Monday, October 14, 2013

Jessica's chicken taco soup

My friend Jessica made this for our freezer meal exchange a couple of months ago.  My kids LOVED it and so it has become a staple around our house.  Lots of people have different versions of something like this but this is ours.


INGREDIENTS

3-4 chicken breasts
1 large can tomatoes, diced or crushed
1 can chopped green chiles
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can corn, drained
1 pkg taco seasoning


DIRECTIONS

In Crock Pot, combine everything except chicken breasts.  Add chicken breasts and mix to coat with tomato mixture.

Cook on low 4-6 hours.  If it starts to look a little thick, stir in a little salsa or water.  We like it thicker, more of a chili consistency.  But you don't want it too dry!

Remove chicken, shred and stir back into soup.  Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips.

Monday, October 7, 2013

Wonderful white cupcakes

So I needed some white cupcakes for a surprise shower for my soul mate, Janelle.  (Shh...don't tell our husbands.  haha)  She prefers white cake with white frosting.  I couldn't find a white cupcake recipe that seemed like it would make good cupcakes without hours of work, so I decided to try changing up my chocolate cupcake recipe....success!!!  These are definitely a winner, especially when topped with a yummy buttercream frosting!


INGREDIENTS

1 (18.25 oz) pkg white cake mix
1 (5.9 oz) pkg instant vanilla pudding mix  (for the love of cake, please DO NOT use sugar free!)
1 cup sour cream
1 cup melted butter or vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup warm milk or water
2 cups white chocolate chips



DIRECTIONS

In mixer or large bowl, combine all ingredients except white chocolate chips. Stir in white chocolate chips.

Bake at 350° for 18-20 minutes (or 50-55 min for 9x13 or bundt cake) until toothpick comes out clean. DO NOT overbake!!

Cool about 20 minutes in pan, then cool completely on rack. Frost or dust with powdered sugar.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Thunder Cake

Abby's teacher read the book Thunder Cake to the class and then sent home the recipe for the kids to try.  It sounds interesting, it has pureed tomatoes in it!  Since Cami has already torn the paper once, I figured I should probably type up the recipe before the paper is totally destroyed!!  I'll update once we make it!


INGREDIENTS

1 cup shortening
1 3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3 eggs, separated
1 cup cold water
1/3 cup pureed tomatoes
2 1/2 cups cake flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt


DIRECTIONS

Beat egg whites until stiff.  Set aside.

Cream together, adding one ingredient at a time, the shortening, sugar, vanilla, egg yolks, cold water and pureed tomatoes.  Fold in egg whites.  Set aside.

Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, soda and salt.  Mix into the creamed mixture.

Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes.

Let cool and frost with chocolate frosting and top with strawberries.