Harvest Crunch cereal Squares

I recently purchased a huge box of Quaker Harvest Crunch cereal at Costco (without thinking it would take me months to eat it all)! Searched for things to make with it, and came across this excellent recipe. Now it's a portable breakfast or snack. Great for taking on a hike or bike trip. And it does satisfy a sweet craving!


Ingredients:

• ¼ cups Butter
• 10 ounces, weight Marshmallows Or 4 Cups Miniature Marshmallows
• 6 cups Harvest Crunch Cereal

Preparation:

In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. When melted, add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat and quickly stir in Harvest Crunch cereal until well coated.

Using a buttered spatula or waxed paper, evenly press into a 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan that has been coated with cooking spray or butter. Cut into squares or bars and watch them disappear.

Irish Potato & Leek Soup

This is the best home-made soup I have made in ages! And St. Paddy's Day is coming soon! 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
3 leeks, sliced
3 large baking potatoes - peeled and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
3 (14 1/2-ounce) chicken broth (or 2 - 900ml cartons)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Toppings Optional: shredded Cheddar cheese, crumbled cooked bacon, chopped fresh chives

Directions:

Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat; stir in onion and leek. Cover and cook 20 minutes. Stir in potato; cover and cook 15 minutes. Stir in broth, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes or until potato is tender. Remove from heat, and cool slightly.

Process soup in batches in a blender until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides; return to saucepan, and cook over medium heat until thoroughly heated. Serve with desired toppings.

Chili with Guinness & Chocolate

What a great Super-Bowl Sunday meal! This chili is easy, delicious, and a little different than the usual. Recipe below serves 4-5 (double it for a crowd!)

Ingredients:

1 tblsp Olive oil

1 lb lean ground beef

1 lb sausages, casings removed

2 small onions, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 tsp ground cumin                        

1/2 tsp ground coriander

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cardamom

1/2 tsp chili powder

1 small can tomato paste

¼ cup ketchup

2 -14oz cans red kidney beans, drained

2 -14oz cans diced tomatoes

1 cup stout beer (Guinness)

1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 300F

Heat the olive oil in a large oven-proof pot with lid, and add the ground beef and sausage. Brown the meat over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks.

Add the onion and garlic and cook until soft and translucent, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in the cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cardamom and chili powder. Stir until well combined.

Stir in the tomato paste, beans, and diced tomatoes; add the stout and bring the chili to a boil.

Once it starts bubbling, remove the pot from the heat. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the chili. Cover with the lid and transfer the pot to the oven. Cook for 3 hours. Check seasonings, adding salt and pepper if necessary. Serve hot with cornbread or crusty rolls.