Monday, November 29, 2010

Homemade Chicken and Noodles - The Ultimate Comfort Food!

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Help Delectalicious! grow. If you like this post and find it useful please pass it along using your favorite social media service. Each time you share this post you help others discover Delectalicious! I hope you enjoy your time here today. Thank you for supporting this site! ~Shannon



Homemade Chicken and Noodles are the ULTIMATE fall/winter comfort food! I have fond memories of my grade school friend's grandmother making them almost every time she visited.  The whole house smelled heavenly while it was cooking.  Every now and again I have tried to duplicate her chicken and noodles with no luck.  My chicken broth always turned out good but I just couldn't get the noodles or finished consistency correct.  So disappointing!  


The other day Rhondi, one of my blogger friends, posted her grandmothers recipe for chicken and noodles.  Just reading her post I could smell the deliciousness and was inspired to try again.  Her grandmothers noodles were perfect, and I used a flour slurry to thicken the broth that was spot on.  


Woo Hoo!! {dancing around the kitchen} Got it!  


Try it, I bet you'll like it!  Maybe even love it!


PRINTABLE RECIPE
What you'll need:
1 chicken
1 large onion
3 or 4 whole carrots, cut into large pieces
2 or 3 celery stalks, cut into large pieces
3 garlic cloves, peeled
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon peppercorns
2 tablespoon salt (1 for the broth, 1 for the noodles)
2 cups all purpose flour
2 large eggs
water




Place the chicken in a large pot.  I would recommend at least an 8 quart pot.  Place the chopped veggies, garlic cloves, bay leaves, peppercorns, and 1 tablespoon of salt on and around the chicken.  Fill the pot with water until it is about 1 inch over the top of the chicken and veggies.  Bring to a simmer, cover, and let it go for 2 hours.






Now get ready to make the noodles.




Place the flour, eggs, and salt in a large bowl.




Stir and slowly add water until you get a stiff dough.



Turn dough out onto a large flour sack towel covered lightly with flour.  Divide dough into two sections and roll out to about 1/4 inch thick.  Use plenty of flour to keep the dough from sticking.



Using a pizza cutter cut thin vertical strips and then come back and make horizontal cuts however long you like your noodles.  The noodles will puff up while cooking so keep that in mind when cutting.  Let rest and dry until the chicken is done.



After 2 hours.  Pull the chicken out of the broth.  The chicken will literally fall apart.  I use tongs and a slotted spoon to get it out.  



When cool enough to handle separate the meat, skin, and bones.  Discard the bones and skin.  Set chicken meat aside.



So now we need to strain the broth.



Place a large bowl in the sink.



Place cheesecloth, or coffee filters torn open, in a colander.



Pour the broth into the colander and let drain into the bowl.  Using the back of a spoon push all the juice out of the veggies.



So here it is.



Pour the broth into a gravy separator in batches. Then pour only the broth back into the original pot.  It's hard to see in the photo but there is about a 1/4 to 1/2 layer of fat on the top.  Discard the fat.  Reserve 1 cup of broth for the flour slurry we'll be mixing in at the end.  


Bring the broth to a boil.  In small batches drop in the noodles stirring to make sure they don't stick together.  Once they are all in let them boil 20 to 25 minutes. 



Add chicken back in and bring back to a simmer.  In a small bowl add 1/2 cup of flour to the 1 cup of reserved chicken broth.  Whisk.  Make sure there are no lumps or your chicken and noodles will be lumpy!  Slowly pour the mixture into the broth mixture stirring constantly.  Let simmer for a few minutes to thicken.  




Voila your done!  A little time consuming but so worth it!  Serve alone or for the over the top ultimate comfort food serve over mashed potatoes.


Cheers,
Shannon

Saturday, November 27, 2010

7 Cup Fruit Salad

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Help Delectalicious! grow. If you like this post and find it useful please pass it along using your favorite social media service. Each time you share this post you help others discover Delectalicious! I hope you enjoy your time here today. Thank you for supporting this site! ~Shannon



 7 Cup Fruit Salad is a holiday tradition in our family.  This is the one dish that I just could not do without.  One of the first Christmases I spent with "G's" family I brought this salad.  Right then and there I was instructed that I must always bring this dish from that point on no matter what.  Sometimes I tease them and say that I don't think I'm bringing the fruit salad this year just to get a rise out them (hee, hee, hee).  


Something purely magical happens when these ingredients come together.  It is the fruit salad of all fruit salads!  You must make this immediately!  


