MWR fun stuff/services they offer

http://armywife101.com/2014/06/7-fun-services-military-families-use-mwr-morale-welfare-recreation.html

What!  How cool!  She has a great blog for the military family. ..

Stressful

When I have a stressful day sometimes I need a treat to feel better.  Tonight is one of those nights.  So it's kefir milk and fresh sliced strawberries to the rescue!

Garden Summer veggies!

Man oh man I love summer for all the yummy produce you get from a garden. I made my favorite fresh tomato cucumber salad for lunch today with some left over meatloaf and cottage cheese. Of course my eyes are bigger than my tummy so the pups had a meatloafy treat! For the salad all you do is dice up your cucumber and tomatoes and then add some salt, pepper, 1 part oil, and 2 parts white vinegar. And BAM best most refreshing summer salad. It can be made as big or small as you like. If its a big seedy tomato I usually squish the guts out.  #Summervegsalad

For supper tonight we are having some grilled chicken and high heat roasted butternut squash and some other type of round white squash that looks like a daisy flower that my aunt grew. I love roasting veg in the oven the flavors are something remarkable. That sweet caramelization that happens with a crispy outside and fluffy inside. There are so many veg you can use for this recipe a lot time I mix and match several at once too. I love beets, yams, and butternut squash together.

Oven Roasted Vegetables

Vegetable of some sort (squash, butternut squash, beets, sweet potatoes/ yams, carrots, parsnips- the white little carrot looking things)
Salt
Pepper
Oil
Optional: Flavor enhancer seasonings of choice (Mrs. Dash, Garlic powder, Onion powder, Evergreen seasoning, etc)

Preheat oven to 425. Dice up the veg into about the same size pieces for even cooking. In a bowl mix a light thin spread of oil over the veg and mix to coat evenly. Season with salt, pepper, and extra seasoning like Mrs. Dash. Bake for 30-40 min on a lined cookie sheet.

I have some great possible news a brewing with a maybe visit for Labor Day from my hubby! I miss him so much I am going crazy and if we can get a cheap flight he might get to come home! Yay! Yay! Yay! And some other good news is my mom is steadily getting better from her surgery.

Time to catch up...

I have been absent the last few days since my mom has not been recovering quite like she thought. She had to head to the ER so I have been there for quite a bit and then taking care of her while she is home. My poor momma. I feel just awful for her. But like a good momma she is milking the being waited on hand and foot for all it's worth haha! To catch up on some tasty treats I have made recently I made a sorta version of a yummy recipe from the blog of theworldacordingtoeggface. It is her phili cheesesteak casserole. yum yum yum. It may not look crazy good but let me tell you it is!!!! Here is her recipe and the link to her blog. http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-in-my-pouch_19.html

Shelly's Philly Cheesesteak Casserole

1/2 a Maui Onion, diced
1 Large Green Pepper, diced
6 Mushrooms, sliced
2 small Zucchini, sliced
a little under a 1/2 lb. (about 7 slices) Roast Beef Cold Cut Meat, chopped
1 can (10.5 oz.) Cream of Celery Soup, unconstituted
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 cup Shredded Colby Jack Cheese, divided use (any good melter will do)
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
a few twists of Black Pepper

Sauté onions, green peppers & mushrooms till golden. Remove from pan. Add zucchini and sauté till golden and fork tender. Add back veggies. Add beef, soup, Worcestershire, 1/4 cup of the cheese & seasonings. Mix to combine and melt cheese. Pour into Pyrex casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

 

 

oh oh! And I tried out a new pizza crust recipe. It is so yummy. I would even make the crust to just eat it. My dad went crazy about this crust. Now it is super low carb but kinda high in cals so better stick to one piece and have a nice salad on the side if you are still hungry. One slice filled me up though so I didn't need anything extra. And the best part is its not made from cauliflower!

 

 Here is the link to her blog for the recipe for the crust. It's basically cheese, cream cheese, Italian seasoning, egg, and powdered parm. That's it! Our pizza had sautéed zucchini, seasoned ground beef, tomato, mushroom, olives, onions, and a little extra cheese. for pizza sauce I used good ol prego. It was quite delightful. The crust was thin and crispy just the way we like it.

http://lucysdiabeticfriendlylowcarbmeals.blogspot.com/2010/07/fantastico-pizza.html?m=1

 

 

 





ok time to head out and make some meatloaf for dinner. My dad requested it. I think he just wants left over meatloaf sammis this week.

