Easy Oven-Baked Split Pea Soup

Ingredients

1 package (16 oz) dried split peas

8 cups water

1-1/2 cups sliced carrots

1-1/2 cups sliced celery

2 tbsp Onion Flakes

2 tsp Thyme

2 tsp Chicken Soup & Gravy

1 tsp Celery Seed

1/4 tsp, or to taste Black Pepper 6 oz

1 Bay Leaves

1 pound fully-cooked smoked kielbasa sausage, sliced 1/4-inch thick then cut in half
Directions

Rinse peas under cold water. In a large oven-proof kettle or Dutch oven, combine all ingredients except sausage. Bake, covered, at 350°F/180ºC for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Add sausage, bake 30 minutes more or until peas are tender and sausage is heated through; remove bay leaf before serving.

Makes 8 servings.

Note from Kitchen: If a thinner soup is desired, more water may be added.

Chicken & Broccoli Puff Casserole

2 Cups Cubed Cooked Chicken
1/4 Cup Milk
1/8 teas. Watkins Black Pepper
1 Recipe Cooked of Watkins Mushroom Soup (2 Cups)
1 Package (10 oz.) Frozen Broccoli Cuts, thawed and drained
1 Cup Milk
3 Eggs
1-1/3 Cups Pie Crust Mix or 1 Pie Crust Stick
1/2 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Grease 2 quart casserole. Mix chicken, 1/4 cup milk, pepper, soup and broccoli in a 2 quart Saucepan. Heat over medium heat stirring occasionally until hot; keep warm. Place 1 cup milk, the eggs and pie crust (or crumbled stick) in blender container. Cover and blend on high for 20 seconds. ..stopping to scrape sides. Pour chicken mix into casserole dish. Pour pie crust mixture over top. Bake for 35-40 minutes until top is brown and puffy. . . . .Sprinkle with cheese. Serve warm. Serves 8-10

Dilled Vegetable Salad

Ingredients

1 pound fresh green beans

1 small head cauliflower, cut into small florets

1 small red onion

3 small radishes, thinly sliced

1/3 cup of corn off the cob

3/4 cup Watkins Original Grapeseed Oil

1/4 cup white wine vinegar

2 tbsp Watkins Dill

2 tsp Watkins Italian Seasoning

2 tsp Watkins Red Pepper Flakes

1/2 tsp Watkins Garlic Granules

1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Cooking Directions

Wash vegetables with Watkins Fresh Wash. Cut ends off beans and cut cauliflower into small florets. Steam beans and cauliflower until crisp-tender, being careful not to overcook the cauliflower. Cut red onion into thin rings. In a small bowl, combine oil, vinegar and seasonings. Pour over vegetables and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight. Top with feta cheese before serving.

Other uses for Dill Dressing:

Be sure to make extra dressing; it keeps well in the fridge and can be used to enhance other quickly-prepared ingredients for side dishes in the coming days. Here are some ideas:

Combine dressing with feta cheese and serve with pita slices or wedges.•Roast bell peppers, slice and toss with dressing to use on bruschetta (or use tomatoes). •Roast tomatoes, slice and toss with dressing to use as a warm salad or side dish (or use bell peppers). Add feta or Parmesan cheese, if you like.

Hummingbird Cake

Ingredients Hummingbird Cake:

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp Watkins Cinnamon
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup vegetable oil or Watkins Original grapeseed oil
1-1/2 tsp Watkins Original Double Strength Vanilla Extract
1 tsp Watkins Butter Extract
1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
1 cup chopped pecans
2 cups chopped bananas

Frosting (recipe follows)
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Frosting:
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
3-1/2 cups powdered sugar


Cooking Directions

Combine flour and next four ingredients in large bowl; mix well. Stir in eggs, oil and extracts; stir until dry ingredients are moistened, do not beat. Fold in crushed pineapple, pecans, and bananas. Spoon batter into three greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans.
Bake at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack 20 minutes, remove from pans and cool completely. Spread frosting between layers, on top, and sides of cake. Sprinkle with chopped pecans. Refrigerate at least 24 hours before serving; the flavors will blend and intensify upon standing.

Frosting: Combine cream cheese and butter, beating until smooth. Add powdered sugar and extract; beat until light and fluffy.

Cream Of Potato Soup

Make medium white sauce according to package directions on Watkins Cream Soup Base.
Simmer 1 cup diced potatoes,
1/3 cup chopped celery,
¾ cup chopped onion in 1 ½ cups water.

