TUESDAY

Dear Todd,

Here's a simple reicpe you may find yourself making all the time once the weather turns chilly. I made it up years ago, it's cheap--easy--and delicious. Have at it!

I am from Los Angeles, and I love this soup because I loooove Cheeseburgers!

OX~Agent 34-24-34 aka Robyn

CHEESEBURGER SOUP

~serves 6 hungry peeps--or 1 all week long~

1 carrot, shred it

1 cup red onion, chopped small

1 cup celery, chopped

2 cans (14 oz. each) chicken stock (Swansons is great)

1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey) cooked, drained & crumbled

2 cups white rice, cooked and cooled somewhat

3 cups milk (2% milk is fine, use whole milk if you're feeling decadent)

1 pound (16 oz.) Velveeta processed cheese, cube it up

1 cup (8 oz.) sour cream (low fat is fine, but again, live it up with regular if desired)

~In a large saucepan bring carrot, onion, celery and stock to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes.

~Add cooked meat, rice, milk and cheese. Simmer until cheese is fully melted. Do not boil, or it could get funky.

~Turn off heat and whisk in sour cream, blending throughout.

Serve right away with some warm bread sticks and enjoy!

@RKH1999

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Hey Todd~

I don't know if you've ever been to Disneyland, but at the Blue Bayou restaurant at the Pirates of the Caribean ride they serve the best sandwich ever. It's crazy tho to pay $19.00 for this sandwich there, when you can make it yourself at home with a little help from me.

MONTE CRISTO SANDWICH

Prepare batter:

2/3 cup water

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon yellow food coloring (yes, do it!)

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

1-3/4 teaspoons baking Powder

Put water, egg, salt, pepper & food coloring in allarge bowl. Use a mixer and mix well at low speed.

Add flour & baking powder and mix until batter is smooth.

Chilll while you make the sandwiches. (This will batter 4 sandwiches.)

Make sandwiches:

8 slices fresh white bread

4 oz. deli shredded turkey breast

4 oz. deli shredded ham

4 slices Swiss cheese

Make 4 sandwiches, or as many as desired. On 1 piece bread, place turkey then cheese, then ham. Top with other slice of bread Cut into 1/4's and put a toothpick thru each quarter.

Heat 6 inches of oil in a fryer to 340 degrees or do it in a large saucepan until very hot, but not smoking. Dip sandwiches into chilled batter covering all surfaces. Deep fry sandwiches ( 1 sandwich--4 sections-- at a time!) until golden brown, turning as needed and watching always. Remove from oil, take out toothpicks, sprinkle sandwiches with confectioners sugar (powdered sugar) and serve with blueberry syrup for dipping. Yes, I said blueberry syrup. You will freak.

Yum--try it.

Good cooking vibes to everyone.

~Robyn Hardisty (Agent 34-24-34)

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