Babbi's Cook Book

The Anniversary Slovak-American Cook Book

Edited by The Catholic Slovak Ladies Association

One of my most favorite gifts this Christmas was a Slovakian cook book that my mother gave to me. The cook book belonged to my grandmother Babbi and she had set it aside to gift to me this Christmas but due to her passing my mother wrapped it up for me. It is an amazing gift that really touched me emotionally since I still and always will miss my lovely Babbi. My grandmother has used this same cook book for as long as I can remember, it includes many of our traditional Czechoslovakian recipes that my Babbi had used throughout the years. I am so glad that I am now a holder of this cook book so that I can keep our family's food traditions alive.

Miss you Babbi

Merry Christmas 2010

Hello Everyone

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! Nick and I had quite a busy but fun one this year. We got back from New York on Monday, worked Tuesday thru Thursday, Christmas Eve with the parents, Christmas with the Sakamotos' and the day after with the Metz-Hansen-Browns'. It was great to spend time with everybody and to see everyone open their gifts.

I have decided that Christmas truly is my most favorite holiday, maybe because the weather is so great or maybe because of all the love people show one another but also because it is a clear reminder of how great our God is to send his only Son to live on Earth to experience the daily struggles like we all do everyday. It truly is a great time and even though it has been over commercialized as a gift giving holiday... I really don't mind giving gifts and spending the money, doing the shopping, the wrapping, the cooking, etc. etc. I actually love giving gifts and what better reason to give gifts to people then Christmas time as a reminder of the gift God gave to us. Plus I love spending time with family and friends while sipping on hot cocoa and enjoying everyone's Christmas decor. It truly is a wonderful time of year and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do or even half as much :) Merry Christmas!



Sidenote about the photo:
One of the coolest things from our trip to NYC was that the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular not only showed the Santa aspect of Christmas but the Christ part of Christmas by including a complete live nativity with live camels and sheep and a quick story of Jesus...pretty awesome in this day and age.

Chili Con Carne with Beans (a slow cooker recipe)

We had a Christmas get-together and so I decided to make some slow-cooker chili. I usually follow a recipe but this time I decided to just wing it from my past chili experiences. This turned out really good and everyone loved it...plus it is so easy to make :)

Serving size: 10 people

Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil
2 fresh jalapenos, seeds removed; chopped
1 green chile pepper, seeds removed; chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 medium yellow onions, chopped
2 lbs ground turkey or beef
1 tbsp each of garlic powder, garlic salt, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce and chili powder
2-3 pounds stew meat, cut into 1 inch squares
2 16 oz cans of diced tomatoes with jalapenos, not drained
1 16 oz can whole tomatoes
1 16 oz can of corn, drained
1 16 oz can of white beans, drained and rinsed
1 16 oz can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 bottle of A1 Steak Sauce
1 10 oz can of tomato sauce
1 8 oz can of tomato paste

Toppings:
Grated cheddar cheese, chopped green onion, and sour cream

Directions:
1. Heat up oil in a large saute pan to medium heat, add the jalapenos, onions, pepper, and garlic. Saute for 5 minutes. Add the turkey meat and all the seasonings: garlic powder, garlic salt, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce and chili powder. Cook for another 5-10 minutes until the meat is brown throughout.
2. Add meat and veggie mixture to slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients to the slow cooker: stew meat, diced tomatoes with jalapenos, whole tomatoes, corn, white beans, kidney beans, Steak Sauce, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Stir ingredients to evenly spread all ingredients throughout.
3. Cook on HIGH for 6 hours. Serve with toppings and enjoy!

