Minestrone

Happy Veteran's Day!

Both my parents were in the military. I remember growing up and my father wearing his uniform. My father had made it a career so we lived all over from Guam and Hawaii to Virginia. Since they served in the Navy, my father told me to join the Air Force. I'm glad I did for many reasons. To this day, I still keep in touch with several service members. I wanted to take a moment to Thank all my fellow Veterans out there and our military members who are still currently serving. It is a tough life. 

Thank you!

I normally do not post two soup recipes in a row but I am cold lately. My oldest daughter is even wearing a coat lately. When there is snow on the ground and it is February, I will have to remind her about her coat but not now. I guess she has to become immune to it once again. The best thing about soups are they normally can be a healthy alternative. I really like soups with lots of vegetables so this is a great pick. This is a great recipe to keep our Veteran's healthy!

Minestrone Soup
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, diced
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 stalks celery, diced
1 large carrot, diced
1/2 lb. green beans, trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
salt and pepper to taste
2 (28 oz.) can fire roasted tomatoes
6 cups low sodium chicken broth
1 (15 oz) can low sodium kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup elbow pasta
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
2 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped

Directions:

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium high heat.
2. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add the celery and carrots. Cook for about 5 minutes.
5. Stir in the green beans, dried oregano and dried basil. Salt and Pepper to taste. Cook for 3 minutes.
6. Add the fire roasted tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
7. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 10 minutes.
8. Stir in the kidney beans and pasta. Cook for 10 minutes or until the pasta is cooked to the al dente or desired texture.
9. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with fresh basil if desired.

 Recipe adapted from Ellie Krieger from Food Network.
(If I had planned it right, I should have served a recipe by Sunny Anderson since she is also an Air Force Veteran.)

Did you already know...
-The Veteran's Day National Ceremony is held every year on November 11th at Arlington National Ceremony and it commences with laying a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns at precisely at 11:00 am.
-There are over 23 million Veterans in the United States.
-"1.8 million veterans are women." according to History Channel.

Lasagna Soup

I love reading blogs. I bookmark many recipes but it usually takes me awhile to make the recipe especially if it isn't a quick recipe. Plus, I try to take a consensus for the recipe. For an example, I have been trying to make pork chops for a week now. My husband keeps suggesting something else or he will cook. So, I purchased the pork chops so guess what we will be having tomorrow. My husband is normally fine with soup unless it is vegetable then he would rather have chips and dip. So when I saw this recipe, I knew I would be making it real soon. I just said we were having soup.

I will tell you that I blog recipes my family likes. There was no liking this recipe. We loved it. My husband is not a big fan of pasta but he told me that I could cook this meal four times a week-yes four times. My children loved it. My oldest daughter just kept saying.......mmmmmmmm. It is easy. It is cheesy. It is delicious. You really need to try this recipe. It is so much easier than lasagna. You need to try this soup. I guess I sound like Sam I am in Green Eggs and Ham. "Try them! Try them! And you may. Try them and you may, I say." (pg 53) You may want to try it four times a week.

Lasagna Soup
1 lb. ground sweet Italian sausage
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp thyme
1 Tbsp brown sugar
4 cups chicken broth
1 (14.5 oz) can diced stewed tomatoes
1 (14.5 oz) can diced Italian stewed tomatoes
2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
7 lasagna noodles, broken into large pieces (about 3" pieces or smaller)
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, grated

Directions:

1. In a large pot, heat the ground sausage over medium heat.
2. Add the onion, pepper, garlic, and salt. Cook until the sausage is browned.
3. To the pot, add the thyme, brown sugar, the cans of stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Bring the soup to a boil.
4. Once the soup begins to boil, reduce the heat and allow the soup to simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Add the noodles to the soup and stir. Allow the soup to simmer for 10 minutes or until the noodles are a dente or the desired consistency.
6. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and stir. Allow the cheese melt for a minute before lading into bowls.
7. Top the soup with mozzarella cheese and serve.

Recipe adapted from Jamie Cooks It Up!.

One year ago...................I made Roasted Chicken.

