Savoring Winter...Looking forward to Spring!

Although,
the last day of winter is only 9 days away, we in Idaho know far too well that we shouldn't plan on seeing tulips until May and Flowering Trees until June, but just knowing that the first day of Spring is in 10 days has got me
SO excited!!

While enjoying the last few days of winter we cooked a wonderful Meatball Stew with lots of yummy WINTER vegetables
and some really easy and delicious Breadsticks!!
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I Love winter soups,
but I'm getting a little "spring fever"
and am looking forward to planting a garden
and having endless bowls of garden fresh salads as well!

"It's ALL Good"!
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall......
soups, salads, sandwiches, casseroles, breakfast,
bread of any kind and not to forget dessert!
Whatever comes our way we try to savor and enjoy!

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Meatball Stew with Winter Vegetables
2 medium potatoes diced
2 large carrots diced
1 large onion finely chopped
1 to 2 Tbsp beef Bouillon granules
1-1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried basil
½ tsp. pepper
(seasoned meatballs…recipe below)
2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cut into ½ inch pieces
3 stalks of celery chopped
1 cup frozen peas
1/3 cup flour
---In a Dutch oven or large pot bring 6 cups of water to boiling. Add in potatoes, carrots, onions, bouillon granules, oregano and basil and pepper. Return to boiling….reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
---Meanwhile, prepare seasoned meatballs. Add in sweet potatoes and celery to hot broth mixture. Add uncooked meatballs a few at a time to the hot broth mixture. Return to boiling and reduce heat and simmer for 15 more minutes, or until veggies are tender and meatballs are fully cooked.
---Stir in frozen peas
---Stir together, ½ cup water with 1/3 cup flour (until it is not lumpy) and stir this into soup…cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 1 minute more. Enjoy!

SEASONED MEATBALLS
In a bowl mix
1 pound hamburger,
1 beaten egg,
½ cup dry bread crumbs,
1 tsp minced dried onion,
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce,
¼ tsp garlic powder, dash of pepper.
Mix all ingredients well and shape into (30) 1 inch balls

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Just how frugal is this meal?
Hamburger $1.99
All Veggies $1.45
Seasonings/bread crumbs/egg around .30
TOTAL---$3.74

We fed 4 people---2 dinners
and 2 people 1 lunch!

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Yummy Bread Sticks
1 ½ cups warm water
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp. powdered milk
1 Tbsp yeast
1 Tbsp sugar
4 cups flour

Mix together and knead for 5 minutes in your Kitchen Aid.
Roll onto greased sheet.
Cut into bread stick strips.
Let rise 30 minutes.
Spread with melted butter and garlic salt, parsley flakes and grated cheese.
Bake at 400* for 15 minutes.
Yummy!!

These are another perfect compliment to homemade soups and chili.

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