Watermelon Slushy

I have been so addicted to these watermelon slushy things I found online. I don't like adding ice and changed the flavor because I don't have lime around and I add a bit of splenda. I have been making them everyday. Having the prep done early makes all the difference en you need that quick fix and without all that extra ice it's not so frothy!

First I chopped up my watermelon into cubes and froze it in zip locks with about 4-5 cups. Once froze I toss it into the vitamix add 2-3 tbs lemon juice, 2-3 tbs splenda,  and a bit of water just to get things moving.  Blend until smooth.

This is so refreshing!

You know you're in Idaho when....

So I missed blogging for you all yesterday as I had to take my mum and grandma to doctors appointments and I just couldn't get coordinated enough as the gym showed me that morning. So. I am at the doc with my mom for her back and we are waiting in the waiting room when these two old bittys start extremely loudly chatting. Apparently they both have shot themselves with their own firearms...Yep you read that right. All I could think is once you start shooting yourselves you should either a) take a class on firearm safety or b) have your guns locked up! They had to both be in their mid to late 70s I'd say. One lady shot herself a few years ago in her foot and almost blew it off and the other was there to get her cast taken off for shooting her .22 through her hand...she was trying to clean it she said. Crazy. And trust me if you know me you know what I think about firearms and our rights...I am all for everybody having them. It's our right. But as the daughter of one of those 2 ladies we would be having a chat I think...They were both really chatty about their experiences let me tell you. And loud! everyone just looked at them in disbelief. We were luckily taken back for my moms appointment and w/in 2 hours of leaving she was scheduled for surgery the next morning. We had to head over the hospital for pre surgery stuff last night so she could get in today. I am excited for her since now she won't be hurting anymore! In fact I am writing this as I sit in the waiting room waiting for her to be finished.

My grandmothers appointment wasn't as exciting but she is still a hoot at hers. Her doc office just gets a kick out of her. I wore a dress she made in the 70s and she had to parade me around like a doll haha! I love this dress btw. It makes me feel so feminine like Jean Terriany in the Ghost and Mrs. Muir. I just love that movie...It's an old Black and white. Well anyway my grandma and papa who came down later ended up staying for dinner along with about 4 other people not including my parents and I. Luckily I made enough dinner! We had sauerkraut and BBQ sausages along with strawberry pie.

German Sauerkraut

1 bag or jar (do not use can) sauerkraut
1 tsp white pepper
1 tsp cardamom
1 med onion finely chopped
1 apple pealed and finely chopped (can use applesauce as well)
White wine
1 tbs sugar
2 cloves garlic finely chopped or grated

drain and rinse off kraut well. Place in non reactive pan and add all your ingredients. Cover with wine and simmer for 1 hour. It's authentic and amazing! Next time I will probably use a little less pepper but my dad and everyone else likes things peppery. It was perfect with the grilled sausages. I would have cooked them in the kraut but I picked to small of a saucepot on accident.
Here are the left overs all sealed up in the lock n lock container.

 

Today we are having chicken and vegetable stew which I am so glad I pre made yesterday! Crockpots are your friend! I made this one with the whole chicken and this morning I skimmed off any extra fat on the top after I took it out and deboned it (the pic below has the fat in it as it is from making it last night). I even kept some of the chicken out for salads for lunch on Friday for some Asian chicken salads.

 

Chicken and Vegetable stew (Crockpot)

 

*All ingredients are approx. I like to just dump stuff in and eye ball it)

 

whole chicken

saffron

paprika

garlic cloves 2-3

1 med onion rough chop

4-5 med carrots large chopped

1 super large zucchini large chopped

1c sugar snap peas in the pods

1 tsp mrs Dash

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

salt

pepper

6 chicken bullion cubes

1/2 c chopped celery

1 tsp dried thyme

1/8-1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

4 sweet peppers halved and seeds and stems removed (the little mini ones that come in the bad with red, yellow, and orange)

water to cover

 

Place all the ingredients in and full to fill line of your crockpot (mines a 6qt oblong). Cook on low for 8 hours stirring occasionally. usually around hour 4 I taste the broth to make sure I don't need to adjust the spices a bit. Take out chicken and remove skin and debone. Place meat back in pot in large chunks. Skim off the fat at the top with a spoon and that is it! Dinner is served. 

 

 

I love doing the whole chicken because it adds so much extra flavor and I always reserve a bunch of the dark meat for lunches for the rest of the week.

