Pantry Hamburger Veggie Soup

I just tossed all of this in a pot... It's very flexible, just use whatever you have on hand.

1 lb. LEAN ground beef
2 tbsp. The Lady & Sons Salt Mix (Paula Deen Collection), plus more to taste
1 large onion
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can green beans, undrained
1 can corn, undrained
1 can sliced carrots, undrained
1 can diced potatoes, undrained

Brown beef in a stockpot over med-high heat. Meanwhile, peel and dice onion. When finished, sprinkle Salt Mix over beef, stir, and add in onion. When beef is cooked through stir in tomatoes, green beans, and corn. Bring to a boil. Stir in carrots and potatoes then reduce heat to low. Cover; simmer 3 hours. Adjust seasoning as needed before serving.

Guacamole

YUM!

2 avocados
1 tomato
1 small onion
1 garlic clove
1 jalapeno
1 tbsp. lemon or lime juice
2 tsp. dried cilantro
1/4 tsp. cumin

Slice avocados in half, remove pit, score with a knife, and scoop out. Pour lemon juice over avocado in a bowl, and stir to coat. Seed and dice tomato, dice onion, and mince garlic; add to avocado. While wearing rubber kitchen gloves, remove stem and seeds from jalapeno. Mince; add to avocado. Add cilanto and cumin, and stir well. Using a potato masher, mash avocado and combine all ingredients. Refrigerate.

Update

My last post, on 17 Nov. 2009, was written three days before my husband and I separated. It's been exactly six months. So, that explains my absence. I'll be back soon! :)

Loaded Potato Soup

5 lbs. potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
4 strips bacon, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 white onion, diced
1/2 c butter, room temperature
Salt
Pepper
Half and Half
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Scallions
Sour Cream

Cook potatoes in salted water until fork-tender. Meanwhile, saute bacon pieces until crispy. Remove from pan. In bacon grease, saute garlic and onion until onion is translucent, but not browned. Drain, and set aside. Drain potatoes, then return to pan. Mash with a hand-masher, adding in butter, then salt, pepper, and cheese as desired. Stir in onion and garlic, then half and half until soup is desired consistency. Keep over low heat until heated through. Granish with bacon, sliced scallions and sour cream.

12 Days of Giveaways

Alaska Coupon Diva is doing 12 days of giveaways. If you're in AK, check it out here!!!

Pumpkin Butter

Thank you, Libby's!

15 oz can pumpkin
2/3 c packed brown sugar
¼ c honey
1 tbsp lemon juice
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground cloves

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil over med-high heat; reduce heat to low. Stirring frequently, cook on low 20-25 minutes, until thickened. Refrigerate in an air-tight container up to two months.

Makes 2 cups

Kielbasa Pasta Salad

Pretty good! I'm sure having kielbasa will make my husband happy. :)

1 lb. kielbasa, sliced
1 lb. pasta (I used macaroni)
1 lb. frozen mixed veggies, thawed (I used a mixed bag of broccoli, green beans, carrots, red pepper, red beans, white beans, and garbanzo beans)
1 envelope Good Seasons Italian salad dressing mix, prepared

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, saute kielbasa in a skillet until browned to your liking. Combine cooked pasta, kielbasa and thawed veggies in a large bowl. Pour entire bottle of prepared dressing over top. Toss well. Refrigerate.