Jamie's Vegetable Soup

My D-I-L, Jamie brought me some of her soup to try when they came over for our family Christmas Saturday. Thank goodness, because I don't feel that great, and this really hit the spot. I just added some left over turkey from Saturday. That made it supper for the hubby... he has to have meat, or it's just a side dish! LOL

5-6 Red Potatoes, cubed
1 can or 1 cup fresh Carrots
1 cup Celery, sliced
1 can Sweet Peas
1 can Corn 
1 can Green Beans
1 can Tomatoes, crushed or diced
1 Onion, chopped
2 (8oz) cans of chicken stock
one packet of Italian dressing mix
2 cups water
1 tsp tomato paste
Salt and Pepper, to taste*

Saute onion and celery in pot with a little oil or butter until onions are translucent. Add chicken stock, dressing mix, salt and pepper, and water. Bring to a boil then turn down to med~high heat for a simmer for 30 minutes. Then add green beans, corn, sliced carrots, (or cup of fresh carrots), potato, peas, tomato and tomato paste. Let simmer for another 30 minutes or until the potatoes have cooked through. Then enjoy!!! I like to eat it with saltines or a good homemade sweet bread.

*I added a little garlic powder, because everything I eat seems to have some garlic in it! LOL That's not everyone's cup of tea!

Greek Pork Loin with Red Potatoes and Green Beans

I'm used to doing Greek Chicken and potatoes, but I wanted something different. I had a 1/4 of a pork loin left in the freezer so I changed things up a bit. I dusted it very generously with Greek Seasoning and poured lemon juice in the bottom of the pan. I also added potatoes and green beans sprinkled with Greek Seasoning.

Good Dark Crispy Coating on the Loin!

Pork Loin

Cavender's Greek Seasoning

1/2 cup Lemon Juice

6-8 small Red Potatoes

Green Beans

Preheat oven to 400. Place loin in a casserole dish fat side up. Dust pork loin with Cavender's Greek Seasoning very, very generously and pour lemon juice in the bottom of the dish. (not on the loin) Cover and bake for 1 hour so the lemon juice steams into the loin. Then add the potatoes and green beans. Sprinkle with Greek Seasoning and return to the oven (Uncovered) to cook another 1/2 hour or until center reaches 145 degrees and the fat and seasonings forms a dark crispy coating. Remove from oven and let rest in the pan for 5 minutes. A great one dish meal! Everything was done at the same time!

I pulled a few chunks off the side of the roast... 

you know that good juicy darker meat?

Oh my Lawd, it's so good!

** You can also add a little butter or margarine to the pan drippings and make a sauce to drizzle over the entire plate. All the flavors compliment each other well!

Fried Meatloaf and Bacon Wrapped Potatoes

Today you get a two for one recipe! The hubby called me with an idea to do a bacon wrapped potato. When I told him that I was out of potatoes, he quickly volunteered to go by the grocery store on his way home. If you knew how much he hates going to the grocery store, you'd know what a big deal that was to me! Well, I gave him a short list, but he was hungry so I got more than what was on my list! He picked up a few extra things... like peanuts for me to boil, Sweet Heat Potato Chips, Nutty Bars and Oatmeal Creme Pies! Never go to the grocery store hungry!!! LOL

BTW... He wanted me to do new potatoes, but he bought me baking potatoes. When I pointed that out, he asked what difference that makes. I said, "I don't know! It's your recipe!" LOL

I made MEATLOAF (click for the recipe) yesterday. I saw an idea on Mr Food's cooking break during the news, and I wanted to try it... Fried Meatloaf! After the meatloaf set up in the frig overnight (that's important), I sliced them and set up the breading station... a dish of seasoned flour, a dish of egg wash and a dish of seasoned bread crumbs. I dipped them in the flour, then the egg wash and finally the bread crumbs. I pan fried it in my cast iron skillet with a little oil until golden brown.

The Hubby's Bacon Wrapped Potatoes...

4-6 potatoes, cut into wedges
4-6 pieces of bacon
flour
garlic powder
salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Mix the flour and seasonings in a large bowl. Add the potatoes and toss to coat the wedges. Wrap with the bacon and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the bacon is good and crispy and the potatoes are golden brown.

Sausage, Onion and Potatoes

This is always a good recipe when when the pantry and frig get low. With three basic ingredients, it's also quick and easy! It's also a good meal for the meat and potatoes man/woman in the house!

1 pound of Kielbasa Sausage, sliced

4 or 5 red potatoes, boiled and cut into chunks

1 large onion, diced small
1 tsp minced garlic
Salt & Pepper, to taste

Saute in a frying pan in a little oil over a medium heat... just enough oil to keep it from sticking, because the sausage will render some fat. Cook until sausage and potatoes take on some good color... about 15-20 minutes.