What's For Dinner, Mommy?

The holidays are upon us. After all of the yummy turkey and dressing, we will be ready for something a little different on the table. Here are a few recipes to put on the menu plan for the next few weeks.

Raspberry-Mint Tea

One frozen raspberry-white grape juice concentrate, thawed
6 Herb Mint tea bags (peppermint or spearmint)
1 1/2 C. sugar or more or less to taste (or Splenda or Stevia equivalent)
Boil 6 C. water. Pour over tea bags and sugar and let steep for 15-20 minutes. Remove tea bags. Combine tea mixture with juice concentrate in a glass pitcher. Add ice to top. Garnish with fresh mint springs.

Black Bean Soup

4 Tbsp. butter
1/3 c. onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 c. flour
salt and pepper to taste
1 can chicken broth
1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, drained
1 c. cooked chicken, cubed
1 c. shredded cheese (I used Mexican Blend)
4 oz. sour cream (about 1/2 c.)
1 c. milk
2 pieces bacon, cooked and crumbled

Melt butter in a sauce pan. Add onion and garlic and saute until onion is tender. Stir in flour until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Slowly whisk in chicken broth. Stir in corn, beans, chicken and cheese. Add sour cream and milk. Cook until heated through - stir in bacon crumbles and serve! We had ours with grilled cheese on homemade bread - yummy!
Serves 2 adults and 3 children for 2 meals!

Monte Cristo Sandwiches

Ingredients:
1 quart oil for frying, or as needed
2/3 cup water
1 egg
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt 8 slices white bread
4 slices Swiss cheese
4 slices turkey
4 slices ham
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar for dusting

Directions:
1. Heat 5 inches of oil in a deep-fryer to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C). While oil is heating, make the batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper; whisk into the egg mixture until smooth. Set aside in the refrigerator.
2. Assemble sandwiches by placing one slice of turkey on one slice of bread, a slice of ham on another, then sandwich them with the Swiss cheese in the middle. Cut sandwiches into quarters, and secure with toothpicks.
3. Dip each sandwich quarter in the batter so that all sides are coated. Deep fry in the hot oil until golden brown on all sides. Remove toothpicks and arrange on a serving tray. Dust with confectioners' sugar just before serving.


Mango Chutney Cheese Ball

INGREDIENTS:
11 ounces cream cheese, at room
temperature
1 cup golden raisins
1 (2.1 ounce) package cooked bacon, diced 1 bunch green onions, chopped
3 tablespoons sour cream
1 (9 ounce) jar mango chutney

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a medium bowl, stir together the cream cheese, raisins, bacon, green onions and sour cream. Form into a ball, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight before serving.
2. To serve, place the cheese ball on a serving tray, and pour the mango chutney over it. Surround with crackers for dipping.

Chili Cheese Snacks

INGREDIENTS:
2 (3 ounce) packages cream cheese,
softened
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped green chilies 1/4 cup chopped ripe olives, drained
2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
2 (8 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent rolls

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese. Add the cheddar cheese, chilies, olives, onion and hot pepper sauce. Separate each tube of crescent dough into four rectangles; press perforations to seal.
2. Spread cheese mixture over dough. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Cut each roll into 10 slices; place on greased baking sheets. Bake at 400 degrees F for 8-10 minutes.


Family Style French Toast

INGREDIENTS:
2/3 cup packed brown sugar ½ cup butter, melted
2 tsp. ground cinnamon 6-8 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups milk 1 loaf Texas toast bread
Jelly-Roll Pan

DIRECTIONS:
Combine brown sugar and cinnamon. Spread evenly over the bottom of a greased jelly roll pan. Drizzle melted butter over top of the sugar mixture. Combine milk and eggs in mixing bowl. Dip each slice of bread in and soak, then lay on top of sugar mixture in single layer of entire pan. Pour any remaining egg mixture over top of slices. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.