New York City

Sorry I haven't been posting much this month but at least I have a good reason.
Nick and I went on a trip to New York!
I have always wanted to go during the Christmas season and so a month ago we planned a spontaneous trip to NYC for the holidays. It was so much fun and we saw everything there is to see in Manhattan and after many many days of wondering the streets we are now back at home just in time for Christmas.
Below is a quick recap of our trip :)

Times Square


Lady Liberty


On Liberty Island, NY City Backdrop


Ellis Island


Federal Hall where Washington was sworn in as President


Remnants of a statue that was originally located at Ground Zero


Wall Street


New York Stock Exchange


Brrrrrr



The Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular


The Rockefeller Building


Rockefeller Center


Grand Central Station/Terminal


New York Public Library


NY Macy's


Santa




View from The Empire State Building at Sunset


Horse Drawn Carriage Ride of Central Park



Ice Skating at night in Central Park




Serendipity3...Frrrrozen Hot Chocolate


St.Patricks Cathedral

White Bean Green Chili Soup

I got this recipe from Zaina. She made it last winter and I fell in love. The only difference from her recipe and mine is I used one can of hominy instead of an extra can of white beans. This chili soup is absolutely delicious and I highly recommend it for anyone. It can be prepared so quickly too.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 onions, chopped
1 fresh green chili, seeded and chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cans chopped green chilies
1 can Jalapenos
2 (15 oz.) cans white beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 oz.) can of white hominy, rinsed and drained
2 cans of chicken or 2 cups of shredded chicken or turkey meat
4 cups chicken broth
2 bunches of cilantro, chopped (leaves only)
4 limes, juiced

Directions:

1. Warm oil in large soup pot over medium-high heat. Saute onions, the fresh green chili, and garlic; cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

2. Add chilies and jalapenos to onion mix and saute for another 3 minutes.
3. Add beans, hominy, chicken, and chicken broth (you can add more or less of this, depending on how watery you want your soup).
4. Add the chopped up cilantro and lime juice; to taste.
5. Bring soup to a boil, and then cook on low for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
6. Spoon into individual bowls and serve. Can be served with cheese mix, sour cream, tortilla chip pieces and/or with yummy bread too. Enjoy!

Coffee Liqueur Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies were absolutely delicious. I decided to make them on a whim and they were awesome. I have decided to declare them this years' Christmas cookie.

I have also learned the value of using plain old regular all purpose flour rather than unbleached, especially for cookies because that is how they end up with the perfect texture and not so fluffy.

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons instant coffee granules ( I used mocha via)
2 tbsp coffee-flavored liqueur
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
2. In a small bowl, dissolve instant coffee crystals into the coffee liqueur; set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Gradually add eggs and coffee mixture while mixing.
4. Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture.
5. Finally, stir in the chocolate chips.
6. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto a cookie sheet. Cookies should be at least 2 inches apart. Bake for 23 to 25 minutes. Immediately transfer cookies to cooling rack after baking.
7. Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Christines-Coffee-Liqueur-Cookies/Detail.aspx

Turkey Pot Pie

This is probably the simplest recipe for a turkey pot pie ever. It is based on leftovers I had from Thanksgiving, so as to create a completely new dish with similar ingredients.

Ingredients:
1 pie crust (view my link for pie crust for a simple at home recipe)
1 cup of turkey meat chunks
1 cup of canned or frozen mixed vegetables (celery, potatoes, carrots, corn, peas, etc.)
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup of milk

1/2 cup mashed potatoes
1/4 cup shredded jack/cheddar cheese

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place your pie crust in a 9 inch diameter pie pan.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together the turkey, veggies, soup, and milk. Combine well so that all ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. Pour turkey soup mixture into pie crust.
4. Use a teaspoon to put dollops of mashed potatoes on top of the turkey soup mixture. Then top with some shredded cheese.
5. Bake at 350 for 25-35 minutes, until potatoes and cheese have a slight light brown coloring. Enjoy!

Easy Pie Crust

This is the best and easiest pie crust recipe, perfect for when you need a pie crust in a jiff.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp white sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tbsp milk

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
2. Place all ingredients in a 9 inch pie pan. Stir together with fork. Pat mixture inside and up the sides of the pan. Poke holes in side and bottom of crust.
3. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until light brown. Use as directed in favorite pie recipe. Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Easy-Pie-Crust/Detail.aspx