Chicken Noodle Soup

I'm on Day 39 in the hospital on bedrest with my second child. My family and friends have brought me food from Pei Wei, Outback, Doubledaves, Carrabas, PF Changs, Antonio's, Chick-Fil-a, Thai Cuisine, Panera Bread, and Taco Deli. (Don't you worry, I've experienced countless meals from "Room Service" as well (that's what the hospital calls--THE CAFETERIA).

Tonight though, my sweet mother brought me a bowl of homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. It was delicious. I think Mom spent the entire day making it, starting with a trip to the grocery store and cooking a whole chicken (something I don't think I'll ever do).

I'm a pretty picky soup eater too--it has to be cool out, but I made an exception for Mom today and I'm so glad I did. Her soup was fantastic! I could taste the rosemary and Italian seasoning and the soup was filled with tender bits of celery and carrots.

She said the recipe was Paula Deen's and I wanted to share, it's a keeper!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/the-ladys-chicken-noodle-soup-recipe/index.html

Thanks for taking care of me Mom, I love you!

Fantasy Food

Breakfast: Steel Cut Oatmeal

We love this stuff at our house. I'm craving it, it's comforting oatmeal with a great "pop" in it's texture. Riley loves his with honey, milk, and blueberries.



Lunch: Steamy Kitchen's Thai Chicken Coconut Soup (Tom Ka Gai)

I actually ate this yesterday from Thai Cuisine and it was divine (Thanks, Babe (for picking it up) and Shayne (for recommending it), with a little Pad Thai, of course!

I had to find a recipe and whaddaya know I find one--by a friend of Pioneer Woman's! Well, of course it's got to be the best one out there, so I'm sharing!!


http://steamykitchen.com/3133-thai-chicken-coconut-soup-tom-ka-gai.html

Dinner: Macaroni and Cheese

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/04/macaroni-cheese/

and a collection of macaroni and cheese recipes from Food Network (um, the Lobster Mac and Cheese sounds pretty delightful).

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipe-collections/macaroni-and-cheese/index.html

Beyond Pumpkin Pie

Confession #1--I don't like pumpkin pie, but I will pretty much try anything else with pumpkin in it. This has NOT always been the case for me. I was never in love with pumpkin until the Fall of 2006 when I was pregnant with my son. Now, scouting out pumpkin recipes is a mini obsession. One of the many reasons I love fall...

Some pumpkin recipes I routinely make: Dinner in a Pumpkin, Melissa's Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, Pumpkin Dip, and Pumpkin Crunch (like Dump Cake, but with pumkin).

I'm going to post some pumpkin/Halloween recipes I wish I could try. Will the hospital let me have an Easy Bake Oven in my room? :-) What a fun blog that would be!! I may be on to something...

Confession #2--You know, I've never liked candy corn either. It sure does fascinate me though, it's pretty, fun, cheap, and yet another fabulous fall treat. Here are some candy corn goodies I found:

Candy Corn Bark
(I'm all about my sweet tooth, but this may be TOO sweet! Maybe a little more pretzel and a little less sweet treats?)

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Candy-Corn-Bark/Detail.aspx

Candy Corn Cordial

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/candy-corn-cordials-recipe/index.html

Lick the Bowl Good's Candy Corn Rice Krispie Treats

http://lickthebowlgood.blogspot.com/2009/10/candy-corn-fun.html

Smitten Kitchen's Pumpkin Waffles
http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/11/pumpkin-waffles/

Real Simple's Pumpkin Cornmeal Muffins

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=640875

101 Cookbook's Thai Spiced Pumpkin Soup
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/001525.html

The Mother Load's Creamy Pumpkin Pasta

http://www.momadvice.com/blog/2009/09/creamy-pumpkin-pasta.html

(This looks great, but I don't love Italian Sausage--would probably substitute with ground turkey sausage, even sausage links or good ol' Jimmy Dean in this one!)

Sunset's Spicy Avocado Poblano Salad

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1886169
I should stop, but I can't....

Cooking Light's Pumpkin Ravioli with Gorgonzola Sauce

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1673006

On to some sweet treats...

Libby's Pumpkin Roll

http://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/detail.aspx?ID=32372

Picky Palate's Pumpkin Spice and Chocolate Caramel Corn
http://picky-palate.com/2009/10/19/pumpkin-spice-and-chocolate-caramel-corn/

Picky Palate's Black Bottomed Mini Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites

http://picky-palate.com/2009/09/17/black-bottomed-mini-caramel-pumpkin-cheesecake-bites/

Lick the Bowl Good's Pumpkin Spice Latte:

This one is by far prettier than Starbuck's version!

http://lickthebowlgood.blogspot.com/2009/11/cozy.html

I'm Really Enjoying This...

