Zuppa Toscana

I found this posted on Facebook and knew immediately I had to try it!

 I've listed my adjustments below & you can find the Facebook recipe info and another blog recipe image and link at the bottom of this post.

Making my adjustments I found it tasted EXACTLY like Olive Garden!

1 lb. spicy/hot Italian sausages (I use turkey, but have used pork in the past)
3-4 large russet potatoes, chopped with skin left on
1/2 onion, chopped
1/4 c. REAL bacon pieces (optional)
4 cloves garlic, minced
32 oz. chicken broth
1 c. kale or Swiss chard, chopped (I use kale because it's a LOT less expensive)
1 c. heavy whipping cream
2 Tbsp flour

Directions
1. Brown sausage links in a sauté pan.
2. Cut links in half lengthwise, then cut slices.
3. Place sausage, chicken broth, garlic, potatoes and onion in slow cooker. Add just enough water to cover the vegetables and meat.
4. Cook on high 4 or 6 hours (until potatoes are soft, I like mine "mushy" soft so I do 6.)

*30 minutes before serving:
5. Mix flour into cream, whisking to removing lumps.
6. Add cream and kale to the crock pot, stir.
7. Cook on high 30 minutes or until broth thickens slightly.

The Facebook recipe has the following differences from mine:

4-6 russet potatoes, chopped
1 full onion, chopped
2 Tbsp minced garlic (about 3-4 cloves)

Cook on high 3-4 hours (low 5-6 hours) until potatoes are soft.

Add salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste.

I apologize that my pictures are a little out of focus- I like my food HOT and it kept steaming up my camera... lol!  Here's a much nicer picture!

You can find the blog post this image came from with recipe variation at this blog link.

Enjoy!!

No Egg Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Growing up, our favorite part of making cookies was eating the dough. Dad would eat It by mounding tablespoonfuls! My husband has a fit when he catches me sneaking dough when I'm baking. It doesn't bother me, I haven't been sick from dough yet. But in an attempt to get him on my dough bandwagon, I found this "no egg" recipe on Pinterest. (Yes, I find a lot of wonderful recipes on Pinterest!)

Needless to say, I no longer need to make a batch of cookies just to eat dough- this is amazing!


No Egg CCC Dough:

1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup flour
Pinch salt (I used salted butter & omitted the pinch of salt)
1/2 cup chocolate chips

You can find the original post at Baskers Fun Foods.

To all of the "dough-nuts" out there- enjoy!

Fudge Striped Cookie Salad

Yes, I admit, I almost listed this recipe as "Keebler Cookie Salad" because that's the only thing we've ever called it. But it felt a bit like cheating to list this that way when I use any fudge striped cookies I can get my hands on when I make it. So in an attempt to make this recipe a bit more "generic p.c." I've re-dubbed it Fudge Striped Cookie Salad.

This salad has become one of our family's "go-to" staples for pot-lucks and get-togethers. It is great as a side or dessert.

I have no idea where this originally came from, but we love it! In fact, I'm blogging it for you today because my hubby begged me for it last night... So here you go!

Enjoy!!


Fudge Striped Cookie Salad

2 small packages instant vanilla pudding
2 cups buttermilk
16 ounces whipped topping (aka: "Cool Whip") (More can be used for a fluffier salad.)
1/2 package fudge striped cookies (I like my salad "cookier", so I use 3/4 of the package.)

Combine pudding mix and buttermilk. Fold in whipped topping. Crush cookies and fold into salad.

Serves appx 12-16
Serving size: 1/2 cup
Calories per serving: appx 178

Slow Cooker BBQ Cola Chicken

I found this recipe through Pinterest and you can see the original post at: http://www.southernplate.com/2008/08/slow-cooker-coke-chicken-1-on-my-list.html

I followed the recipe exactly and I have to admit, this is the first time I've made a whole chicken and the recipe and directions were so easy my Kindergartener could have done it! (Disclaimer: Obviously he didn't; and if he did, knife and cookware usage would be supervised.)

So here it is:

1 whole chicken (I bought a frozen fryer chicken)
1 onion quartered
1 lemon quartered
1 bottle BBQ sauce
1 can cola (any carbonated sugary beverage should work)

Place chicken in slow cooker, add onion and lemon quarters, cover with bottle of BBQ then top with can of cola.

Cook on high 3-4 hrs to low all day.

How simple is that?!?

Enjoy & happy cooking!!

Chip & Chili Pie

Ok, I know this will not be a recipe for everyone, but it found a special place in our house.
I remember having this growing up and it has become one of my "comfort foods" or an easy casserole when I really don't feel like putting much effort into dinner.  We use to call this "Frito Chili Pie" & it's really very simple.

1 bag corn chips or chili cheese flavored corn chips (we usually use the flavored, but only had regular on hand last night)
1 can chili (with or without beans, I prefer without)
1-1.5 c shredded cheddar

Preheat oven to 350F.
Spread entire bag of chips in a 13x9 pan.

Warm chili in a pan, pour over chips.

Top with cheese (I like a lot, but cover to taste)

Bake appx 20 min or until cheese is melted to your liking.
Serves 4-6

Enjoy!