Great Scott: October 2011

WHAT'S FOR DINNER? FAST CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

serves 8

2 qt water

2-4 cooked & shredded chicken breast halves
(I used the chicken Ryan smoked last night.)

1/2 t salt

1 t pepper

1 t garlic powder

2 T parsley

1 T onion powder

2 cubes chicken or vegetable bullion

1 chopped onion OR 3/4 C frozen chopped onion

16 oz jar salsa

14.5 oz can Rotel

10.75 oz can condensed tomato soup

15 oz can drained corn OR 1 C frozen corn

2 - 16 oz cans ranch style or chili beans, drained

1 small can sliced black olives, drained

sour cream

tortilla or corn chips

shredded cheddar cheese

Combine water, chicken, salt, pepper, garlic powder, parsley, onion powder, bouillon, onions, salsa, Rotel, tomato soup, corn, beans and olives together in a large stock pot. Mix well. Bring to a boil then turn down to simmer. Simmer for 30-45 minutes.

Serve with chips, sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese.

CHRISTMAS EVE FUN FOR THE KIDS: REINDEER FOOD

Every Christmas Eve while we were growing up, my mother would make reindeer food with us. Then we'd sprinkle it outside on the lawn and walkway in the anticipation that Santa and his reindeer were coming! On Christmas morning every year, it was so fun to go outside to see that ~~my parents had swept it all away to trick us~~ the reindeer really did eat it up! It was an exciting time then and it's more exciting now that I have a child to ~~trick~~ share that excitement and happiness with.

Isn't this a great idea for you and your kids to make and share with other kids that are friends and neighbors?

I spotted these free downloads for reindeer food tags on Tom Kat Studio. Of course, you could be super crafty and show me up and make your own amazing tags too.

Look in your pantry and craft area and choose the ingredients. I chose oatmeal, candy sprinkles and glitter.

Just fill a clear bag with as much reindeer food as you'd like, preferably at least half a cup.
Seal it with tape, a twisty-tie, yarn, staple, etc.
Add the tag and share this ~~cheap~~ fun gift.

HALLOWEEN WITCHES' BROOMS & SAUCE

Wouldn't this also be a great item to bring to your Halloween party this weekend or fun to make with your kids?
My 2 year old & I had a great time tonight making them.

WITCHES' BROOMS & SAUCE

make 24-32

1 (8 oz) can refrigerated breadsticks (12-16 breadsticks)

1 T plus 1 t olive oil OR olive oil non stick spray

1 T garlic powder or garlic salt

1/3 to 1/2 C grated Parmesan cheese

2 C marinara sauce

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Use a seasoned pizza stone or greased cookie sheets.

Unroll breadstick dough on work surface.

Cut dough in half crosswise and separate to make 12-16 strips.

Cut each on strips in half lengthwise to make 24-32 thin strips.

Place strips on pizza stone or cookie sheet 1" apart. You might have to do a couple of batches.

Using a small paring knife or kitchen scissors, make 4 thin cuts (2" long) on 1 end of each strip.

Spread out cut ends to make bristles of each broom.

Brush dough with oil or spray well with olive oil non stick spray.

Sprinkle with garlic powder and cheese.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve with marinara sauce.

HALLOWEEN MUMMY PIZZA

MUMMY PIZZA

makes 8 pieces of pizza

3/4 lb thinly sliced mozzarella cheese

1 loaf French or Italian bread

(I used a French wheat loaf.)

1 C pizza or pasta sauce

1/4 C sliced black olives

Use a pizza stone or line a large baking sheet with foil.

Cut the sliced cheese into 3/4 inch strips.

Cut the loaf in half lengthwise. Cut each half crosswise into 4 pieces. Place bread cut side up on the cookie sheet or pizza stone.

Toast the bread under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes.

Spread some of the sauce on top of the toasted bread to cover.

Arrange the cheese slices overlapping slightly on top of the sauce to look like bandages.

Add 2 olive slices for the eyes.

Place another slice of cheese over the olives to cover slightly.

Broil the pizzas until the cheese is slightly melted, 1 to 2 minutes.

APPLE CUPS with GARNISHED APPLE CIDER

Like most of you, we're going to a Fall Festival or Halloween party this coming weekend. With a little preparation, I thought this would be a perfect thing to bring to a party. Not only is it super cute but it's also a healthy snack after your done with your drink.

These are easier to make than what you might think and are such a charming way to enjoy a drink like apple cider at a party.

To make the apple cups, you'll need apples, a paring knife, and a spoon. If you have a melon baller, it will make the scooping a little easier.

On a cutting board, cut off the top of the apple. Carefully outline where you want the rim of your apple cup to be with a paring knife. 1/4″ wide is a good width.

Carefully scoop out the center of your apple with a spoon and/or a melon baller until you have a smooth cup.

If you need your apple to sit more level, slice off a few millimeters to even out the bottom. Be careful not to cut through into the cup or the cider will leak out.

Now brush a little lemon juice over the inside of the apples (to prevent browning). Then fill with your favorite apple cider, garnish with cinnamon or spices if you’d like, and serve.

If you're taking the apples somewhere, refrigerate the empty apples for up to 2 hours before you leave. Take all ingredients with you (drink like apple cider hot in a thermos and garnishes). When you get there a few minutes early, put the cider in the apple cups on trays or cutting board. Fill with cider and garnish with cinnamon sticks, whole cloves or star anise.

SHRUNKEN HEADS IN APPLE CIDER

Another great idea for a Halloween party!

I have to confess:

1. I didn't do the whole recipe as you can see. Why? I'm only doing it for you now for an idea and I'm afraid I'd have to waste a lot of it because Ryan, Canaan & I aren't going to drink two gallons of cider in 2 days.

2. Canaan's taking a nap and I wanted to hurry and finish this for you before he wakes up so I'm sorry I didn't actually "shrink" the heads in the oven. A short cut that I know will get me into trouble if I don't tell you now. If you were to put them in the oven as I've state below, it will make the heads so much more "shrinky" and "gross." I recommend it when you don't have a 2 year old you're afraid of after he wakes up from a nap.