January 13 Meeting

I'm getting excited about our first meeting in 2012! 

I've asked the pastor's wife from Fellowship Baptist Church in Emlenton, PA, to speak.  She will be doing a word study from God's Word on Diligence vs. Slothfulness.  We also spend a little time on Women's Health.  Both of which I think will be a great help to start the new year.

We will be meeting on January 13th at Natalie Pflueger's house from 6:30 - 9:00 pm.  Food is welcome.  Beverage will be provided by the hostess.

Since we are in the winter months, not only will it be helpful to the hostess for you to write your name on the sign up sheet, but that will be our list of contacts should we need to notify everyone of a postponement due to bad weather.

I am looking for ideas regarding the weekly recipes -- monthly topics, requests, submissions.  Please feel free to share your ideas!

PS:  You may have noticed, but I have divided the Main Dish category into specifics like Chicken, Beef, Pork, etc.  I hope this will be a help to you when searching for recipes.

World's Yummiest Cheeseball

This recipe comes from a lady in the church I grew up in.  Times have changed and the same cheeses aren't always available, so it's more like a cheese spread when you use alternatives.  Regardless, it is highly requested and a must-have at Christmas in our family.  The Roko Blue cheese is definitely seasonal.  So if you want to try this before next Christmas, you might want to look for it in stores quickly.

{I don't have a picture of the Cheese Ball since it gets eaten so fast!  Hoping to make another one before the season ends.  Maybe I'll remember to take a picture.}

Cheese Ball

1 - 8 oz cream cheese *
1 small jar Kraft Roko Blue cheese spread
1 small jar Kraft Old English Sharp Cheddar
1 cube beef bullion
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
chopped nuts

* Set out cheese for a couple hours to soften

Dissolve bullion in 1 tablespoon of hot water in a medum bowl.  Add garlic powder.  Mix in cheeses.  Shape into a ball and refrigerate until hardened.  Roll in nuts.  (Alternately, scoop into a serving bowl and sprinkle with nuts.)  Serve room temperature with crackers. 

We like to serve it with Aldi brand "Ritz" and "Club" crackers.  I will sometimes use a cheddar cheese (comes in mild and sharp) that starts with a K.  It comes in a plastic cup with a blue lid.  Will try to remember to write the name down.  I have never tried to make the cheese ball with an alternative blue cheese because it's a spread and I haven't found any other spreads.

BLT Chicken Salad

One of my favorite flavor combos is Bacon - Chicken - Ranch.  Adding Salad makes me think it's a healthy combination.  Proabably not, but I will keep telling myself it is.

My friend shared this recipe with me.  Unfortunately, I never got around to making it, but my Mother-in-Law did.  She's made it a couple times, and it's YUMMY!  (Speaking of yummy, have you ever had warm bacon dressing?  Talk about to die for! Oh, my.  I'd love to have a recipe to make it myself; although, again, I'm sure it wouldn't be healthy.)

BLT Chicken Salad

1/2 cup mayonnaise
4 tablespoons barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 cups torn salad greens
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
10 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
2 hard-cooked eggs, sliced


1. In a small bowl, combine the first five ingredients; mix well.


2. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

3. Place salad greens on a large serving platter. Sprinkle with tomatoes, chicken and bacon; garnish with eggs. Drizzle with dressing.
 
Recipe came from Allrecipes.com and photo was found online also.

Cheesy Corn Chowder

I've kinda stolen this recipe.  My mother-in-law asked for the recipe after tasting this chowder at a gathering of friends.  My MIL made it last week.  I LOVED it and wanted to share it with all of you!  Oh, and PS:  IT MAKES A LOT!

Cheesy Corn Chowder

1 lb bacon, cut small
6 c chopped onions
1/2 c flour
salt and pepper, to taste
12 c chicken broth (3 qts)
6 c cubed potatoes (or more)
1 bag of frozen corn
1 lb American cheese

In a LARGE soup pot, brown bacon until crisp.  Remove from pan and add onions -- cook about 10 minutes, stir until clear and slightly brown.  Stir in flour, salt and pepper.  Cook for several minutes, stirring to make a roux.  Add chickent broth slowly, stirring to blend.  Add potatoes and corn.  Cook 15 to 20 minutes until potatoes are tender.  Stir in cheese a few slices at a time to melt.

ENJOY!

* I made this chowder Thursday.  I cut the onions in half (still lots of flavor).  I cut back to 3/4 lb of cheese (at $5.99/lb I just couldn't put in a whole pound).  Albeit my company didn't have lunch, but everyone ate at least two bowls and their teenage son ate four bowls.  I'd say it was a big hit!  PS:  We season with Lawry's and Mrs. Dash instead of salt and pepper.  Mmm, mm!