Archives for February 2011

Freshly Squeezed OJ and ABF Breakfast

February 27, 2011 · by Janelle · 16 Comments

Who doesn’t love a nice cool glass of freshly squeezed orange juice?! For some reason, I get a little excited about it..haha. Can anyone argue that if you luck out and get a glass of this liquid gold at a restaurant, you feel just a little *special*?

This Sunday was my turn to treat our Adult Bible Fellowship (ABF) to breakfast…because cooking is my gift, I wanted to do my God’s best for my brother’s and sister’s in Christ. Here I am with my daughter making some freshly squeezed OJ…it is so simple and fun to make..take a look!

Taking oranges out of bags….juicer ready to go!

Sunkist Florida oranges

I have a very easy to use Braun Juicer, it is inexpensive and works great!
Here, my daughter is doing all the work-she is only 5!

The inside of the orange after being juiced. NOTE- 1 orange produces about 4 oz of juice.

The pulp stays on top of the juicer (you can add your desired pulp amount)

The delicious juice collects in the container at the bottom

Our orange tower 🙂

My sweet little taste tester!

Ahhh…delicious!

The breakfast I brought in this morning. Anything look familiar? Ham and Cheese quiche, mixed berries, crumb cake, chocolate croissants (I simply used Pillsbury and rolled them up with mini chocolate chips in the center), and……freshly squeezed orange juice!

One of our brother’s in Christ enjoying fellowship before ABF starts! (with, of course, a glass of OJ!) Thanks Brad!

Please let this post be an encouragement to join a church or ABF if you don’t already have one…
“For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” Matthew 18:20

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the day approaching” Hebrews 10:25

“A Christian without a church is like a fish out of water”
If you do belong to a church, please consider sharing your gift with others. It is such a blessing to those around you, but even more so for you as you feel the Lord’s presence as you serve! Whether it is child care, teaching, cleaning, singing, cooking- God smiles when he sees what His people are doing for the Kingdom!
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of our Lord Jesus how He Himself said ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive'” Acts 20:35
Thank you and Enjoy!
Love to you,
Janelle

Filed Under: Beverages, Food Allergy Friendly ·

Feasting in Fellowship Friday/ Featured Recipe

February 25, 2011 · by Janelle · 6 Comments

To learn how to make quick and delicious calzones, come visit me over at www.womenlivingwell.org! (If you love cheese, this is the recipe for you!)

Join in “Feasting in Fellowship Fridays” by entering your link below!

* Please place on your blog post (with your featured recipe) that you are participating in “Feasting in Fellowship Fridays” with a link back to Comfy in the Kitchen! Thank you for sharing and God Bless you! Keep those recipes coming!

Filed Under: Entrees, Fellowship Fridays ·

Homemade Meatballs

February 23, 2011 · by Janelle · 15 Comments

Making homemade meatballs is so easy and a lot less expensive than purchasing pre-made! Here is the recipe that has been in my family for 4 generations. You will love how moist they become after simmering in a large pot of sauce all day….top them on spaghetti for dinner and make a delicious meatball sub for lunch the next day!

recipe

In large bowl add ground chuck, eggs, parsley, salt, pepper, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, chopped onion, and milk

Combine well with hands

Heat oil on medium -high heat

Roll meat mixture into balls about the size of a golf ball

brown for about 5 mins

turn over an brown on the other side

You do not have to cook all the way through…just brown on both sides. This will give it color and flavor.

Place in your sauce

Let simmer for 4-6 hours on stove. The meatballs will finish cooking in the sauce.

Whala!

Delicious.

Serve with Grandma Ruth’s Spaghetti Sauce!

Meatballs

2 lbs ground chuck

2 eggs slightly beaten

1 Tbsp of parsley

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 cup unseasoned bread crumbs

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup milk

Mix well, form into balls (golf ball sized), cook in hot olive oil. Brown on both sides and let simmer in sauce for 4-6 hours on stove.

Thank you Grandma..I love you so much. Thank you for being such a good example of a Godly wife!

I am participating in Titus Tuesdays and Tasty Tuesdays- Please check these wonderful sites out for more delicious recipes from fellow bloggers! YUM!

Filed Under: Entrees, Sides ·

"Easy Peesy" Broccoli Cheesy Soup

February 22, 2011 · by Janelle · 18 Comments

There is a wonderful restaurant in a rural area of Ohio called “The Barn”…. Anyone who has ever gone there knows about their delicious Broccoli Cheese Soup…I was talking to one of my friends, Margaret, over the weekend and she said she found a recipe just like it! Well…you know me, I just HAD to try it out! Here it is…simple and delicious, my favorite combo! Enjoy!

