Chicken Gnocchi Soup

1 chicken breast, cooked and diced

2 cans chicken stock

4 cups half-and-half

1 stalk celery, diced

1 tsp garlic puree

1 carrot, shredded

1/2 large onion, diced

1 cup fresh spinach, chopped

3 TBS olive oil you may also add 4 TBS butter/margarine

1/2 tsp thyme

salt and pepper

16 ounces potato gnocchi (we like them cut in half)

1 TBS cornstarch (optional) (we never use this)

Directions

  1. Saute the onion, celery, garlic, carrot in oil and butter over medium heat until onion in translucent.  When slightly cool blend in blender if you don’t want chunks of vegetables with some of the chicken broth to blend.  Pour back into pan.
  2. Add Chicken, chicken broth, half-and-half, salt and pepper, thyme.  Heat to boiling, then add gnocchi.  Gently boil for 4 minutes, then turn down to a simmer for 10 minutes.  I prefer to add the chicken when I add the spinach so it doesn’t get too tough.
  3. Add spinach and cool for another 1-2 minutes until spinach is wilted.  Cook longer if you wanted it more wilted.
  4. Add cornstarch dissolved in 1-2 TBS water if you want a thicker soup.

Crepes – Grandma Dennis’

1 cup flour

2 eggs

1/2 cup water (will need more water if not using crepe maker pan to get them to spread out on fry pan)

1/4 tsp salt

2 TBS melted butter

Place ingredients in blender in order.  Mix 30 seconds.  Stop, stir down sides.  Mix 30-60 seconds until smooth. I have a ninja so I put in the water first then the other ingredients so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the blender.

Makes 16 crepes

This is for use with the crepe maker you dip into the batter. If pouring into a pan you need to thin it out quite a lot.

Best Ever Chocolate Cake

A friend of Grandma Morgenegg’s gave her this recipe andshe  made it for Angela for her birthday dinner.  It was truly delicious.  She put a cocoa butter cream frosting on it.  Yum!

1c shortening

2c sugar

2 eggs

1/2c cocoa

1c buttermilk (can use 1c milk mixed with 1T vinegar)

1c hot tap water

1t vanilla

2 1/2c flour

2t baking soda

1/2t salt

Cream shortening and sugar.  Add eggs one at a time, beating wel lafter each.  Blend in cocoa.  Sift dry ingredients together and add alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition.  Add hot water and vanilla, stirring just until blended.  Pour into greased and floured pans and bake at 350 until cake tests done (25-35 min for layers;35-40 min for oblong pan). Whipped Ganache for Filling (between layers) 8oz semisweet chocolate, finely grated (I use Ghiradelli choc chips)1c whipping cream Place chocolate in medium bowl.  Bring cream to a boil in heavy small saucepan over medium-high heat whisking frequently.  When cream begins to steam, pour cream over chocolate.  Whisk until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth.  Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.  Refrigerate until cold and thickened, but not set, stirring occasionally, about 30 min.

Butterfingers

Melt 1 pound candy corn in microwave (as you might with chocolate) (Recipe said to use glass dish — just in case you might have used a plastic one — glass really is best)

Mix with 16-19 oz peanut butter

Press into pan lined with wax paper

When cool cut into pieces

Dip/cover in melted chocolate — if desired — or not, as it is good without the chocolate

7 Layer Salad

1 head lettuce

1 cup chopped celery

2 bunches green onions

4 cups baby or petite peas (frozen)

2 cups mayo

2 TBS sugar

cheese

1 lb bacon

 

Mix Mayo and sugar in a  bowl and set aside.  Chop lettuce and put in a 9X13 pan.

Sprinkle on celery, then onions, and the frozen peas.  Spread the mayo mixture over the top.

Sprinkle with as much cheese as you like.   Then sprinkle on bacon and salt and pepper.  Cover and place in fridge.

Make at least 6-8 hours before you plan on serving.