Sane Cooking ~ Tortellini Soup

This isn't a recipe really as it is just an idea.


On those days when you are so busy that dinner is not the top of your agenda, here is an idea that is both healthy and EASY!


Tortellini Soup


Ingredients:
1 package (or 2 depending on the size of your family) Buitoni Three Cheese Tortellini
6 c chicken broth
carrots diced
scallions diced
grated parmesan cheese


Directions:
Bring 6 c of chicken broth to a boil.  Add carrots for a few minutes to begin the softening process.  Add the tortellini.  Bring to a simmer.  Cook for about 10 minutes until the tortellini are tender.  Add scallions for last 2-3 minutes.  Serve hot with parmesan cheese for flavor.


You can add anything to this soup.  Some ideas are leftover chicken breast strips, celery, onions, kale, spinach.  The possibilities are ENDLESS!!




Check out more Sane Cooking ideas. 



Alexis

Passing Down Tradition ~ Italian Knot Cookies with Recipe

When I was little, I remember my grandmother letting me help in the kitchen.  One of my favorite things to help with was her knotted cookies.  She would let me mix the ingredients and mold the dough.

Unfortunately, my kids were never able to meet my grandmother, but today,  I passed down that same tradition with them.  We worked together to recreate those same knotted cookies.  



Italian Knotted Cookies with Sugar Glaze


Ingredients:

Cookies:
1/2 C sugar
3 C flour
2 TBL Baking Powder
3 eggs
1/2 C oil
1 TBL vanilla

Glaze:
1 C of confectioner's sugar
3/4 C water
vanilla, lemon or orange extract


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


Sift all dry ingredients together.  Slowly fold in wet ingredients.
Blend ingredients together to make a dough.  (If very sticky, add flour)


Take about 1 TBL of dough and roll into logs.  Twist logs in knots.


Bake for about 15-20 minutes.  The cookies will remain light in color.







Glaze:
Blend all ingredients together.  The glaze should be a syrupy type consistency.  If too runny, add more confectioner's sugar.


Glaze cookies once they are out of the oven.  You can add sprinkles for decoration.


Unfortunately, our attempt was nothing like the cookies that my grandmother made.  They actually look more like piles of poop and they came out too big...but the taste was still there.

Do you have any memories of cooking with your grandparents or parents?  Have you passed down that tradition to your kids?




Alexis