has pork roasts in a 3 pack for $1.99/lb.  Stick one roast in the crockpot with some water (maybe 2 cups?) and 1/2 a packet of dry ranch dressing.  That’s IT.  We love it best with PW’s Crash Hot Potatoes or Parmesean Sweet Potatoes and rolls or french bread on the side.

Stanford’s Chicken

Nathan ordered this almost every time we went to Stanford’s in Walnut Creek.  He probably still does.  When he goes there (home).  On business.  Without me.  Anyway, this is our version.
Cook chicken breasts on stovetop or in the stove in your favorite bbq sauce (we like Cattleman’s).  Five minutes before you’re ready to plate them [...]

Crab Tacos

We love love these.   They’re easy and are fresh and perfectly summery.
4 Roma tomatoes, halved, seeded and sliced (I used 2 ample handfuls of grape tomatoes)
1 large clove garlic, minced
2 large jalapenos, halved, seeded, sliced, divided
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, divded
3 T fresh lime juice
1 t olive oil
1/2 c chopped onion
8 ounces cooked crab, shelled
8 taco [...]

Loaded Baked Potatoes

I think we’ll do loaded baked potatoes for dinner tonight.  It’s still cold and snowy and something warm and low effort sounds perfect. I thought I’d make a list of toppings that we like and that sound good – did I miss your favorite?  Let me know!
broccoli
melted cheddar
bacon crumbles
tomatoes
green onions
chili
black beans
kidney beans
bleu cheese (with the [...]