 

Well my mom should be out of surgery soon so I am gona get off here and see my momma soon!

 

 

 

 



It's a deer!

Busy morning here. Up and cleaned as usual. But that is nothing new. I did however finally get my chocolate mint plant transplanted into a larger pot. I am sure he is thanking me as we speak. Spread my lovely SPREAD! I had quite an awesome sight leaving the gym today. Out walked a buck right on the hillside in front of me! He mosied over to the tree and sat down to stare at me. So I took his photo.

This afternoon I am heading up to help my grandmother do some cooking. We are making strawberry pie. She bought another 28lb bucket so she figured she should make something with them rather than just eating them plain. I am sure it will turn out very tasty and very sugar filled so I shall just smell the pie goodness when it is done. Mmm pie...

 

Yesterday I got to see some clothes that my grandmother had made when she was younger. She was/is quite a seamstress. She even made my mom's wedding dress and all the bridesmaids dresses. Yep she is that good. I on the other had...terrible. I try mind you but I can't sew a straight line to save myself haha. I try to be crafty but sometimes stuff just doesn't turn out like I see it in my head. I did finish my dads gag gift for this back slider...It looks amazing. :) he is leaving it up but at first he said he wasn't sure if he could take all the Bettyness. I think the Bettyness won him over in the end hehe. You see... It's a crochet rope that is attached to the stick for the slider door so he doesn't have to bend over to take it out or put it in! I notched the wood so it fit in these little grooves so it didn't slide out either. Genius!

 Later I got to see my other grandma and her 2 little doxi's and we all had a nice chat. My dads mom is about as skilled at crafts as I am haha! The only difference is I still try but she has the good sense to know when she is beat.  I am toying with the idea of making a packed lunch picnic for her and I and heading out to visit her this week at work. I thought it would be kinda nice maybe on a cooler day and eat at the park their in Asotin. I am thinking maybe Asian chicken salad! I am going to crockpot a whole chicken and debone it for snacks/lunches probably tomorrow. Maybe I will check the weather for Friday!

I am really enjoying seeing all this family everyday. I didn't realize how much I miss seeing them so often living so far away. Maybe someday we will be stationed closer to them...I hope!

Spa Day and My Cabin Sign

So my dad left yesterday for his yearly weekend bike trip with his friend so my mom and I took advantage of the time and went up to the Coeur d'Alene River Casino and had some spa time. We left after work and did some gambling and had some amazing dinner in one of the restaurants there. I had the best turkey pot pie of my life! If I could find that recipe I wouldn't even try to make it healthy it was that good. They cooked it in a cast iron pan and I am thinking that made a huge difference but the inside sauce was the kicker...After dinner on the machines my mom did far better than I did. I lost it all haha. I am a terrible gambler (which is why I don't ever go really) We stayed in the spa tower that night with the most luxurious rooms and then followed that with our spa day. It was just what we needed. Now my toes are all sexy (see below) as were the hot tubs and Zen room. Wonderful wonderful. We left so relaxed. I didn't use the sauna this trip since my mom doesn't care for them and her back was hurting her a bit. What a day.

Today I got up bright and early and cleaned the house before she got up so she could relax before we went to visit my grandmother for a bit. She has a list of things she needs help with today so I am sure I will be plenty busy today up there and to tired to come back and clean their house so morning it was!
After my amazing chat with my hubby since we are apart for the moment (thanks Army) we made the sign for my little cabin my dad is making for me on the property. I think it turned out pretty good. I am excited to put it up this weekend! I will post a picture of the whole outside next week. It really is coming along. He fixed the water leak too so no more high water bill from my place. All that will be left is the plumbing for my sink and to take up the mini fridge/ hot plate thing and I am set! Oh and make curtains to hide under the sink :)

 

Oh and I am sure I will brag about this tomorrow but tonight is Fazari's pizza night! Woooooo! 

Turkey feta sun dried tomato burgers and beet salad

Some days I just want to shake my dad and be like GO TO THE DOCTOR! A couple weeks ago my dad took a hole or of his foot he is a diabetic with neuropathy bad. .. so that is not good. Then last night he takes a chunk it off his finger to the bone and I'm sure needs stitches. .. There was blood everywhere nope no doctor. .. sigh men. Have to be dying before they go. Alas to my recipe. ..

