Blender Blunder

I really, really do not want to go into specific details about this mistake. However, the lesson that I learned was this: make sure the blender lid is on tight before pressing any buttons. Thank you! Lesson learned!

Great Green Chili

Soon, very soon, we'll be able to eat soup again.

8 cups chicken broth
1 onion, finely chopped
2 lbs chicken breast
2 pkgs chicken gravy mix
3 cans (7 oz) mild diced green chiles
6 cloves minced garlic
1/2 c fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 tsp ground cumin
2 jalapenos, seeded and chopped
1 can (28 oz) white hominy, drained
flour tortillas
1 tomato, diced
sour cream

In a large pot, combine chicken broth, onion and chicken breasts. Heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer until chicken is no loger pink about 20 minutes. Remove chicken from broth and set aside to cool.

Use a whisk to blend gravy mix into the broth. Then add chiles, garlic, cilantro, cumin, jalapenos and hominy. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; then reduce heat to low.

Shred chicken and add it back into the broth. Cover and simmer for 40 minutes.

Warm flour tortillas. Spoon a portion of the green chili into bowl, top with a spoonful of diced tomato and a tablespoon of sour cream. Fold a warmed tortilla, and place it beside the bowl of chili for dipping. Serve and enjoy!

(This recipe comes from my favorite cookbook "Eating for Life" by Bill Phillips)

Carrabas Bread Dipping Sauce

I just found this recipe. I haven't tried it yet but was excited to share!

1 tablespoon fresh minced basil
1 tablespoon fresh minced parsley (Italian best)
1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup olive oil
1/8 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Combine all except oil and lemon juice in a small food processor or coffee bean grinder. Chop briefly until all about the same size. Stir in olive oil and lemon juice. To serve, combine about 1 1/2 tsp. herb mixture to 3-4 Tbsp. olive oil mixture on a small dish. Dip sliced bread in mixture.

Lisa's Banana Bread

I save old bananas in the freezer until I have enough for a batch. Thaw them on the counter or in the microwave before using in the recipe. Then cut off the tops with kitchen shears and squeeze the runny bananas out of the peel.

10 ripe bananas
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3 cups sugar
2/3 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups chopped nuts-- wait, who cooks with nuts in the Davis family, anyway! No nuts!

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray loaf pans with cooking spray and coat with granulated sugar. Combine bananas, eggs, oil, sugar, and sour cream. Add vanilla. In seperate bowl mix flour, salt, and baking soda. Combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour into loaf pans and bake until knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Six mini loaf pans bake for 55-60 minutes. Three regular loaf pans bake for 1 1/2- 2 hours. Remove bread from pans and let cool on countertop.

Lisa's Cookies

AKA- Rocky Mountain Cookies. This is the recipe that I use when I'm the one making cookies at our house. When Trevor is making cookies, he uses his own recipe.

1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups old-fashioned oats
2 cups Rice Krispies cereal (no substitutions, Kally)
1 (12-ounce) bag chocolate chips

In a large bowl cream together sugars and butter. Add eggs, vanilla and beat well. Sift dry ingredients into a seperate bowl. Add to mixture. Fold in oats, cereal, and chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoons onto a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until very lightly browned. Makes 4-6 dozen, depending upon how much dough is swipped before baking!

Flaky Pie Crust

I got this from a pie class taught by Kim Morgan. The directions and measurements do need to be followed exactly.

2 c. flour
1/8 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. shortening
1/2 c. cold milk
1 Tbs. sugar

In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Cut in the shortening until mixture resembles small peas. Add cold milk and mix with a fork until dough follows fork around the bowl. The dough will be sticky, allow it to rest for 5 minutes. (Really, do this. I would be inclined to keep going. Why should dough get the chance to rest? I don't.) Roll on a floured board. Makes enough pastry for 2, 9" pie plates (with no crust on top) or 1 doubl crut pie (with crust on top.) Baking time depends on your filling. Check the filling recipe or cans for baking instructions.

Fruity Coleslaw

4 cups coleslaw mix
1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
1 apple, chopped
3/4 c. mayonnaise
1/3 c. lemon pie filling (go ahead, eat the rest!)
1 tsp. cider vinegar
1/4 tsp. celery salt
sprinkle salt
sprinkle pepper

In a large serving bowl combine coleslaw, grapes and apple. In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Pour over coleslaw and toss to coat. Chill until serving.