Simple Homemade Ice Cream

My brother and Breanna (lovely sister-in-law), made amazing homemade ice cream while I was home.  There are only 4 ingredients in the ice cream which makes it even better.  The ice cream itself was not too sweet, so it was perfect combined with Oreo's and chocolate syrup! 

I ate this lovely creation two nights in a row.

If you have an ice cream maker, you have to try this recipe!

Trace and Breanna'a Homemade Ice Cream

4 cups milk

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup sugar

1 Tbsp. vanilla

(You will probably need ice and ice cream salt for you ice cream maker)

Mix these ingredients together and place in ice cream maker.  Follow instructions for you ice cream maker!  

Enjoy with toppings of choice!

A Little Bit of NM

I'm hanging out in New Mexico for the week.  It is where I am from and I love it here.  I enjoy the mountains and the beautiful sunrises and sunsets!  I have been taking our dog for a walk  each morning.  My brother and his wife live on my parents property so we have been having dinner as a family each night.  I haven't really made anything new so I haven't been posting, sorry!  Trace and Breanna (his wife) did make homemade ice cream last night topped with oreos, it was delicious and I will post that tomorrow sometime.  In the meantime thought you might appreciate our little apple project.  My parents have two apple trees!!!  I have been eating on every day:) 

Golden Delicious (these are my favorite, very sweet and crisp)

We dehydrated apples the other day

Quite a little process

Soak them in fruit fresh

Load the trays

One for my mouth, one for the tray, one for my mouth...

The remains, the goats loved these!!

Hope everyone is having a good week:)

Cozy Food

I was very excited yesterday when my Mom had a food request because she has not had any requests in a long time.  You can bet I got my butt into the kitchen tonight to meet the request.  Black-eyed peas (*sigh, not my favorite meal haha).  As usual, I got online and looked up different black-eyed pea recipes and then just made one of my own.  The result was amazing, yes amazing and this is coming from the girl that only chokes down eats black-eyed peas on New Years Day.  We both loved this recipe-it was one of those cozy, comfort food meals.  It is really easy too

 Served over rice it hit the spot

Cozy Black-Eyed Peas

1 cup dry black-eyed peas (soaked for about 10 hours or overnight and rinsed)

3/4 pound ground turkey (cooked it right before I served the peas and added it the last 5 minutes)

2 stalks celery, diced

1 large carrot, diced

1 bell pepper, diced

2 Tbsp. dried onion flakes

3 Tbsp Olive oil

4-6 cups chicken broth (I used about 4 cups chicken broth with 2 cups water added later)

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. Tony's creole seasoning

Pepper to taste

1 bay leaf (these are in the spice isle and I like to add them to soups, then take out when soup is done)

Optional (sprinkle mustard powder and dash of Worcestershire sauce)

In a large saucepan saute celery, carrot, bell pepper and onion until tender.  Stir in seasonings and then add 4 cups chicken broth; add black-eyes peas that have been soaking and bring to boil.  Add your bay leaf (it just sits in the liquid and you can take it out when your peas are done).  Simmer for about 2 hours with the lid on, adding more liquid as needed (you want the liquid to cover your peas by about 1/2 inch at all times).  When your peas are done you can mash a few of them to thicken the sauce.  Start your rice (or grain of choice) and ground turkey.  Add the cooked ground turkey for the last five minutes of cook time and take out the bay leaf.  Enjoy
*This made about 5 servings and it is really good served over brown rice.  I am excited because this is a filling, healthy meal, hope you enjoy it as much as we did!!

 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:11-13

Get Well Soup

I was trying to think of things to feed my Mom because she has not had a huge appetite lately.  I know she needs a lot of good nutrients right now-who doesn't really?  This is what I came up with and it was pretty simple to throw together.  We have been eating on it for the past 5 days!

Easy and delicious

Get Well Chicken Soup

1 whole rotiseree chicken (take all the meat off the bone and have it ready for your soup)

2-3 Tbsp. Olive Oil

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 bell pepper, washed, chopped

Dried onion flakes or a whole onion diced

1 medium potato, washed and cubed

1 large squash, chopped

1 bag frozen mixed vegetables (I used broccoli, cauliflower and carrots)

4 cups chicken broth (may need to add water also)

1 box of wild rice (I used garlic herb wild rice and it added a lot of flavor), cooked according to package

1/4 cup half and half

In a large saucepan heat oil over medium heat.  Add celery, bell pepper and dried onion and stir.  As they start to soften add your mixed vegetables, squash, potato, chicken and chicken broth to the pan.  Let that simmer together for about 20 minutes, or until veggies are tender.  Add more chicken broth or water to the desired consistency of your soup!  Add your rice and half and half and let that get warm.  Serve with fresh bread or crackers.  This made a really big batch, probably about 10 servings.  Did I mention this is really good?  Try it, especially if you are feeling sick, it will perk you right up!