Creamy Farmhouse Chicken and Garden Soup

1 package (16oz) frozen pepper stir-fry vegetable mix
2 cups frozen corn
2 zucchini sliced
3 chicken breast (or 4)
1 teaspoon garlic
2 cans chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme
4 oz uncooked egg noodles
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup frozen green peas
4 tablespoons parsley
4 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

1.  Coat your crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.  Place stir fry veggies , corn and zucchini in bottom.  Add chicken, garlic, broth and thyme.  Cover, cook on high around 5 hours.  Remove chicken and set aside

2.  Add noodles to crockpot.  Cover cook about 30 mins longer or until noodles are done.

3.  Meanwhile, shred chicken and return to crockpot.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Let stand 5 mins before serving.

Just DO IT

DINE EVENT - APRIL 9th

DINE is finally back.  Its been a very busy last few months but absence makes the heart grow fonder.

For this DINE event, we invite you to participate in our Progressive Dinner.

Heres how it works:

 Ever wanted to see your neighbors home?  Lots of beautiful, historic homes in our little slice of heaven right?  Well, on April 9th from 6 - 9 pm there are 4 homes that are being opened up for such an event.

For a small donation of 25 dollars/person, you will get your fill of drink, food, entertainment, and maybe even meet some new friends.

 At 9pm all party goers will meet at SOHO lofts for a dessert/drink party wrapup with food provided by Cake Flour.  http://www.cakeflouronmarket.com/

Anyone that is interested in attending, please email us at butchertownartfair@gmail.com for more information.  SPACE IS LIMITED SO HURRY IT UP ALREADY!!!

*all proceeds benefit the 2011 Butchertown Art Fair on June 4th, 2011

Sloppy Joes.....Slop , Sloppy Joes!!!!

Well... the first day of spring has come and gone..... Eat these sloppy joes and get ready for summer man!

3 lbs lean ground beef
1 cup chopped sweet onion
2 medium red bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
2 cloves garlic
1 cup ketchup or catsup or catch up
1 cup bbq sauce
4 tablespoons of cider vinegar
2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons chil powder
1 can 15oz baked beans
Rolls
Shredded sharp Cheddar cheese or if you really want to make it fantastic then get WHIZ

1.  Brown beef, onion, bell pepper and garlic in a skillet.  Drain and discard fat.  Put mixture in your crockery

2. Combine ketchup, bbq sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar and chili powder in small bowl and then transfer to crockery.

3. Add baked beans. Stir.  Cover, cook on HIGH for 3 hours

Hope you try it..............

Something Sweet

Oreo Balls Recipe Ingredients

• 8 ounces softened cream cheese or whipped cream cheese
• 18 ounces package of Oreo cookies, crushed (crush the entire cookie- don't remove the filling!)
• 2 cups semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon shortening

Oreo Balls Recipe Instructions

Mix cream cheese with electric mixer until fluffy. Add the crushed Oreos and beat on high until well mixed. Chill for at least 2 hours in the freezer. Then roll Oreo cookie mix into one inch Oreo Balls.


Next, melt the chocolate chips and shortening with a double boiler or in the microwave.

Dip the Oreo balls completely into the melted chocolate using tongs or a toothpick.

Put on wax paper. After the Oreo balls harden, keep them in the refrigerator.

Makes about 3 or 4 dozen Oreo Balls, depending on the size

 

EASY AS PIE...................

MY FAVORITE EVENT IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Ok... so maybe I have some hand in putting this on.... maybe I co-habit with a chairperson of this event.... and of course I live in Butchertown.  I'm a little bias.... but for real, this is such a fun time. 

Think great food, great art, great folk, really great music.  Its really great.... Did I say that?

Please stay tuned for more info or check out www.butchertown.blogspot.com

IF you wanna be involved, if you wanna sell those paintings that you did back three years ago, or if you would like some more info please send us an email butchertownartfair@gmail.com

Banana, I love you....

Honestly I had no idea how great bananas are.  I knew they were good for you but didn't know the specifics.  Check it out below.  Stay tuned for some banana recipes.

