Minestrone Soup

Wow I feel like I haven't blogged in a long time. Sorry about that! My life got a little crazy. Between school and work, I hopped on a plane to Japan! I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things here. I have been cooking though, it's just hard to get the time to write up the blogs. Enough of my apologies, let's talk food.

I've loved Gram's Minestrone soup since I was little. One of things I will never forget about my great-grandma (Gram) is that she always had soup on the stove. Always. I hope you make this dish. It's easy and fantastic.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
1 small garlic, minced
1 green pepper (1/2 cup)
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup cubed carrots
1 cup green beans
1/2 cup zucchini
1 cup cubed potatoes
1/2 cup macaroni shells
1 cup dry beans (cook first) (or can red kidney beans)
1 1/2 to 2 cups fresh or canned tomatoes
3 quarts boiling water
4 cubes bouillon cubes (4 big tbs bullion)
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1 small bay leaf
1/2 tsp marjoram
1/2 tsp black pepper
salt to taste

Directions:

• In large pot, add butter & melt on med to high heat.
• Add onion, garlic, green pepper, and tomatoes. Saute for several minutes. 
• Add celery, green beans, carrots, zucchini, beans, boiling water, bullion cubes, marjoram, black pepper,  parsley, bay leaf, salt, oregano. 
• Cover and simmer on low for 45 minutes. 
• Add cubed potatoes and macaroni shells. Cook 30 minutes longer. 

Apricot Jam Bars

This dish was made to bring to my last class of summer school a week ago. Our teacher made an announcement that she wouldn't be opposed to treats being brought in for the last day. Out of the entire class, I brought the jam bars & a lady brought in Krispy Kreme donuts! Sugar... Sugar... Sugar!


I ended up watching 5 yr old Dakota for a few hours when I was to be making this. I knew that it would be more fun if we also made something that she would like and could eat right away! Plus I couldn't go to class with a piece missing out the pan. ;0)  I asked Dakota what she wanted to make, anything at all and we'll make it. Her response, "Cupcakes! Chocolate Cupcakes!" Aww girl after my own heart. I love cupcakes too. We ended up making both cupcakes & apricot jam bars. She tasted every ingredient, and found that Cocoa Powder is not very good to eat by itself! hahaha. When we were constructing the bars, she said, "Everyone is just going to love this. Make sure you tell everyone that I helped." Yes Dakota, you helped a lot. She even tried using the sifter!! Here's a pic of Dakota's sprinkle extravaganza!

Very easy & yummy dish! Enjoy!


(Notes from recipe book: Dolores (Ma - my grandma) & Loretta (Gram - my great grandma) baked these!)

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup butter
1 cup apricot jam (I used the entire jar of jam!)

Procedure:

• Mix flour, baking soda, sugar and oats in a bowl.

• Cut in butter until crumbly. Here's a video on how to cut in butter.

• Pat 2/3 of mixture in a 9 x 13 pan. 

• Spread jam evenly over top.

• Cover with remaining crumb mixture.

• Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

• Cool.

• Cut into bars.

Pretzel Jello Salad

I made this dish for my Saturday Shindig party. For those not in the know, for about 6 years now my cousin Kristy and I have throwing themed parties twice a year for my mom's side of the family. It makes me happy that I now have something for my dad's side... this blog! The party's theme: Egyptian! Here's a few pics for ya!

This was a great dish to bring to the party. It was summery and light. It was so good that I'm feeling pressure from Angela to put this blog up before this weekend because she is going to make it! Angela cooking... look out! This is super easy to make so no worries. I was a bit nervous making this because for some reason instant jello & puddings don't ever work out for me. I make make complicated dishes and baked goods... but jello is my enemy. All worked out in the end though! Make this easy dish. You will need a few hours though. 


(Notes in book from Dolores (my Grandma, aka Ma) : Also used raspberry Jello & raspberries.)


Ingredients:


1 1/2 cup crushed pretzels (use blender)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
9 oz cool whip
1/2 cup sugar
2   -  3 oz Strawberry Jello (I only used one, I misread this when I made it. haha! Oops!)
2 cups boiling water
2 - 10oz frozen Strawberries (Ok, this is ridiculous. As I write this I am realizing errors. I used 1 pkg. Ugh.)


Procedure:

• Melt butter.
• Add melted butter to crushed pretzels & 1/2 sugar. Mix together. 
• Pat into 9x13 pan evenly.
• Bake at 350 degrees & then cool.

• Mix together cool whip, cream cheese, and 1/2 cup sugar. 
• Spread over cooled pretzel crust. 
• Cool  1 1/2 hours in refrigerator. 

• 1 1/2 hrs later, Mix Jello & boiling water very well. 
• Add undrained strawberries and spread over all. 
• Refrigerate to set. 
• Cut into squares for serving.