Saturday, October 10, 2009

Susie Q. Homemaker at your service

With this being my first blog, I thought I'd say a little about myself. I'm married with 2 small children and have recently purchased our first home back in my hometown. I have been blessed to be able to stay at home with the kids while Dave gets to watch sporting events everyday. (His job is a lot more in depth and very important, I just like to pick on him.) I liked my previous jobs and learned a lot from them, but I'm also loving my new job of being a full time mom.

I have always loved to cook. I learned at a young age from a wonderful cook - my mom. So, I have been cooking meals for my family since I was in the 4th grade. Hmm...let me think what age that actually is...I tend to remember things based on what grade or job I was in instead of my age... So, I figured I started cooking supper for my family when I was about 9 or 10 years old. I've learned a few tricks along the way, but I'm in no way a chef. I like to keep it simple with lots of flavors.

Tonight's meal was a good southern one. It reminds me of when my Mamaw Ray would make homemade dumplings. I don't even own a rolling pin, so making my own from scratch is out - but that's ok, because I absolutely love this shortcut - flour tortillas. When I first heard of making dumplings from flour tortillas, I was skeptical, but I had them one night at a friend's house, and I would have never known the difference if I wasn't told.
The other main ingredient, chicken, usually is so UNflavorful. I think this is the main reason David was unsure about the meal I had decided to make. I just don't like boiled chicken...the flavors get washed away. So, yes, I dirtied another dish (instead of making this a one dish wonder) by baking the chicken with salt, pepper, and a little olive oil. Voila, chicken with flavor.

The full pot of chicken and dumplings is now an empty pot. Even my little boy had seconds. :)

Alright, it's Netflix time - Monsters vs Aliens.

If any one out there is reading this, feel free to ask questions and give suggestions on future topics. I usually can get going pretty good once I have an idea of what to talk about!


3 comments:

  1. This is fantastic! I would have never thought about using tortillas! I bet that does cut down alot of time! So how to you prep the Torts? do you cut them in bits and pieces? Do tell!

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  2. This is the recipe that I have:


    5 8-inch tortillas
    3 14 1/2-ounce cans of chicken broth
    chicken,cut in pieces
    1/4 cup of milk
    Salt, pepper, butter

    Cook chicken and cut into small pieces, set aside

    Sprinkle tortillas with flour, cut 4 times across in each direction. Boil broth, then drop in tortillas (a few at a time), cook about 10 minutes. Add chicken and milk. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and butter. Boil to thicken. Remove from heat. Let set 15 to 20 minutes.


    I've substituted half and half for the milk, and tonight, I just went ahead and used an entire can of evaporated milk instead of 1/4 cup. Really, I rarely use evaporated milk, so it probably would've gone to waste if I had just used the little called for. The broth tasted great with the creaminess added. :) The recipe doesn't say how much butter, so I usually add a couple of tablespoons and make sure it's seasoned well with the salt and pepper.

    Let me know if you try the recipe!

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  3. I may try this recipe out tonight. I'll have to see if I have some chicken broth on hand.. if not.. I may pull some miracle Improvisation as I am known for... :O) lol...

    This sounds great though! and quick! Which is a key for a perfect meal in my house! ;O)

    I'll post it up when I make it.. so you'll know how it went ;O)

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