Sunday, November 25, 2012

Lentil Soup w/Vegetables and Pasta

Light, nutritious soup -- a great pick-me-up after Christmas shopping!
 
Lentil Soup with Vegetables and Pasta
 
2 yellow onions, diced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
3 carrots, sliced
3 stalks celery, sliced
1 lb. dry lentils
32 oz. vegetable broth
32 oz. beef broth                                                     
12 cups water
2 - 14.5 oz. cans diced tomatoes
6 sprigs thyme, snipped or dried
10 basil leaves, snipped or dried
1/4 cups snipped or dried parsley
20 twists of sea salt grinder
15 twists of pepper grinder
1 lb. dilatini pasta, cooked


 
1.  Bring dry lentils to a boil in cold water; boil for 2 minutes -- cover and let stand for one hour
2.  Saute onions, garlic, carrots and celery in olive oil until slightly soft
3.  Add vegetable & beef broths, and water
4.  Add lentils and stir
5.  Add diced tomatoes, thyme, basil, parsley, salt & pepper
6.  Stir and simmer for 2 hours
7.  Cook dilatini pasta in boiling water until al dente
8.  Add pasta to soup and simmer for 10 minutes or so
9.  Flaked red pepper can be added for additional flavor, if desired
 
 
 
 
Sit, relax, and enjoy!!!
 


Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Sausage Stuffing for the Thanksgiving Turkey


Versatile Thanksgiving stuffing --
 
 
Sausage Stuffing
 
1 cup diced onions
1 cup diced celery
1 16 oz. package ground breakfast sausage
8 cups bread crumbs
1 Tbsp. parsley
 
Saute onions & celery; add sausage and cook thoroughly.  Mix in bread crumbs, parsley, and any other herbs you desire -- sage, fennel, etc.
 
Stuff turkey cavity and roast.
 
Delicious addition to your Thanksgiving Dinner!


Sunday, November 18, 2012

Chocolate Cake


Easy chocolate cake recipe no chocolate lover can resist
 
 
Chocolate Cake
 
2 cups flour
2 cups white sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
3/4 cup sour milk (add 1 tsp. white vinegar to fresh milk to sour)
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup cooking oil (not olive oil)
1 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
4 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted slowly in saucepan
 
1.  In large bowl, combine dry ingredients and stir
2.  In measuring cup, combine liquids and eggs
3.  Add liquids to bowl and stir to combine
4.  Add melted chocolate to bowl and stir to combine
5.  With electric mixer, blend on low for 15 seconds -- then beat on high for 3 minutes
6.  Pour into greased cake pans
7.  Bake at 350 degrees:
               Layer Cake - 25 minutes
               Sheet Cake - 45 minutes
 
Buttercream Frosting
 
1-3/4 lbs. confectioners sugar
5 Tbsp. cocoa
1 Stick margarine or butter, softened and cut into small pieces
6 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
 
1.  In large bowl, combine dry ingredients and margarine
2.  Add milk & vanilla and stir
3.  With electric mixer, beat on high until smooth and fluffy*
         *more sugar or milk can be added to obtain desired consistency
 
Can be "dressed up" with chocolate shavings sprinkled over the top

 
 



Sunday, November 11, 2012

Rye Bread Dip



Everyone loves my daughter-in-law's dip recipe
  
Rye Bread Dip
 
2 cups sour cream
2 cups mayonnaise
1-1/2 tsp. celery salt
1-1/2 tsp. dill weed
3 tsp. red onion, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. parsley
3 - 3 oz. packages dried or corned beef, chopped
 
1.  Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate for three hours
2.  Cut across top of round rye bread loaf and hollow out to form bowl
3.  Cut removed bread into cubes
4.  Fill bread bowl with dip and top with sprigs of parsley
5.  Place on plate and surround with bread cubes**
 
**Have additional cubed bread or small slices available for dipping
 
Simple and delicious for any party!