Very Simple Gingerbread Cake with Whipped Cream

First whip up this Yellow Cake, but substitute molasses for orange juice, and use only 3 eggs.

Or use a package yellow cake mix, but it will need molasses as well.

Then add a package of Jello's Gingerbread pudding, plus about 1 1/2 c. milk.

Top with whipped cream.

Yummy!

Really Good Carrot Soup

Really (Really) Good Carrot Soup

For soup:
2 Tbsp olive oil

• 2 lb carrots, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed
• Kosher salt
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• 4 cups chicken, turkey, or vegetable broth (homemade or reduced-sodium canned)
• 2 cups baby spinach leaves, sliced

For meatballs:

• ½ lb ground turkey
• ¼ cup grated ­Parmesan or pecorino cheese
• ¼ cup bread crumbs
• 2 Tbsp milk (or water)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1. Make soup: Warm oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add carrots, onion, garlic, ½ tsp salt, and red pepper flakes and sauté, stirring, until vegetables begin to brown, about 15 minutes. Stir in broth, scraping up any bits stuck to bottom of pot. Cover pot and simmer until carrots are tender, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, make meatballs: Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl, season with salt and pepper, and roll into 1-inch balls, spreading them out on a platter. 3. Puree soup in a blender, or with an immersion blender, until smooth. If using blender, return soup to pot. Bring to a simmer. Add meatballs and let simmer until meatballs are cooked through, about 10 minutes. Add spinach and simmer until wilted, about 1 minute. Season servings with salt and pepper to taste.
   from Parade Magazine online, created by author of Smitten Kitchen blog

Pan-Fried Brussel Sprouts

ingredients:

3-4 tbsp. coconut oil
1/2 lb brussel sprouts
about 3 glugs balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp. brown sugar

1. wash and cut off ends/stems
2. add to 3-4 tbsp. very hot melted coconut oil
3. fry to crispy, a couple of minutes
4. cover and let steam 3-5 min.
5. add balsamic reduction (slow cook with brown sugar until less acidic)

Gingerbread Man Cookies

3 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. ground ginger

3 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ground cloves (SO Important!!)

6 tbsp. (1/4c. + 2 tbsp) c. unsalted butter

1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar

1 large egg

2/3 c. unsulphured molasses

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, beat together sugar and butter. Add egg ad molasses, gradually add flour mixture.

Roll out.... bake at 350º for 8-12 min.

My Favorite~ Chili with Fritos!

Chili with Fritos!

1/2 onion finely chopped
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 12-oz can contadina crushed tomatoes
1 can golden sweet corn-- YUMMO!
seasoning: cumin, garlic salt, chili powder, fresh dried rosemary all to taste

I make chili a lot--- but this recipe is SO good. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the seasoning AND the ratio of ingredients. (Not too much of one thing).

Serve with sour cream and fritos!

Really Delicious, Simple Easy Pasta

{Need a picture}
1 small can of tomato paste
1 or 1 1/2 c. water
2 tbsp. Italian seasoning, or

1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. celery salt
1 tbsp. dried parsley
1/4 tsp. dried thyme

1 tsp. fresh bunch of basil, chopped

Cook 2 c. any kind of noodles al dente
Top with Sauce, Stir
Add meatballs, and shredded fresh mozzarella
Bake in a 400º oven for 20 min. or until melted

OH my goodness... so good!


Serve with rolls, green beans, and fruit salad

Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry Shortcake: for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

For the shortbread, combine in food processor:
1 1/4 c. flour
3 tbsp. sugar
1/2 c. cold butter
add a tiny bit ice water if too dry

bake in a 325º oven for 25-30 min. or until just brown at edges.

cook down a cup or 1 1/2 c. strawberries with 1 c. sugar
strain (save syrup for pancakes!)

Top shortbread with strawberries and real whipped cream!