My Favorite Creamy Chicken Soup

On a blustery day, this rich and creamy soup soothes the soul...trust me!

Creamy Chicken Soup~

3 Tb butter
1 medium onion - chopped
1 large clove garlic - pressed
3 Tb flour
5 cups chicken broth - I use the brand - Better Than Bouillon
3 stalks celery - chopped
2 carrots peeled - chopped
1/4 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped - or dried
1/8 tsp sage - I used powdered - if using dried leaves use a little more
1 1/4 cups half & half
3 cup shredded chicken - rotisserie is my fav for this one!
3/4 t dried parsley or 1 1/2 tsp freshly chopped
salt and pepper to taste
noodles if desired - I put them in if I'm in the mood - you really don't miss them!

In your favorite soup pot add the butter and onion over medium heat, saute for 4 min. - add garlic and cook another minute. Stir in flour to create a paste like texture. Slowly stir in chicken broth until mixture is well combined. Add celery, carrots and herbs - bring to a low boil and cook until veggies are soft - about 10 min.
Turn down heat to low and stir in half & half and chicken. Enjoy!

* you can stretch this soup by adding milk

I CAN'T BELIEVE THESE ARE LOWFAT SUGAR COOKIES!

I love cookies, (and so does Bryn a.k.a. Sarah Palin) especially sugar cookies. I only make them 3 times a year -Halloween, Christmas, and Easter. Last weekend I was in Park City with some girlfriends, while we were shopping at the outlet mall I was very pleased to come across a Mrs. Field's store. Years ago her cookies would satisfy the inner beast, so I thought I could count on her to end my hankering for sugar cookies this Halloween. When I went to pay for my 3 cookies the cashier threw me, when she said, "that will be $8.60" - my mouth dropped!! I relinquished one cookie and headed back to the car, thrilled to finally have them in my paws. I took one whiff and knew I'd been had! The first and last bite proved it, they smelled and tasted like plastic and cardboard mixed with sugar, basically not one trace of real butter!
When I returned home a few pounds happier - I decided to make a good lowfat sugar cookie without cutting out the taste- I've gotten rave reviews! Take that Mrs. Field's!

THE ULTIMATE LOWFAT SUGAR COOKIE~

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

3/4 cup plus 1 Tb all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cake flour-this can get really compacted in the box, make sure you spoon into cup and level with a knife.
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 Tb butter- softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 Tb vanilla -yes, I said 1 tablespoon!

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl whisk flours, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
With electric mixer, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy, about 3 min. Add egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Add flour mixture and beat until just combined.
Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm.

Roll out dough and cut into desired shapes.
Be sure to bake cookies one sheet at a time, until edges are light golden and centers are set
8 to 10 minutes. Don't over bake!

*I usually double this recipe. I only use 1 1/2 Tb vanilla if I double it.