Turkey feta sun dried tomato burgers

1 lb ground turkey
1 tsp oregano
1/3 c feta
1/3 c sun dried tomato chopped
Salt
Pepper

Mix it all together.  Make 4 pattys. Use some of the oil from the tomatoes to fry them in. 

Crazy yummy. I used the sandwich thins a little bit of sour cream because I was out of Greek yogurt romaine lettuce cucumber and an extra crumble of feta and they were amazing for the burger bit. To pair up with the burgers I made a beet salad.

Beet salad
Cook and cube beets. Or take the canned make sure to rinse and dry them.  Add mayo or miracle whip salt and pepper.  Done.  It's amazing.  Do not use pickled beets.

Vegetable Beef Stew and the Thrift Store Steal

The other day my dad got out by accident a large package of frozen mixed veg and it thawed in the fridge. I hate waste so I thought what can I use this for...Tah Dah! Veg beef stew. Man did it turn out amazing. And so easy done in the crockpot.

Vegetable Beef Stew

2 lbs Beef Stew Meat
4 large carrots
6 beef bouillion cubes or beef stock to make 6-8 cups
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp parsley dried
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2-1 tsp steak seasoning
1 tsp cumin
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp onion powder (we were out of both garlic and onion)
salt
pepper
1 bag of frozen mixed vegetables
pinch of saffron


Toss everything but the veg in on low for about 4 hrs and then the last 2-3 toss in your veg depending how soft you like them.
total cook time 6-8 hrs.

Yesterday I hit the gym again this time in the weight room. Oh boy am I feeling it today! Feel the burn...My aunt went with me so was nice to have someone to work out with for a change. Then after we went thrift store shopping! I picked up this super cute middle eastern tea/coffee pot for 10 bucks! New never been used all real crystal and copper...what a steal! I forgot to put the heating deal in for the pic but check this baby out!

AND to top it all off I got me some camping shorts for like 2 bucks...What a great day yesterday. Today should be another crazy day with getting the dogs nails done, gym, helping my grandmother with a room she has full of boxes, and normal cleaning stuff...thank goodness I am just making a shrimp salad for dinner tonight. I don't think I would have the time for anything else!

Sold myself for a blender

Well Wednesday my parents best friend comes over and offered me a payoff I just couldn't refuse...A vitamix blender....the beauty of all beauties of the blender world...Costco had them on sale and he needed help with getting his house ready to be put on the market to sell. So basically I sold myself for a blender because you know I said yes when he was bribing me! I told my hubby that I had sold my self and he laughed and told me that wasn't possible since he had already bought me from my dad for a goat haha! What a goof...
Man it was the hardest work I have done in forever! His house hadn't been cleaned in I don't know how long. Some of the window blinds hadn't been opened in over 5 years...Don't get me wrong it wasn't stinky gross dirty just hey I am a bachelor and haven't dusted cleaned in over 5 years lol. Hard work it was yes but SO SO worth it! Such a beauty my new blender...Expect recipes to come soon! My first thing I want to do besides my few protein shakes I have done is soup. This thing can make soup!

While I was camping this weekend my dad and did some more work on my little cabin. Once we have the sign up I will post an outside photo. It really is coming along and I love it! When I am gone it will be great for others to use when they stay too. My uncle came up with us this weekend as well. Was great to spend some time with him. There was lots of swimming this weekend as well. The water was perfect. Not to warm and not to cold. On Saturday I made a chicken dijon quiche which despite the oven in my parents fifth wheel deciding to not work turned out amazing! I had to improvise and make it on the stove top. That was a bit tricky but I love a challenge. My dad kept picking at it well after dinner and took the last bit for lunch today he liked it so much along with making sure he had the recipe for when I am gone. Yeah it's that good.

Dijon Chicken Quiche

Refrigerated Pillsbury pie crust

1 onion, finely chopped

8 oz sliced fresh mushrooms

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp. butter

1 Tbsp. oil

1-1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken

1 tsp. dried thyme leaves

1/4 cup chicken broth

1/3 + 2 Tbsp. cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup shredded baby Swiss cheese or sliced works just as well really

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup sour cream

4 eggs

2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

1 Tbsp. flour

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Blind bake pie crust for 7-9 minutes until very light golden brown; set aside to cool.

