Beer Split Pea & Ham Soup

 Sometimes our kitchen longs for a little something different.

Something crazy out of the norm.

Let me tell you how this craving came about.

My mother's husband was rooting through their fridge like he always

does when we visit.

He searches for food to send home with us.

While his head is buried deep in the fridge he yells,

"Oh my gosh Ang, you should see what I found".

He backs out of the fridge with a deli meat package in his hand.

 "I got these ham pieces for 1.25 a pound".

Then he goes into explaining how they sell them so cheap.

I looked at the package label and said,

"But Bob, that says doggy treats".

"Yeah, yeah I know. But there is enough ham on those shavings

that you could chop them up and use them for beans or something".

"But Bob, it says doggy treats".

I just couldn't get the "doggy treats" out of my head.

What this meat market does is, they trim the hams and put the scraps

in bags FOR DOGGY TREATS.

But I kindly took the bag of doggy treats and headed home.

That is where this craving came from.

I will share the link for the recipe I followed.

I made a few changes of my own.

I found the recipe at Pig and Paint.

As far as the changes:

I chopped up my doggy treats and browned them in about 2 TBS of bacon grease.

I added onion and garlic powder. I didn't have any fresh garlic.

I also added some great northern beans that I had blanched and froze. 

About a cup and a half worth.

Just follow the recipe as printed, or make the changes I did.

Whichever way you choose to make this soup is up to you.

But you have to make it.

It is one amazing soup.

See Ya'all Soon!

Beer Cheese Dip

 This recipe came from Culinary Hill.

And when they say "addictive" they are telling the truth.

We wiped this out in one sitting.

 I served this with Ritz crackers and the new Tostito Rolls.

This is a very good dip.

Great for parties and family gatherings.

It is so good that I'm thinking about serving this for our Thanksgiving.

It will put a little life into the original veggie and cheese trays.

Beer Cheese Dip

3 (8 oz.) pkgs cream cheese, softened
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese, I shredded my own
1 pkg dry ranch salad dressing mix
6 oz. beer
1/2 tsp. onion powder
garlic powder to taste

Combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese (save a little for garnish), ranch mix, beer, and spices. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes. If you can wait that long.....Sprinkle with a little shredded cheddar cheese.

Beer Glazed Chicken

 This is another recipe that came through my Facebook feed.

When I saw the word "beer" I couldn't move 

fast enough to get the recipe pinned in my Pinterest.

I was NOT about to lose this one.

 The temperatures are still warm enough too for beer season......

And just think,

you can make this in your kitchen all year long.

This will for sure be made over and over in our house.

This recipe was posted in So, How's it Taste?

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and enjoy so many more recipes from Leah.

I will be visiting her often.

Beer Glazed Chicken

2 TBS Canola oil

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

salt and pepper

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 c. beer

2 TBS soy sauce

1 TBS Sweet Hot Stone Ground Mustard

1 TBS honey

2 TBS parsley leaves (opt.)

Add oil to large skillet heated over medium heat. Generously salt and pepper the chicken pieces. Add chicken to skillet and brown (about 6 minutes each side). I cooked mine longer. I got it nice and brown. 

Add beer, onion powder, soy sauce, mustard, and honey in mixing bowl and stir with a whisk.

Remove your browned chicken from pan and keep warm.

Add the liquid to skillet and bring to a low boil. Scrape pan to loosen browned bits. Boil until liquid reduces to 1/2 c. (about 3 minutes). Return chicken to pan and turn pieces to coat with sauce. Sprinkle with parsley leaves if you like. 

Belgian Beef Stew

 Here is a recipe I have been wanting to share with you for while now.

Things have been quite hectic around here.

I had the worst scare of my life last week.

Well to be honest, it wasn't just last week.

My symptoms have been going on for a couple weeks. 

And last week, since things were not getting better, 

I thought it was time to see a doctor.

When you are requested forced to have tests done

you automatically assume the worst.

Right?

I know I do.

I'm sure when the doctor requests forces medical tests,

he/she is assuming the worst too.

But with my fear of being the next cancer patient put to rest

with the test results my life can get back to normal.

I was dealing with such a bad case of anxiety last week 

that I couldn't function normal.

 And being able to share this recipe with you is my healing way

of getting my life back on track.

And poor Johnie......

I'm sure he was assuming the worst too.

He was beside me every day during my testing and hospital stay.

I couldn't ask for a better man.

 With this recipe I'm just going to share the link and 

tell you about the changes I made. 

Above is the beer I chose to use in my stew.

But you can use any kind you like.

This is the perfect body warming stew.

Especially since temps are getting colder,

and colder,

and colder.

Here is the link to the actual recipe:
My Recipes

These are the changes I made:
I used about 8 of the Green Giant tri-colored mini potatoes (cut in half)
I omitted the bacon
I used celery in place of parsnips
One can whole button mushrooms
1 c. beef soup base according to package directions (found in the soup isle)
And I served it with garlic toast
No bay leaf
No caraway seed

This will definitely be made in my house again. It is an awesome rich tasting stew.

See Ya'all Soon