Cream of mushroom soup

5 to 6 cups fresh mushrooms (chopped)
If using dehydrated mushrooms, soak in warm water for 20-30 minutes, when done, squeeze out excess water and chop into small pieces.
I used white mushrooms, portobello, and shiitake mushrooms

2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons butter
Brown the following in the oil butter mixture;
1 onion chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped

Add chopped mushrooms

To the above add
5 cups chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon thyme

Bring to boil and heat thoroughly.

Remove about 1 - 2 cups of the soup and set aside
Use an immersion blender and blend remainder of soup to the consistency desired, add soup that was set aside and heat.

Add 3/4 cup to 1 cup of heavy cream.

Salt and pepper to taste.

According to the pioneer woman's blog this can be frozen and used as cream of mushroom soup in casseroles instead of purchasing canned soup.

Bone broth

4 pounds bones (beef, bison, chicken, turkey, venison) preferred organic and grass fed
2 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar (drizzle to coat bones

2 quarts filtered water
2 roughly chopped carrots
1 onion chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed and peeled
Parsley
1Tablespoon sea salt

Set slow cooker on low and cook for 24 hours.

When done, discard bones and vegetables and herbs.
Remove solids using a strainer
Refrigerate broth overnight
Skim off top fat layer

Freeze in 1 cup size container for ease of use later on

Heat and use in soups or as you like

S ' more Dessert

3 cups crushed graham crackers
3/4 to 1 cup melted butter
4 Tablespoons sugar ( optional)

Press in very large pie plate or square pan
Bake 350 degrees for 10 minutes - cool

1 pound marshmallows
1 Cup milk

Microwave until marshmallows are just melted and COOL

Whip 1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons vanilla

Combine by folding the marshmallow mixture into the whipped cream.
Grate about 1-1/2 oz bitter chocolate and fold this into whipped cream/marshmallow mixture.

Grate about 1 oz bitter chocolate on the top

Very light dessert. I've made this at Christmas time. The recipe is another delicious recipe from Gramma Dean.

Caramel rolls

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 cups buttermilk
6. Cups bread flour
2 teaspoons salt (scant)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 package yeast ( or 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast from a bulk container)

I mix the ingredients in my Bosch bread maker. And mix them in order. I melt the butter and use whole milk thickened with vinegar as most of the time I don't have buttermilk in the fridge. I start out with 4 cups flour, and gradually add more until it doesn't stick too much to the side of the bowl. When all mixed I put the speed up to 2 and let it mix for about 7-8 minutes.  Let set and rest 10 minutes or so.

Caramel sauce
3 cups brown sugar
2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons light corn syrup

Heat above until sugar is dissolved and slightly thickened.

Knead on floured surface, and roll to about 10 X 18 inch rectangle. Spread with 4 or so soft butter and sprinkle with a sugar cinnamon mixture, about (1 teaspoon cinnamon and 3 tablespoons white sugar)

Starting with long side roll up and press to seal.  Cup into about 12 - 14 cinnamon rolls

Pour caramel sauce into sauce pan ( use  two. 9 X 13 inch pans) place about 6 or 7 rolls in each pan.

Allow to rise in a warm place about 2 hours or until double.
Bake 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes
 Invert onto platter while warm

Tomato Basil Soup

1 1/4. cup pesto. (Homemade recipe at bottom)
5 1/2 cups diced tomatoes
Add above to crock pot on low

Sauté the following until soft
1/4 cup butter
2/3 cup diced onion
2 stalks of celery
3/4 teaspoon oregano
2. Teaspoons sugar

Add sauté ingredients to tomatoes and pesto
And cook 7 hours.

With an emersion blender, blend the soup to the desired consistency. I let some of the vegetables remain without completely liquefying everything in the crock pot.

Add 1 1/3 cup cream just before serving.....very very good

I make the home made pesto, here it is;
Blend the following together (I used a spoon to mix thoroughly)
2/3 cup basil
1/3 cup slivered almonds
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cloves of fresh garlic
1/2 cup olive oil
3/4 teaspoon salt

Story: when visiting Elizabeth we often enjoy noon lunch at Zuppas. They have the best soup. I went online and found this 'copycat' recipe for Zuppas tomato basil soup, and it is great!  If we lived closer than 4. Hours away, I would go there once a week 😉

Russian Tea Cakes

1 cup soft butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 Tablespoons confectioners sugar
2 cups flour
1 cup chopped walnuts

1/3 cup confectionary sugar to roll cookies after they've cooled

350 degree oven and bake for 12 - 15 minutes, cool, and roll X2 in sugar.

Story; Grandma Iszler made these every Christmas, so good. Also Wills favorite Christmas cookies.

Pumpkin bread

1 can Libby's Pumpkin

4 Eggs

1 cup oil

2/3 cup water

1 cup sugar (the original recipe called for 3 cups)

3 1/2 cups flour

2 tsp baking Soda

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cloves

1/4 tsp ginger

Beat together pumpkin mixture. Add dry ingredients and lightly mix until well combined. Add to 2 loaf pans and bake for 50 minutes at 350 degrees.

Story. Elizabeth made this after Thanksgiving 2016. An easy and good bread recipe. She found it on Allrecipies, with 6000 plus 5 star ratings. We added chocolate chips to part of a loaf per Laura's request.