Crock pot Potato Soup

After the Earth Day gathering I had some potatoes that didn't cook in the crock pot.  So the next day I had to work but decided that I could make potato soup for dinner....

8 potatoes
3 cups of stock
2 cups of water
2 carrots cut into small pieces (sometimes I grate them)

I cooked this for 8 hours on low.  I did cut the potatoes kinda big thinking they would get smaller as they cooked but they didn't...

Add a hour before eating:
1 can of evaporated milk
2 cups of cheese
1 tablespoon of  flour (opp)

Turn the crock pot to high for a hour or so.
You might if the soup looks to thin add a tablespoon of  flour mixed well with the milk. 

Then my daughter when I was clocking out at work calls and said that she added a cup of cheese and was going to add the evaporated milk when I call her to tell her I was on my way home. She was worried that the milk would go bad or the cheese won't melt. I told her to turn it up on high and add the milk (she knew I was clocked out cause I answered the phone!!)

Ahh it was so good. The meat eaters had some bacon bits to add if they wanted. They added them to their first bowls but not the second...

My dad came to visit on this day and he sometimes will eat the  vegetarian meals, sometimes has to add some cooked  flesh to the meal.  He surprised us this time, wanting only the soup.... He said that it tasted so good he didn't need to add the bacon for his second cup... And no one got the crackers out... LOL.  
Four people ate this soup and only 1/2 cup was left over......... I think we did good!!

What I am taking for Earth Day

Tomorrow is the Earth Day celebration and I have been trying to figure out what to take. I am going to be there about 12 hours so nothing to big to have to keep cold.... Cake? no... well I need some groceries and went shopping thinking I will figure it out there.. Bad Idea you think? Well I see that potatoes (oh yes I know they are in season for my area thanks to the local food finder Information courtesy of NRDC,) so when I saw them for $1.29 for ten pounds. I got a bag.

I am taking crock pot baked potatoes.

10-12 potatoes
butter

Wash the potatoes. Poke with fork. Grease the potatoes with a small amount of butter. Place in crock pot. cook 10-12 hours until tender. Do not add water.

Simple and I don't have worry about it going bad..... getting smashed or that the vegetarian will starve.

I will take sour cream, butter and some grated cheese to add to the potatoes after they are done......

Can you smell that?

Interesting. Things that the scientific community tests.

What smell does men like the most?

           Cinnamon.  Research studies found that men were attracted by the scent of cinnamon in  baked goods.

           Vanilla

           Pumpkin pie spice.

           Doughnut

           Orange

The Smell and Taste Research Foundation found that the aromas that enhance male sexual response in order of  best to least:

 Lavender and pumpkin pie
Doughnut & black licorice
Pumpkin pie & doughnut
Orange
Lavender & doughnut
Black licorice and cola
Black licorice
Doughnut & cola
Lily of the valley
Buttered popcorn

They are not sure if it has anything to do with the smell being a reminder of childhood or a relating smell to comfort and  favorite foods.  But it seems to be we really don't need to spend a lot on perfumes just bake our sweeties some goodies...

       OMG my Mom was right the way to a man's heart is threw his stomach.   LOL. My dad did say he would love her forever as long as she baked him brownies! I think it is more than the brownies, for he is a widow and still loves her.

Applesauce Muffins Mix

Ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup wheat flour
2 tablespoons quick cooking oats
2 tablespoons corn starch

Mix or layer into a pint jar. Layer if giving as a gift. Will keep for 6 months.

Additional Ingredients:
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon Cinnamon

To prepare Muffins:

In a bowl, combine egg, applesauce, butter and vanilla.
Stir in muffin mix just until moistened.
Fill greased or lined muffin cups three-fourths full.
Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.
Bake at 375 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes our clean.
Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan.

Flour Tortillas! Ole!

It is Thursday! 8 Muddy Boots Mister Linkys from scratch time!

What did I make from scratch this week....

Devil Eggs........ of course!

Peanut Granola that was ok but needs something (I am working that out to make better!!)

Last night I wanted some veggie tacos and sure enough I had NO flour tortillas

So I searched online and found a recipe for 24... not that many so I cut the recipe in half and got 6 (humm I do like bigger  tortillas....)

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 tablespoon shortening

3/4 cup water

Mix dry ingredients together.
Using a fork I cut the shortening in to the flour mix.
Add water slowly to moisten but don't get too wet.
Knead for a minute or two to mix together.
Let stand for 10 minutes. I started my veggies!!
Divide into 12 equal parts.
Heat a skillet over medium high heat.
Roll out on floured surface. Should be a 6 inch circle....  That when i saw it was way to small need to add more! LOL  But make sure the dough is rolled out very thin (the first way to thick, oh well I was learning)
Place on the skillet.  cook for about 30 seconds to a minute  and turn.  they should have some brown spots and loose their wet appearance.
Cook the other side until it looks the same way.

Yea like I said the first one was too thick but it tasted good.......... the second one was better... I think this would be great for Quesadillas...  yummm maybe for tonight's dinner??

Italian seasoning

It is Thursday already? 8 Muddy Boots Mister Linkys from scratch time!

What did I make from scratch this week....

Honey wheat bread, chicken and noddles (add your own meat for the meat eaters in the house) made with a great product called Better than Bouillon and my homemade stock from the freezer, and devil eggs.....

But my daughter made cheese lasagna for her grandfathers birthday Saturday. With meat sauce for the meat eaters....

So we ran low on the Italian seasoning that she used for the sauce... I made this to replace:

Italian seasoning
 
1 1/2 tbsp. dried oregano leaves

1 tbsp. dried parsley flakes
1/2 tbsp. dried marjoram
1/4 tbsp. dried basil

2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
1/2  tsp. coarsely ground pepper

 Mix all ingredients well. Store in old spice jar.  Label.