Zuppa Toscana Soup

I had this first up at a ladies retreat--delicious! At least as good as the Olive Garden's.  Mind you, this is not a quick recipe, but it is well worth it!  Thanks Lori for the delicious meal, and the recipe!  5-Star Soup!!

ingredients:
1/2 lb bacon, diced
1 onion, diced
5 cups chicken stock/broth
2 or 3 carrots, diced
1 cup pasta (precooked) - I used ditalini
1 tsp. thyme (opt) or rosemary or bay leaf
1 lb sausage
3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
3-4 large potatoes, large dice
2 large handfuls of spinach or kale
2 cups cream, 1/2 & 1/2, or whole milk
parmesan cheese

directions:
1.  In large pot, brown bacon, add sausage & onions when bacon is half done.  Add garlic.  Cook 2-3 minutes, drain fat.

2.  Pour chicken stock in pot with meat, then add vegetables (except spinach/kale), and herbs.  

3.  Simmer until vegetables are tender.  Add pasta and spinach.  Cook 2-3 minutes.

4.  Just before serving, stir in cream.  Heat but don't boil.  Serve with Parmesan cheese.

If you are doing this in a crockpot, follow step 1, and then put everything in the crockpot.  Cook on High for 4 hours or low 6-8 hours.  Add cream just before serving.

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Crockpot Kielbasa Potato Soup

Our family really enjoys this meal...it does take some time to prepare--probably close to 40 minutes, maybe more. Get help pealing the potatoes! It is SO worth it though. We get 2 meals out of this. Yum!  I found this recipe at justapinch.com, and adapted it better to our liking.


ingredients:
8 cups water
2 pkgs polska kielbasa sausage (I use beef)--sliced & cut pieces in 1/2
1/2 onion, diced finely
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp celery salt
2 tsp parsley flakes
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
4-5 lbs. potatoes, pealed and cubed

1 stick butter
8 Tbsp flour
1 cup milk

directions:
1.  Put 8 cups water into crockpot (if you have a larger crockpot, use it).

2.  Add to water: kielbasa, onion, seasonings, potatoes,   

3.  Place crockpot on high and let simmer.

4.  Meanwhile, melt butter.  Once the butter is melted, add the flour all at once.  Whisk it constantly over medium-high heat for apx 5 minutes.

5.  Whisk in the cup of milk until it forms a sort of paste.  Remove from heat and stir it into soup well--the heat of the soup will eventually melt the roue and thicken the soup.

6.  Cook on high for 4-6 hours...stirring only once or twice.  When the potatoes are tender (enough) it is done!  Enjoy!

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Sweet & Sour Sauce

This sauce is excellent for meatballs.  I make this, and pour it over pre-made meatballs in the mini-crockpot, serve over rice, add a vegetable, and voila!  Dinner!

ingredients:
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
3 1/2 Tbsp. flour
2 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup white vinegar
5 Tbsp. soy sauce

directions:
1.  In a large saucepan, combine the brown sugar, flour, water, vinegar and soy sauce.  Mix thoroughly.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes.  

2.  Pour over your favorite meat dish.

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Super Moist Banana Bread

This recipe come from our favorite church's "Delightful Recipes From the Homes of Diamond Bar 1st Ward" c. 1988.  I always made this recipe when I was growing up, and I've always preferred this to any other I've tried.  Submitted by Joanne Vorkink

yield: 2 large loaves or 6 small

ingredients:
2 cubes butter or margarine
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
6 very overripe bananas
6 Tbsp buttermilk (or milk with 1 tsp. lemon juice mixed in)
2 tsp baking soda
4 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups nuts (optional)

directions:
1.  Preheat the oven to 350.  Grease loaf pans.

2.  Cream butter and sugar.  Add eggs and bananas.

3.  Add milk and dry ingredients alternately.

4.  Bake 50 minutes.  Watch carefully; do not over bake, especially if using smaller loaf pans.

  

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Fast Mac n' Cheese

I thought I'd make it in a quick pinch.  I upped the size of the recipe, and added a few things.  It was YUMMY!  Made in 15 minutes, oven for 15 minutes.  Voila!  Enjoy!

ingredients:
3 cups uncooked macaroni
24 oz. (3/4 full box) Velveeta (or generic)
3/4 cup milk  (I used 1/2 cup fat-free, 1/4 cup cream)

1 cup shredded cheese (I used cheddar, your choice though)
1 cup panko crumbs or bread crumbs
3 Tbsp. butter

directions:
1.  Preheat the oven to 350.  Cook the macaroni according to the package directions.  Drain completely.

2.  Cut the cheese (ha ha) into 1" squares.  Place in a medium size microwave safe bowl.  Add the milk.

3.  Melt the cheese/milk in the microwave on high for 2 minutes.  Remove and stir.  Melt the cheese for an additional 3 minutes.  Take out and continue to stir until the cheese is melted.

4.  Pour the cheese over the cooked pasta and stir together.  Place in 9x13" baking dish.  

5.  Toss together the shredded cheese, panko/bread crumbs and melted butter.  Sprinkle over the macaroni and cheese.

6.  Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

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Crock Pot White Beans & Ham

I found a version of this on Pinterest, and the first time, the flavor was a bit strange.  I tweaked it a bit this

time, and it was much more pleasing.  I love how easy this is to make--it took 10 minutes to get it into the crock pot and it smelled divine within an hour of starting it.  This is perfect to use the left over bones of ham after your Easter ham is done with.  Delish!

ingredients:

1 lb. bag of dried white northern beans

6 1/2 cups water

ham bone, shanks, hocks or diced ham

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

directions:

1.  Sort and rinse the beans, removing any small pebbles.  

2.  Placing the beans in the crock pot, add the water, ham and spices.  Set on low to cook 8 hours, or high for 5-6 hours, or until the beans are tender.

3.  When the beans are soft enough, remove the ham bone from the crock pot.  Take off all of the ham meat and discard any fat, skin or bones.  Gently stir the good ham back in with the beans.  

You're ready to eat this delight!  It was quite tasty when served with corn bread.  This recipe here is quick easy and delicious for corn bread!  Enjoy!

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Crock Pot Lasagna Soup

This was a HIT with the whole family!  They loved it, and I therefore loved it.  When they don't complain, and actually like something new, it's a keeper!  It was indeed, easy to make and delicious to eat.

ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef or sausage
3 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth)
1 cup water
2 cups V8
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. dried parsley
1 Tbsp. dried basil
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1, 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 cups uncooked shell pasta
shredded mozzarella (for serving)

directions:
1.  Brown the meat, drain the fat.  
2.  Combine all ingredients in the crock pot, except for the pasta and mozzarella.
3.  Cook on Low for 4-8 hours.  1/2 hour before serving, stir in the shell pasta.  Put lid back on and continue to cook for 15-30 minutes.  
4.  Serve and sprinkle with shredded cheese.

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