Nov. 8th - 13th

Okay, so I'm back home and enjoying getting back to my regular routine. First things first, what do I have in my freezer and pantry that I can make for meals and what do I need to go shopping for? The rest of this week will be meals with stuff I already have. A few items might need to be purchased though.

CHICKEN ALFREDO SOUP

This is another favorite of my boys. (Not my husband though, he can't eat broccoli so I usually make it on a night when he has to work!)

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken (I like the thighs for this one)
6 C. water
8 oz. angel hair pasta
6 Chicken Bouillon Cubes
1/2 onion diced
3 C. milk
3 C. 1/2 & 1/2 (For thicker soup use real cream)
1 1/2 lb. Velveeta cheese
1 package frozen broccoli florets cooked
2 tsp. garlic salt
2 tsp. pepper

Cut up chicken and cook ahead of time. Set aside. In large soup pot over Med-Hi heat, pour in water& bouillon cubes and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add onions and pasta; cook for 2 min. Add milk, cream, seasonings & chicken. Mix well and let heat up for approx. 5 min. Add cheese and broccoli. Let simmer until cheese is fully melted, about 15 min. Serve immediately but be sure to have spoons and forks to eat this with! French bread on the side goes great!


HAM & BEAN SOUP

1 1/2 lb. dried Navy Beans
7-8 C. water
1 pkg. Ham Hocks
1/2 onion chopped
2 celery stalks finely chopped (optional)
1 Tbs. salt (approx.)
2 C. chopped cooked ham
2 tsp. pepper

Pour beans in a dish and pick out any rocks or broken pieces. Pour into large soup pot with water. Add onions and Ham Hocks and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn down to Med. heat and let boil for approx 5 hours. In the middle of the boiling time, add seasonings. (Add the salt slowly and taste for preference) The last hour, add the cooked ham. If you have dogs, they will love the Ham hocks. These are mainly just for flavoring, NOT TO EAT!!


MEATLOAF

There are A LOT of recipes for this out there and after reading several of them, I kind of combined a few and came up with my own recipe! The boys love it so I kept it!

1 1/2 lb. ground hamburger
1 1/2 lb. ground pork sausage
1 package stuffing mix (I use the cornbread flavor)
2 eggs
1 small onion chopped
2/3 C. BBQ sauce
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 C. ketchup
4-5 slices raw bacon

Preheat oven to 350. In a large mixing bowl, place hamburger, sausage, stuffing, onions and eggs. mix together will with your hands. Add in BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce and pepper. Mix again. Shape into a casserole dish. Spread ketchup over top and lay bacon over. Place in oven and bake for 1 hour. DRAIN ALL GREASE WHEN DONE!!


BANANA PUDDING DESSERT

1 5 OZ. packet French Vanilla Pudding Mix
3 C. milk
1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 Small container Cool Whip
3-4 Bananas sliced
Vanilla Wafers

Mix pudding, milk and Condensed Milk. Once thick, FOLD in Cool whip. In 11x13 in. casserole dish, line bottom with vanilla wafers. Place sliced bananas on top. Pour pudding mix over bananas and place in fridge to set. Just before serving, Place more Vanilla Wafers around edge of dish or crumble over top.