Did you already know.....
-Dr. Seuss was a pseudonym for Theodor Seuss Geisel. 
-Seuss was his mother's maiden name. 
-Dr. Seuss received his bachelor's degree in literature from Dartmouth College. 
-Dr. Seuss continued his studies at Lincoln College, Oxford but never completed his doctorate studies.

Chocolate and Oreo Cake

Did you vote? My husband wore his shirt that said Truth and Justice- Vote for Superman. He wanted to make sure everyone knew who had his vote. We brought our youngest children with us so they can be there. Since I finished first, I had my children stand with me at the exit doors. When someone passed us, my son would tell them he voted for Superman. He does love his Dad. Most people smiled at him but one person asked him why he didn't vote for Batman. My son looked at her like why? So, I replied that he would vote for Spiderman if he had the choice. My seven year old son than says that he would vote for Spiderman and Captain America since he has America in his name. The person told him that he couldn't vote for all those people and he said yes he could. I smiled and said he was voting for Congress too. What super hero would have your vote? Mine would be Wonder Woman!

Whoever wins, I just have hopeful thoughts for our nation. Hopefully the economy will improve in our nation and all nations throughout the world. For my positive thoughts, lets eat cake! How about a cake with chocolate and Oreo. Everyone would have something they liked or at least the pink flowers. This cake was really good and I had lots of great compliments. I made some cupcakes with the left over batter. Share the cupcakes and eat the cake!

Chocolate and Oreo Cake
Oreo Layer:
2 2/3 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
4 egg whites
1 cup milk
1 Tbsp vanilla
2/3 cup salted butter, softened
1 cup crushed Oreo

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line the bottom of an 8 inch cake pan with parchment paper.
3. Spray the parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray and dust with flour.
4. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, and baking powder.
5. In another bowl, mix together the egg whites, milk, and vanilla.
6. To the flour bowl, add the butter and mix until it starts to combine.
7. Slowly add the milk mixture and mix until completely combined.
8. Fold in the crushed Oreos.
9. Bake the cake for 35 minutes or until done.

Chocolate Layer:
1 cup unsalted butter
2 cups water
1 cup vegetable oil
4 cups sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
4 cups all purpose flour
4 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 Tbsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup crushed Oreo

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line the bottom of two 8 inch cake pan with parchment paper.
3. Spray the parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray and dust with flour.
4. In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, water, and oil. Heat over medium heat.
5. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, cocoa, and flour.
6. Pour the butter mixture into the sugar mixture and whisk until smooth.
7. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time.
8. Whisk in the buttermilk followed by the baking soda, salt, and vanilla.
9. Fold in the 1/4 cup of crushed Oreos.
10. Fill the cake pan 3/4 full with the batter. 
11. Bake the cakes on the middle rack for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
12. Remove the cakes and allow to cool for 15 minutes before inverting the cakes onto a baking rack.
13. Allow the cakes to cool at least 2 hours before frosting.

Frosting
1 cup butter, softened
2 tsp vanilla
4 1/2 cups powder sugar
4 tsp milk
food coloring

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, cream the butter and vanilla together.
2. Slowly, add the powder sugar and beat until combined.
3. Add the milk to the butter cream and mix until smooth.
4. Add a few drops of food coloring. Mix well. Set aside until ready to use.

To assemble:

1. Place a chocolate layer on the serving platter.
2. Add a layer of frosting. 
3. Sprinkle 1/2 cup crushed Oreo on top of the frosting. Press down.
4. Place the Oreo cake layer on top of the crushed Oreo.
5. Add a layer of frosting.
6. Sprinkle 1/2 cup crushed Oreo on top of the frosting. Press down.
7. Place the 2nd layer of chocolate cake on top of the crushed Oreo. Press down.
8. Frost a thin layer of frosting over the whole cake. 
9. Pipe the roses onto the cake. (I used this technique from I am Baker.)
10. Make a border around the top and fill in the center with about 1 cup crushed Oreo.

The Oreo Cake was adapted from this recipe. The Chocolate Cake was adapted from The Pastry Queen cookbook for Tuxedo Cake. The frosting recipe was adapted from Bakerella.

