Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup

This soup was extremely delicious and filling!  The other day I went grocery shopping without a meal plan and came home with a big slab of ham.  I really had no plans for it at all and after raiding the pantry this came to life.  I will definitely double this recipe next time and freeze the extras for another night.  I also came across a recipe on Pinterest for "Cream of Something Soup" and I had most of the ingredients on hand and came up with my "Cream of Nothing Soup." 

Ingredients for Cream of Nothing Soup

• 1 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup dry milk
• 3/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dry basil
• 1/4 teaspoon dry parsley

Directions:

1. Bring 3/4 cup of Cream of Nothing mixture and 1 1/4 cup chicken broth to a light boil.
2. Stir over heat until it thickens.

Ingredients for Soup:

• 2 small russet potatoes, diced in small cubes
• 1 1/2 cups diced ham
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 cup frozen corn
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1-2 tablespoon olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Saute onions, garlic and potatoes with olive oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
2. In a separate pan saute ham with a little bit of oil until nicely browned.
3. Add ham to potato mixture and stir.
4. Add cream of nothing soup, water and all other ingredients, except cheese and bring to a light boil.
5. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Stir in cheese and serve!

*If you do not want to make "cream of nothing soup" just replace with one can of your favorite cream condensed soup.*

Microwavable Breakfast Sandwiches

 

Did you know you can cook eggs in the microwave?  I had no idea!  I have a love-hate relationship with my microwave.  I love the convenience of it but hate the wave part of it.  You know, nutrient killing waves.  Anyways, this is delicious and easy!

 

Ingredients:

• 2 slices bread
• 1 egg
• 2 slices deli ham
• 1 slice cheddar cheese

Directions:  Toast bread and set aside.  Whisk egg in a microwavable bowl, preferably a small circular one.  Heat for 45 seconds, place onto one bread slice and top the other with the ham and cheese.  Return to microwave and heat for 20 seconds and serve.

Breakfast Sandwich

This is such an easy breakfast that the whole family will love.  Also, its a one dish breakfast!!  Runny yolks, melted cheese, delicious ham on croissant squares!!  My husband and I both love this and I find myself making this all the time, even for dinner. 

Ingredients for Two:

• 2 eggs
• 2 croissant square loafs, sliced (normal bread works too!)
• 4 slices deli style ham
• 4 slices cheddar cheese

Directions:  In a large lightly greased skillet saute eggs until cooked to your desired consistency.  For runny yolks, about a minute on each side. Place cheese slices on each piece of croissant and add cooked egg on top of one side.  Add ham slices to skillet and saute for a couple minutes.  Remove ham and place on top of egg and place the remaining croissant slice with cheese on top.  Place sandwich on skillet and saute on each side for one minute and serve!

Ham and Navy Bean Soup

 

As some of you know, my father in law literally lives about 50 yards away from our home.  My husband always says it reminds him of The Field of Dreams when he comes through the woods.  As soon as I tell my little guy that "BaBa" is coming over he runs to the door and waits for him to appear.  Seriously, it's the cutest thing ever.  Some days, he even stands at the door knocking saying, "Where Gramp?"  Needless to say, we have dinner with him often!  For all of you who are wondering, we all love it.  For Easter he brought a huge ham for dinner and was saying how delicious this would be.  My husband and I were not to convinced however, it was very delicious. 

 

Ingredients:

• Ham with bone, ours was about 2-3 lbs
• 1 lb navy beans, soaked
• 2 quarts low sodium chicken broth
• 3 carrots, diced
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 1 small sweet onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 red potatoes, (optional, I had some extra on hand)
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, (I thought the broth was to bland without it)
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• pepper, to taste

 

Directions:  Dice carrots, celery, and onion and saute with 1 tablespoon olive oil for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.  Add in garlic for the last minute.  Place all of the remaining ingredients except the ham into a lightly greased crock pot.  Top with ham and cook on high for 8-10 hours.  Remove ham and dice or shred meat.  When ham is out of the crock pot take about 1 cup of soup and puree.  Add meat and puree back to crock pot and stir.  Enjoy!