Sauté onion, mushrooms, and garlic in butter and olive oil until tender in a medium saucepan. Add chicken, thyme, and chicken broth. Cook this mixture over medium heat until liquid evaporates, stirring frequently. Stir in flour to create like a roux. Place chicken mixture over bottom of partially baked crust, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese and baby Swiss cheese. In medium bowl, place cream, sour cream, eggs. mustard, and flour and beat well with wire whisk until combined. Pour into pie shell, carefully using the tip of a knife to make holes in the filling so the egg mixture goes to the bottom. Sprinkle top with remaining 2 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese. Bake quiche at 375 degrees for 35-43 minutes or until filling is golden brown, set, and puffed. Cool 5 minutes before cutting.

Army decal madness

http://armywife101.com/2014/07/love-soldier-decals-dangerous-military-spouses.html

What the crap! People make me so mad.

Hamburger Helper

I went to one of my favorite stores Grocery Outlet. I love it love it! I found the biggest most awesome giant bamboo cutting board for my hubby today. It's 20x18 I believe it said. I told him about it today and he is excited to get cooking on it. You can find everything there and random things. One of the perks to being home for a visit is I got to meet up with my best friend from grade school today. She is all pregnant and round so cute. We had a great chat catching up and I got to meet her new fella C. He seemed quite nice. I am super happy for her.

Tomorrow I am proud to announce I begin at my new gym here. I got my new little sun hat and sunscreen for the outdoor water class and I joined the inside weight gym too. I will do that though Thursday. Can't wait to get back there again and work my buns off! It was a little expensive but worth it for my health.

For dinner tonight I made my parents a low carb pasta hamburger helper dish. It was scrumptious!

Hamburger Helper

1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 tbs cornstarch
2.5 tsp paprika
1.5 tsp garlic powder
1.5 tsp onion powder
salt
pepper
3 cups milk
1.5 cups low carb elbow macaroni noodle
1 tsp sugar
1 cup water
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3 tbs ketchup

1. Go ahead and brown your ground beef in a fairly deep pan or pot (you’ll be adding a lot of liquid).
2. Drain the fat off the meat and put it back in the pan/pot. Add spices, water, pasta and milk and bring to a boil.
3. Bring your heat down to a simmer and let simmer until the pasta is finished. Add your ketchup.
4. Add your cheddar cheese and turn off the heat. Stir until the cheese is melted.
5. Let sit for a few minutes and serve!

Crock Pot Cashew Chicken with Vegetables

Just got back from camping with my family and some of our old family friends. It was great to see everybody. My dad built me a little cabin out of part of their old park model they had on their property before the snow caved in the roof this last winter. It is SO cute! All he has left is to build a counter. I even have a real bathroom with the works! Water, sewer, electric, and an AC. Yes please! We named it Bensultana's Palace. I know. That's only the best name ever! Savannah and Butter did really great with all the people, fireworks, and new surroundings. I was really pleased. They didn't wonder off even once. Don't mind all the trash outside. We are still cleaning up all the smashed bits from the park model from this winter. 

So since we were all busy with commotion of July 4th I thought why not make a crock pot dish. Who doesn't love a toss it all in meal.

 

Crock Pot Cashew Chicken

 

1.5 lbs of chicken thighs (I use boneless skinless)

1/4 c Soy sauce

1/4 c Ketchup

Rice wine vinegar (a splash)

1/2 tsp Ginger Powder

1/4 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

1/2 tsp Onion powder

Garlic 2 cloves

1/2 a bag of Asian stirfry veg from the frozen section

Siracha (squirt to taste)

3 tbs peanut butter

1/2 c cashews

crunchy chow mein noodles (optional)

 

Place chicken through garlic in the crockpot on low for 2 hours. Add the stir fry veg for 1-1.5 hrs. Just before the serving squirt in some siracha, add the peanut butter, and the cashews and stir until blended. Serve over chow mein noodles or without.

 

It turned out perfect and the left overs were just as good...



Green Chili Cream Cheese Salami Rolls

Finished my cookies and realized I had some salami that needed to be used so I made up a new appetizer. Oh my gosh. YUM!

Green Chili Cream Cheese Salami Rolls

Sliced Salami from the deli counter about 1/2-3/4 pound thin sliced
1 8oz package cream cheese (I used the Greek yogurt cream cheese)
1 small can diced green chilies drained.
small 1/4c or so handful of shredded cheese if the liquid from the chilies make the cream cheese thin
toothpicks

1. Mix softened cream cheese w/ the chilies and cheese.

2. Lay out your salami and place 1-1.5 TBS of cream cheese mixture

3. Roll up and secure with a toothpick.

Tah Dah! So good. I can't get the photo to load for some reason so enjoy a Bigfoot statue from our local produce market.

