Basic Condensed Cream Soups

Because most quick recipes call for condensed cream soups (mushroom, chicken, celery, etc.), here is a recipe that is equivalent to a 10 oz. can of condensed soup. It's not quite as fast as opening a can of Campbell's soup, but it's not too bad and it can be made beforehand and refrigerated. Who needs soy in soup anyways??

3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp GF flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup milk/stock

Cook and stir until bubbly. Using wire whisk, stir in one cup of milk, stock or combo. Cook until just smooth and thick. (Make 1 cup = 10 oz can condensed soup)

Cream of Chicken - Use chicken broth as half of liquid. Add 1 tsp poultry seasoning and diced chicken.

Cream of Mushroom - Add 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms and 1 tbsp finely chopped onion in butter before adding flour.

Cream of Celery - See mushroom, but add 1 cup celery instead. Vary the flavor by adding garlic, onion, celery salt, lemon juice, parsley, chopped veggies, chives, etc.

Candy Corn

We had a lot of fun making candy corn. Ben helped combine the ingredients very nicely. Then he supervised the addition of the food coloring while eating the candy off of the whisk! We are all big fans of homemade candy corn now! Brach's doesn't have anything on us. (Well, automation, but that's no fun!)

Ingredients
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup corn syrup (we used Karo - too many mystery ingredients in the store brand)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (gluten free)
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup non fat milk powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Red and yellow food coloring

Bring first 4 ingredients to boil over medium (at most) heat in heavy large saucepan. Reduce heat to medium to medium low and boil 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Sift powdered sugar, milk powder, and salt into medium bowl. Add powdered sugar mixture to pan; stir to combine. Let mixture stand until slightly warm to touch, about 20 minutes.
Divide dough into 3 equal pieces; place each piece in small bowl. Add several drops of yellow food coloring to one piece of dough. Using plastic gloves to protect hands (I used sandwich bags), knead food coloring into dough until smooth and color is even, about 15 minutes. Repeat using red and yellow food coloring (to make orange) with second piece. Leave last piece white; knead dough until smooth. Roll each piece into a thin rope (don’t roll too thin or dough will break). Push three ropes together to form long rectangle. Using sharp knife, cut ropes into triangles. Using fingers, shape candy corn as desired. Store at room temperature in airtight container, separating layers with pieces of waxed paper to prevent sticking.

Chicken Sloppy Joes (tomato-free)

I heartily modified a sloppy joes recipe last night and it turned out to be delicious! Maybe it was just Mike being nice, but he said "This might be the best sloppy joes I've ever had!" The veggies are pretty obvious, but if you don't mind knowing you're eating vegetables, you are in luck!

1 tablespoons canola oil
1 pound ground chicken
1 carrot, peeled and grated
1 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped or grated
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon apple cide vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup chicken stock
8 good quality burger rolls, split and toasted (we toasted tapioca bread and had them open-faced)

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meat and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Add the carrots, celery, onions and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 7 to 8 minutes more. Combine the vinegar, brown sugar, and stock in a mixing cup and pour over the contents of the pan. Mix thoroughly and boil until reduced.

Serve on toasted rolls or bread.

Smothered Chicken and Rice

I discovered this recipe in one those Kraft Foods magazines. Ben isn't a big fan of anything that causes his foods to mix, but he seems to like all of the ingredients separately. The last time I made this he ate a carrot and half and helped himself to the bacon bowl!

4 slices of bacon, chopped
4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 pound)
4 large carrots, sliced
1 large onion, chopped
1 cup low sodium chicken broth, divided
2 oz. cream cheese
3 cups hot cooked rice

1. Cook and stir bacon in large nonstick skillet on medium heat until crisp. Remove from skillet and drain. Discard drippings from skillet. (I use some of the drippings plus canola oil to cook the chicken.)

2. Add chicken to skillet; cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until golden brown on both sides and done (165 deg). Transfer chicken to plate; cover to keep warm. Add vegetables and 1/2 cup broth to skillet; cover and simmer 10 minutes or until tender.

3. Stir in remaining broth and cream cheese; cook, uncovered until cream cheese in melted and sauce is thickened, stirring frequently. Return chicken to skillet and cook 2 minutes, or until heated through.

4. Spoon rice onto serving plate; top with chicken, sauce and bacon.