Tortellini Spinach Soup

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

1 Onion-medium, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp. dried basil

1 Tbsp. sundried tomatoes, chopped

1 Tbsp. brown sugar

2 14 oz. cans diced, crushed tomatoes

2 qts. Chicken or vegetable broth

1 lb. pkg. fresh or frozen tortellini

Salt and pepper to taste

10 oz. fresh chopped spinach or bag frozen spinach

½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese

Recipe instructions:

1.     In large heavy pot, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté onion & garlic stirring often until onions are translucent, about 7 minutes.

2.     Add basil, sun dried tomatoes & brown sugar, continue cooking 2 more minutes Add broth & canned tomatoes turn heat to high & bring to a boil.

3.     Add tortellini and cook according to the package. When tortellini is almost done, add spinach.

4.     Add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish each serving with Parmesan cheese.

I usually won't post something that is unhealthy but I almost had a heart attack when I thought I had lost this recipe. I substitute a lot of the ingredients for healthier one's even using my own bread recipe for the roll but I am posting this as is so I don't lose the original. It's going to be a surprise for Valentine's day for my husband! He's gonna love it!

Family's Favorite Cinnamon Rolls

Bread

1 cup warm milk

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup Butter, softened

1 egg

1 tsp salt

4 cups bread flour

1/4 instant pudding mix

1 tbs sugar

1 Tbs active dry yeast

Filling

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

2 tsp ground cinnamon

Frosting

4 oz cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 1/2 tsp milk

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Mix bread ingredients in order of recipe. Let sit for 5 min. Roll onto a lightly floured surface in a 17X 10 inch rectangle. Spread with butter; sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll up, jelly-roll style, starting with the long side; pinch seam to seal. Cut into  21 slices. Place 12 slices, cut side down, in a greased 13X9 inch dish pan. Cover; let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes. Bake at 350 for 20-25 min or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 5 min. In a mixing bowl, beat frosting ingredients. Frost while warm. Makes 21 Rolls

Ratatouille

This is a wonderful summer meal.  Especially in the August/September time frame because all of the ingredients are in season!  I made this in my thermal cooker from Saratoga Jack's.  My recipe is really big and I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients
1/4-1/2 cup olive oil, plus more as needed
3 cups small diced yellow onion (or any kind of onion you have on hand)
2-4 teaspoons minced garlic 
4 cups medium diced eggplant, skin on
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 2-4 tsp dehydrated)
2 cups diced green bell peppers (or any sweet pepper..I used Biscayne the first time)
2 cups diced red bell peppers (or any sweet pepper)
2 cups diced zucchini squash (or any summer squash) 

2 cups diced yellow squash (or any summer squash)
3 cups peeled, seeded and chopped tomatoes (or 2 cans of diced tomatoes)
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil leaves (or 2 TBS dehydrated)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves (or 2 TBS dehydrated)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper (if you like pepper)

Directions:

• Place thermal cooker on stove over medium heat and add the olive oil.
• Once hot, add the onions and garlic to the pan.
• Cook the onions, stirring occasionally, until they are transparent and lightly caramelized, around 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add the eggplant and thyme to the pan and continue to cook stirring occasionally, until the eggplant is partially cooked. (around 5 minutes)
• Add the peppers, zucchini, and squash and cook for 2-3 minutes. 
• Add the tomatoes, basil, parsley, and salt and pepper, to taste, water to the level of the veggies and boil for 2-3 minutes. Leave in thermal cooker for 4-8 hours.   
• Stir well after opening to mix veggies and serve either hot or at room temperature over rice or over pasta. 
• You can make the rice in your thermal cooker or you can make your pasta and have the ratatouille ready to serve over it.

Quinoa Patties

2 cups Quinoa prepared in 4 cups water (boiled)
1 1/2 cup carrot grated
1 1/2 cup summer squash/zucchini grated
1 cup prepared lentils (optional)
1/2 cup almond butter
1/2 cup rice milk/soy milk/etc
2 TBS lemon juice
1 tsp dill weed
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup flour (any that you prefer)

Combine ingredients up to the almond butter.  Mix other ingredients in a 2 cup measuring cup and add to the solid mixture.  If it seems too dry you can add a little liquid 1 TBS at a time. 

I used an ice cream scoop to make the same size patties and shaped into rounds on the griddle.  You could use some oil to kind of fry them, but I just had them on low heat on the griddle (Like 220?) and waited for them to be cooked on one side and then of course flipped them over. 

Use these like you would any sandwich middle.  These freeze great, be sure to put wax paper between them.  This is a large batch, because we like to freeze the leftovers.

7 layer dip

Yep, this is a dinner at my house! 

Ideas are:

Refried beans
black beans
salsa
meat or taco filling/rice
salsa
cheese
olives
lettuce
avocados/guacamole
tomatoes
onions
green peppers
sour cream

We serve this up with chips.  I put the refried beans in the bottom and then we enjoy whatever toppings I have on hand.  It is fast, it is tasty and it is great for hot days!

Lovely Lentil Taco Filling!

I love this recipe for taco filling, a layer in 7 layer dip and all kinds of other taco-ish foods :) 

3/4 cups dry lentils
3/4 cups brown rice (I have used white as well--but use less water)
4 cups water
4 tsp-TBS (to taste) veggie bouillon (I use either my own or Better Than Bouillon)
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder

Bring the water to a boil.  Add the lentils and let cook 10 minutes, then add the rest of the ingredients.  Wait until it is all at a boil and reduce heat to low.  Place lid on and simmer for 45-50 minutes more. 

You can also do this in a crockpot on low for 6-8 hours.  I can't wait to try this in my Saratoga Jack's thermal cooker!

Garlic Oil

This is something we use for ear aches, viruses, coughs and all kinds of other ailments in our family.  We try to always have some on hand!  You can add mullein for an extra punch as well. 

 ½ cup crushed garlic

 ½ cup olive oil

Mix thoroughly.

Add another ¼ cup olive oil

Let stand 10 days on sunny windowsill.

Strain on day 10.

You can use the garlic that as in the oil as a condiment if you like. 

You can decanter after that to get the last little bits out.   2 tsp garlic oil equals about 1 fresh clove.