I Smell Fall

I dislike cold weather, but I LOVE the comfort of cold weather food.  We had our first slightly chilly day last week.  So, of course food must match the weather.  I pulled out the crock pot and tossed this Loaded Potato Soup together in no time.  I was hungry all day long, smelling this in the house.

You Will Need:

4 Russet Potatoes (Peeled & Cubed)

4 Red Potatoes (Cubed)

1 Small Onion (Diced)

28 oz. Chicken Broth

1 c. Heavy Cream plus 1 c. Skim Milk OR 2 c. Half and Half

8 Slices Bacon (Cooked and Crumbled)

1 1/2 c. Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Chopped Green Onion

Combine first four ingredients in crock pot. Cook on high four hours or low eight hours.
Stir in cream and milk, cheese, green onion, and bacon. Cook in crockpot on high for 15-20 minutes to be sure everything is hot!
Garnish with additional cheese, onion, and sour cream if you want.
This was super easy and very yummy.

Peanut Butter Therapy

    Whoa... this completely has not gone as I had expected.  I started this blog, paid lots of attention to it for the first few days, and then I don't know.  How do people do this every day?  I can't find the time.  So much to do every day, so little time!  I have to tip my hat to all of the working mommys out there.  I have been on an extended maternity leave for four months and enjoyed every minute of it.  Turns out, my maternity leave is permanent.  I got canned.  But, that story is for a different day.  Today, we're talking about what to do when you're on the verge of insanity.  At least, what I do... BAKE!!  

     I know that sounds even more insane, but there's something therapeutic about baking to me.  I can get so caught up in the recipe, the anticipation of the final product, the aroma of something fresh in the oven.  I'm about to talk myself into whipping up something tonight!  

     Recently, I made Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes!!  They were a HUGE hit!  I combined at least four recipes into one.  I took what I liked from each one to make a final recipe.  Here's my version:

CUPCAKE:

1 1/4 c. All-purpose Flour

1 1/2 c. Sugar

3/4 c. Cocoa

1/2 Tbsp. Baking Soda

1 tsp. Baking Powder

1 tsp. Salt

3 Eggs

3/4 c. Buttermilk*  (See substitution below)

1/4 c. Vegetable Oil

3/4 c.  Strong Coffee

1/2 Tbsp. Vanilla

24 Reese's Miniature Peanut Butter Cups  

Preheat oven to 350º.
In bowl, stir together dry ingredients; flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

In a separate bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients; eggs, buttermilk, oil, coffee, and vanilla.  All EXCEPT Reese's cups.

Using a mixer with paddle, gradually combine dry ingredients into liquid mixture.  Mix on medium speed for 30 seconds.  Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl.  Mix until well combined.  The batter will be thin and very wet.

Fill each muffin cup 3/4 full with the batter. 
Place 1 peanut butter cup in each.  
Bake 15-17 minutes.
Makes 24 cupcakes.
Allow to cool completely before frosting.

FROSTING:

1/2 c. Butter (softened)

1 c. Peanut Butter (Creamy, no crunchy)

8 oz. Cream Cheese (softened)

4 c. Powdered Sugar

1-2 Tbsp. Milk

Using paddle attachment on mixer, beat the butter until smooth.  Add softened cream cheese, beat.  Scrape down the sides.  Add peanut butter and beat until well mixed, scrape down the sides of the bowl.  Gradually add powdered sugar.  Mix until frosting is smooth.  Pour in milk, beat until desired consistency.

Put this yummy goodness on top of completely cooled cupcakes.

A big, cold glass of milk is recommended to go along with one of these babies.  They are soooo good.

*Don't have buttermilk in the fridge?  No one wants to run out for just one ingredient.  Substitute using 1 Tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk.  Easy Peasy!

HISSY FIT FRIDAY

Every week, I plan to have a "HISSY FIT FRIDAY".  This will be the day that I empty the overflowing bucket of thoughts that cross my mind throughout the week.  These thoughts may be complaints, pet peeves, curiosities, and things that just blow my mind.

Please feel free to comment with your own "HISSY FIT".