Saute butter and onions until soft

Add broth and bring to a boil

I used a steam pack of broccoli and simply microwaved it for 6 mins

Add noodles into the butter/onion/broth mixture and boil for 5 mins until noodles are softened.

Trim off stems of broccoli and chop finely

Add broccoli to soup and season with garlic powder

Add milk and cheese and let simmer until melted – season with salt and pepper

Baked Potato Buffet/ Feasting in Fellowship Fridays

February 18, 2011 · by Janelle · 7 Comments

A “Baked Potato Buffet” is such a simple yet delicious side to make for your family dinner or for a large crowd. You can prepare all of your “dressings” ahead of time and keep your potatoes warm by wrapping in foil….giving you more time to prepare you main course.

Baked Potato Buffet

(recipe may be multiplied)

4 Idaho Potatoes

4 tsp olive oil

coarse salt

Toppings on the side as desired (shown is butter, sour cream, bacon, and cheddar cheese)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pierce potatoes with a fork on the top and bottom of each potato. Rub with oil and sprinkle with salt. Place in oven for 1 hour until fork penetrates easily. If making ahead you may wrap in foil to keep warm.

*For microwave directions, wash and pierce potatoes and place on a plate. Microwave on high for 8 mins until tender. You will not have the nice consistency that you would in the oven, but it will still work!

Join in “Feasting in Fellowship Fridays” by entering your link below!

Filed Under: Sides ·

Baked Potato Soup

February 16, 2011 · by Janelle · 29 Comments

Isn’t it funny how at 9 am in the morning I am already wondering to myself “What am I making for dinner tonight?”

It is a brisk day in February… there is still snow on the ground, the wind is blowing….and I am blessed to be in my warm home. I think I will take the day to spend at home with my sweet little girls and make our favorite “Baked Potato Soup”.

Potatoes, cheddar cheese, milk, chicken broth, onion, carrots, celery, flour,
salt/pepper

Prep your veggies by dicing carrots, celery and onions

Fry bacon in medium sized pan until done (med/high heat)

Drain on paper towel covered plate

Leave bacon renderings (grease) in pan and add veggies.

Saute veggies until tender.

Add flour to make a paste on top of veggies

Add broth and whisk well

Add milk

Add diced potatoes

Simmer on reduced heat for 20 mins until potatoes are tender

Add Cheddar cheese

Stir well

Garnish with green onion, bacon and cheese and salt and pepper as desired

Baked Potato Soup

Author: Janelle Nehrenz

Prep time: 25 mins

Cook time: 20 mins

Total time: 45 mins

Serves: 6

Ingredients

½ lb bacon
½ cup chopped celery
½ cup chopped carrot
½ cup chopped onion
3 tbsp all purpose flour
2 cups canned chicken broth
2 cups milk
10-12 russet potatoes peeled and diced
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Garnish- chopped green onions, additional cheese and crumbled bacon

Instructions

Fry bacon in a skillet, place on paper towel to drain and preserve 2 tbsp of bacon grease in skillet.
Add celery, carrot, and onion and sauté until they soften (5 mins).
Add flour and stir.
Whisk in broth and milk.
Add potatoes and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 20 mins.
Add cheese and stir.
Season as desired with salt and pepper.
Add garnish as desired.

Baked Potato Soup
½ lb bacon
½ cup chopped celery
½ cup chopped carrot
½ cup chopped onion
3 tbsp all purpose flour
2 cups canned chicken broth
2 cups milk
10-12 russet potatoes peeled and diced
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Garnish- chopped green onions, additional cheese and crumbled bacon

Fry bacon in a skillet, place on paper towel to drain and preserve 2 tbsp of bacon grease in skillet. Add celery, carrot, and onion and sauté until they soften (5 mins). Add flour and stir. Whisk in broth and milk. Add potatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 20 mins. Add cheese and stir. Season as desired with salt and pepper. Add garnish as desired.

This recipe was featured on www.womenlivingwell.org

For more “featured” recipes please check this site every Friday!

Filed Under: Soups ·

A "Room Mom’s" Valentine’s Day!

February 14, 2011 · by Janelle · 11 Comments

Me and my little Princess at her Preschool Valentine’s Party!

I absolutely LOVE being a room mom for my children. The festivities, excitement, decorations, giggles, games and treats are all a part of special days I get celebrate with my youngsters. I soak up the time I can be with them at their schools…I love getting to know their teachers, their friends, and the way their little personalities shift when they are in a different enviornment. I especially delight in my children’s faces as they light up when they see “Mom” walk through their classroom door. Thank you God for this blessing…..

