Easy Chicken Stock at Home

http://voices.yahoo.com/easy-savory-chicken-stock-home-10898453.html

Creamy Peanut Butter Cup Bars

http://voices.yahoo.com/creamy-peanut-butter-cup-bars-10887631.html

Split Pea Soup - Naturally Gluten Free

A delicious, savory gluten free recipe 
 http://voices.yahoo.com/split-pea-soup-naturally-gluten-free-10903291.html

Frugal Living Tip - Freezer Soup

Take an empty large plastic container and start putting the spoonful or two of vegetables that are leftover after a meal.  Store in the freezer.  Any time that you are roast a chicken or turkey, throw the extra juices in the plastic containers.  Keep layering all those wonderful leftovers in the freezer containers until they are full.  Do not worry about seperating the vegetables.  Mix them up.  Bits of meat can go in there too if you desire.  Just avoid putting fatty bits.  When you have one or two full containers, put them on the stove for a simple base for a soup! 

If you have saved up enough drippings, you will basically just be able to thaw out a wonderful chicken veggie soup from your freezer.  Add just a bit of salt or pepper.  Maybe some onion or garlic (powder or fresh for either).  Save up all summer when veggies are more plentiful, and you can have plenty of soup base all winter long. 

Simply Sacred Cooking - Peanut Butter Cup Bars

I have fond memories of childhood each time I bite into one of these delights.  My Grandmother used to make Peanut Butter Cup Bars on occasion.  After school, I would walk into her house and see the plate on the table and squeal with delight.  They are creamy, and rich.  Cut small and they are sophisticated for the adult palate, or cut large and delight any child!  I still take mine cut large. 

It is a delight to share with you this recipe.  See it come together in the video and the text recipe is below for your enjoyment.

Peanut Butter Cup Bars

Bottom Layer

1 cup butter melted

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

2 cups confectioners sugar

1 cup peanut butter

Top Layer

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

4 tablespoons peanut butter

Mix together the bottom layer ingredients in a 9x13 pan.  Mixture should be slightly crumbly.  If needed, add extra graham cracker crumbs.  Smooth out to an even layer.

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave. Stir every 30 seconds until they are melted.  Combine melted chocolate and peanut butter.

Layer the chocolate peanut butter on top of the graham cracker mixture.  Place in the refrigerator to harden for at least 1 hour before cutting into desired squares and serving.

Simple Sacred Cooking - Chocolate Pecan Delights

There are over 20 pecan trees gracing my property.  Every other year I have a bounty of freshly fallen pecans filling buckets in my home.  With this overflow of fresh (and free) pecans, I am able to spoil those around me with some delightful treats.  One of the first pecan treats learned was for Chocolate Pecan Delights (Similar to the Turtles Brand Candies you buy at the store, but WAY less expensive).  They are my Mother's favorite.  Every holiday I am bound to make a few dozen of them for her to enjoy.  They are simple, delicious and perfect for any occasion.

Chocolate Pecan Delights

Pecans
Butter
Salt
Caramel
Almond Bark (Chocolate Flavored) or chocolate chips

• Roast the pecans at 350 degrees with butter and salt to taste until they are starting to darken. Do not allow to burn!  This will create a rich, nutty flavor to complement the chocolate.
• Place a layer of parchment paper on a large cookie sheet. 
• Arrange roasted pecan halves in pairs on the parchment paper.
• Melt caramel.  Drop a small bit of caramel on top of each pair, "gluing" them together.
• Allow them to cool.
• Melt the chocolate flavored almond bark (or chocolate chips)
• Using a fork, dip each double pecan with caramel into the chocolate so it is covered on all sides.
• Place back on the parchment paper. 
• Allow to cool until completly hard.

Simple Sacred Cooking - Perfect Sweet Potato Bread Recipe

Sweet potatoes were calling to me this year.  Their delicious flavor and texture left me wanting new dishes to treat my family with.  After experimenting, this recipe came out to be a perfect addition to the menu.  My family ate the first batch before it could make it to the gathering!  That is particularly amazing at my home with two picky kids and a picky husband.

Perfect Sweet Potato Bread
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cardamom (optional)
1 cup cooked and mashed sweet potatoes

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan or muffin tin.

Mix together the sugar, oil and eggs. Combine thoroughly. Stir in the mashed sweet potatoes. In another bowl the combine dry ingredients, flour, baking soda, salt and spices, thoroughly. Slowly add dry mixture to the wet mixture.

Bake until starting to brown and bread has firmed.

Simple Sacred Cooking - Hot Cocoa Recipe

One of the indulgences for the simple sacred within your life on a cold winters day is a cup of hot chocolate.  This warming beverage will bring you directly back to happy memories of childhood.  Creamy warmth will enter your body and bring a moment of peace and happiness.  Make your own mix to have a perfect cup every time.

Winter Memories Cocoa Mix
1/2 Cup Powdered Baking Cocoa
3/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
3 Cups Powdered Milk

Place all ingredients into a container with a tight fitting lid.  Shake until they are combined thoroughly. 

Use 2 tablespoons for every 4 ounce mug of hot chocolate.  Can be made with boiling water or with warmed milk for extra creaminess. 

Festive touches such as marshmallows, marshmallow fluff, chocolate shavings, cinnamon, etc. can be added to taste.