Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

I guess I should say "what I'm making for dinner."  Things are pretty crazy around here, but I've been able to make some pretty yummy, yet easy meals around here.  One of the things I made was rolls.  For the first time, ever!  And they were really good!  It was a really easy recipe and the whole thing only took a little over an hour.  It would have been even simpler if I had a stand mixer (I had to do them by hand, but it worked out pretty well.)  Here's the link to the site I got the recipe from.  http://jamiecooksitup.net/2010/10/fluffy-dinner-rolls/

 

Notice how I'm showing the food but conveniently not showing any part of the house?  That's because when I do one thing, everything else goes to pot.    I'm also not posting any pictures of the kids covered in flour.  Nor will I post any of Emily eating said flour.  (Cause I don't have any, otherwise I so would.)  I've been trying so hard to keep the house clean, organized, and sane like I was able to do before little Charlie came along. I know it's not as important as taking care of the actual family, but it would be nice to live in order again. Mike does a great job helping, but he can't do it all either.  Making a delicious dinner makes me feel normal, so I love it.  :)  Anyway, enough whining.

Also pictured here is the broccoli cheese soup I made.  It was a Cooking Light recipe and it is so so good.  And easy.

 

Broccoli Cheese Soup

 

Cooking Spray

1 c. Chopped onion

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 c chicken broth

1 (16 oz) package broccoli florets

2 1/2 c milk

1/3 c flour

1/4 tsp pepper

8 oz Velveeta

 

1.  Heat large saucepan over medium high heat; coat with cooking spray.  Add onion and garlic; saute 3 minutes or until tender.  Add broth and broccoli.  Bring to boil.  Reduce heat to medium; cook 10 minutes.

2.  Combine milk and flour, stirring with whisk until well blended.  Add milk mixture to broccoli mixture.  Cook 5 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring constantly.  Stir in pepper.  Remove from heat; add cheese, stirring until cheese melts.

3.  Place 1/3 of soup in blender or food processor.  Process until smooth.  (Or use an immersion blender like I did)  Return pureed soup mixture to pan.

As you can see from the tiny Emily-sized fingers coming in to steal my roll, this whole meal was a success.  I love cooking for my family.

And then another night I made Simple Creamy Carrot Soup.  This is super healthy, super easy, and really hard to photograph and make it look appetizing.  Soup is hard like that.  Here's the link to that recipe.  http://picky-palate.com/2012/02/27/simple-creamy-carrot-soup/  Her picture looks way more edible than mine.  Sorry.  One suggestion I do have on this soup is to let the carrots caramelize rather than just cook through.  I've made it both ways and my way is better.  :)  I let the carrots cook on low with a bit of salt for 2- 2 1/2 hours even.  And alone they are to die for.  Yum. 

 

Again I say, yum.