 

 

 

Reducing Depression

Bananas contain tryptophan, an aminoacid that can be converted to serotonin, leading to improved mood

Anemia

Bananas are relatively high in iron, which helps the body's hemoglobin function

Constipation and Diarrhea

Due to their content in fiber, they help restore a normal bowel function. In addition, diarrhea usually depletes your body of important electrolytes (of which the most important is potassium, contained in high amounts in bananas). They also contain pectin, a soluble fiber (hydrocolloid) that can help normalize movement through the digestive tract.

Eyesight Protection

Research published in the Archives of Ophthalmology has proven that adults consuming at least 3 servings of fruit per day have a reduced risk (by 36%) of developing age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily.

Healthy Bones

Bananas are an exceptionally rich source of fructooligosaccharide, a compound that nourishes probiotic (friendly) bacteria in the colon. These beneficial bacteria produce enzymes that increase our digestive ability and protect us from unhealthy bacteria infections. Thanks to fructooligosaccharides, probiotic bacteria can increase both in number and functionality, increasing our body's ability to absorb calcium. In addition, green bananas contain indigestible short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that are very nutrient to the cells that make up the mucosa of the stomach. These cells, when healthy, absorb calcium much more efficiently

Healthy Kidney

About 190,000 cases of kidney cancer are diagnosed each year. Research published in the International Journal of Cancer has shown that daily consumption of whole fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, is highly protective to kidney health. The results show that, over a long timeframe (13.4 years), women eating more than 2.5 servings of fruits and vegetable per day cut their risk of kidney cancer by 40%. Among the fruits, bananas were especially protective. Women eating bananas four to six times a week halved their risk of developing the disease compared to those who did not eat this fruit. The conclusion of the study is that frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, cabbage and root vegetables, may reduce risk of kidney cancer. This is because bananas and many root vegetables contain especially high amounts of antioxidant phenolic compounds, while cabbage is rich in sulfur, necessary for effective detoxification of potential carcinogens.

Blood Pressure

Bananas are extremely high in potassium (about 4673mg), yet very low in sodium (1mg), thus having a perfect ratio for preventing high blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Heartburn

Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness

Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood-sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Smoking

Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. They contain vitamins B6 and B12 they contain, as well as potassium and magnesium: these substances help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Ulcers

This is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicle cases. It also helps reduce acidity and reduces irritation. Bananas stimulate the cells on the internal stomach lining to produce a thicker mucus (which protects against acid). Additionally, bananas contain protease inhibitors that help eliminate bacteria in the stomach that have been pinpointed as a primary cause of ulcers.

Nerves

Bananas are high in B vitamins that have been shows to improve nerve function

Mosquito Bites

Many people report that rubbing the inside of a banana peel on a mosquito bite is very effective in reducing itching and swelling

Stress Relief

Bananas are high in potassium, which helps normalize the hearthbeat and regulate the body's water balance. During periods of high stress, our body's potassium levels tend to be rapidly depleted: eating bananas is a healthy way to rebalance them without using drugs

Stroke Risk

According to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can reduce the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%

Calm down Mary..... This one is Supa Easy

CROCK POT CHICKEN TACOS

What you'll need:
A crockery
Four chicken breasts
2 cans rotel or diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 cup chicken broth
Taco seasoning (we use 2)
CORN tortillas

Put in drained cans of Rotel.  Add chicken breasts.  Add chicken broth, just enough to cover bottom of crockery.   Add taco seasoning.  Cook on high for 4 hours or until chicken is supa dupa tender.  Remove chick and shred.  Add back to crock and cook on low for another hour.

Once you made your soft tacos, I like to add guacamole, salsa, and Romano cheese.

Oh EASY, ur so fine, so so EASY,  blow my mind........................

For ALICIA.........