Practically Sugar Free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies...

Today I begin my rounds of saying howdy to my grandma's work ladies and my dad's coworkers aka the entire courthouse. So I thought since I was planning on making my dad some cookies why not make a double batch for some of the people at the courthouse too. Who doesn't like cookies...I mean really. At 19 cals a cookie everyone can enjoy a treat. My hubs eats these by the handful. They are soft and moist and have a pleasant cinnamon kick. I tend to change up this recipe with whatever I have in my cupboard using nuts, craisins, whatever flour I happen to have on hand etc. (I seem to do that a lot). Today since I am out of almond flour and whole wheat I am going to have to sub plain ol white flour for the recipe. I know the recipe says rolled oats but for the oat flour portion but it's ok to use quick cooking oats since your blending it. But I wouldn't for the actual oats for the oatmeal cookie part. Will make them to mushy. 

The left overs are heading up to Elk River, ID with us for our camping trip. Can't wait! It is one of my most favorite places. I have been camping their since before I was born. I think I was a month or so when they took me on my first camping trip there and when I lived back here every weekend from spring through fall. Fresh mountain air and huckleberry ice cream here I come!

Almost Sugar Free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Single Batch
Ingredients

5.3 oz Greek yogurt, plain or vanilla works best
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract I always splash a bit more since I like vanilla
2 TBS honey
1 cup raisins
2 cups rolled oats, divided
1/4 cup almond flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 TBS cinnamon
1/8 cup Splenda brown sugar

Directions

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2.) In a medium mixing bowl, combine yogurt, applesauce, egg, vanilla extract, and honey. Whisk together well.

3.) Fold in raisins. Set aside for at least 10 minutes so they can plump up

4.) In a food processor or blender, combine 1 cup oats. Process until the consistency of flour. I usually dump in the almond flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar at this point and pulse it a couple times to mix it all in. Or you can just mix it together in the large bowl that you add your cup of oats too. Which you should do so now and mix to incorporate with a wooden spoon. 

5.) Fold wet ingredients into dry just until incorporated and set aside for 5 minutes. Dough will be very sticky.

6.) Drop dough onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. I used a cookie scoop. Bake for 8-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes then remove cookies to finish cooling on a wire rack. Makes about 20 cookies.

 

Pot Roast Mushroom Soup

Well I got my parents off to work this morning. Yep just like kids. Packed my dad a lunch, my mom some snacks (she eats at work), and put a chicken in the crockpot for lunches the rest of the week. Tonight though I am really looking forward to dinner. I have a super busy day ahead of my taking my grandmother to a few appointments but I am determined to make some pot roast mushroom soup for supper. I cooked a roast with vegetables for dinner yesterday and made sure to take about 2 cups worth of meat out for tonight. I always do. This soup is far to tasty to not. I can't remember where I found this recipe and I have tweeked it a bit since I first jotted it down but oh my it's one you will keep heading back for. When I have fresh herbs instead of the dried it tastes just the same it's just prettier with the fresh. Use 1 Tbs instead of a half with the fresh.

Pot Roast Mushroom Soup

3 Tbs light margarine or butter
1 small onion
2-3 cloves of garlic
1/2 Tbs dried thyme 
1/2 Tbs dried parsley
8oz sliced mushrooms
1/4 c flour of choice
1/4-1/2 cup of red wine
4 cups beef broth
2 cups chopped or shredded left over pot roast

Melt your butter in a large saucepan. Add onion and mushrooms. Cook for about 15-20 min until all the moisture has evaporated from the mushrooms. Add your dried thyme and garlic at this point. sauté an additional minute. Mix in flour for a min or so to cook the raw flavor out and then add the red wine to deglaze the pan. Add your broth, parsley, and roast beef bringing it to a boil and then simmer for 15min.

Normally I serve it with some nice crusty bread but today we are pairing it with a salad instead with my standard oil and vinegar dressing I make. I like mine more vinegary rather than oily so its like 1 part oil to 2 parts vinegar or so. I toss in some salt, pepper, and Mrs. Dash (no salt seasoning). and tah dah! you're done. Just make sure to whisk it really good to make sure its all emulsified I can't stand separated dressing! So versatile. You can change up the oils and the type of vinegar and your possibilities are endless. Some of my favorites are of course really really good olive oil and balsamic vinegar, or veg oil with rice wine vinegar and a dash of soy sauce.