PRINTABLE RECIPE
Here's what you'll need
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup maraschino cherries, drained
1 cup marshmallows
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup sour cream


Isn't that easy!  One cup of everything.  Now to be honest the mandarin oranges and cherries I just use the whole can which is actually a little more than 1 cup.  We wouldn't want good food to go to waste! Check the number of servings on the back of the can and get as close to 1 cup total as possible.  



Drain the mandarin oranges, pineapple, and maraschino cherries.  Really squish the juice out of the pineapple with the back of a spoon.


Place the chopped pecans, coconut, and marshmallows in a large mixing bowl.


Add the drained fruit and sour cream.  Yes, sour cream.  Seems strange doesn't it? People are always in shock about this ingredient.  Trust me!  


Stir it all up and let sit in the refrigerator 24 hours.  Don't skimp on this.  Let it sit and do it's magic.  Great things take time!


Serve it up and watch your friends and families eyes roll back in their head with pure joy! 

Quote of the Day
Pay attention to your dreams - God's angels often speak to our hearts when we are asleep.  ~Eileen Elias The Angel's Little Instruction Book

Cheers, 
Shannon


7 Cup Fruit Salad has been linked up with the following blogs.  Stop by and check out all the delicious entries! 
Prairie Story Recipe Swap Thursday
House of Hepworths - Rock Your Recipes
Ekat's Kitchen Friday Potluck
Simply Sweet Home Friday Favorites

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

A Stylish Blogger Award!

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Help Delectalicious! grow. If you like this post and find it useful please pass it along using your favorite social media service. Each time you share this post you help others discover Delectalicious! I hope you enjoy your time here today. Thank you for supporting this site! ~Shannon




Early this morning (2:00 AM) Mac had to go out and do his business.  I swear he goes out just to snoop around and make sure all is well outside in the middle of the night.  My own little security guard :-)!  Anyways, while I was waiting for him to come back in I sat down to see what was going on in the blog world.  Lo and behold I received a Stylish Blogger Award from Rhiannon@FromTheHeart.  What? An award?  Really??  Me Stylish?Really??? Couldn't be.  After picking myself up off of the floor I refocused my eyes and made sure I was reading the computer screen correctly.  You know, that computer screen is crazy bright at 2:00AM!  Yep, that's what she said......I gave you an award today.   I was in shock!  Complete shock! Thank you Rhiannon!


So the rules for the award are:
1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pay it forward to 15 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about their award.

7 Things About Me......

1.  I have lived in 3 states.  Oklahoma, Georgia, and North Carolina.  Each location has greatly contributed to the person I am today.  I was kicking and screaming when we moved from Oklahoma but now I'm glad to have experienced a little bit of the big world.  I am especially thankful for the friends I have met along the way.

2.  My parents are the best.  We laugh at ourselves and our dysfunction often.  I'm an only child. On one hand I'm shy and conservative, and on the other hand a bit of a rebel and hardheaded.  A true Gemini.   I love with all my heart.  

3.  My husband absolutely spoils me.  We have been married 13 1/3 years.  We grew up in the same town and have known each other for 25 years.  Didn't date until we were in our mid 20's.  We sowed our wild oats first, LOL!  He's my best friend.

4.  I'm turning 40 in 2011.  What happened to my 20's and 30's?  I thought I would feel old and outdated at 40 but I don't.  40 schmorty!  Bring it on baby!  Life's just gettin' started!

5.  Our yellow lab Mac is our baby.  He's 10 but thinks he's 2.  There's nothing like the unconditional love of a dog.

6.  I have the best in-laws. Thank God!  I've heard horror stories about in-laws.  My mother-inlaw Carroll, and sisters-in-law Lisa and Denise are the warmest, most genuine, loving women.  I am blessed to have them in my life.

7. Sometimes I snort when I laugh.  How embarrassing!

Enough about me!!!

Drum rrrrroll please.  Here are the bloggers I would like to pass this along to:


When you have a minute stop by their blogs and say howdy!

