Dad’s Chicken Marinade

1/3 C. lemon juice

3T dijon mustard

1/3 C. olive oil

2-3 cloves garlic

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Marinade for 2-24 hours.

Veggie Beef and Brown Rice Soup

After being away for Friday and Saturday at Northern Voice, I came home to a fridge full of veggies to deal with. What better way to clean out your crisper than make a pot of soup? This one turned out really good, and so I thought I'd share. Feel free to change things and mix it up as you go, adding or taking away veggies or spices or whatever suits you. Soups are very easy to make. We really liked this one topped with crumbled blue cheese, believe it or not! From http://holidaycookienotes.blogspot.com/2010/05/veggie-beef-and-brown-rice-soup.html

1 lb lean ground beef
3 stalks of celery, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
1/2 sweet red pepper, chopped
3 carrots, peeled and chopped
one (19 oz) can of tomatoes (plus if you have any stray tomatoes in your fridge just chop them up and throw them in)
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp marjoram
pinch hot pepper flakes
1 Tbsp fresh thyme
bay leaf
1-2 Tbsp pesto
salt and pepper to taste
6 cups beef stock
1/2 cup brown rice

In a deep stock pot, saute the onion, celery, garlic, and red pepper until soft. Add the hamburger and continue to saute, stirring and breaking up with a spoon, until the meat is no longer pink. Add the tomatoes, thyme, marjoram, hot pepper flakes, broth, rice, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. 

Turn down the heat to low and simmer for about 25-30 minutes, then toss in your carrots, pesto, and salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer a bit longer until the carrots are tender crisp and the rice is cooked through.

We served it in bowls with fresh thyme leaves sprinkled on top and a bit of blue cheese crumbled into it.

Bread Machine Breadsticks

16 large bread sticks (change servings and units)

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups water
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 4 cups bread flour
• 2 teaspoons yeast
• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon water

Directions

1. 1

   Add ingredients into your bread machine in the order given, excluding the egg white and water (glaze ingredients).

2. 2

   Start machine on dough cycle.

3. 3

   When the dough is ready turn out onto your countertop. You shouldn't need much flour.

4. 4

   Cut dough into pieces the size of an egg and roll and stretch with your hands into 6 to 8 inch ropes. Place on an ungreased baking sheet.

5. 5

   Cover with a tea towel and let rise 20 minutes.

6. 6

   Mix the egg white and Tbsp water to make a glaze and brush over the breadsticks after they are risen. Add kosher salt, sesame seeds, or other toppings if you like.

7. 7

   Bake at 400 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown.

8. 8

   Time includes the 2 hour dough cycle.