Tuscan Bread Soup
Ingredients

4 slices crusty Italian bread, 1 1/2” thick
4 T. extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 large onion, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
6 c. low sodium chicken broth
½ c. heavy cream
1 t. minced fresh thyme or ½ t. dried
Salt and pepper
½ c. grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven […]

Cheesy Ravioli Bake
Ingredients

3 T. unsalted butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 T. coarsely chopped fresh basil
1/3 c. heavy cream
Salt
2 (8 ounce) packages fresh cheese ravioli1 (6 ounce) bag baby spinach
1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

Bring water to a boil in a large pot.  Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to […]

Rigatoni with Portobello Mushrooms and Gorgonzola Cream
Ingredients

2 T. vegetable oil
4 large Portobello mushroom caps, halved and sliced thin
4 garlic cloves, minced
½ c. dry white wine
1 c. heavy cream
1 c. crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
Salt and pepper
1 pound rigatoni1 (5 ounce) bag baby spinach

Directions

Bring 4 quarts of water to boil in a large pot.  Meanwhile, heat 1 T. […]

Irish Manhattan
Fill a low ball glass with ice.  Add ¼ cup Irish whiskey and 1 ½ T. sweet vermouth; stir.  Garnish with a maraschino cherry. Makes 1.
Note: if you’d like to enjoy this drink on the “drier” side, make the vermouth portion half sweet and half dry!
(Bon Appetit, March 2007)
Tags: Irish Manhattan cocktail recipe, st. […]

Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner
Ingredients

2 to 2 ½ corned beef brisket*
1 t. whole black pepper
2 bay leaves
3 medium carrots – quartered lengthwise
2 medium parsnips or 1 medium rutabaga, peeled and cut into chunks
2 medium red onions, cut into wedges
10 -12 new potatoes (1 lb)
1 small cabbage, cut into 6 wedges (1 lb)

Directions

Trim fat from meat 
Place […]

Chicken Tetrazzini

Prep: 30 minutes
Bake: 15 minutes
Oven: 350 degrees
Cook: 5 minutes
Serves: 10 one cup servings

Ingredients

1 purchased roasted chicken (I grilled 4 boneless chicken breasts instead)
8 oz. dry spaghetti or linguine, broken in half
12 oz. fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut in 1” pieces
8 oz. sliced fresh mushrooms
3 red/yellow sweet peppers, seeded and cut into 1” pieces
2 T. butter
¼ c. all purpose flour
1/8 […]

Zipped Up Baked Ziti! 
Ingredients

1 Pound Dry Ziti Pasta
2 (26 ounce) Jars Spagetti Sauce
6 ounces Provolone Cheese Slices
1 1/2c. Sour Cream
6 ounces Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
2 tablespoons Parmesean Cheese

Directions

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.   Add pasta and cook until al dente, drain.
Preheat oven to 350 degress F (175 degrees C).  Butter a […]

Valentine’s Day Treats for School Parties!
Coming up with new ideas for class party snacks is tough!  As parents, we all want to bring in something fun and creative, but sometimes the trickiest treats are too much work or aren’t enjoyed by the kids. 
Another challenge that parents might face is a school district enforcing the policy that […]

Pumpkin Pie Martini
Ingredients:

2 parts Absolut Vanila vodka
1 part pumpkin schnapps
splash of cream
sprinkle with nutmeg

Directions:

Shake all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice
Strain into a martini glass
Garnish with nutmeg and a cherry

Thanksgiving Cocktail
Ingredients:

1 tsp lime juice
1 1/2 oz bourbon
4 oz cranberry juice
1/2 oz apple brandy

Directions:

Fill Collins glass one-half full of ice, add ingredients and stir.   Garnish with a lime wedge, if desired.