Sunday, January 8, 2012

Pasta Pizza Soup

1 pound ground beef
4 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms
1 medium onion, chopped
1 celery rib, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
4 cups water
1 can (14.5 oz) Italian diced tomatoes, undrained
2 medium carrots, sliced
4 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 cups cooked tricolor spiral pasta

1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook beef, mushrooms, onions, and celery until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain.

2. Stir in the water, tomatoes, carrots, bouillon, bay leaf and oregano. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until carrots are tender. Stir in pasta; heat through. Discard bay leaf.

Yields 8 servings (about 2 quarts)

Cheesy Cream Corn Puffs

ActiveTime:30 min/TotalTime: 1hr10min
Makes: About 24

Ingredients:
1 cup canned cream corn
4 Tablespoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese, plus some extra for topping
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh chives

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees- line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Bring corn, butter, salt to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, add the flour and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture is smooth and begins to pull away from the sides of the pan.

2. Scrape dough into a bowl; let cool slightly. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring well between each addition. Stir in the cheese and chives. Chill the dough for 15 minutes.

3. Scoop tablespoon size mounds of dough onto prepared cookie sheets. About 2 inches apart. Sprinkle with additional cheese. Bake in oven until golden brown and puffy. About 20-25 minutes. Serve warm.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Quick Carrot Cake with Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting.

Here is what you will need:
1 pkg (2 layer size) Carrot Cake
3 large carrots, shredded about 2 cups
1 can (8oz) Crushed pineapple
1 cup chopped pecans (divided)
2 pkg (8oz each) Cream Cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tub (8oz) Cool Whip whipped topping, thawed

Now to make it:
Prepare: cake batter as directed on package; stir in carrots, completely drained pineapple, 3/4 cup of pecans. Pour into 2 (9 inch) square pans sprayed with cooking spray.

Bake: 25 to 30 min. Or until toothpick inserted in centers come out clean. Cool in pans 10 min; invert onto wire racks. Remove pans. Turn cakes over, cool completely.

Beat: cream cheese, and sugar until well blended. Whisk in cool whip.

Stack: cake layers, spreading frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Top with remaining nuts. Keep refrigerated.


This cake came out great and the frosting wasn't that thick heavy and overly sweet cream cheese frosting!!