Cheers,
Shannon


Friday, November 19, 2010

Giveaway - Kenmore Refrigerator/ Washer & Dryer/ Oven/ Dishwasher

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Help Delectalicious! grow. If you like this post and find it useful please pass it along using your favorite social media service. Each time you share this post you help others discover Delectalicious! I hope you enjoy your time here today. Thank you for supporting this site! ~Shannon


Do you need a new Refrigerator, Washer/Dryer, Freestanding Double Oven, or Dishwasher?  Sears gave these Kenmore Elite appliances to 4 bloggers to review at Blogher.  And now one lucky reader will get to pick from the following:

ONE (1) PRIZE winner to receive ONE (1) Kenmore appliance prize from the following FOUR (4) choices:

1) Kenmore Elite Stainless Steel French-Door Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator model #71063 - ARV $3,399.99

2) Kenmore Elite Top-Load Washer model #29272 with Kenmore Elite Dryer model #29272 (gas) OR model #69278 - ARV $2,499.98

3) Kenmore Elite Stainless Steel Built-In Dishwasher model #14043 -ARV $2,116.99

4) Kenmore Elite Stainless Steel Freestanding Range model #78903 (gas) OR model # $97503 - ARV $2,299.99

WoooWhoooo!  It's totally FREE to enter, you just need to set up a free account with Blogher if you don't already have one.  The Sweepstakes ends on 12-15-10.

FYI - I am in no way associated with this giveaway.  I am a Blogher member and read a promotional post from Jaden at Steamy Kitchen about the washer and dryer.  I am always in need of a new appliance of some sort and thought you might be as well.


Good Luck!

Cheers,
Shannon

Food Processor Biscuits

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Help Delectalicious! grow. If you like this post and find it useful please pass it along using your favorite social media service. Each time you share this post you help others discover Delectalicious! I hope you enjoy your time here today. Thank you for supporting this site! ~Shannon



I am still in search of a homemade biscuit that I really like. I haven't quite put my finger on what it is about the taste that I feel like I'm missing in a homemade biscuit.  Unfortunately there is not a biscuit recipe or method that has been passed down in the family.  Growing up I remember canned biscuits, Bisquick biscuits, and eating biscuits at restaurants, but never biscuits from scratch.  Hmmmm, what's a girl to do?  Try lots of recipes!  I have learned that I prefer to use regular milk instead of buttermilk.  Blasphemy, I know!  Buttermilk biscuits reign in southern cooking.  How could I possibly not like them?  I don't know I just don't.  They make me really really really thirsty.  Like I need to drink a gallon of water!

After searching and tweaking here is a recipe I made one Sunday morning with some baked bacon that is good enough to share. 


PRINTABLE RECIPE
Here's what you'll need
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter cut into pieces
3/4 cup cold milk.  (whole or 2% - not skim)



Combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a food processor.  Pulse to combine.  Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Now turn the processor on and add the milk while the motor is running.  Continue processing until the dough forms a ball.  Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and gently knead a few times. 


Roll out to about 1/2 inch and cut with a biscuit cutter or glass.  DO NOT TWIST THE CUTTER OR GLASS.  PRESS STRAIGHT DOWN AND LIFT UP.  No matter what biscuits you are making follow this rule.  If you twist they won't rise properly!  Place evenly spaced upside down on a greased baking.  Why upside down?  It will help them to rise straight up instead of sliding or falling over. 


Bake in a 425 degree preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. 



Quote of the day
The best angle to approach a problem is the try-angle. 
~ Author Unknown

Cheers,
Shannon

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Sausage and Peppers

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Help Delectalicious! grow. If you like this post and find it useful please pass it along using your favorite social media service. Each time you share this post you help others discover Delectalicious! I hope you enjoy your time here today. Thank you for supporting this site! ~Shannon


November 2009 my neighbor had a little get together.  Among the many things she made was sausage and peppers.  I had never ever had sausage and peppers so I had to give it a try.  OMG! it was delicious.  Since the holidays were just around the corner and I was crazy busy I never got around to making it before my annul new years resolution of dieting arrived, LOL.  So I filed away the dinner in the back of my mind and in late September of this year my subconcious mind started telling me to get busy and whip this up.  I spoke to my friend and she graciously gave me the low down on how to make it.  Thanks "P" - love you forever ;-).

I cannot even put into words how good this is!  The sauce permeates the sausage and they just melt in your mouth. It's one of those times your eyes will roll back in your head and your taste buds will be jumping for joy.

What you'll need
2 lbs of Italian Sausage (sweet or spicy)
48 ounce jar of Ragu spaghetti sauce
6 ounce can of tomato paste
1 large green pepper thinly sliced
1 large onion thinly sliced
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Cooked pasta or sandwich rolls
Fresh grated parmesan cheese


Put the spaghetti sauce, tomato paste, green pepper, onion, and Italian seasoning in a crockpot.  Stir to combine. 


