Tuscan Chicken Soup

6 cups chicken broth

1 Onion

2 Carrots

2 Celery

3 cloves Garlic

1 cup frozen Chopped spinach

1 cannellini beans

1 white beans

2 large chicken breasts

2 Tbsp tomato paste

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning 

Sauté veggies in some olive oil, add seasonings, add chicken broth and chopped chicken breasts add spinach and tomato paste cook on low boil for about 30 minutes then summer for another 30 minutes serve with grated Parmesan cheese on top

Pork Pozole

8 cups chicken stock
2 large cans hominy
3-4 lean pork chops, cubed
5 oz. red enchilada sauce
2 Tbsp. tomato sauce
1 Tbsp. oregano
2 tsp. salt
4 cloves chopped garlic
1 onion chopped

Garnish
Shredded cabbage, onion, lemon, oregano

Sauté onion and garlic in large pot with olive oil, pour in remainder of ingredients for about 1 hour

Garnish with desired ingredients

A Gift of Love.....Home Cooked Italian Meal

Baked Ziti and Garlic Bread

We have a group of 26 amazing volunteer youth staff members and Mike and I were wracking our brain to figure what we could do for them as a gift to show our appreciation for all they do for our youth. The youth budget was of course on empty and so I decided what better way then to show it with food!

We had a nice meal with everyone, linen table cloths and all!

Baked Ziti

1 pound ziti or any other short pasta

1/4 cup whipping cream

1 15 oz. ricotta cheese

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

 1 small onion,chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. dried basil

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. ground pepper

1 1/2 tsp. salt

3 italian sausage links 

2 26 oz. jars pasta sauce

I like to mix 1 classic marinara and 1 three cheese sauce together(Fresh & Easy has the best)

(yes I know jarred sauce doesn't sound very authentic but there are some really good ones out there and it's a huge time saver)

In a saute pan drizzle with olive oil, cook onion, garlic for about 5 minutes, remove casings from sausage and crumble up, cook through. While that cooks boil water and cook pasta until it is cooked but still firm, al dente.

Add your spices, ricotta, and heavy cream into the sausage/onion/garlic mixture toss together. Mix your 2 different sauces together in a bowl, pour half of that into meat/cheese mixture. Cover 13x9 baking dish with sauce, cover with half the noodles and spoon half the meat/cheese mixture, then sprinkle with half the mozzarella cheese, then repeat layers sauce, noodles, meat/cheese mixture and sprinkle your remaining mozzarella on top. Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes until bubbly.

*This can easily be a vegetarian dish as well instead of sausage add carrots, celery, mushrooms, spinach

Cheesy Garlic Bread

6 Tbsp. melted butter

3/4 cup mayo

3/4 shredded asiago cheese

3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp. dried parsley

1 loaf Italian/French Bread cut in half length wise

mix all ingredients together in a bowl, spread on bread, bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes until melted and bubbly

Change is a good thing...

It's been a crazy busy summer and I'm kind of glad it is over. We are entering a new season in our family and it's scary but good all at the same time. I have joined the out of the home work force again after 5 years of doing in home childcare, before that I was only out working for about 9 months and had been home since the spring of 2003. I have loved being home with my babies but they are growing up and heading into school longer now. Abi just started 4th grade today and Gavin is now going all day as well as a 1st grader!. Rylie will be starting Pre-K 3 days a week and so I will be working at the family business during that time. My baking business has really taken off especially since I started supplying my treats to Queen Bean Caffe. Keeping very busy but I like it, it allows me to be creative in one of my favorite ways with baking. I am trying my best to balance it all and am looking forward to being back on a schedule, it helps keep me sane. Looking forward to what God has in store next for us as a family and in our ministries...

Best Ranch Ever! (really it is)

So I have been trying to use less processed stuff especially if it is something that can be easily home made and taste much better, I have tried and tweaked a few recipes and this is now our family favorite.

Best Ranch Ever

1 cup mayo

1/2 cup buttermilk (or make your own mix 1 Tbsp. lemon juice and 1/2 cup milk let it set for 5 minutes to thicken)

1 Tbsp. dried parsley

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/8 tsp dried dill

combine in a mason jar and shake it up, set in fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to thicken up, keeps for about 2 weeks, I can usually get 3-4 salads from this

Crockpot Fiesta Chicken Soup

Fiesta Chicken Soup

6 cups chicken broth

1 small can tomato paste

2 tsp cumin

1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne

salt & pepper to taste

1 small chopped onion

3 garlic cloves chopped

2 large chicken breasts

1 can white beans

 1 can black beans

1 can corn

Garnish

crushed tortilla chips(I like the Fresh & easy chipotle flavored or lime flavored)

shredded cheese

chopped avocado

cilantro

lime juice

in a crockpot place all ingredients cook on high 4 hours or low 6-8, once chicken is cooked through take out and shred, add back into crock.

spoon into 4 bowls, top with chips, cheese, cilantro, avocado, squirt some lime juice on top

It's Been awhile...

I had a feeling I wasn't going to do too good at this whole blogging thing... Same as not journaling anymore... Something I used to really enjoy but just don't take the time to do anymore. Summer is in full swing, my kids are doing great so far, good attitudes and I am managing to keep them busy enough so they don't act up out of pure boredom while having to work around watching the other 2.

Speaking of a change is coming in the Frisch house over much prayer and for the well being of my sanity I have decided to no longer watch my 2 daycare boys effective mid August... I have had the oldest for nearly 5 years and watching them has served my family and this season of my life greatly. Rylie will be in preschool 3 days a week this school year do I will now be working for the family business while she is in school. Kind of sad at first I will no longer be a stay at home working mom ad I have always been.. I've never had the privilege to just stay home And be mom I have always worked and contributed bug now I will officially be a part time working mom. I'm excited though I think being out of the house a few times a week will do me and my family some good and I will still get to be home with Rylie on her off days and home after school with Abi and Gavin so it will work out perfectly.

I am also still juggling my baking business which is going well I have built up s bit of a consistent client base and am hoping to build it up more..

Ministry is going great with the youth and I am looking forward to getting back to women's ministry in the fall. Some changes could be on the rise and that is always exciting!

Until next time....