My role tomorrow is supplying the “cupcake station”…and here is what I have ready!

24 (undecorated) cupcakes ready to go for tomorrow’s big Valentine’s Day Party! If I had all the money in the world, I would buy every mother one of these carriers! I got my Cupcake Carrier from Crate and Barrel. Love it!

Individual cups filled with frosting for the children to frost their own cupcakes

And a buffet of toppings! I simply placed Valentine’s M&Ms, heart sprinkles, red sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, and sweethearts in a muffin tin.

We had some extra, so I let my children have fun decorating some tonight..

They asked if they could give them to their friends next door…OF COURSE!!!!

My Children with serving hearts…LOVE in action.

Can’t wait for tomorrow!!!

Valentine’s Day with Jesus

Jesus does not send perfumeTo linger in the airInstead He sends salvation, sweetTo show how much He cares. He doesn’t bring me candy heartsIn boxes of delightInstead He always lets me knowI’m precious in His sight. He doesn’t pass out pretty cardsTrimmed in shades of redInstead He gave His life for meHis precious blood was shed. He doesn’t hand out fancy giftsLike we would send to motherInstead He sends a message clearTo always love each other. He doesn’t give me teddy bearsThat whimper, “Please be mine”Instead He gave His heart to meI wear it all the time. He doesn’t give me roses, pinkFor all the world to seeInstead He gave eternal lifeThat’s good enough for me. Author/Written By:Marilyn Ferguson

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

Love to you,

Janelle

©2003

Trimmed in shades of red

Filed Under: Devotionals, Kiddos, Seasonal, Uncategorized ·

Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes and Link Up!

February 11, 2011 · by Janelle · 7 Comments

Check out this delicious recipe for Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes at www.womenlivingwell.org!
The perfect dessert to make for your Sweetheart on Valentine’s Day!
Jesus Replied “Love the Lord, Your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself'”

-Matthew 22:36-39

Join in “Feasting in Fellowship Fridays” by entering your link below!

* Please place on your blog post (with your featured recipe) that you are participating in “Feasting in Fellowship Fridays” with a link back to Comfy in the Kitchen!

Thank you for sharing and God Bless you! Keep those recipes coming!

Filed Under: Dessert, Uncategorized ·

10 Things my children have learned while cooking with Mom

February 10, 2011 · by Janelle · 11 Comments

10 Things my children have learned while cooking with “Mom”

Putting on an apron turns an ordinary child into a “Jr. Chef”
1 cup of flour really means 2 half cups of flour when cooking with 2 children.
Flour and sugar look similar, but they don’t taste the same.
Vanilla smells soooo good, but if you sneak and taste it, you will be sorely disapointed.
Mom has invisible eyes on the back of her head, when she turns her head, she still sees you sneaking cookie dough out of the bowl.
Wash your hands before you cook, don’t lick the spoon until we are done, don’t pick your nose, and finally..sneeze into your elbow and NOT into the brownie batter.
Vegetable oil is not fun to clean up.
Raw eggs and raw meat have “germy bugs” in them- don’t touch!
Turning on the inside oven light is SO cool.
Don’t hit your sister or attempt to push her off her chair..you will be demoted from a “Jr. Chef” to an ordinary boy again.

* We are making something SOOOO delicious right now for Valentine’s Day! Can’t wait to share…it will be on www.womenlivingwell.org this Friday! (Yes, it includes CHOCOLATE!)

LOVE to you!
Janelle

I am participating in Living Well Wednesdays at www.womenlivingwell.org!

Filed Under: Kiddos, Uncategorized ·

Crescent Chicken

February 8, 2011 · by Janelle · 263 Comments

*Comfy in the Kitchen’s “Most Pinned” recipe!!! 290 thousand pins!
Wow! Go Nana B!

This delicious recipe comes from my Grandma (or “Nana B” as we call her)…I have wonderful memories coming home from college to this delicious home cooked meal. It has become one of my husband’s favorites too. I like serving it along side of mashed potatoes …. the cream of chicken soup serves as a delicious gravy. Enjoy this simple yet delicious meal!

~Janelle

Crescent rolls, chopped and cooked chicken (I simply boil chicken breasts and cut), cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup (milk).

Make soup in a medium saucepan using milk according to directions.

Lay out one crescent roll at a time and place appx 3-4 bite sized pieces of chicken and appx 1Tbsp of cheese in the center of each triangle.

