Saturday, January 19, 2013

Spoon Bread Casserole


My sister-in-law introduced this casserole from the Jiffy Mix website as a Thanksgiving side dish a few years ago -- it was an immediate hit with everyone!!  Unfortunately, the fat and calorie content is HUGE, but for an occasional comfort food, nothing can beat it.
 
Spoon Bread Casserole
 
1 pkg. "Jiffy" Corn Muffin Mix
1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted
1 14 oz. can whole kernel corn, drained
1 14 oz. can cream style corn
1 cup sour cream
2 eggs
 
1.  Preheat over to 375 degrees; grease 1-1/2 quart casserole dish
2.  Pour melted margarine and corn into casserole 
3.  Blend in sour cream
4.  In separate bowl, whisk eggs and stir into casserole
5.  Add muffin mix and blend thoroughly
6.  Bake 35-40 minutes, or until center is firm.  Serve hot.
 


Sunday, January 13, 2013

Pasta Fagioli

Delicious soup for a cold winter night

 
Pasta Fagioli
 
1 yellow onion, diced
1 carrot, diced
1 stalk celery diced
2 slices bacon
2 - 28 oz. cans peeled plum tomatoes
2 - 32 oz cans beef broth
2 cups water
10 twists sea salt grinder
10 twists pepper grinder
1 small sprig thyme, stripped
2 small sprigs parsley, snipped
 
16 oz dried cannelini beans -- boil for 2 minutes; let sit for one hour
16 oz pasta (elbows, ziti, penne), boiled till al dente
 
1.  In soup pot, saute onion, carrot, celery and bacon in olive oil, until soft
2. Add tomatoes and simmer 10 minutes
3.  Add beef broth and water, salt, pepper, thyme and parsley
4.  Add cannelini beans
5.  Simmer slowly for 3-4 hours; remove bacon strips
6.  Prepare pasta; drain and add to soup
7.  Simmer for 1/2 hour
8.  Serve with fresh shaved or grated parmesan
 
Leftovers are even more delectable!!

 

Monday, January 7, 2013

The Versatile Soup Tureen

As a collector of soup tureens, I have discovered that not only are they wonderful vessels for soup, they also make lovely centerpieces, when surrounded by a garland of flowers or fruit.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

New Year's Day


Table setting for a mid-afternoon New Year's Day dinner for three --
 
Happy New Year!!