This one is long overdue! I made Chicken Pot Pie, based on a recipe from Farrah's Food Adventure.
The one big change I made was that I added potatoes to it, since chicken pot pie just isn't the same without potatoes, at least for me and my husband!
I cut up about 2-3 medium potatoes into small cubes and cooked them in the butter (without onions) at the beginning to make sure they were tender enough. Then I followed the rest of Farrah's recipe, but added about an extra 1/2 c of milk and 1/2 c chicken broth.
The Verdict: Pretty good! Derek kept saying it was good, but he likes my other pot pie more... but honestly, you can't compare the two. The "Other" that he speaks of is a layered casserole that is made with homemade dough, slices potatoes and carrots and chicken breast in gravy. The homemade dough is just the best! BUT, this chicken pot pie, in pie form, was delicious and even heated up well for leftovers the next day. Something that I will definitely make again, thank you Farrah!
Showing posts with label Kitchen Kapers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kitchen Kapers. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Kitchen Kapers: Baked Potato Soup
I'm lagging a bit behind in posting my newly tested recipes! I'm getting quite a build-up waiting to be talked about!
Earlier this week, we tried Baked Potato Soup from Smitten Kitchen
I'm not sure that I would call it "baked potato" but more of a "Potato Leek" but what's in a name, eh? The soup was great!!! I love potato soup, whether it be a loaded baked potato or more of a potato leek. You just can't go wrong with a bowl of potato-ey goodness! Using chicken broth instead of loading it with heavy cream made it seem a little healthier, which is always good.
The recipe was easy to make, and I did it in less time than the recipe recommended. I only simmered the garlic for about 20-25 minutes. Well, maybe I didn't quite simmer it, but had it on a bit of a boil. Then I didn't really watch the time when I added the potatoes, I just coked them until they were good and tender.
Next time, I think I'd add in the crumbled bacon during the cooking of the soup to get a more bacon-infused soup.
The verdict: Great soup!! Definitely a keeper that I will make again and again.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Kitchen Kapers: Crockpot Ziti
Today's Kitchen Kapers is a crockpot meal, which is essential for us on busy days when Derek has work and we need to cook & eat within an hour of me being home. On days like this, either we have something that he can prepare or we do a crockpot meal, which is easiest for everyone involved!
I should preface this by saying that I do NOT like baked ziti. I know it's strange that I would make it, but the rest of the family loves it, so I thought I'd give it a try and possibly surpise myself. It'll make enough for dinner for all of us plus lunches for Derek and Victoria, so even if I eat more salad than pasta, all will be well!
I found the recipe for Crockpot Ziti on Finding Joy in my Kitchen. SnoWhite links to the original recipe that she used before making her modifications. Check it out!!
To note: I used ricotta cheese instead of cottage cheese. I also used Ronzoni Smart Taste pasta (enriched white pasta with added fiber and calcium) instead of whole wheat. You can use anything you like, even rotini would probably work great!
The only thing I didn't pay attention to when I was making this at 6am was that I used the whole box of penne instead of just 8oz. Oops... Hopefully it'll work out and cook okay!
The verdict: Adding the extra noodles (nearly double) but not doubling the sauce definitely dried it out a bit more than I expected. It also cooked longer than necessary, Derek turned it off around 2pm, which made the cook time about 7.5 hours. I'd stick with 4-5 hours in the future. Derek and Victoria seemed to enjoy it, but next time I'd add more sauce OR use the proper amount of noodles. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical with using uncooked noodles, but they turned out great. I ate it... it was okay... but if you read my preface, I've pointed out that I don't like baked ziti. I don't really care for ricotta cheese, but I would make it again- it's better than other baked zitis that I've had and it was so quick and easy to prepare. I think that I could even make this in the morning as a lunch for Derek and the kids and it would be perfect for a few days of lunch.
If you like baked ziti, I'd definitely try it out!
I should preface this by saying that I do NOT like baked ziti. I know it's strange that I would make it, but the rest of the family loves it, so I thought I'd give it a try and possibly surpise myself. It'll make enough for dinner for all of us plus lunches for Derek and Victoria, so even if I eat more salad than pasta, all will be well!
I found the recipe for Crockpot Ziti on Finding Joy in my Kitchen. SnoWhite links to the original recipe that she used before making her modifications. Check it out!!
To note: I used ricotta cheese instead of cottage cheese. I also used Ronzoni Smart Taste pasta (enriched white pasta with added fiber and calcium) instead of whole wheat. You can use anything you like, even rotini would probably work great!
The only thing I didn't pay attention to when I was making this at 6am was that I used the whole box of penne instead of just 8oz. Oops... Hopefully it'll work out and cook okay!
