Campfire Hash

For Anna in her hour of need . . .

I got this from allrecipes. I like to just bring cold baked potatoes to dice up to cut down on the cooking time.

Campfire Hash

2 tablespoons cooking oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 pound fully cooked smoked kielbasa, cubed
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained

DIRECTIONS
In a Dutch oven, heat oil. Saute onion and garlic under tender. Add potatoes. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add kielbasa; cook and stir until potatoes are tender and well browned, about 10 minutes more. Stir in chilies and corn; cook until heated through.

Koni's Meatball Soup

I got this from Koni. It's fast, easy & good. What more could you ask for. I use the Italian meatballs from Costco. If you make the meatballs from the recipe below I'd add some garlic and Italian seasoning. that would make them more like the Costco meatballs and give them a little more flavor. Also I added a little flour and water to the soup to thicken it a little at the end. Thanks for sharing Koni. I gave some to Natalie the other day when she wasn't feeling well. She wanted the recipe. Here it is.

It’s Meatball Soup

3 cups chicken broth
1 14 ½ oz. can diced tomatoes
¾ c. dry pasta
1 cup corn
½ t Italian seasoning
½ t pepper
1 lb. Prepared meatballs (prepared or use recipe below)

Add broth, tomatoes, vegetables, Italian seasoning, and pepper to large pot. Cover and bring to boil. Stir in pasta. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add meatballs. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes until pasta is cooked through. Serve immediately. Makes 6 large portions.


Easy bake meatballs:
1 lb. Ground beef
1/3 c. bread crumbs
1 egg
½ t salt
¼ t pepper

Mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, and pepper together. Form small balls with meat and place on a baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees until browned and cooked through.

"Good Soup"

My kids have named this "The Good Soup" Apparently every single other soup I make does not fall into the "good" category. This recipe varies only slightly from the original on Allrecipes.

Dumpling Soup

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 egg
3/4 cup water, or as needed

6 medium potatoes - peeled and cubed
salt to taste
8 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
6 ounces sliced bacon, diced
1 large onion, chopped

1 cup cooked diced chicken (optional)

In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and salt. Crack the egg into a measuring cup, and add enough water to equal 1 cup. Whisk with a fork. Gradually stir the egg-water and oil into the flour mixture with the fork until a soft dough is formed. Use your hands to mix the dough until is smooth and no longer sticky, adding more flour or water as needed. Cover the bowl, and set aside until the potatoes are ready.

Place potatoes in a large pot with the broth, and bring to a boil. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until potatoes are tender.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and onion; cook and stir until onions are golden and bacon is cooked. Set aside.

When the potatoes are cooked, pinch off small pieces of the dough, and drop them into the boiling potato water. Turning the dough in your hand will help keep it from sticking to your fingers. Once all of the dumplings have been added, you can stir in the bacon and onions. Add the optional chicken. Ladle some of the water from the soup into the skillet, and swish it around to clean out all of the tasty bits and juices. Pour back into the soup. Turn off the soup, and let stand for a few minutes before serving.

Mom's Pasta with Bacon and Hot Peppers

Delicious and fast!

Cook 1 lb capellini to al dente
While pasta is cooking cook 8 slices bacon. Drain and crumble.
Add 1/3 cup olive oil, 2 sliced onions, and 8 perpperoncini peppers seeded and diced.
Saute and then add 4 cups crushed tomatoes. Add salt and cracked pepper to taste.
Mix in noodles and serve with 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese.