From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

     I know I haven't been putting as much stuff up lately....but here's a recipe for what I made for supper last night! YUMMO! (and super easy which is something I love!)

Emeril's Chili

Recipe Courtesy of Emeril Lagasse

Prep Time:

15 min

Inactive Prep Time:

--

Cook Time:

2 hr 0 min

Level:

Easy

Serves:

6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cups chopped onions
• Salt
• Cayenne
• 2 pounds stew meat
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• Crushed red pepper
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
• 3 cups crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 2 cups beef stock
• 1 cup canned dark red kidney beans
• 2 tablespoons masa flour
• 4 tablespoons water
• 1 bag Tortilla Chips
• 1 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese
• 6 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 small jar of jalapenos

Directions

In a large saucepan, heat the vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add the onions and saute for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the vegetables start to wilt. Season with salt and cayenne. Stir in the stew meat, chili powder, cumin, crushed red pepper, and oregano. Brown the meat for 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste, beef stock, and beans. Bring the liquid up to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer the liquid, uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, or until the beef is tender. Skim off the fat occasionally. Mix the masa and water together. Slowly stir in the masa slurry and continue to cook for 30 minutes. Reseason with salt and cayenne. Place a handful of the chips in each shallow bowl. Spoon the chili over the chips. Garnish with the grated cheese, sour cream and jalapenos.

Copyright 2012 Television Food Network G.P.
All Rights Reserved

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

     I found this recipe on the Pioneer Woman and it looked easy and fun for the Holidays!!! She's my go to gal for recipes that everyone will enjoy! Find her here: www.thepioneerwoman.com

Christmas Finger Jello

Prep Time:

 3 Hours

 

Cook Time:

Difficulty:

 Easy

 

Servings:

12

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 boxes Cherry Or Strawberry Jello (3 Ounces Each)
• 2 boxes Lime Jello (3 Ounces Each)
• 2 cans Sweetened Condensed Milk (14 Ounces Each)
• 9 envelopes Plain Knox Gelatin
• Nonstick Cooking Spray

Preparation Instructions

First: Get organized! Having a tea kettle full of water helps, as does having at least two or three mixing bowls and a couple of glass measuring cups. This moves faster if you have all the equipment ready!

Second: Spray a 9 x 13 inch Pyrex with cooking spray, then give it a gentle wipe with a paper towel to remove the excess.

COLORED JELLO LAYERS:

One layer at a time, mix 1 envelope Knox gelatin with 1/4 cup cold water in a small mixing bowl. Add 1 cup boiling water, followed by 1 box of either red or green jello. Stir gently to combine so bubbles won't form. Pour into pan. Place in the fridge for 10-15 minutes, or until set. In between each colored layer, pour a creamy layer.

CREAMY WHITE LAYERS:

***NOTE: The following mixture is enough for just under three creamy layers. You'll need two batches before the whole thing's done.

In a small glass measuring cup, measure 1/2 cup cold water. Stir in 2 envelopes of plain jello and stir to dissolve. Pour sweetened condensed milk into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add 1 cup of boiling water. Pour dissolved gelatin mixture into the condensed milk mixture, then add another 1/2 cup of boiling water.

Once you've used all of the creamy mixture, repeat the method below to make another batch.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Begin by pouring either a red layer in the bottom of the pan. Stick the pan in the fridge for 10-15 minutes until it's set. While it's setting, mix up the first batch of the creamy mixture.

Remove the pan from the fridge and pour in a little more than 1/3 of the creamy mixture (or enough to coat the first colored layer.) Stick the pan in the fridge for 10-15 minutes until it's set. While it's setting, mix up the next colored layer.

Repeat the colored layer process with a green layer, followed by another creamy layer. When you're finished, you should have, beginning from the bottom:

Red
White
Green
White
Red
White
Green
White
Red

Note that you'll need to mix up the second batch of the creamy layer midway through the process to make sure you have enough for the middle layer. For the colored layers, just mix them right before you need them (when the previous layer is chilling in the fridge).

When all the layers are in the pan, chill for a good 2 hours to totally set everything. Cut into small squares and serve 'em as snacks!

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What's In Your Library Bag Wednesday?...

