Sunday, February 27, 2011

White Bean Turkey Chili

Let me just say...Yummy!!! I told you that the first recipe I was going to try in my cast iron pot was the white bean turkey chili and it was a hit! I made this for the boys and we ate as we were watching the oscars! So its a RED CARPET HIT!
Here is the recipe!
Ingredients:
2Tbsp~olive oil
1 1/2 pounds~ground turkey meat
1~yellow onion,cut into 1/2" dice
2~cloves of garlic,minced
1~rib celery,cut into 1/2" dice
1~ carrot,cut into 1/2" dice
1~green pepper,cut into 1/2" dice
1~red pepper,cut into 1/2" dice
2tsp~dried ground cumin
2tbsp~chili powder
salt and black pepper
2~17oz. cans of white beans,drained
3cups~chicken stock
1/4c~fresh cilantro,chopped
sour cream(optional)
scallions,chopped (optional)
cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions:
Heat a cast iron casserole over med. heat. Add olive oil to the casserole, and brown the ground turkey. Once cooked, remove the turkey meat to a bowl and reserve. Drain and discard any excess grease from the pot.
Add the onion,garlic,celery, and carrot to the pan and cook for 5-6 mins. Add the green and red peppers,cumin and chili powder. Season with salt and pepper,and continue to cook for an additional 10 mins, until all the veggies are soft.
Return the meat to the pan and add the white beans. Pour in the chicken stock and stir to mix well! (scape the bottom to get all the good flavoring off).Simmer over low heat for 1 hour and then stir in cilantro.
Serve with a dollop of sour cream ,chopped scallions, or cheddar cheese, or a combination of the three
serve 6-8
(in my case i used all three..and it served 4 people~3 boys and they were starving)
I also made rice and put the chili over it and then the toppings as shown in the picture.

The boys (Eli,Cousin Josh and Gabe) Liked it
Eli~ITS GREAT!
Gabe~ITS GOOD!
CJ~ITS PRETTY GOOD =)

*Its not a hot chili~ but add whatever hot sauce you like and yum!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Friday, February 25, 2011

Chicken Pot Pies..

Dinner on a cold rainy night...the best thing i can think of is chicken pot pies..wish i was eating them tonight..but chinese take out will do for tonight..but many people asked for my recipe...i kinda just made it up..and put in what i remember from growing up and eating the frozen pot pies that my mom would get (dont get me wrong..i loved them and they were easy....but i love cooking..so frozen wont do!)
RECIPE..i was making this recipe for a bunch of people..so
In BIG skillet, melt butter(1 stick); stir in flour(2/3c) and pepper( dash). Cook about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly. Gradually stir in chicken broth
(2~10.5oz cans) and 1.5 cup milk; cook until mixture boils and thickens, stirring constantly. Add chicken(i used one and 1/2 rotisserie chickens..diced up), onion,celery and carrots (diced and sauted in veggie oil or olive oil), peas and corn(frozen and thawed); cook until hot and bubbly. Spoon mixture evenly into ramekins(or i used mini loaf pans) u can either place biscuits on top..i used puff pastry..but i have also used pie crust.....just cover top( u can also place on bottom..either taste good) Place on top (and bottom if u like). Cut slits in tops. brush tops with milk. cook until top is golden brown..20 mins..i just look at it and see how i feel..

they were very tasty! enjoy! and let me know!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Family Dinner Night

One of the hi~lights to my week! Every tuesday night a bunch of us gather and take turns cooking..its such a fun experience of getting to know each other better and really taking the time to care for each other. Just taking the time to spend  with each other is so speical. Anyone out there wanna join in a week! we usually start eatting at 730..come one by!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

We're MOVING!

God has directed us to a house of our dreams! With help of Fred finding the house and getting it at in auction...Eli and I decided to buy it! this thursday we are going to close on this house and we are soooo excited! Its been totally God who we have trusted to find us a house...a house we hope to share with many friends and family over the rest of our years of life...but most of all we hope this will be the house that we will raise a family in.

oh....we are moving only 2 mins from where we are now..off dixhills rd...7 ivy hill ct =)


We are in the process of getting our old home ready to sell....its a big big job....moving and cleaning that is....
pictures soon to come...=)

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Summer has ended

Eli's 40th Surprise Party!
Well I didnt do some of the things I wanted to do this summer vacation BUT I did quite a bit! I worked camp at my preschool for 3 weeks..usually i do a week or maybe two! I really loved it! Then I threw a surprise 40th birthday party for Eli..whose real birthday is actually october..we had about 70 people in attendence...including his family from ohio and his best friend from college Steve and his wife Jacque..it was a great time. His family stay a week or so and we painted the house and a neighbor helped us out by building us a porch and put in a front door..its our first front door! AND we are very excited about it!We actually have been working on the house and our yard..we still have lots todo but have done a lot this summer..we have cleaned up the computer room and repainted and gotten rid of stuff! One room down...kitchen/den needs to be painted next then our room and bathroom! 
 We have used our MA house the last two weekends and are hoping to get one more getaway there in october before my dad closes it up!
We have started to look at forclosures in the area that Fred (elis co-worker) has given us to look at and we have liked a few..so i guess that mean we are starting to look again! Labor Day weekend was this weekend and we were able to bring friends friends with us to the MA house! it was a blast! =)
I also was in a Wedding this summer! My best friend FINALLY got married to her long time boryfriend Eli Irizarry!It was an amazing day that I will never forget and it was a Joy to see how happy they both were! 
All in all it was a great Summer, the Lord has blessed us both so much! 
Cheryl's Wedding!
(molly,me,cheryl,allison,kristine)

Monday, August 23, 2010

Very early Stages

Eli and I decided we are going to look into adoption! Today I am going over my good friend Karen's house..she adopted two boys and she is going to talk about the process that she went through! I know most of her journey..the ups and downs..and it makes me excited and terrified..but i know the Lord is leading us in this direction..
BUT...we are still trying to have one on our own! The Lord will give us the desire of our hearts one way or another and in his time!
Just asking for prayer of course...For wisdom and for guidance!