Tortellini Soup

Ingredients

1 lb. of ground sausage

1 medium onion, diced

1 TBSP. of garlic

1 20 oz. can of diced tomatoes

3 containers of chicken broth

1 package of frozen tortellini

1 TBSP. Italian seasoning

Salt and pepper to taste

Parmesan cheese rind (optional)

Directions

1.  In a large soup pot add 1 TBSP of olive oil and diced onion.  Sautee 2-3 minutes until onion is translucent.  Add garlic, and ground sausage.  Cook until sausage is brown.  Add Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
2. Add diced tomatoes and bring to a simmer.  Add parmesan cheese rind (optional)
3. Add chicken broth and let simmer for 30 minutes.  Add tortellini and cook another 3 minutes.
4. Remove parmesan cheese rind
5. Pour into bowls and sprinkle with parmesan cheese

Spinach and Artichoke Bites

Ingredients

2 boxes of mini phyllo shells

1 package of frozen chopped spinach

1 can of artichoke hearts, drained and diced

10 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese

1/3 cup of mayonnaise

1/3 cup of sour cream

1 tsp. of garlic powder

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Thaw frozen chopped spinach and squeeze out excess water.  Place in large mixing bowl
2. Dice artichokes and place in bowl.  Add garlic powder, salt, pepper, mayo, sour cream and mozzarella cheese
3. Mix all ingredients until combined
4. Place phyllo shells on a baking sheet and fill with spinach and artichoke mixture
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 Box of Pasta

2 TBSP Olive Oil

1 Onion, chopped

1 LB. of Ground Sausage

1 TBSP Garlic

1 20 Oz. Can of Diced Tomatoes

2 Cups of Beef Broth

1 Cup of Chopped Spinach

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Pepper

1 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (Optional)

1/2 Cup of Parmesan Cheese

Directions

1.)  In a large pot on the stove top over medium heat add Olive Oil.  Once heated add chopped Onion.  Cook until translucent (2-3 minutes) then add Ground Sausage and Garlic.  Season with Salt and Pepper.

2.)  Once Sausage is cooked through add Diced Tomatoes and Beef Broth.  Bring to a simmer and add Pasta to cook.  Simmer on stove over medium heat for 10-12 minutes

3.)  Once Pasta is cooked add in chopped Spinach and cook 1-2 minutes.  Turn off heat and sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese

Chili Recipe

Ingredients

1 TBSP Olive Oil

1 lb. Ground Beef

1 Package of Ground Sausage

1 Onion, Chopped

2-3 Jalapeno’s, Chopped

1 Red Pepper, Chopped

1 Garlic Clove, Diced

1 20 oz. Can Diced Tomatoes

1 can Black Beans (Can also use Pinto or Kidney)

1 8 oz. can Tomato Sauce

1 TBSP Cumin

1 TBSP Chili Powder

1 TBSP Chipotle Powder

Salt and Pepper to taste

Toppings

Sour Cream

Cheddar Cheese, Shredded (or cheese of choice)

Jalapenos

Avocados

Directions

1.)  In a large pot over medium heat add the olive oil and onion, red pepper, garlic, and jalapenos.  Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally

2.)  Add ground beef and sausage.  Cook until browned

3.)  Stir in Cumin, Chili Powder, Chipotle Powder, Salt & Pepper, Diced Tomatoes, Beans, and Tomato Sauce.  Stir until all combined and bring to a low boil.  Cook uncovered 25-30 minutes.  Stirring Occasionally

4.)  Serve with cornbread and toppings of choice

Jalapeno Cornbread

Ingredients

1 Cup Flour

1 Cup Cornmeal

2/3 Cup Sugar

1 Teaspoon Salt

3 1/2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

3 Tablespoons Honey

1 Egg

1 Cup Milk

1/3 Cup Vegetable Oil

3 Jalapenos (2 finely diced, and one sliced in rounds)

1 Small Onion, Diced

Directions

1.)  Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2.)  Dice 2 Jalapenos and Onion.  Slice 3rd Jalapeno into rounds

3.)  In a large bowl mix together Flour, Cornmeal, Sugar, Salt, and Baking Powder

4.)  Add in Egg, Milk, Honey, Vegetable Oil, Jalapenos, and Onions.  Mix until combined

5.)  Pour mixture into a greased baking dish and top with sliced Jalapenos

6.)  Bake at 400 Degrees for 20-25 minutes

**Once out of the oven I like to drizzle with additional Honey

Tortellini Soup Recipe 

Ingredients

1 Onion

1 20 oz. Can of Diced Tomatoes

1 Bag of Fresh Spinach

1 Bag of Frozen Tortellini

4-6 Cups of Chicken Broth (depending on how much soup you want to make)

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 TBSP. Oregano

1 Cup of Parmesan Cheese

Directions

1.)  Dice onion and place in stock pot over medium heat.  Drizzle with olive oil

2.)  Once onions are translucent add in diced tomatoes and let simmer for 2-3 minutes

3.)  Now add in your broth and bring to a simmer.  Once soup is simmering add in your tortellini and continue to simmer

4.)  Chop spinach and add to soup

5.)  Add salt, pepper, and oregano.  Simmer for another 10 minutes

6.)  Serve with fresh grated parmesan cheese and hearty bread

As you know by know my Mom was a great cook and growing up she  was always sharing her recipes with family and friends.  I still have people telling me a certain recipe of my Mom’s is one of their favorites and when they make her famous dish it reminds them of her.  Her Peach Pie was always one I remember growing up and now it is a favorite of my sisters to make for the family.

