Italian Sausage Soup with Tortellini

Tonight I was in the mood for soup... but I also had some italian sausage and fresh spinach in the fridge that I needed to use up.  So, I went to allrecipes.com, typed in those two ingredients and that I wanted the dish to be soup, and Italian Sausage Soup with Tortellini popped up.  YES, PLEASE!!!!  (Here it is).

It was DELISH.  But I made quite a few changes because I didn't have some of the ingredients.  So.... here's my version:

1 lb italian sausage

1 C chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

3- 2 cup cans of chicken broth

2 cans diced tomatoes (with juice)

1 C thinly sliced carrots

1/2 T fresh basil leaves

1/2 t dried oregano

3 T parsley

1 can tomato sauce

pasta (used shells)

fresh spinach - chopped

In dutch oven, saute the onions and garlic in some butter.  Add broth, tomatoes, carrots, sausage, tomato sauce, and spices.  Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer covered for 30+ minutes.  

Add pasta in the last 10 minutes.  Just before you're ready to eat, add chopped spinach- stir until spinach is just wilted.  Serve with fresh grated parmesan cheese and crusty bread.

Kid tested..... kid approved.  : )

Peppermint Oreo Truffles

I'm finding a trend already.... not-so-healthy recipes seem to be my "thang".... oh well.

These are ALSO worth the extra calories.  I made these with my niece Ashley...and they were delish.  They didn't look quite as pretty as the picture, but it didn't stop me from scarfing them down.  Anything bite-size is DANGEROUS.

Here's the recipe.  You're welcome.

Chocolate Crinkle Kiss Cookies.

How's that for alliteration.

Made these around Christmas.  Ate nearly all of them.  Wish I hadn't.  But it was worth it.

You'll find the recipe HERE.

Pizza Calzones... Win...Win....

Since discovering this recipe, we've made this nearly a dozen times, often for dinner guests.  They're crazy easy and our kids LOVE them.  They're also very adaptable to whatever you have on hand... pepperoni, salami, ham, bacon bits, mushrooms, fresh basil, etc.

The recipe actually calls it Stromboli... but we call it Calzones.  Potato.  PotAH-to.

Here's the recipe.

Pretzel Bark...from Mel.

Super simple.  Super yummy.  Super not-good-for-you.  BUT... they're kept in the freezer-- so, outta sight, outta mind.  (sort of)

Thanks for sharing this recipe with me Mel!  You'll find it HERE.

Homemade Soft Pretzels...

The kiddos and I made these yesterday...they tasted DELICIOUS, but I'll admit they didn't look amazing.  I think it'll take a few tries to perfect our pretzel-twisting-shaping skillz.  We enjoyed these with a bowl of queso nestled between us while watching the Winter Olympics.  Perfection.

You'll find the recipe HERE.

Garlic Chicken Farfalle (AKA Yummy bowtie pasta w/ Chk!)

This recipe reminds me of my Mac Grille days... it tastes JUST LIKE their Pasta Milano... it's simply amazing.  And super easy.  Warning... plan ahead- you need to cook the chicken ahead of time in the crock pot. (WORTH it.)

Find the recipe HERE.

Sugar Cookie Bars. Nuf Said.

I originally found this recipe HERE...  and am thrilled that I did.  These are super sinchy, but warning.... FULL of SUGAR (which is why I love them...and so would Grandma Fielitz!).