  
 Add in whole sausages.  Cover them all up with the sauce.



Cook on low for 6 hours.  If serving with pasta take sausage out and cut into 1 inch pieces.  Add sausage pieces back to the sauce and mix in the cooked pasta.   If serving as a sandwich leave sausage whole, place in bun,  and top with peppers and onions. 


Either way top with freshly grated parmesan cheese! 

Quote of the Day
Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before a meal. It's a way to live.  ~Attributed to Jacqueline Winspear

Cheers,
Shannon









Friday, November 12, 2010

Baked Bacon

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Help Delectalicious! grow. If you like this post and find it useful please pass it along using your favorite social media service. Each time you share this post you help others discover Delectalicious! I hope you enjoy your time here today. Thank you for supporting this site! ~Shannon




The holidays are literally around the corner!  Will you be having a house full of people?  Or will you be visiting at someone else's house?  We all know what's for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, but what about breakfast.  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day after all!  I love breakfast!  Breakfast for breakfast :-).  Or breakfast for dinner :-).  Something about eggs and bacon just sends my taste buds to a happy place.  


I have a little tip today on how to cook a large (or small) amount of bacon quickly and without standing over a grease splattering skillet.   I have ruined many a shirt cooking bacon.  In fact truth be told at one point in my life I quit cooking bacon and switched to sausage because bacon was such a pain in the behind to cook. 


Not anymore my friends!  Next time you have a house full of guests or are craving some bacon even if its just a few pieces.........BAKE IT!  Yes, that's right, put the bacon on a baking sheet with edges (lined with foil for easier cleanup). Preheat the oven to 400.  Bake until it is as crispy as you like.  I take after my mom when it comes to eating bacon.  We like it CRISPY!  Almost burnt.  So I usually bake for 20 to 30 minutes switching the top pan to the bottom and the bottom pan to the top at about the 15 minute mark.  


There you have it yummy yummy bacon without standing over the skillet or being burnt by the splattering grease!  And since you have all this free time while it's cooking you can whip up some eggs and biscuits.  How great is that!

Bacon for a crowd - hot out of the oven.

No limp bacon is allowed in our house!  It must be CRISPY!!


Bacon, Biscuits, and eggs.  Yummo!


Quote of the Day
Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day.
~Robert Caspar Lintner


Cheers,
Shannon


Baked Bacon is linked up with the following blog parties.  Stop by and see what others have linked!
Brambleberry Cottage Time Travel Thursday
Prairie Story Recipe Swap Thursday
Tidy Mom
Designs by Gollum Foodie Friday
Simply Sweet Home Friday Favorites
Ekat's Kitchen Friday Potluck
Momtrends Food Friday

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas

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Help Delectalicious! grow. If you like this post and find it useful please pass it along using your favorite social media service. Each time you share this post you help others discover Delectalicious! I hope you enjoy your time here today. Thank you for supporting this site! ~Shannon


Happy Tuesday!  Have you adjusted to the time change?  I found the lost hour in my life on Sunday, but now I don't know where it's gone.  Seems like the hurrier I go the behinder I get.  But you know what? That's fine by me.  I'm enjoying every minute of every day.  I hope that you are too!  


Here is another quick and easy recipe to simplify dinnertime.  


PRINTABLE RECIPE
Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup diced onion
15 ounce can black beans, drained
15 ounce can whole kernal corn, drained
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 cup salsa
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
shredded cheddar or monterey jack cheese
butter
flour tortillas



Drain and rinse the corn and beans.


Heat oil in skillet.  Saute onion until softened.



 Add the corn, beans, salsa, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes to the onion.  Cook until heated through.




Melt butter in a griddle or skillet over medium to medium high heat.  You don't want the tortillas to brown to fast or the cheese won't melt on the inside before the tortilla is burned!




Place a tortilla on the griddle.  Sprinkle a small amount of cheese, then bean/corn mixture, and a little more cheese on top.  Another way to make these is to only put the cheese and bean mixture on half of one tortilla and then fold the tortilla over to make a half circle.  






Place a tortilla on top of the bean/mixture.  When the bottom tortilla is browned up flip the quesadilla over and brown the other side.




After both sides have browned remove from griddle, let cool slightly, and cut into wedges.  Serve with your favorite toppings - sour cream, salsa, or maybe guacamole.   




Good eats my friends!  Sweet and spicy all rolled up into a quesadilla.


Quote of the Day
Instead of counting your days, make your days count. 
~Author Unknown


Cheers,
Shannon