Gingerbread

I want to make real gingerbread houses this year. Does anyone have a good recipe? I would like to have something that is edible still.... Michelle I know you make them every year....

Pasta Fagioli Soup

Mom, Dad, Kacey, Justin and Bradon came over for family night dinner. We tried this soup and it was yummy! Not one of my kids said, "Ewww, I hate this!" or,"I think I'll just wait til breakfast." Maybe they were just being polite in front of our company, who knows. Anyway, we had it with our favorite bread sticks. The recipe comes from the cookbook Girlfriends on the Go, which is a fabulous freezer recipe cookbook.

1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup grated carrots (I buy the shredded ones)
1 cup diced celery
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 (15oz) cans beef broth
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tsp fresh parsley, chopped (I used dried parsley)
1/2 tsp hot sauce (Tabasco)
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 small bag shell pasta
Cook noodles according to package directions (I slightly undercook mine). Place all ingredients in a large pot. Mix together. If freezing, place in freezer bag. To prepare: thaw and let simmer until vegetables are tender (30-45 min).

Hey guys how do we make a list to the side so you can click on- "desserts" "chicken" or whatever and have it bring up all recipes with those things.... I don't know what it's called but I would love it if someone would set that up on here :)

Grandma Ev's soft sugar cookies

I had to beg this lady in town for her sugar cookies recipe and she still wouldn't give it to me. Luckily, I am good friends with her granddaughter who was nice enough to pass it on. I can't make them like her. She must keep some secrets to herself. but they are still yummy.

Soft Sugar Cookies

2 c Sugar
1 1/2 c shortning
3 eggs
1 c milk
1 tsp salt
1 tsp soda
2 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp vanilla
5 cups flour

cream together sugar, shortning, egg and milk. Add Vanilla. Add dry ingredients. Flour amount varies. I start with 4 cups and then add more to make it the consistency that you need. Barely enough so you can roll it out. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.

The one thing I did get out of Grandma Ev is that it makes them flakier the less you handle them. (like pie crusts). She also only makes circle cookies because smaller points tend to cook more or something like that. also don't roll them out too thin.

I would like a good icing recipe..... or tips on making good icing or something.... anyone, anyone?

Sugar Cookie Recipes, please?

Does anyone have a good tried-and-true recipe for soft, yummy sugar cookies? I only made them once, and they were brittle and hard. With the holidays coming up, I have been craving them and would love an awesome recipe! Thanks!

Fragrant Chicken Curry and Coconut Rice

I thought that I hated Curry until I had this. I think it is the coconut milk that makes it. It is especially good over this rice. It's coconut rice. Really tasty. This is a super easy recipe. It doesn't look near as good as it is. Caeli didn't want to eat it at first and she usually doesn't care, but after she tasted it she ate it and asked for leftovers the next day. Mine was a little spicy, but that is easily adjusted with the cayenne.

Fragrant Chicken Curry

2 Tbsp curry powder
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 large onion thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic
1 shreded rotisserie chicken
1 can coconut milk (13.5 oz)
1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
1 can chicken broth (14.5 oz)

Heat oil in a pot over med/high heat. Add onion and saute 8-10 mins. Add garlic and saute until fragrant (30 secs) add spices and toast until fragrant. Add chicken and stir together until coated with spices. Add coconut milk, broth and tomatoes. Bring to a simmer and cook untilflavors blend and stew is thick. (abt 20 mins)

Coconut Rice

In a sauce pot, combine 1 1/2 C chicken stock with 1 C sweetened shreded coconut. Bring the mixture up to a simmer and add the rice (3/4 cups). Return to a simmer over low heat and cover. Cook the rice for 18 minutes
Toast 1/2 C coconut in a skillet and stir it into the rice when cooked.

Ground Deer Meat

A lady Mike works with gave us some ground deer meat and I have no idea what to do with it. Does it even taste good? The lady Mike works with doesn't like it, that's why she gave it to us. Do any of you know what I can do with it? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. :)

Crockpot Southwestern Chicken

Here you go, Mom! BTW, This came from The Sister's Cafe.

1 small bag frozen corn
1 can black beans
2 large frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 16-oz jar medium salsa, such as Pace medium picante sauce
shredded cheddar cheese
tortilla chips
sour cream
chopped cilantro
diced avocado

Pour bag of frozen corn in bottom of crockpot. Place frozen chicken breasts on top of corn and cover with rinsed and drained black beans and jar of medium salsa. Cook on high for 1 hour, and then on low for 4 hours. Shred chicken with forks. Serve with tortilla chips and add toppings to individual servings.**It is very important that you use MEDIUM salsa in this. Mild simply isn't flavorful enough. Be sure to serve with tortilla chips, and not tortillas. The salty crunchy chips make this so good!