Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Creamy Squash Soup

This is a Paula Deen recipe, and it's really yummy! Devin really doesn't like squash but liked this soup, so give it a try sometime!!! Also, it's a very inexpensive meal:)

Ingredients
2 pounds butternut squash, halved, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch pieces (apparently you can buy cubed squash at Costco, which would make things easier)
1 1/2 cups diced onion
2 carrots, peeled and diced
3 (13 3/4-ounce) cans chicken broth (I used chicken stock, I just think it has more flavor)
1/2 teaspoon salt (I also used more salt than this)
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup light cream or heavy cream
Sour cream, for garnish


Directions
In a medium saucepan, combine squash, onion, carrots, broth and salt. Simmer, uncovered, until squash is very tender, about 40 minutes. Puree soup in a blender or food processor with the butter. Whisk cream into soup. Serve in wide, shallow bowls with a dollop of sour cream, if desired.

I think this would be really good garnished with either chives or green onions. And served with garlic bread......just a suggestion!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Fajita Pitas

This is an everyday type of recipe. It's just another way to do fajita's, but we really have liked it!

6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 large onion, sliced
1 large green pepper, thinly sliced
1 tbsp. oil
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend or cheddar cheese
8 pita breads, halved
Sauce:
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 medium tomato, finely chopped
1/2 jalapeno, finely chopped
1 tbsp. minced fresh cilantro (I always add more!)
1 tbsp. oil
Guacamole and sour cream, optional
also, this recipe doesn't call for any seasoning, but I always add salt, pepper, and cumin. But you can do whatever sounds good to you!

Grill Chicken, covered, over medium heat for 16-20 minutes (we don't have a grill, so I cook it in pan with a little oil and salt and pepper). Cut into strips. In a skillet, saute onion and green pepper in oil. Add chicken and cheese. Stuff into pita halves; place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 325 for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Meanwhile, for sauce, combine the onion, tomato, jalapeno, cilantro and oil in a bowl; mix well. Serve sauce and sour cream or guacamole if desired with pitas.