Place 1 cup ice in a 2-qt. pitcher.
Add 1 cup beef broth, 1 cup vodka, 4 cups tomato juice (or V8), 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon green olive brine, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish (more if desired), 1 teaspoon celery salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper and 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco, Tampico, or Texas Pete’s); stir to combine. Serve over ice. Garnish with celery stick and green olives. Serves 4.
Chicken Vegetable Soup
2 quarts chicken stock
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 large carrots, cut into coins
3 ribs of celery, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
2 medium onions, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium potatoes, peeled, diced
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp Italian seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
In a 350F oven, roast off chicken thighs. Remove and allow to cool, then cut into bite size pieces.
In a soup pot, heat olive oil until just smoking. Add onions and garlic, and toss to coat. Cook 2 minutes, then add celery and carrot. Stirring occasionally, cook for 4 additional minutes. Add potatoes, Italian seasoning, and stock. Bring to the simmer and add chicken. Allow to cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Serves: 8.
Cheesy Garlic Biscuits
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup skim milk
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp sugar
1 cup Mozzarella/Cheddar/Monterey Jack cheese blend, shredded
1 tsp garlic powder
3 tbsp melted butter
Preheat oven to 450F.
In a mixing bowl, place flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir to combine. Add milk, mayonnaise, sugar, and beat on high speed until batter is smooth. It should not be pourable thin , it should be spoonable. Using a rubber spatula, fold in 3/4 cup cheese shreds.
Lightly grease 12 muffin tins (you may also use the liners if desired, or a silicon muffin pan). Spoon enough batter to fill each tin no more than 1/2 way (they WILL expand as they bake).
In a small bowl, combine melted butter and garlic powder. Using a brush, lightly paint the top of each biscuit with mixture. Then, using the reserved cheese, sprinkle the top of each biscuit.
Place on rack in the middle of the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow to cool slightly on a wire rack before removing from pan. Serve warm with soups, roasts, stews, or broiled meats.
Makes 12 biscuits.
This recipe has been ‘lightened up’ slightly and is a wonderful soup that, while meat-free, is able to satisfy the carnivores in your life!
Cranberry Wild Rice Soup (Lighter Version)
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1 large carrot, diced
1 celery stalk, sliced no larger than 1/4″ pieces
1/2 cup onion, minced
3 tbsp all purpose flour
3 cups organic vegetable stock
1 1/2 cups cooked wild rice
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 cup skim milk or fat free half and half
2 tbsp dry sherry
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Melt butter in stock pot over medium heat; sauté the carrot, celery and onion, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender (about 8 minutes). Add the flour and stir until smooth. Gradually stir in the vegetable stock, whisking as you go to avoid lumps from forming. Increase the heat to medium-high and stir until soup is thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the rice and cranberries. Reduce the heat to barely a simmer, cover, and stir occasionally, until the cranberries are plump and soft (about 15 minutes). Add remaining ingredients. Stir occasionally until heated through. Season to taste and ladle into bowls. Top with a teaspoon of grated Parmesan cheese as a garnish. If desired, serve with toasted baguette rounds.
Cranberry Sage Stuffing
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, minced
5 large celery stalks, chopped (if you have the leaves, chop them too)
2 cups dried cranberries
4 cups white bread, toasted and cut into cubes (or, if dry enough, just crunched up)
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 tsp pepper
2 cups low-sodium vegetable stock, separated
In a large skillet melt the butter with the olive oil, and then sauté the onion and celery together for 3-4 minutes, until tender. Add dried cranberries, and 1 cup of vegetable stock. bring to a simmer for 2 minutes to help replump up dired cranberries.
Transfer everything to a large mixing bowl, and then add toasted bread, sage, eggs, and pepper. Toss together and use just enough of the remaining stock to hold everything together so that it is moist, but not dripping.
Spray an 8×8 baking dish with non-stick spray, and turn out the stuffing, patting down to make sure all the stuffing is level.
Bake at 350F for 30 minutes until heated through and brown on top.