Chicken Taco Soup.........that's all you need to know

Ingredients (you will need a crock pot)

1 onion chopped
2 cans chili beans (16 oz)
2 cans black beans (15 oz)
2 cans whole kernel corn, drained
2 cans tomato sauce (8 oz)
1 can bottle of beer
4 cans Rotel
2 packages taco seasoning
2 lbs chicken breast
shredded cheese
sour cream
crushed tortilla chips (you have to crush them)

Directions

1. Place the onion, chili beans, black beans, corn, tomato sauce, beer, and diced tomatoes in a slow cooker. Add taco seasoning, and stir to blend. Lay chicken breasts on top of the mixture, pressing down slightly until just covered by the other ingredients. Set slow cooker for low heat, cover, and cook for 5 hours.
2. Remove chicken breasts from the soup, and allow to cool long enough to be handled. Stir the shredded chicken back into the soup, and continue cooking for 2 hours. Serve topped with shredded Cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips, if desired.

Your man/woman/partner/friend/acquaintance/cousin/mom/dad have been working hard all day... the thing to do is to make this soup!!!!!!!!!!

Be a HERO

Noodles and .....Eggs?? huh

YUMMY.  You GOTTA make this dish!!!

What you'll need:

Noodles (spaghetti, vermicelli)
Olive oil
4 eggs

1. Bring water to boil, add uncooked noodles.  (10 mins)
2. Put Tablespoon of olive oil in pan.
3. With about three minutes before noodles are done, crack and put 4 eggs in skillet with medium heat.
3. Noodles should now be finished and eggs should just starting to turn a little white. Yolks should still be runny.  Be careful to not use too much heat or eggs will become fried.
4. Drain noodles and add to pan on top of eggs.  Remove from heat.  Allow heat from noodles to cook remaining eggs.  Stir pan, noodles will break up yolks and make a yummy mixture.  If too dry, add a little water.  
5. Eat
6. Think about how wonderful this blog is.
7. Send me a gift ($100 dollar minimum)

HOPE YOU TRY THIS RECIPE!!!

VOTE IN THE POLL

Dear Readers:

   I've added a new feature to the left side of the page.  Please go and vote for your favorite restaurant of the 4.  If you have never eaten at any of these establishments, or if you don't live near any of these restaurants, or if you are a tightwad and refuse to spend money outside of Orville Redenbacher's delicious popcorn and a movie at home, JUST VOTE ANYWAY.

The winning establishment will get a louisvilledine award hand delivered by yours truly.

Do your part and vote..............

-CM

DID YOU KNOW?

Milk chocolate was invented by Daniel Peter, who sold the concept to his neighbor Henri Nestlé

 

Three quarters of fish caught are eaten – the rest is used to make things such as glue, soap, margarine and fertilizer.

To make one kilo of honey bees have to visit 4 million flowers, traveling a distance equal to 4 times around the earth

The can opener was invented 48 years after cans were introduced

In the Middle Ages, sugar was a treasured luxury costing 9 times as much as milk.

Over 90% of all fish caught are caught in the northern hemisphere

The tea bag was introduced in 1908 by Thomas Sullivan of New York.

There are more than 10,000 varieties of tomatoes

 

Approximately one billion snails are served in restaurants annually

Maria Ann Smith introduced the Granny Smith apple in 1838

The tall chef’s hat is called a toque

 

Annually, France exports some 140 million bottles of champagne but keep 180 million bottles for local consumption

 

China uses 45 billion chopsticks per year. 25 million trees are chopped down to make ‘em sticks

Powerful Pomegranate

Pomegranates are super.  I bet you don't eat enough pomegranate.  It's not necessarily a fruit you think of grabbing at the store and it can sometimes be difficult to find.  However, POM juice can be found most everywhere and its worth picking some up.

Pomegranate juice is a rich source of phytochemical compounds shown to benefit the heart and blood vessels. It not only lowers cholesterol, but lowers blood pressure and increases the speed at which heart blockages (atherosclerosis) melt away.

Not only are pomegranates good for your heart and blood vessels but they have been shown to inhibit breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, leukemia and to prevent vascular changes that promote tumor growth.

