Homemade Goodness!!!

Things have been a little crazy this past week. I'm going to start this off with Saturday though. On Saturday we all went over to my Aunt Amy's house for dinner, and Sam and Kyle had a game night. They both play this game called Warhammer 40K, and I have no idea how to play it. I just know that it takes a very LONG time to play. Before they played though we all enjoyed tacos for dinner, and they were delicious!!! I love tacos! Thank you so much Amy for letting us come over. I made a delcious cupcakes for everyone that turned so awesome!
They're called Almond Joy Cupcakes.

 These amazing cupcakes I believe are copyrighted (at least that's what the website said). So here is the link for these awesome cupcakes: http://www.yourcupofcake.com/2012/07/almond-joy-cupcakes.html

On Sunday it was church and then dropping a birthday present for my cousin's birthday since we missed his party. We then went home where I began making my masterpiece dinner, homemade broccoli and cheese soup with homemade bread! I've made this before and it was SOOO good and very filling. Everyone in my family ate all their soup and then some. Here are some pictures!

Broccoli and Cheese Soup

Homemade bread

The wonderful union of my soup and bread!

Recipe for Homemade Bread:

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup warm water
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 1-1/2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp vegetable shortening
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, approximately

Preparation: 

1. In large bowl, add the warm water. Slowly stir in dry yeast. Continue to stir until yeast is dissolved.
2. Add salt, sugar, shortening, and milk to bowl. Stir.
3. Mix in the first 2 cups of flour.
4. If needed, begin adding more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough chases the spoon around the bowl.
5. You do not need to use up all the flour called for in this recipe, or you may need more flour than called for. The amounts vary depending on many factors, including weather, which is why most bread recipes only give an approximate amount of flour needed.
6. Turn dough out onto floured board and knead, adding small spoonfuls of flour as needed, until the dough is soft and smooth, not sticky to the touch.
7. Put dough in buttered bowl, turn dough over so that the top of dough is greased. Cover and let rise in warm spot for 1 hour.
8. Punch down dough. Turn out onto floured board and knead.
9. Preheat oven at 375 degrees F.
10. Form dough into loaf and set in buttered bread pan. Cover and let rise for about 30 minutes.
11. Score dough by cutting three slashes across the top with a sharp knife. Put in oven and bake for about 45 minutes or until golden brown.
12. Turn out bread and let cool on a rack or clean dishtowel. 

 Broccoli and Cheese Soup

Ingredients:

1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups half-and-half ( or skim milk)
2 cups chicken stock
1/2 pound fresh broccoli ( florets only)
1 cup carrots, cut julienne style (Don't use baby carrots it doesn't taste the same believe me!)
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon pepper
8 ounces grated cheddar cheese

Preparation:

1.) In a large stockpot  melt butter. Add flour and mix for 3 minutes. Slowly add half- half – mixing the entire time. Slowly add chicken stock- mixing the entire time. Let simmer on low for 20 minutes.
2.) Add broccoli, carrots; and cook on low for 25 minutes.
3.) Season with salt, pepper; nutmeg.
4.) Place soup in a blender or use an immersion blender and puree.
5.) Heat soup over low heat and add cheese and mix till melted.

Serve and enjoy!!! I highly suggest dipping your bread into the soup and eating it that way. It makes you feel all warm and cozy! Perfect for the changing weather.