Easy Corn Chowder in Bread Bowl

This is an easy and yummy chowder (*a pampered chef recipe). I never have ham on hand so I either skip it or use slices of ham lunch-meat (browned in skillet) in it's place. It is a good soup to serve in a bread bowl. Bread bowls make any thick soup or stew special. You can find them at local grocery store bakeries if you don't want to make them. Just toast them in the oven before serving.

2 medium potatoes peeled and dicced(if using red, don't peel)
1 C. cubed cooked ham
1/2 C. diced red bell pepper (or any color)
1/2 C. coarsley chopped celery
1 teaspoon butter
2 Tbs. flour
1 can chicken broth (14 oz) ( can substitute water & chicken bullion)
1 can (12oz) evaporate milk
1 can (15oz) creamed corn (can substitute with fresh or frozen corn)
Salt & Pepper to taste
cooked & crumbled bacon (optional)
2 Tbs. chives

Prepare vegetables (dicing). Heat butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add bell pepper and celery. Cook and stir until vegetables are crisp- tender. Stir in flour and heat until bubbly. Gradually add broth , evaporate milk and corn. Whisk until blended. Add potatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook (uncovered ) for 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Stir in ham and heat through. Remove from heat; stir chives into soup and season with salt and coarse black pepper. Top with bacon.

Swedish Pancakes

My Mom served a mission for our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) when she was 21. This recipe comes from her friend Monica in Sweden. I grew up loving these pancakes (more like crepes). My Mom made a cookbook for me when I graduated from high school and she included this recipe.

2 eggs
2 1/2 C. milk
2 T. oil
1 1/4 C. flour
1/4 tsp. salt

Whip up the eggs together with milk and oil, adding the flour and salt while mixing.
Cook on skillet that has been sprayed with a little vegetable oil spray or has a little melted butter on it. Pour batter in center of skillet and turn skillet so batter thins into a large circle (my Mom is an expert at this!) Serve with strawberry jam, frozen peaches, whipped cream (optional) and sprinkle with powdered sugar. The trick to this recipe is making them faster than they are eaten. It's almost impossible!

Spaghetti Squash Pasta!

A healthy alternative to pasta....Spaghetti Squash! Dallin thought it was spaghetti until he tasted it. We planted some in our garden this year... can't wait!

1 spaghetti squash
1/2 lb. ground beef (browned)
1 Can Italian Diced Tomatoes ( or spaghetti sauce) warmed in small saucepan

Cut spaghetti sqash in half. Scoop out seeds. Boil for 10-15 minutes. Drain water. Scoop out squash and serve with ground beef and sauce.

German Pancake

This is a fun breakfast for the kids to help with!

6 eggs
1 C. milk
1 C. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 C. butter
Beat eggs until thick and lemon colored. Add milk, flour and salt.

Heat butter in 9x13 pan. When melted, pour batter in. Bake at 450˚ for 15-20 minutes. Serve hot with maple syrup. Yum!