Soups and Breads

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins (okay... more like cupcakes)
Dorothy Winters

Mix spice cake mix as usual according to package instructions. Blend in a 15 oz can o pumpkin. Stir in 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips. Bake in muffin cups according to cake mix instructions.

Minestrone

Jen Haws

1 1/2 pkgs. Jimmy Dean sausage (reg.)
1 quart water
3 stems celery, sliced
3 large carrots
2 onions diced
1 (10 oz) can beef broth
2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
1 quart stewed tomatoes
2 cloves garlic
1/2 t. basil
1 t. oregano
1 t. salt
1 T. sugar

Brown sausage and combine all ingredients in crock pot. Cook on low 5-6 hours.

Add accini de pepe noodles and 1 can green beans for last 30-45 minutes.

White Chili
Jennifer Christensen

2-3 cans Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 med onion, chopped (I used onion powder)
3 cloves garlic, minced (I used garlic powder)
1-2 cans (4 oz each) green chilis
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (I used less)
1/2 tsp salt, optional
2 lbs chicken breasts, cut in 1 inch pieces
1 can (14 1/2 oz) chicken broth (low sodium)
1 cup water

Combine all ingredients in crock pot and stir. Cook on low 10 hours or high 6 hours.

Hawaiian Braided Bread
Morgan Somers

5 1/2 cups bread flour
2 T. yeast
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup instant potato flakes
1 T. salt
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 3/4 cups mild, scalded; 125° F
3/4 t. lemon extract
1 1/2 t. vanilla
2 eggs beaten

3/4 cups macadamia nuts, chopped (optional)
2 T butter, melted
poppy seeds (optional)

In a mixing bowl combine 2 cups flour, yeast, sugar, potato flakes, and salt; blend well. Stir in milk, melted butter, extracts, and eggs. Mix thoroughly. Stir in remaining flour 1 cup at a time until dough pulls away from sides of bowl. Turn dough out onto a floured board and knead it for 5 minutes until dough becomes elastic and sticky. Roll dough generously in flour, then cover and place in a warm area free from drafts to raise until double in size.
Place raised dough on a floured board and divide into thirds. Roll each piece of dough into equal length ropes about 3/4" in diameter. Roll each rope in chopped macadamia nuts pressing nuts lightly into the surface of the dough. Make a braid out of the 3 ropes leaving enough length on each end so you can braid them together. In a warm greased 12" Dutch Oven make a ring out of the braid and finish braiding the ends together. Cover the oven and let bread raise until double in size (about 30-45 minutes).
Brush top of bread with melted butter and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Bake using 10 coals bottom and 16 coals top for 30-40 minutes. When top of bread starts to brown, remove the Dutch Oven from all heat and let rest with the lid on for about 5 minutes. The residual heat from the oven will finish baking the bread.
Serve bread warm with fresh honey butter.

Laura's Yummy Soup
Laura Hawkins

Cream of Broccoli Cheese Soup

2 c. carrots

3 c. celery

1 onion

4 c. broccoli

3 quarts chicken broth (12 cups)

Combine ingredients and simmer until tender.

3 sticks butter, melted

1 1/2 c. flour

Combine and then add to soup. Stir until thick.

1 lb. Velveeta cheese

Cut cheese into cubes, add to soup and stir to melt.