Tortilla Soup

Tortilla Soup

Ingredients

1 lb. browned hamburger, drained

2 cans chopped tomatoes

1 can Northern beans

1 can Pinto beans

1 can chicken or beef broth

1 can chopped green chilies

1 can white hominy, drained

1 can yellow corn

1 pkg. dry taco seasoning

1 pkg. Ranch dressing mix 

Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

Mix all ingredients together in a large pot and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.  If extra liquid is needed, use tomato juice.  Serves 10 to 12.

Notes:  This will be the first time for me to try this particular recipe for Tortilla Soup.  I  have a Taco Soup recipe on our family blog here.

Chicken Noodle Casserole

Chicken Noodle Casserole

Ingredients

1 can (12 1/2 oz.) chicken or tuna

8 oz. cream cheese

1 can cream of mushroom or chicken soup

1/4 cup milk

1 T. onion (optional)

7 oz. egg noodles

Directions

Cream chicken, cream cheese, soup, and milk together.  Cook noodles as directed on package.  Combine with creamed ingredients in casserole dish.  Cover and bake 20 to 25 minutes at 375 degrees.  Serves 4 to 6.

Notes:  This is one of my favorite go-to casseroles during the school year...especially during winter months when we are craving something hot and hearty.  Dried onion substitutes well for the onion if you do not have fresh on hand.  We are also partial to adding some garlic powder to the creamed ingredients to give it a little extra kick. (My husband prefers spicy to bland recipes.)  Pictures to come.

Week of August 7th

Sunday, August 7th
Tortilla Soup/Garnish with Taco Cheese
Tortilla Chips


Monday, August 8th (Duty Day)
Tortilla Soup leftovers

Tuesday, August 9th
Dirty Rice
Dinner Salad
Crescent Rolls

Wednesday, August 10th (Duty Day)
Dirty Rice leftovers
Green Beans
Biscuits

Thursday, August 11th
Chicken Noodle Casserole
Steamed Broccoli
Mandarin Oranges


Friday, August 12th (Duty Day)
Chicken Noodle Casserole (leftovers)
Mixed Vegetables


Saturday, August 13th
Dinner Out/St. Paul's Ice Cream Social (6 PM - 7:30 PM)

Welcome!

Welcome to "Bless Us, O Lord, And These Thy Gifts", our family's weekly meal planner blog.  It is here that I hope to get a handle on my family's favorite recipes scattered about in cookbooks and recipe cards, while getting better organized for the coming school year.

Feeding three hungry kiddos and a fire-fighting husband is no easy task!  Rotating shift-work makes for complicated meal-time schedules.  Throw in ballet, soccer, Daisy Scouts, etc. and dinnertime in the Kueter household can get complicated. 

As much as I long for the five of us to be seated around the dinner table every night...the reality of my husband's line of work does not allow for it.  Soon.  Very soon.  (He is a mere 5-years from retirement!)  In the meantime, I have decided that the four of us (the three kiddos and me) will eat a home-cooked meal at least 5, if not 6, nights a week.  In order to accomplish this task, I must get organized!

I invite you to join me on this journey of sorts!  I love that August means "back to school", regular routines, and the eventual return of cooler weather!  Bon Appetit!