10 Bean Soup With Ham

Ingredients

• 3 cups ham (cubed)
• 16 oz. package of ten bean soup mix
• 2 celery ribs (chopped)
• 3 medium carrots (peeled and chopped)
• 1/2 medium sized yellow onion (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
• 3 bay leaves
• 4 medium sized potatoes (peeled and cubed)
• 2 heaping tablespoons chicken soup base or bullion
• 3 strips of bacon (chopped and browned)
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Soak beans in medium stock pot overnight according to bean package directions.

Add more water to beans until pot is about 1/2 to 3/4 full.  Add chicken soup base, bay leaves, onions, pepper, and garlic.  Allow to simmer on medium heat for about 2 - 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.  Add potatoes, carrots, celery, ham, and bacon.  Add more water if needed and continue to simmer for about another 1 - 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, or until veggies are tender.

~ This was tonight's dinner, and a hearty 2 day meal as well.  You can add more, or less of the vegetables I've listed, depending on how you like it.  If you prefer more garlic and onion, don't be afraid to add more.  I taste it as it simmers and make additions as well, such as more black pepper.  I'll be serving this with home made bread and/or crackers.  Great for chilly winter nights. ~

Calico Beans

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound thick sliced bacon
• 1 can pork and beans
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can lima beans
• 1 can butter beans
• 1 can garbanzo beans
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 3 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard

Directions

In large skillet, brown ground beef, drain fat and set aside.  Chop bacon and brown in smaller skillet, drain fat and set aside.  In large covered casserole dish combine remaining ingredients.  Do not drain liquid from canned beans, add them as they are.  Add ground beef and bacon.  Stir to combine.  Bake at 350 F for about an hour.

~ This makes a nice side dish to a simple dinner, such as grilled hamburgers, brats, hot dogs etc.  One of those set it and forget it dishes, easy and good! ~

Chicken Stew With Dumplings

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds chicken (your choice)
• 5 cups water
• 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon 
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon thyme
• 3/4 pound potatoes - diced
• 3 carrots - chopped
• 2 celery ribs - chopped
• 1 medium onion - diced
• 1 package frozen peas (or 1 can)

Dumplings

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup minced parsley

Directions

Place chicken and water and bouillon into a 5 quart pot.  Cover and cook over medium heat for about an hour and a half or until chicken is tender.  Remove chicken from broth and allow to cool before deboning and cutting into chunks.  Return chicken to pot with broth.  Add salt, pepper, basil, thyme, and vegetables and continue to simmer for another 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.  In small mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Stir in milk and parsley.  Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls into simmering stew.  Cook, uncovered for 10 minutes, then cover and continue to cook for an additional 10 minutes. 

~ You'll be surprised how hearty this is.  I like to chop my vegetables a little thicker too, but however you like them is fine.  I tried this version with the dumplings and it was a total hit with the family for yet another quick and economical two day meal! ~

Chicken And Rice Casserole

Ingredients

• 2 - 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups uncooked rice
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup frozen peas (or 1 can)
• 1 cup frozen corn (or 1 can)
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1 can cream of celery soup (or cream of chicken)
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
• 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Dice or chop chicken breasts into desired chunks, set aside.  In large covered casserole dish combine rice, water, cream soups, vegetables, bouillon, salt, and pepper.  Season the chicken breasts with poultry seasoning and add to the rice mixture.  Cover and bake for about an hour and a half.  About half way through the cooking time, uncover and stir .. add additional water if the rice mixture seems to be clumpy or solid.  Cover and continue to bake for the remaining time.

~ This is one of my favorite quick and easy dishes.  You can add what you want vegetable wise, but the variety of different colors is truly appealing.  A two day time saving, money saving meal! ~

Hearty Meatloaf With A Zip

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 - 2 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 1/2 teaspoons spicy brown mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (Heinz 57 or A1 Steak Sauce)
• 2/3 cup cracker crumbs

Glaze

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (Heinz 57 or A1 Steak Sauce)
• 2 tablespoons medium salsa
• 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Heat vegetable oil in skillet over medium heat.  Add onion, celery, green pepper, salt, thyme, and black pepper.  Cook, stirring until the vegetables are tender and onions are semi translucent, approximately 6 minutes.  Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

In a medium mixing bowl, wisk together eggs, milk, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.

Add ground beef, vegetables, and bread crumbs and mix all together with your hands.

Place the mixture into a 9 x 5 loaf pan using your hands to form a rounded loaf type top.

To make the glaze, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire and salsa in a small bowl.  Whisk to mix and spread evenly over the meatloaf.

Bake for about an hour and 15 minutes.

~ This is one hearty meatloaf with a tangy zip .. better than just plain old ketchup and bacon topped meatloaf,  like mom used to make! ~