Gently roll up

Seal edges by pinching the dough. (You will not get perfection, just make sure the filling cannot leak out)

Place all of your rolls in a 9×13 dish (I love my Pyrex 9×13- this brand lasts forever) and pour soup mixture over top ( salt and pepper as desired).

Bake at 350 for 30 mins until crescents are golden brown

Serve with mashed potatoes and your choice of veggies!

A combination of buttery crescent roll, melted cheddar and juicy chicken…Mmmm…

Crescent Chicken

Author: Janelle Nehrenz

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 30 mins

Total time: 40 mins

Serves: 4

Ingredients

1 (8 or 6 jumbo count) package refrigerator crescent rolls
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can of milk (using soup can)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350
Prepare soup using milk and set aside.
Separate crescent rolls.
Spoon chicken and cheese onto each crescent; roll and seal to enclose filling.
Place in a 9×13 baking dish.
Pour soup over rolls.
Bake at 350 uncovered for 30 mins.

*This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive compensation for purchased items through Amazon.com

Filed Under: Entrees, Uncategorized ·

Easy Taco Dip

February 5, 2011 · by Janelle · 10 Comments

Who doesn’t love a good taco dip? This deeeelicious dip is quick, easy, and can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until guests arrive. I have a feeling this isn’t going to last long tonight at my house!

So, who is going to win Packers or Steelers?

Enjoy!

Spread 1 can of refried beans on a large serving dish

In large mixing bowl mix cream cheese, sour cream, and taco seasoning packet

Spread that mixture over top of beans

Layer salsa (If I don’t make my own salsa, I use Garden Fresh Gourmet- it is amazing)

Top with cheddar cheese (I finely shred cheese in most mexican dishes I make)

Top with shredded lettuce and garnish with olives

Wanna bite?!

MMMMmmm…

Easy Taco Dip

1 16 oz can refried beans

1 8 oz package cream cheese softened

1 16 oz container sour cream

1 packet taco seasoning mix

1 16 oz jar salsa

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

2 cups shredded lettuce (I purchased pre-shredded)

1 6oz can black olives drained and sliced

Spread refried beans on a large serving dish. Beat cream cheese, taco seasoning, and sour cream with mixer and layer over top of beans. Layer salsa, cheese, lettuce and garnish with olives. Serve with tortilla chips.

Filed Under: Appetizers, Food Allergy Friendly, Uncategorized ·

Black Bean Soup and a Give Away!!

February 4, 2011 · by Janelle · 57 Comments

Feasting in Fellowship Fridays

Food is a extraordinary blessing… it involves every one of our senses. The smell, the sight, the texture, and yes–the sound of food is incredible! The cracking of a nut shell, soup boiling on the stove, ground beef frying in a pan, a small hand fishing in a bowl of chips… all bring their unique sound to the symphony of life.

Every bite, every sound, and every smell is a wonderful gift from our Lord, however, like all blessings if we misuse it, it can be destructive. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 25:16 that if we eat too much of a good thing we’ll get sick. So true in every area of our life, teaching us that moderation is key.
~Darlene Schacht

In Reshaping it All: Motivation for Physical and Spiritual Fitness, authors Candace Cameron Bure and Darlene Schacht inspire us to take care of our earthly temple, enjoy food as a gift from God, and stop abusing it just because it tastes great. Using biblical principles and practical advice, Reshaping it All is a motivational tool that helps us get on track to a healthier lifestyle, and stay there!

Ladies, I have just received THREE copies to give away today!! Wohoo! Just leave a comment on this post, and I will enter your name in the draw. Tell your friends too!
I’ll announce the winners here on Monday!

Find out more about Reshaping it All at Amazon.com

Visit co-author Darlene Schacht at her blog, The Time Warp Wife.

Check out www.womenlivingwell.org for this delicious

Black Bean Soup recipe….

Soup is the best comfort food to get us through the cold winter!

Join in “Feasting in Fellowship Fridays” by entering your link below!

Filed Under: Comfy In My Jeans, Fellowship Fridays, Food Allergy Friendly ·

Easy Pizza Panini’s

February 3, 2011 · by Janelle · 11 Comments

I enjoy making this delicious sandwich on busy evenings. It is quick, easy, and pleases the entire family. Add a soup or salad and you have a great meal!

1 loaf focaccia bread (you can find these at your grocers bakery, but I purchased this Asiago bread at Panera-I asked them to slice it in half for me), provolone cheese, pepperoni, diced fire roasted tomatoes.