Creamy Chunky Potato Soup

image from www.timeinc.net

6 cups cubed potatoes (leave the skin on...its better for you)

2 cups chopped carrots

2 cups chopped celery

1 large yellow onion chopped

1 bunch green onions (chop whites up through light greens)

3 cups water

2 cubes chicken bouillon

1-2 tsp minced garlic

1-2 tsp salt

1-2 tsp pepper

2 Tbsp butter

3 cups cream or milk

1/4 cup flour

1 1/2 cups chopped ham or bacon

2 1/2 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese

In a large pot combine the water, bouillon, potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, green onions, garlic, salt & pepper, and butter. Bring to a boil.

In another bowl combine flour and cream/milk

Pour flour/milk into boiling pot of veggies. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer.

Add ham/bacon and continue to simmer for 30 minutes to an hour. Soup will thicken nicely.

Add the cheese either into the pot or just on top after serving....

Serve in a lovely breadbowl, too, if you can. :)

P.S. Just as I do with most of my recipes here,

I kind of just made this up

so if you try it leave a comment

and let me know if you love it or hate it. :)

Calling all Lady Chefs!

Ladies,
We are all STILL cooking, I'm sure, but we've forgotten about posting our recipes to share with everyone!

Now, more than ever, we want all of your recipes and ideas! Please jump back on board the PLEASANT AND PLUMP train and show us what you've got! We have had a huge number of "hits" to this site, so its obvious we're being watched!

Lets make it a goal to post a new recipe at least once a month...that should be easy especially since you cook with so many MORE recipes than that a week!

Here's to a new year and new tastes!
Hearty Hugs!

Fancy Lemon Pancakes

My mom has introduced me to a cooking catalogue called "King Arthur Flour" and in it I've bought all kinds of fun things to cook with. When my recent order came in there was this recipe included. Can't wait to try it but had to share it with everyone! Let me know what you think!

3 large eggs separated

2 cups buttermilk

3 Tbsp sugar

1 cup skim ricotta cheese

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

2 Tbsp grated lemon rind or 1/2 tsp lemon oil

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

Beat together the egg yolks, buttermilk, sugar, and ricotta cheese. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, lemon, nutmeg, and salt, stirring gently.

In a separate bowl, bea tthe egg whites until stiff and then gently fold them into batter.

Drop batter onto skillet and cook on both sides until golden brown.

Serve with honey butter!!!

3/4 cup butter

1/4 cup honey

OR HAVE TAMARA TEACH YOU HOW TO MAKE HER SPECIAL HONEY BUTTER!!! :) MAYBE SHE WILL POST HER RECIPE HERE...

Oatmeal Carmelitas

I think some people call these Turtle Bars, but I haven't yet found a recipe that I really really like under that name. But I recentlycame across these "Carmelitas" in a recipe book I have and found them quite scrumptious. Let me know what you think!

Crust:
2 cups flour
2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup softened butter

Filling:
1 x 12.5 oz jar (1 cup) caramel ice cream topping
2 Tbsp flour
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 13 x 9 inch pan.

Combine all the crust ingredients and when the mixture is crumbly, press half of it into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, mix together the caramel sauce and flour. When crust is done partially cooking, sprinkle the nuts and chocolate chips onto the crust, pour the caramel mixture over it, and then sprinkle the remaining crust mixture on top. Bake for another 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool for an hour, then cut into bars.

Asain Lettuce Wraps

Found this recipe online and we love it!

1 lb. ground turkey

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp minced garlic

2 tsp fresh ginger root

Cook turkey with above ingredients in skillet. Break up turkey (like taco meat)

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/3 cup water

3 tbsp lemon juice

2 tsp minced garlic

1 tbsp ginger root

1 tsp brown sugar

mix above ingredients for sauce

cooked rice (I cooked my rice with chicken bullion and soy sauce to give it some asian flavor)

shredded carrot

green onions

rd. bell pepper

lettuce leaves

whatever else you would like as toppings

Use lettuce leaves as "shells" - put some meat and rice and top with veggies. Spoon on sauce as desired.

Its super healthy and DELICIOUS - and quick and easy to make!!