Today I'll be fantasy cooking from this kitchen (I remodeled!):

(Photos from hgtv.com)

Breakfast:
Pioneer Woman's Migas
http://http//thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/09/ree-drummond-migas/

No Onions or bell pepper for me, so these are definitely prettier!

Lunch:

Rachael Ray's Chipotle-Pumpkin Black Bean Soup

http://www.rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=858

With a few Julio's Corn Tortilla Chips or some French Bread...yummy!

Dinner:
Paula Deen and Bobby's Baked Tilapia

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/bobbys-baked-tilapia-recipe/index.html

Ina Garten's Parmesan Roasted Asparagus

And dessert:

This is very interesting, not my usual fare, but it's peaked my curiosity and I can't stop thinking or talking about it, so had to post it here. Lots of flavors, textures, and ingredients that don't usually all end up at the same pan, but I have to try it!

Sunny Anderson's Strawberry Chocolate Jiggle Fluff Pie
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sunny-anderson/strawberry-and-chocolate-jiggle-fluff-pie-recipe/index.html

Wishful Thinking

I haven't posted in a while...and probably won't for a while, as I am on bedrest! Since I think about cooking and baking, I thought it would be fun if I posted some things I wished I was making, eating, or sound delish as I sit here. How about that guys? It'll be fun...

Oh, I'm so excited!!!

And while cooking and baking fictional food, let's just imagine me in this fictional kitchen, k?




I'm hungry, it's time for breakfast, so how about my fictional breakfast meal? Here it is:

Picky Palate's Pumpkin Spiced Cream Cheese Breakfast Rolls


http://picky-palate.com/2009/10/12/pumpkin-spiced-cream-cheese-breakfast-rolls/

And my cup of Starbucks would normally be a spiced pumpkin latte at this point in the year, but since I've had my pumpkin fix with the breakfast rolls, we'll go with something a little less foofy this morning, not as sweet as I usually go.



(this, of course is a fictional Starbucks location I'm having my coffee...hmmmmm, where shall I be?)

Oh this is more fun than I thought--I can't wait for lunch!!

Fictional Lunch: (No Onions, of course...)

Ezra Pound Cake's Grilled Vegetable and Goat Cheese Sandwich


Link won't work, so copy and paste to see original blog:
http://www.ezrapoundcake.com/archives/3836

with a side of these, please!



Copy and paste link:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4847072_pan-fried-pickles-panko.html

(I have made fried pickles and loved the recipe I have. Robbye and I made them one weekend because she has a deep fryer and I don't--thank goodness. My preference is pickle slices, NOT spears, and the panko gave it a very good texture--I did find lots of recipes that used a cornmeal breading, but to me the panko packs a good crunch!)

And dinner..

Greta made this and told me it was great--not surprised since it's from Pioneer Woman--she's my hero! I've been craving Asian this pregnancy and have wanted to make these but haven't gotten around to it yet.

Pioneer Woman's Simple Sesame Noodles



Copy and paste (WHY can't I post a link today?)
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/09/simple-sesame-noodles

Pioneer Woman says simple is best on this one, but I might add some shredded carrots or matchstick cucumbers...and No Onions, of course!

Squash Casserole

Another oldie I never posted. 

Squash Casserole

2 lb. yellow squash
1 cup grated carrot
NOT 1/2 cup diced onion
1 14.5 oz can chicken broth
1 can cream of mushroom soupo
2 T mayonnaise
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 cup crushed cornflakes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cut squash into 1/2 inch rounds.  Cook squash and next 3 ingredients in large skillet over medium heat, stirring often, 25 minutes, or until tender.  Drain well, reserving broth for another use; pat squash mixture dry with paper towels.

Stir together mushroom soup and next 3 ingredients in a large bowl; stir in squash mixture until blended.  Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 11x17 inch baking dish; sprinkle with crushed cornflakes.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

(Serves 4-6)
(Southern Living August 2008)

Mexican Coffee

Loved this stuff!  Definitely not an every morning coffee, but great for a special weekend treat or as an after dinner dessert.

Mexican Coffee

1/2 cup ground dark roast coffee
1 T ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
5 cups water
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup chocolate syrup
1 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
sweetened whipped cream
ground cinnamon to garnish

Place coffee in coffee filter or filter basket; add cinnamon and nutmeg.  Add water to coffeemaker; brew according to manufacturer's directions.

Combine brown sugar, chocolate syrup, and milk in large heavy saucepan.  Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves.  Stir in coffee and vanilla.  Serve immediately with a dollop of wh ipped cream; garnish, if desired.

(Makes 6 1/2 cups)
(Southern Living, January 1998)