Did you already know..... 
- Superman was first published in Action Comics #1 in 1938.
-Originally, Superman was dedicated to Truth and Justice then in the 1940s it was changed to Truth, Justice, and the American Way.
-Since 1945, Superman's S Symbol has been trade marked by DC Comics (known at the time as National Periodical Publications).

Blondie

This past weekend was my birthday! It may have just been a few days since my last blog but I'm a year older. With different schedules, I really do not have a lot of time to spend with my sisters (I have three), so I always ask them not to purchase me a gift for my birthday but to bring me out to eat. This way I get to spend some quality time alone with them which I hardly ever get to do. For their birthdays, I take them out so we have some quality time just the two of us at least twice a year. It is very nice.

 Also, my husband took me out to eat with our family and my favorite person. For my birthday dessert, I ordered the Blondie skillet. Oh, it is so good. Now, I have asked my husband many times if he would like some. He always say no. It has nuts on it. Well, I figured I would make some Blondies at home for everyone since I tried not to share my birthday Blondie. (I gave in to my daughter who thought it was best to share which I never mind unless it is my water. For some strange reason, I never want to share my water.) When I made this recipe to share, my husband loved it-let me stress-loved it. I like this version better than the restaurants. I like walnuts but prefer pecans. Try this recipe with or without a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It is very gooey!

Walnut Blondie Skillet:
1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Maple butter sauce:
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbsp cream cheese, softened
1 Tbsp maple syrup

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a 8x8 baking pan, line with parchment paper and cooking spray.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pecans. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar.
5. Add the egg and vanilla to the melted butter mixture. Mix well.
6. Add the flour mixture a little at a time to the butter mixture until all combined.
7. Fold in the white chocolate chips.
8. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking pan.
9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the center is cooked through or a little gooey in the middles. Set aside to combine.
10. To prepare the sauce, add the 1/4 cup of butter, powdered sugar, cream cheese, and maple syrup until blended smooth.
11. When ready to serve, heat the maple butter sauce in the microwave for 30 seconds before pouring over the warm blondie. 
12. Top with ice cream and toasted pecans if desired. 

Recipe adapted from Tablespoon.

One year ago.............I was making Sausage, Bean, and Vegetable Soup.

Did you already know............. 

-It may take the Earth 24 hours to rotate once but Mercury takes 59 days to turn around just once.

-Venus rotates once every 243 days.

-Some scientist estimated the Earth’s rotation once was about 6 hours long before the Earth had a moon.

Corn Muffins

When my mother was a little girl, her grandmother needed to reupholster a chair. Her grandmother asked my mother, what fabric should she choose. My mother picked a leopard print. To this day, the chair still has that leopard print on it. My daughter loves it. Since it is Halloween, I decided to dress up my corn muffins in a wild cat print. Are you dressing up this year? Maybe in some leopard prints? My youngest daughter is dressing up as a singer. We are trying to get my son to dress up as Sulley from Monster, Inc. but so far he hasn't agreed. Both my daughters wore the costume so lets see if they can convince him.

Even if these corn muffins weren't made in a cool wrapper, they are delicious. They are a little sweet but not overbearing. They are the perfect accompaniment to a chili or soup. They are quick to make which is always the best when there is trick or treating that needs to be done.

Rather Rich Corn Muffins (24 muffins)
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
3 large eggs
3 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups cornmeal plus extra for top
3/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line 24 muffin cups in a cupcake tin.
3. In a large bowl, add the butter, cream, and eggs.
4. Add the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt to the butter mixture. Mix until the ingredients are just combined and not lumpy.
5. Fill each muffin cup two-thirds full.
6. Sprinkle a little cornmeal on top of each muffin.
7. Bake the muffins for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly brown.

Recipe adapted from The Pastry Queen cookbook by Rebecca Rather.

Did you already know...
-Monsters, Inc was released in 2001 by Disney Pixar.
-Sulley's full name is James P. Sullivan. 
-The movie grossed over $62 million opening weekend in the U.S. and grossed over $255 million in the U.S.

Happy Halloween!