Tasty Tuesday and an Old Man

So this is going to be the longest post in Blogger history! Today is of course Tasty Tuesday and therefore I will be posting a fantabulous recipe that costs $5 or less. I will also be announcing that today is the day that my main man turns 30! That's right... my big stud is now officially an old man! How great is that????

Okay, so lets get started:

This recipe was sent to me by Emily. It definitely looks like a great quick family meal. Obviously, as we have discussed before, this would not satisfy my caveman husband and his ravenous appetite. I would at least have to have some grilled cheese sandwiches to go with it. He really likes it when I add slices of canadian bacon to the sandwiches, but that's only when we have it on hand. So here's what Emily sent me:

"I have a recipe to share. Odd, I know, 'cause I don't really like to cook. I think it's under $5. I've never really priced it out. It's a great recipe if you have milk in your fridge that is about to expire and needs to be used...I can't stand to throw out something so expensive.

Potato Chowder

About 1 cup of frozen corn
1 and 1/2 cup peeled and cubed (bite size) potatoes (I usually use about 4-5 potatoes, depending on how much I want to make)
1/2 cup diced onion
2/3 to 1 cup water (just enough to simmer)
6 cubes chicken bullion
1/2 tsp (+) pepper

Bring this all to a boil in a pot. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10-15 minutes (until potatoes are soft).

Dump in: 3 cups milk and 2Tbsp. butter
Mix together: 1/2 cup milk and 5 Tbsp. flour; pour in through strainer

Cook until it boils and thickens. Serve topped with cheese, bacon bits (I use real bacon diced up because this is the only time I'm allowed to have bacon), green onion or sour cream."

So I was at my friend Kym's house one time and she made the most amazing corn/potato chowder I have ever eaten. I can't remember everything she put in it, but one thing she did was use those frozen tater tot things instead of peeling and dicing potatoes. I thought that was pretty cool AND she just added them to the pot straight from the bag (frozen and all). The tater tots ended up breaking down a bit so you weren't getting big chunks of potato.

I also realized that after reading Emily's recipe that I bet almost every family has their own easy "potato chowder" recipe. I would love to see what the rest of you guys have. Here's my recipe:

Super Easy Broccoli Potato Soup (really cool name, huh?)

2 cups frozen broccoli florets
1 small onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 tbl butter
1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of potato soup, undiluted
1 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1-2 shakes dried basil
1/4 tsp pepper
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In a large saucepan, saute broccoli and onion in butter until tender. Stir in soup, milk, basil, and pepper; heat through. Add cheese; stir until melted.

BUT... when I wanna make it REALLY good, I will add these ingredients:

1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup corn
a small baked potato (just cook it in the microwave)
1/4 cup more water
3/4 cup sliced lil' smokies
pinch of sugar at the very end

Now, I only add these ingredients when I have them as leftovers. You know, leftover corn from last nights dinner or leftover lil' smokies from some other meal (I use them sometimes in my spaghetti sauce or as a pizza topping). I don't know if I would ever just go out and buy the ingredients just to make this soup. Maybe, but doubtful.

So now onto talking about my great hubby. He's 30 years old, can you believe it???? It's so weird to think that he can even be that old. He definitely has a baby face!


I totally love how he does silly, dorky things just to make the kids laugh. Even blowing out his candles he can't help but make a silly face just for the kids. I love this man and I can't believe he's all mine!!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHANE!!!! (I'll post more birthday stuff tomorrow)