Pomegranates' potent antioxidant compounds have also been shown to reduce platelet aggregation and naturally lower blood pressure, factors that prevent both heart attacks and strokes.3 Pomegranates contain high levels of flavonoids and polyphenols, potent antioxidants offering protection against heart disease and cancer. A glass of pomegranate juice has more antioxidants than red wine, green tea, blueberries, and cranberries

Pomegranate juice has also been found to contain phytochemical compounds that stimulate serotonin and estrogen receptors, improving symptoms of depression and improving bone mass.
,
SUPER DUPER.  FLY TO KROGER  LIVE HEALTHY

-cm

HAPPY FOODS

The winter blahs are upon us.  Grey skies, cold blowing sucky wind.  Is spring ever coming? 

Eat these foods, they should help lift your spirits and drive away that winter bastardy feeling.

Lentils - low levels of folate and vitamin B have been linked to depression, exhaustion and the blahs. Lentils are rich in folate and vitamin B.  Who would have thought it?

Salmon - loaded with Omega-3s that will boost your mood and feelings of well being.

Kale - high in calcium and will help you feel relaxed and sooth jittery nerves.

Brown Rice - rich in complex carbs, will keep your blood sugar levels nice and give you  lots of energy

Next time we meet, you'd better be in a good mood.  No excuses.

-CM

SNOW CREAM

It's snowing.  Snow Cream needs to be made.

1 gallon of snow
1 cup of sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Milk to consistency

Let snow fall in clean bowl. Add sugar and vanilla, then milk to consistency.  Put snow cream in container with nice pretty logo and then sell it to folks that don't get snow.

PS. No yellow snow or clumpy snow should be used.

-CM

INDI'S - A LOVE AFFAIR

Like fried chicken?  Good golly I sure do.  Growing up, fried chicken was consistently being served somewhere, or at someones house, or at church, or at home.  Trust me, I know fried chicken.

You Gotta Eat:

INDI'S FAST FOOD
1033 W. Broadway
502 589 7985

Its tasty...and cheap.

On a recent visit, we got two snacker boxes which includes two pieces of chicken and a side order.  You can upgrade and get breast for 50cents extra.  For the sides we went with mac n cheese and broccoli casserole.  We also picked up the Keel for an extra 2.75.  The Keel is the most tasty part of the chicken.  All white meat and flavorful.  Indi's also has some great hot sauce for 27cents.  On this visit we got 4.
Good meal, better than the other well known chicken in town, and definitely a lot cheaper. 

Don't be turned off by where this place is located.  Its well worth the trip.

Get some..........

-CM

HEALTHY FOODS YOU SHOULD EAT EVERYDAY!

Wanna be healthy?  I know you do....if you don't please seek some counsel.  Anyways, below are the top 5 foods you want to eat EVERYDAY to be healthy.  Even nibbling on these in between your TWINKIES will be a start.  Go Get em.

1. Nuts - Almonds, Cashews, Walnuts are great because they are high in fiber.  Fiber keeps you feeling fuller longer and will help you from overeating. 

2. Leafy Greens - all are high in nutrients like folate and Vitamin A/C.  This leafy wonder will lower your risk of cancer, prevent diabetes and lower blood pressure. 

3. Onions - (see prior post titled The Amazing Onion) can reduce asthma symptoms and help prevent stomach cancer.  The stronger the onion, the greater the benefit.

4. Yogurt - can improve digestion, when purchasing look for "active cultures" to maximize.

5. Whole Grains - brown rice, quinoa and whole oats will actually shrink the fat storage cells around your belly.  Who doesn't need this?

*please consult your doctor before changing your diet.

VOILA!!  A new healthy you......

-CM

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Well 2010, is gone... on forward to 2011.  Had a nice break, visited with friends, spent time with family and I must say I'm kinda glad life can return to normal now.  I'm tired of celebrating.

I hope everyone sticks to their new year resolutions.....in case you have trouble, please check out this article..

http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-2011-New-Years-Resolution---How-to-Keep-the-Number-1-New-Year-Resolution&id=5612759

-cm