Recently I found her Chicken Marsala recipe which is in her handwriting which brought a smile to my face but it also reminded me of the first meal I ever made for Nick back in high school.  On Valentine’s Day with my Mom’s help I made Nick Chicken Marsala and Fettuccine Alfredo.  This meal has become a meal we make together on special occasions.  We open a bottle of wine and enjoy a night together of cooking one of our favorite meals.

Enjoy these three recipes that bring many memories to our family.

Peaches and Cream Pie

Ingredients

3/4 Cup Flour

1 tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 Box of Cook and Serve Vanilla Pudding

1 Egg

1/2 Cup Milk

1 Can Peach Slices

1 8 oz. Cream Cheese

1/2 Cup Sugar

3 TBSP. Peach Juice

For Topping

1 TBSP. Sugar

1 tsp. Cinnamon

Directions

1.)  Mix Flour, Baking Powder, Salt, Vanilla Pudding Mix, Egg, and Milk together using hand mixer

2.)  Pour into a greased pie pan

3.)  Drain Peaches (reserving 3 TBSP Peach Juice) and place in single layer in pie dish

4.) Using hand mixer mix Cream Cheese, Sugar, and Peach Juice until creamy

5.)  Spread over peaches leaving a 1 inch edge around pie dish

6.)  Mix Sugar and Cinnamon together and sprinkle on top of Cream Cheese Mixture

7.)  Bake at 350 Degrees for 30-35 minutes

Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

Ingredients

1 Box of Fettuccine Noodles

1 Stick of Butter

1/2 Cup Heavy Cream

2 Cups Parmesan Cheese

Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

1.)  Cook Pasta according to package

2.)  In saucepan over medium heat melt Butter and add Heavy Cream

3.)  Bring to simmer and add in Parmesan Cheese, stir until melted, remove from heat

4.)  Add cooked Fettuccine Noodles and Salt and Pepper

5.)  Mix together and top with Parmesan Cheese

Chicken Marsala

Ingredients

1 Package of Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breasts

3 Eggs, beaten

1/4 Cup Milk

1/2 Cup Flour

1 1/2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Pepper

3 TBSP Olive Oil

3 TBSP Butter

1 small Onion, Diced

1 Package of Mushrooms, Diced

1 Clove of Garlic, Mashed

1 Cup Marsala Wine

1/2 Cup Chicken Broth

1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese, Grated

Directions

1.)  Flatten Chicken Breasts between two sheets of wax paper using meat tenderizer

2.)  Combine Egg and Milk in Shallow Dish.  In separate dish combine Flour, Salt, and Pepper

3.)  Dip Chicken in Egg Mixture then Flour

4.)  Heat Olive Oil and Butter in skillet.  Brown Chicken pieces on both sides and remove to single layer in baking dish

5.)  Saute Onion, Mushrooms, and Garlic in pan drippings

6.)  Add Marsala Wine and Chicken Broth.  Bring to a boil to reduce liquid

7.)  Pour onion, mushrooms, and wine mixture over chicken

8.)  Top with Mozzarella Cheese and Bake at 350 Degrees for 20-25 minutes

9.)  Serve with Fettuccine Alfredo

Peyton loves pepperoni rolls so I made my own and he loves them!  He is now requesting them all the time.  Here is a really easy recipe that would be perfect to have at your next party or a weeknight meal!

Ingredients

1 Bag of Rhodes frozen Bread Dough or Rolls

10-12 Slices of Sandwich Pepperoni (or a bag of pizza size pepperoni)

1 Bag of Grated Mozzarella Cheese

2 TBSP. Melted Butter

1 tsp. Garlic

1 tsp. Italian Seasoning

1 Jar Pizza Sauce

**NOTE:  You can also use Refrigerated Pizza Dough, and other toppings

Directions:

1.)  If using frozen dough let it thaw and knead it into a ball

2.)  Flour rolling pin and roll out dough

3.)  Once dough is rolled out sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni

4.)  Tightly roll dough into a jelly roll log

5.)  Melt butter and mix in garlic and italian seasoning

6.)  Baste butter and seasonings onto the top of the dough

7.)  Gently cut dough into 1 inch pieces and place on baking sheet

8.)  Bake at 350 Degrees for 15-20 minutes (you want to make sure the dough is golden brown)

9.)  Serve with your favorite pizza sauce