Lentil & Cabbage Soup

Winter means getting all cozy and having a nice bowl of soup for dinner. It means snuggling up with a good book and cup of hot cocoa. It means snow.  

I don't know about you, but here in Idaho there's not been snow. Not any.

Not even for Christmas.
Then this last weekend and this week we finally got some.
 When we were in California with the beautiful weather of mid 70's to 80's, soup did not even cross my mind. And this was just after Christmas.

Until this lady walked passed me in Disneyland carrying a bread bowl filled with soup. I was sweating and she's eating soup? 

Weird.

I don't think I would ever crave a hot bowl of soup if I lived somewhere that's warm all the time. So in a way, I'm thankful for the cold weather here. It makes me enjoy soup.

1 lb. ground beef

1 c. chopped onions

1 c. chopped green cabbage

1 c. sliced carrots (or 1 can carrots)

1 c. celery, chopped

1 c. dry lentils*

1 tsp. salt

2 beef bouillon cubes or 2 tsp. beef bouillon powder

1 large can of tomato juice

4 c. water

2 Tbsp. sugar

1/4 c. ketchup

Cook the ground beef in a large pot with the onions. Add the rest of the ingredients. Simmer until the lentils and cabbage are soft. 

*Lentils: Cover with water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and boil for about 5 minutes. Drain and add to the soup with the rest of the ingredients. This makes the soup cook faster.

Don't be scared of lentils! They just taste like little teeny beans. They have that same texture. They are so cheap and make such a great addition to many soups. 

Printable Version

Totally Tasty Tuesdays

We finally have snow! I don't totally mind that its after Christmas, just that we have it. Otherwise there's gonna be a world of hurt come spring for that stuff we buy that comes from farms...what's the word...FOOD. Not everyone can water their crops (rules and stuff or no irrigation options) so that means less food that can grow. True story. So no complaining out there about the snow. Just stay home or drive super safe even if it means leaving earlier than usual so you don't have to cuss on the drive about how you're gonna be late. Got it?

Ok.

Onto the fun part!

Jalepeno Popper Dip

from Fantastical Sharing of Recipes

Well obvioiusly this looks delicious. Bacon? Jalepenos? Cheese?

Psh. Like it's even gonna taste anything but delicious!

Brownie Batter Filled Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwiches

from Something Swanky

Well. Yeah. That's what should have been happening all along.

Cinnamon French Toast Bake

from What's Cooking, Love?

The picture says it all.

Rush-Hour Recipes Review & Giveaway

Gooseberry Patch has done it again. They've just come out with a brand new cookbook that couldn't be any more of a lifesaver. Or dinner saver.

Rush-Hour Recipes is filled with more than 230 dinner recipes that are sure to please your family and friends. With categories like 5-Ingredient Favorites, One-Dish Dinners, Slow Cookers to the Rescue, Soup's On!, Make-a-Meal Sides, and Speedy Potluck & Party Foods you will never have to look much further than your pantry for the ingredients. Many of the dishes can be prepared in 30 minutes or less! That's a winner in my kitchen. You could also use it for lunch. I rarely cook lunch. We usually have leftovers or a sandwich or something quick like that. Today, however, I made Chicken Noodle Bowl and let me say, it came together in a snap.

8 oz. pkg. linguine pasta

3 c. frozen broccoli cuts or florets

2 carrots, peeled and sliced

2 tsp. oil

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips or chunks

1/2 c. zesty Italian salad dressing

1/3 c. teriyaki sauce

1 tsp. ground ginger

1 can water chestnuts (I added these)

Cook pasta according to package directions. Add broccoli and carrots to the cooking water the last 2 minutes of cooking time. Drain pasta mixture. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken; cook until golden on all sides, stirring occasionally. Stir in remaining ingredients; cook until sauce thickens. Add pasta mixture to skillet. Stir until coated with sauce. Serve in individual bowls. Makes 4 servings.

In the very back of the book there are a few dessert recipes. You just know I had to try one. I chose the Better Than Brownies. They are pretty scrumptious. They remind me of Betty Crocker's Warm Delights. Very light and airy and melt-in-your-mouth good!

3.4 oz. pkg. cook & serve chocolate pudding mix

2 c. milk

18.5 oz. box chocolate cake mix

1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 c. chopped nuts (I left these out)

Prepare dry pudding mix with milk according to package directions. Cook until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in dry cake mix. Spread batter into a greased 9x13 baking pan; sprinkle with chocolate chips and nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Cool and cut into squares. Makes about 2 dozen.

Well, hello there.

So are you ready to win a copy of Rush-Hour Recipes for yourself?

I knew it.

There are a few ways to enter. Pick one or any of the following options. Just be sure to leave a separate comment on each thing you do as that is your entry. Also leave the comment on this here post, not my facebook page. It won't count!

1. Leave a comment telling me about your quick and easy go-to meal.

2. Like Mandy's Recipe Box on Facebook and leave a comment here telling me so. If you already like me, just say so!

3. Follow my blog through Google Friend Connect.

4. Post this giveaway on your blog and leave me the link in the comment.

5. Post this on your facebook and tell me in the comment.

That's it. Contest runs until Monday January 30th at midnight. I will announce the winner on Tuesday they 31st. Be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win.