Below is the definition of a hissy fit (according to Urban Dictionary).

hissy fit

noun. A sudden outburst of temper, often used to describe female anger at something trivial. Originally regional from American South. Thought to originate from contraction of "hysterical fit." Mopeds.  They do not belong on our curvy mountain roads or ANYWHERE else for that matter.  The driver of the liquorcycle is in constant danger along with all other motorists on the road.  If it is a must to have them, they should be inspected, tagged, taxed, and insured... just like every other vehicle. Ants.  Why won't the ants leave me alone in my house?  I clean all surfaces of my kitchen thoroughly.  They still make their way in and make a sprint for my kitchen counters and mostly my trashcan.  Then, they tell all the other ants in their colony to come check out my kitchen counters and trashcan.  I have used sprays, cinnamon, borax, salt... you name it, I've tried it.  If anyone has a solution to this problem, I would appreciate it. Bangs.  What was I thinking? I decided I wanted bangs at my last haircut.  They drive me CRAZY!  They are constantly in my face, tickling my forehead, in my eyes.  I have been so tempted to just chop them off, if it didn't mean that the process would start all over again. Time.  It's going waaaaay too fast.  My children will be retired before I know it.  One is eight years old and the other is three months, by the way. Misunderstanding.  The word is moot, not mute.  And the phrase is, " I couldn't care less."  It is not, "I could care less."  The latter wouldn't make very much since, now would it? Photos.  Someone please explain why people take photos of themselves in the mirror?  And why are they always in the bathroom? School Supplies.  Why should I send top notch supplies to school with my daughter- intended for HER use- only for them to be used as "community" supplies?  Why not assess the supplies each child brings, when someone is lacking, THEN ask for donations. I think that would work way better. That wraps up my first "HISSY FIT FRIDAY".  Thanks for listening.

Amazing Chicken Salad

Chicken salad is the perfect "salad".  Put it on a croissant, sliced bread, a bed of lettuce, or in a bowl.  This recipe brings lots of flavor to one of my favorite dishes.

You will need:

2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

(You can also use rotisserie or any other precooked chicken)

1 c. Mayo 

2 Stalks Celery- Finely Chopped

1/4 - 1/3 c. Red Onion- Finely Chopped

1 c. Red Grapes- Quartered

1-2 Tbsp. Lemon Juice

Salt & Pepper

Garlic Powder

1/4 c. Chopped Pecans or Almonds (Optional)

Preheat oven 350º.  Lightly sprinkle chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.  Bake until no longer pink in center.  Do not overcook, it will cause the chicken to dry out and become hard.  Cut into halves.

Finely chop celery and red onion, slice & quarter grapes.

Place cooked & halved chicken breasts in standing mixer with paddle attachment.  Place on Speed 1 to shred chicken.

 Add celery, red onion, grapes, lemon juice, mayo, salt & pepper to taste.  Stir on low speed until combined.  Add nuts if desired.

Cover and chill in the fridge for at least an hour.  Serve on a fresh croissant and... TAADAA!!!  The BEST Chicken Salad EVER!

Cucumber Salad

I heart cucumbers.  My daughter will pick one up and eat it like its candy.  Cucumber salad can be made many different ways.  Some folks make one with sliced onions.  Some have tomato, onion, and vinegar.  This is the way my Mammaw always made it and the way I like it. Quick, easy, and very inexpensive. I am actually making some for dinner tonight.  So, I figured, this works perfectly for my first recipe!

You will need:

1 Cucumber

1/2 c. Mayo or Miracle Whip

1/4 c. White vinegar

1-2 Tbsp. Parsley

Peel and thinly slice cucumber.  Set aside.

 

In bowl:  Combine mayo, vinegar, and parsley.  Add a liitle more or a little less of each to taste.  I usually add about one additional tablespoon of mayo.  Mix in sliced cucumbers.  Stir well to be sure they are covered.

Cover and chill in the fridge for at least an hour.

ENJOY!

This is a great side/extra for summertime.  It's cool, crisp, and delicious.  I often have this as a late night snack.  Mmmmmm!

Here we go...

Hey there and welcome to Simply Southern Everything! I'm flattered that you have decided to join me on my journey through Blogville. I'm new at this and as I sit here staring at this blank page, I'm wondering... "Does anyone really care what I think?".  I suppose we shall see.

Who am I? 
I am a Southern gal, born and raised in the beautiful mountains of Western NC.  My Auntie Gail always said, "You're closer to heaven when in the mountains."  I have to agree.  I love the small town and loving community that has shaped me into the woman I am today. 

I am a wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend to some amazing folks. Now, I have the opportunity to share southern recipes, traditions, and wit all on this fancy little blog.  However, I'm not picky.  If I think it's worth sharing, it doesn't matter where it came from.  

I hope to learn just as much from those who stop by as they learn from me. I'm a lot like a good cast iron skillet. I've been seasoned... but I can only get better with time. We all learn something new every day.  Thanks for stopping by and wish me luck. XOXO