This is one of those mornings (Monday) when you hope you don’t have to go anywhere. There is some light drifting, a bit of snow or ice in the air and the wind chill temperature is below zero.
We’re Minnesotans and it is not so unusual for us this time of the year although we certainly are looking forward to spring. At least we have more daylight.
Leah and Bart came on Thursday night to assist with a couple of projects neither of which was fixable for them so they instead rearranged “cleaned” my sewing room. I wonder if I’ll ever find some things, however, they did label the boxes. It looks like I will have enough Santa Claus presents for another year and plenty of gifts for birthdays, etc.
As we were eating lunch Friday noon Leah’s phone rang and it was Abby from Prague, Czech Republic. She had a really bad cough and didn’t go out with her friends for the evening and was hoping with a bit of extra rest she would be ready to go with them on an excursion on Saturday. There is much to see over there and they try to take in as much as possible. Leah and Bart brought some remembrances for me from their trip to Prague at Christmas time. Included were a beautiful decorated heart-shaped ginger cookie, some candy, a package of napkins with hearts in the design, a bird ornament, and a fish ornament. I might eat the candy but the cookie will stay as is as it can be used as a tree ornament at Christmas.
On Thursday we celebrated my brother Donald’s birthday. His granddaughter Rebecca works in a bakery and is the decorator thus she brings cookies they make there. What a steady hand she has as the piping is so very precise and interesting. Valentine cookies were quite popular and she was glad to have a day off.
Potato soup was a favorite at our house except for one time we had unannounced guests shortly before we were going to eat our noon meal. I continued to finish making the soup and of course, they were invited to stay. From their reaction, I felt they were quite disappointed that all they got was potato soup with cut up hot dogs in it. Well, you do what you gotta do. No, they never came back to visit again. I think the potato soup I make now has better flavor as I often add cheese and chicken bouillon.
Cheesy Potato Soup
1 bag (32 oz) frozen southern-style diced hash brown potatoes, thawed
1/2 cup frozen chopped onion, thawed
1 medium stalk celery, diced (1/2 cup)
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup water
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
2 cups shredded American-Cheddar cheese blend (8 oz)
1/4 cup real bacon pieces
4 medium green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)
Salt and pepper to taste
Spray slow cooker with cooking spray. In slow cooker, mix potatoes, onion, celery, broth and water. Cover; cook on LOW heat setting 6 to 8 hours.
In a small bowl, mix flour and milk; stir into potato mixture. Increase heat setting to HIGH. Cover; cook 20 to 30 minutes or until mixture thickens.
Add cheese; stir until melted. Garnish individual servings with bacon and green onions. Sprinkle with pepper. Makes 6 servings 1-1/2 cups each.
Hurry-Up Homemade Crescent Rolls
1 package active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm water
3 to 3-1/2 cup Original Bisquick® mix
2 tablespoons sugar
Poppy seed, if desired
In 1 cup measuring cup, mix yeast and warm water; let stand 5 minutes. In large bowl, stir 3 cups of the Bisquick mix and the sugar; gradually stir in yeast mixture. On floured surface, knead dough until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes, adding remaining 1/2 cup Bisquick mix as needed. Roll dough into 12-inch round; cut into 12 wedges. Roll up wedges, starting at wide end, to form a crescent shape. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Place roll, point sides down, on cookie sheet. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and cloth towel. Let rise in warm place 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Heat oven to 425º. Uncover rolls. Sprinkle with poppy seed. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden. Serve warm.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg 1/2 cup raisins
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped nuts
Heat oven to 375º. Spray cookie sheets with cooking spray. In large bowl, combine sugar, brown sugar and margarine; beat until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and egg; blend well. Add flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Stir in oats, raisins and nuts.
Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart on sprayed cookie sheets. Bake at 375º for 7 to 10 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool l minute; remove from cookie sheets. 3- 1/2 dozen cookies.