Crock Pot Ham and Potato Chowder

I needed to use up lots of ham I had leftover from Christmas and this chowder was PERFECT.  I also had about five pounds of potatoes because it was so much cheaper to buy a 10 pound bag.  This is exactly the kind of dinner I needed after spending hours cooking the last couple of days.  I threw everything into the crock and relaxed all day, it was amazing.  My husband and I loved it and I was even able to freeze half of it for another lazy day!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 8 oz cream cheese, cubed
• 1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 cup ham, cubed
• 2 large russet potatoes, cubed
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 1/2 sweet onion, diced
• 1 14 oz bag frozen mixed vegetables
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
• salt and pepper, to taste
• dash of Tabasco

Directions:  Add everything except milk and cheddar cheese to crock pot and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.  Slowly stir in milk and cheddar cheese and cook for another 15 minutes and serve!

Cuban Sandwich

This did not disappoint at all.  After searching for ideas for left over pork tenderloin I came across this one and made a couple changes.  I love pepperoncinis and thought they would be a wonderful addition.  The pickles and pepperoncinis gave just the right amount of crunch and the meat was so good with the provolone.

Ingredients:

• 1 baguette (the bakery did not have Cuban bread)
• 4 slices of deli ham
• thinly sliced pork tenderloin
• 3 pieces provolone cheese
• pepperoncinis, to taste
• sliced pickles, to taste
• mustard
• 1 tablespoon butter
• garlic, minced just a pinch

Directions:  Melt butter and add garlic in separate bowl.  Cut baguette in half and coat the outside with butter and garlic.  Spread mustard on the inside of each half and layer cheese, ham, tenderloin, pickles and pepperoncinis.  Use a heated panini press or even a George Foreman to press the sandwich until cheese is melted.

Hawaiian Baked Ham and Swiss Sandwiches

I found this recipe on Pinterest and I knew I had to try it.  I am in love!  The bottom was crispy, the middle is full of cheese and the top has a wonderful onion flavor.  I only made four but I will post the recipe for a dozen.  This would be a perfect to serve during football season.

Ingredients:

• 1 12 pack of Hawaiian Original Rolls ( I only found the hamburger ones and they were perfect)
• 1 1b deli ham, thinly sliced
• 1 1b Swiss Cheese, thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 sticks butter
• 1 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 3 teaspoons poppy seeds
• 1 sweet onion, chopped

Directions:   Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.  Melt butter and mix mustard, Worcestershire, onion and poppy seeds until onions are soft.  Place the bottom of the buns in a greased 9x13 pan.  Spread half of the butter and onion mixture over the top.  Add ham and cheese and place the remaining buns over the top and pour remaining butter/onion mixture over the top.  Bake covered for 15-20 minutes. 

Cookers Note:  I was using the oven at 450 degrees for some other goodies and I cooked these for 10 minutes at 450 because I was lazy and did not want to wait it ti cook.  They were perfect!

Semi Homemade Potato Soup

 

Whenever the grocery store has a sale on Bear Creek soup mixes I always pick some up.  One package makes 8 cups of soup and after I add my touches to it I end up with 9 cups.  The best part is I always have enough leftovers for lunch the next day and one freezer meal for another time.  SCORE!

 

Ingredients:

1 package Bear Creek Creamy Potato Soup mix

4 oz cream cheese 

1 cup milk

1 package bacon

2 celery stalks chopped

5 small red or yellow potatoes

1/2 cup chopped green onions, more to taste

salt and pepper to taste

2 teaspoons paprika

 

Directions:  Cook bacon until slightly crispy and chop when cooled.  In a large pot boil 8 cups of water.  Add potatoes, onions, celery,  3/4 bacon crumbles, and seasoning.  Lower heat and cook for about 15 minutes stirring every couple of minutes.  Add milk and cream cheese and cook for another 5 minutes stirring frequently.  When finished top with remaining bacon and season with extra pepper and paprika if desired.

 

Mini Pizzas

My husband loved these and now they are added to the list of regular dinners.  Such a plus for me because they are so easy and cheap!!! The possible combinations are endless and you can always use whole wheat bagels.  WIN WIN
Ingredients:

• Bagel thins 6 halves
• 1 can or bottle of favorite pizza sauce
• 1 can pineapple chunks or circles
• 1-2 cups Italian blend cheese
• 1 package Canadian bacon

Directions:  Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Toast each bagel slice in oven until slightly crisp.  (I used level five on my toaster)  Place each toasted half on baking sheet with foil.  Spread pizza sauce on each bagel then add a layer of cheese.  Top with Canadian bacon and add another layer of cheese then add pineapple to the top.  Bake for about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.  Serve with Caesar salad.