    Wow! I can't believe it's Wednesday again already! Time sure flies when there is lots to do! In case you didn't already know it, I am a procrastinator. At work and at home. Consequently, I haven't had much time to read. I started reading some poetry to my children before bed, because it's quick and it's fun. Shel Silverstein is a favorite in our house....Here's one we read the other night...

Merry
by Shel Silverstein

No one's hangin' stockin's up,
No one's bakin' pie,
No one's lookin' up to see
A new star in the sky.
No one's talkin' brotherhood,
No one's givin' gifts,
And no one loves a Christmas tree
On March the twenty-fifth.

     Speaking of poetry...have you ever read a novel written completely in verse? One popular example would be Crank by Ellen Hopkins. This novel is about just what it sounds like: Crystal Meth. It is told in first person from the perspective of a 17 year old addict. Being in verse adds to the drama and illogicality of an addict. If you enjoy the first one, there are more in the series.
     I haven't actually read a novel in verse, yet, but this one in particular is on my To Read List. I'm curious about how a story unfolds in verse and how it all works. I've noticed more of this type of novel lately, but there aren't too many out there yet. Some other titles include:

Far from you by Lisa Schroeder
What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonja Sones
Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell
The Realm of Possibility David Levithan
Love and Leftovers Sarah Tregay

Give yourself something new this holiday season; try a novel in verse. It might be your new favorite.

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

     The other day, I had the opportunity to help judge some decorated office doors at Cedar Valley Friends of Family. They were generous enough to give me a cookbook for helping out. I thought I'd share something fun from their book today and remind you that they are there and that they help a lot of people...

Cinnamon Ornaments for Hanging

1 C. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground allspice
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 C. applesauce

Mix all dry ingredients. Add applesauce, a little at a time until it gets the consistency of play dough. If too dry, add 1-2 T. more of applesauce. Roll out 1/4 inch thick on ungreased surface. If too sticky, sprinkle surface with ground cinnamon. Use cookie cutters to cut into shapes. Air dry 4-5 days. Makes 1/2 - 1 dozen shapes. When wet, use a straw to make hole for hanging. Use a ribbon to hang.


Something fun to do with your kids this holiday season!

What's In Your Library Bag Wednesday...

     Welcome to Wednesday my friends, and welcome to yet another edition of What's In Your Library Bag Wednesday!!!! Today, I thought I'd share some thoughts from one of our high school pages on one of her favorite books, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.  You know we all love books for different reasons. I might love the romance aspect of a particular story, while Kathy loves the dialogue and you might love the historical part. In the same way, we all choose books and take recommendations for different reasons. Sometimes, I choose to read a book because someone didn't like it! Weird, right? Anyway, Abby eventually wore Kathy down to read this book, where I haven't been able to convince her to try something I suggested yet...So, I have this book at home right now because someone was able to convince someone I've been trying to suggest books to, to read it. Go figure! Oh, and because Abby's favorite books are ones that make her "feel" something; anything, just "feel" it! A girl after my own heart...
     This story, at its heart, is the story of Hazel and Augustus, two high schoolers, both with cancer, and how their relationship develops in spite of, or because of the cancer. Abby says this book is great for adolescents because it  makes you realize your life isn't as bad as you think. It deals with a lot of issues that teens face....parents, life, religion...afterlife, does it matter, should we care.She told me that the book is very emotional, but at the same time very "real". She could totally see this happening in "real life." It's a coming of age story with a twist.. John Green makes you see things like having cancer, very differently. He writes in first person from Hazel's point of view and the language is very much that of a teen, not that of an adult trying to write like a teen. Yet, he presents all sides of the story/issue and even some sides you didn't even think about. It sucks you in and makes you feel what it's like to be a teen and to be a teen with cancer.

   

     My favorite quote of Abby's about this book was that "it makes you cry a river of tears and then drown in them....but you love it anyway!"
     My favorite quote of Kathy's about this book was that "it takes a big box of boo hoo" to finish it!

Finally, Abby says, "Everyone should just read this book!!! Just Read the Book!!!!"

Book Trailer Monday...

Here's a heartwarming Christmas story just in time for the holidays....