Do Not Drain. Add ¼ teaspoon Watkins Dry Mustard and a dash of Watkins Black Pepper to the medium white sauce. Add white sauce to simmered vegetables.
Bring to a full boil stirring constantly.
Makes 6 servings

Garnish with chives or shredded cheese

Beef Stew

Ingredients:

3/4 teaspoon coarse salt, divided

1/2 teaspoon Watkins pepper, divided

1 pound boneless flank steak, cut into small chunks

1/4 cup all purpose flour

3 teaspoon olive oil, divided

1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped red onion

8 ounces sliced white mushrooms

3 cups Watkins beef broth

4 teaspoons tomato paste

3-4 large thyme sprigs

1 large bay leaf

1 pound baby white potatoes, unpeeled, cut in quarters

8 ounces baby carrots

4 teaspoon finely chopped parsley

Instructions:

In a heavy zip lock bag place the flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Close and shake to incorporate all ingredients together. Add meat to bag and shake to completely coat the meat. Add 2 teaspoons of oil to a large Dutch oven. Heat over high heat until oil is hot. Add meat and brown about 3 minutes per side. Remove meat. Add onions and mushrooms to oil. Cook until onion is soft about 5 minutes. Add broth, tomato paste, salt and pepper. Whisk until all ingredients are combined. On medium high heat bring mixture to a boil. When begins to boil add bay and thyme. Continue boiling until it becomes a rapid boil. Add potatoes, carrots and meat to boiling liquid. Reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer approximate 15 minutes. Remove bay leaf and thyme before serving.

Chicken Salad

1 large chicken breast, baked (shredded in small pieces)

2 large hard boiled eggs (chopped up fine)

1/2 to 3/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 tsp. Watkins Chicken Seasoning

1/8 tsp. Watkins Onion Granules

3 shakes Watkins Celery Seed

2 shakes Watkins Deli Seasoning

5 shakes Watkins Omelet & Souffle Seasoning

Shredded carrot pieces, optional

Mix all spices and seasonings with mayonnaise. Add chicken and eggs. Sprinkle top with Chicken Seasoning or Watkins Paprika.

Order seasonings at Watkins Online

Watkins Natural-Based Home Care Products

Watkins home care products offer a comprehensive line of enviroment-friendly home care products will help keep your home and environment free from toxic chemicals that are often added unnecessarily to ordinary products. From laundry detergent that is dye and fragrence free, to soy-based candles, Watkins offers products that fit your lifestyle.

Our popular line of quality Watkins home care products includes Organic Cleaner, Degreaser, Watkins Laundry Detergent, Pre-Wash Stain Remover, Laundry White, Carnauba Palm Lemon Furniture Polish, Odor Zap, Odor Chek, Tube and Tile Cleaner, Bathroom Cleaner Plus, Watkins Insect Repellents, Bio Drain Opener, Premium Room Fresheners, Premium Scented Candles, Non-Aerosol Air Enhancers, and much more! Watkins has a solution for just about any home care need.

Watkins will help you keep your home clean and fresh. The dreaded chore of cleaning and maintaining your home can actually be a pleasure using these products!
Here's the Link. Please mention my Associate number when ordering.. ID# 367131
Order at Watkinsonline.com

Watkins Laundry Detergent

Watkins laundry detergent is formulated for discerning consumers who desire not only clean clothes, but also an environmentally friendly product. Our detergent has a concentrated, biodegradable, phosphate-free formula that delivers a low cost per wash competitive with regular store brands.
For those with sensitive skin or allergies, you’ll be happy to know that Watkins laundry detergent is dye and fragrance free! It is perfect for washing delicates as well as heavy-duty use on tough dirt and stains. It works very well in either hot or cold water, and includes built-in fabric softener to reduce static cling (not to mention saving you money).
In most locales, you can use only half a scoop for each load. This will give you 80 loads from one box! If you have really hard water you might need to use a whole scoop but try it with a half and work your way up, if necessary. You'll find it washes great and will save you money.
Formulated to work in the new HE washing machines with 1/2 scoop.
Great to use for baby's clothes and bedding, babies don't need to be exposed to all those perfumes and chemicals. Most "baby" soaps and detergents are full of chemicals and perfume, not to mention over-priced.
It's a water softener, fabric softener, detergent all in one!
Not only do you save money on cleaner clothes using Watkins Laundry Detergent, but you will also save money on your clothes since there's less wear and tear on them with fewer rinse cycles. There are no fillers, phosphates, dyes, and perfumes to damage the fabric!

Happy New Year! 2008

Since people are starting their New Year's with healthy eating, I'm going to try to put healthy recipes on here.. I may sneak in one that is , well not really diet food once in a while. I have started a diet. I'm watching my calories..

I hope all of you have a Great and Prosperous new Year!

Light Pimiento Cheese-Stuffed Celery

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups light mayonnaise

1 (4-ounce) jar diced pimiento, drained

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon finely grated onion

1/4 teaspoon Watkins pepper

1 (8-ounce) blocks 2% reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese, finely shredded

6 celery ribs, cut into 4-inch pieces

Garnish: paprika

Preparation

Stir together light mayonnaise and next 4 ingredients in a medium bowl. Stir in cheese.
Spread 1 tablespoon cheese mixture into each celery rib. Garnish, if desired.

Note: Store remaining pimiento cheese mixture in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week.
Yield
Makes about 3 cups pimiento cheese (serving size: 4-inch piece of celery with 1 tablespoon pimiento cheese)

Nutritional Information
CALORIES 54(68% from fat); FAT 4.1g (sat 1.8g,mono 0.0g,poly 0.0g); PROTEIN 2.5g; CHOLESTEROL 9mg; CALCIUM 75mg; SODIUM 147mg; FIBER 0.4g; IRON 0.1mg; CARBOHYDRATE 1.5g

Order ingredients at Watkins Online