The verdict: Adding the extra noodles (nearly double) but not doubling the sauce definitely dried it out a bit more than I expected. It also cooked longer than necessary, Derek turned it off around 2pm, which made the cook time about 7.5 hours. I'd stick with 4-5 hours in the future. Derek and Victoria seemed to enjoy it, but next time I'd add more sauce OR use the proper amount of noodles. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical with using uncooked noodles, but they turned out great. I ate it... it was okay... but if you read my preface, I've pointed out that I don't like baked ziti. I don't really care for ricotta cheese, but I would make it again- it's better than other baked zitis that I've had and it was so quick and easy to prepare. I think that I could even make this in the morning as a lunch for Derek and the kids and it would be perfect for a few days of lunch.
If you like baked ziti, I'd definitely try it out!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Kitchen Kapers: Broccoli Cheddar and Potato Soup
Finally! I've gotten a chance to make the Broccoli Cheddar and Potato soup from Gina's Skinny Recipes.
I didn't quite follow the recipe- I omitted the onions, celery and garlic. I don't always use onion and celery and I was simply out of garlic and didn't realize it until I went to make the soup. I used about double the potatoes and broccoli, so I also doubled (or more) the amount of milk I used and added about a cup of water as well. I added the water because I was out of chicken broth and figured that was fine, since I already used the 2 1/2 c of chicken broth the recipe called for. Due to nearly doubling the soup, I also added a bit more cheese than the recipe calls for, but I didn't double the amount of cheese - I used 2 extra slices of american and maybe 1/2 c extra shredded cheddar.
The vedict? This soup was great! Definitely a keeper. Next time, I'll add a bit more potatoes, since we really enjoy potatoes and most of the potatoes in this soup got blended by my immersion blender.
I didn't quite follow the recipe- I omitted the onions, celery and garlic. I don't always use onion and celery and I was simply out of garlic and didn't realize it until I went to make the soup. I used about double the potatoes and broccoli, so I also doubled (or more) the amount of milk I used and added about a cup of water as well. I added the water because I was out of chicken broth and figured that was fine, since I already used the 2 1/2 c of chicken broth the recipe called for. Due to nearly doubling the soup, I also added a bit more cheese than the recipe calls for, but I didn't double the amount of cheese - I used 2 extra slices of american and maybe 1/2 c extra shredded cheddar.
The vedict? This soup was great! Definitely a keeper. Next time, I'll add a bit more potatoes, since we really enjoy potatoes and most of the potatoes in this soup got blended by my immersion blender.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Kitchen Kapers- Recipes to Try
I've been searching for new recipes to try to fit in my goal of trying something new each week. I know that, depending on the week, it might not get done, but I want to have a list compiled of recipes I want to try. I thought this would be the perfect forum to gather those recipes, and also share them with you in case you're interested in trying them.
Broccoli Cheese & Potato Soup - This one is on the menu for this week. Broccoli Cheddar soup and Potato soup are probably two of my three favorite soups. Combining them into one soup sounds like an amazing idea. The recipe looks pretty quick & easy, which is great for weeknights!
Chicken Pot Pie Soup - Something about this recipe just screams COMFORT FOOD! The thought of a nice, warm, pot pie soup on a cold, winter day is just perfect.
Skinny Chicken Enchiladas - I love Mexican food. This recipe is for enchilada sauce and reduced fat enchiladas. We all know that saving fat & calores is great if you can keep the great taste. This is definitely on my list to replace those enchilada "kits" that I make on occassion!
Crockpot Santa Fe Chicken- Again, another great sounding Mexican/Tex-Mex recipe. Looks like it might be a good alternative to Chipotle's bowls to make at home.
Creme Brulee French Toast- I love a good breakfast on the weekends and this recipe seriously made my mouth water. It sounds delicious...quite rich, but I'm sure that will make it even tastier! Can't wait to try it.
My list could go on and on... but I think I should stop here for the time being. Stay tuned for reviews of these recipes as part of the Kitchen Kapers feature!
Broccoli Cheese & Potato Soup - This one is on the menu for this week. Broccoli Cheddar soup and Potato soup are probably two of my three favorite soups. Combining them into one soup sounds like an amazing idea. The recipe looks pretty quick & easy, which is great for weeknights!
Chicken Pot Pie Soup - Something about this recipe just screams COMFORT FOOD! The thought of a nice, warm, pot pie soup on a cold, winter day is just perfect.
Skinny Chicken Enchiladas - I love Mexican food. This recipe is for enchilada sauce and reduced fat enchiladas. We all know that saving fat & calores is great if you can keep the great taste. This is definitely on my list to replace those enchilada "kits" that I make on occassion!
Crockpot Santa Fe Chicken- Again, another great sounding Mexican/Tex-Mex recipe. Looks like it might be a good alternative to Chipotle's bowls to make at home.
Creme Brulee French Toast- I love a good breakfast on the weekends and this recipe seriously made my mouth water. It sounds delicious...quite rich, but I'm sure that will make it even tastier! Can't wait to try it.
My list could go on and on... but I think I should stop here for the time being. Stay tuned for reviews of these recipes as part of the Kitchen Kapers feature!
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