Spicy Italian Soup

This is a favorite in our family. It's full of flavor and doesn't take much time to cook.
Serves 6-8.

• 1/2 -1 lb ground beef (depends on how much meat you want in the soup)
• 14 oz. mixed frozen vegetables (I use Pictsweet's cracked pepper-seasoned summer vegetables with squash, green beans, baby carrots, onions, and red peppers)
• 4 med red potatoes
• 3-4 bunches of chopped scallions (green onions)
  
• 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 C shell pasta
  
• 2 C water
• 2 C beef broth
• 3 Tb olive oil
• 2 tsp parsley
• 1 tsp savory
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic

Soup base: combine tomatoes, water, beef broth, 2 Tb olive oil, seasonings, and 1 tsp garlic in a large pot over a med-low heat. Let simmer.

Chop potatoes into 1-inch chunks. Add to soup base and turn up the temperature to med-high. Once boiling, add the pasta and remaining vegetables. Reduce to medium heat.

In medium frying pan, brown ground beef with 1/4 tsp of garlic and 1 Tb of olive oil. Add a few dashes of salt and pepper. Once beef is thoroughly cooked, stir into the soup and let simmer for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Easy Fettucine

An easy-to-make pasta dinner with a delicious cream sauce

• 1 jar plain alfredo sauce (I used a 26-oz jar of generic sauce from Wal-Mart)
• 1/4 C parmesan cheese
• 1/2 C half & half
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 2 tsp parsley
• salt and pepper to taste
• 12 oz fettucine pasta
• 2 Tb olive oil
  
• 6 C water (to boil)

In med-large pot, cook fettucine pasta in 6 cups of water on med-high heat. Cover and boil for 10 + min until pasta is tender. Drain and stir in olive oil, with a little salt to taste.

In med saucepan, combine alfredo sauce, parmesan, half&half, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper (to taste).

Serve pasta on plate and pour alfredo sauce on top. Enjoy!

Autumn Harvest Green Beans

A simple, delicious alternative to green bean casserole

1 lb fresh green beans, washed and chopped into 1-inch pieces
2 Tb maple syrup
1/2 C butter, melted
1 tsp salt
1/2 C chopped pecans
pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients in a large glass baking pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

California-Style Tuscan Pizza

Salsa di Carina

Good for pizza or pasta dishes, this tangy sauce is a pow in the mouth.

• 1 Tb olive oil
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 28 oz tomato sauce
• 1 tsp basil
• 1 tsp thyme
• 2 tsp parsley
• 1 tsp oregano

Combine ingredients and heat over medium-low heat in a small saucepan.

California Pizza Crust
This crust is simple to make and doesn't require yeast.

• 2 1/2 C all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
  
• 1 C warm water
• 1/4 C olive oil
• 1/2 tsp garlic salt
• 2 tsp parsley
• 3 Tb Parmesan cheese

Combine dry ingredients. Stir in eggs, water, and oil. Make sure you have plenty of flour on hand to knead your dough. Place the dough on a well-floured surface and flatten with a rolling pin. Press the dough into a non-stick pizza pan (you may wish to lightly grease it as well). Brush with olive oil and bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

Toppings
You can customize these as much as you like, but here are some delicious suggestions:

• Sautee thinly-sliced chicken breast in 1 Tb olive oil with 1 tsp of minced garlic. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  
• Marinated artichoke hearts
• 1 C sliced mushrooms
• 1 C chopped green onions
• 1/2 C sliced black olives
• 1 C grated fresh mozarella cheese (do not use pre-shredded cheese, it contains paraffin wax and will not melt as well on the pizza)
• 1/4 C grated parmesan cheese
  

Spread sauce over pizza crust. Next, the mozarella, chicken, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, olives, onions, and parmesan. Place in the oven at 350 for 15 minutes for the cheese to thoroughly melt and the topping to heat. Let cool for a few minutes and enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Butterscotch Cookies

Quick, easy, and oh-so delicious. This is a great recipe for your kids to make.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 10-12 min
Ready In: 25-27 min
Makes: 20 cookies

INGREDIENTS

1/4 C & 2 Tb softened butter
1 egg
3/4 C sugar
1 1/4 C oats
3/4 C & 2 Tb all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 C milk chocolate chips
1/2 C butterscotch chips

DIRECTIONS

Mix all ingredients in a medium mixing bowls. Drop tablespoons of dough onto greased cookie sheet(s). Bake at 325 F for 10-12 minutes.

Quickie Crisp

Whether you're a working mom or a college student who swears by the microwave, this is the perfect dessert when you don't want to spend time slaving over a hot stove.

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 17-20 min
Ready In: 27-30 min
Makes: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

3 apples – thinly sliced
2/3 & 1/4 C melted butter
1 C sugar
1 C oats
2/3 C all-purpose flour
1-1/2 & 1/4 tsp cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:

Spread apple slices in the bottom of an 8” x 8” glass baking dish. In a small glass measuring cup, melt 1/4 C butter. Stir 1/4 tsp of ground cinnamon into 1/4 C melted butter; drizzle over apple slices. Microwave apple slices for 4 minutes on high.

While apples slices are in the microwave, mix the remaining ingredients in a medium bowl: 2/3 C melted butter, 1 C sugar, 1 C oats, 2/3 C flour, 1-1/2 tsp cinnamon. Stir apple slices and spread oat mixture on top. Microwave on high for 10 minutes.

While crisp is in the microwave, preheat the oven to 450° F. After removing dish from microwave, place in oven for 5 additional minutes. (You can just microwave it for an additional 3 minutes, but the time in the oven gives it a better crispness.)

Let cool for 5 minutes and serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!