Savory Cheese Soup

Look at me. Cookin' up a storm. I'm pretty excited that cold weather is coming/somewhat here. I'm decided that I don't want to live with regrets, and one regret that I have is that last winter I just did not utilize soup or hot chocolate the way it should be. So I'm repenting. :) 

Anywho, I'm on the hunt for some good ones. My bro and sis-in-law gave me a recipe book for Christmas last year and I was looking through today and thinking, what looks good that also only includes ingredients that I currently have in my house. And I found this one. So I tried it and whala! (How on earth do you spell whala by the way?) This was actually quite tasty. Tasty enough that I will actually make it again? YES! And tasty enough that I will even eat the leftovers tomorrow? YES! (And that's actually saying a lot...)  So if you want to enjoy, here's the recipe.
**And I also just had to note. Remember that post further down where I was trying to grow some things? Well most of it didn't work. However, the carrots did and I used my own window-sill grown carrots for the soup! Go me.

Savory Cheese Soup1/4 cup chopped onion
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
2 cups milk
1 can (14.5 oz) vegetable or chicken broth
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1 1/2 cups (6 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Minced chives, optional
In a large saucepan (3 qt.), sauté onion in butter until tender. Add the flour, salt, pepper and garlic powder, stir until smooth. Gradually add milk; cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Meanwhile, bring broth to a boil in a saucepan. Add carrot and celery; simmer for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add to milk mixture and stir until blended. Reduce heat; add cheeses. Cook and stir until melted (do not boil). Garnish with chives if desired. Yield: 4 servings

Finally, it's Fall... :)

And thus begins the best months of the year. The leaves and colors are incredible this year.

I wish I had a house elf...

But I don't. Someday...
Anyway, I've been in the mood lately for some new recipes. Bored with the same old stuff. So in my attempt to try some new things, I thought I'd share what I find in order to spread the joy or to help avoid the misery. Whatever the case may be. And maybe I'll inspire some of you to share some of your joy with me (in either the form of recipes or actual food. I am not picky!!!)

Today's attempt: Creamy Turkey 'N Broccoli

Creamy Turkey 'N Broccoli
2 pks. (6 oz. each) stuffing mix
2 cans French Fried onions
2 pkg. (10) oz. frozen broccoli cuts, thawed and drained
2 pkg. (1 1/2 oz.) durkee cheese sauce mix
2 cups milk
1 cup sour cream
4 cups cubed cooked turkey or chicken
Prepare stuffing mix, stir in 1 can onions (1 1/2 c.). Spread stuffing over bottom of 9 x 13 greased casserole dish. Arrange broccoli cuts around the dish. Prepare cheese sauce mix using 2 cups milk, stir in sour cream. Combine turkey and cheese sauce, mix well. Pour mixture over broccoli. Bake, covered, 350° for 60 minutes. Sprinkle remaining onions over chicken and bake 5 minutes.

Verdict: Good.
Is this going to absolutely change your world? Most likely not.
My analysis: If I make this again, I would probably use chicken instead of turkey as I prefer chicken to turkey. I did half it in making it and still didn't use as much broccoli or french fried onions in it as it calls for. It just seemed to already have enough. I think it's possible that probably my favorite thing about this dish is the stuffing on the bottom. I do love me some stuffing. Makes me think somewhat of a zucchini casserole recipe my sister gave me. I probably prefer that just a little bit. But all in all, this was good.
Would I make it again: Sure, but probably not going to be a new regular favorite.

All the things a good homeowner should do

Well, I'm so terriffic at keeping this thing updated. So, I figured I could show a little bit of what I've been up to. Those good things that keep us ol' homeowners busy and going.

I have very much been wanting to grow things. Since I can't really plant outside (downside of condo) I decided to fill my nice big window seats with planter boxes. And it's turning out quite well!

How they're looking today!

And, the other thing I've wanted for quite some time is a grill! And wahoo I finally got one!

The sad thing is, I actually haven't really grilled before. I think I've done hamburgers once. So, I decided to give it a good little try. Potatoes, carrots, and onions in the tinfoil and chicken straight on the grill. Adventurous!

And it actually turned out quite tasty. Who wants to be my friend right now. :)

So there are a few of the things going on in this household!!