Tortellini, Spinach & Tomato Soup

I love a good soup that bubbles away for hours, but sometimes you just don’t have time for that. This soup can easily be thrown together for a quick week night meal. It is also one of the few vegetarian meals I make that has my husband’s approval. 

Eggless Chocolate Cake

My beautiful sister has one major flaw. She has an egg intolerance. This gets in the way of baking whatever I want for our big family dinners and celebrations. Short breads, crisps, and many cobblers do not contain eggs and are lovely, but sometimes you just want to make cake. I’ve tried egg replacers and a few vegan recipes, but usually I’m not happy with the results. Then I found wacky cake. It is a delicious eggless cake believed to be created during World War II due to rationing. I made this particular recipe for my book club (yes she is in my book club too) and it was a hit.

Spinach Mushroom Risotto

I like to try different risottos, but this is one I keep coming back to because it is always a hit. I often throw in a splash of white wine before I start in with the broth and a splash of cream at the end. They aren't necessary, but add extra layers of flavor. I also usually toast the rice, but if you are new to making risotto this is a solid recipe. I served mine with an apple-gouda, chicken sausage.

Grapefruite Brulee, Another Use For My Kitchen Torch

I came across this recipe for Brown Sugar Broiled Grapefruit and of course hit up Google to see what else was out there. I also found Alton Brown’s recipe and was so excited to see if call for a kitchen torch. I’ve been looking for more ways to use mine. I tried the Alton Brown recipe two ways. When I tried it with the coarse sugar it had that fun crunchy sticky crust that you love with brulee. The second time inspired by Eating Well recipe I substituted in brown sugar. I didn’t get that awesome crust, but the flavor was amazing. I think I’m going to keep making it both ways depending on how I feel when I wake up! To save time in the morning I usually cut and segment the grapefruit at night and cover. I think this also helped make a better crust since more of the juice had time to settle.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

I’ve made these many times and even switch up the ingredients and it always works. I usually make it with half chocolate chips and half butterscotch chips. I skip the optional ingredients, because I don’t have them on hand. This time I substituted about 1/3 of the chocolate chips for shredded sweetened coconut and used coconut extract instead of vanilla and they are very tasty. Find the recipe here. 

Check out Heart on Homestead for more recipe links.

Snicker Doodle Blondies

My picture does not do these beauties justice. They have the cinnamon taste of the classic snicker doodle cookie but are soft and chewy. You can find the recipe here.

How I Save Money- Eat Oatmeal for Breakfast

I get it if oatmeal just isn’t your thing, but not only does this meal help your pocket book it is great for your waist line too. I use 1/3 cup of oats for my morning meal which is less than ten cents per bowl.It is also a great way to use up fruit that isn’t going to get eaten before it goes bad. When berries or bananas are on their last day, I throw them in the freezer. Then I add them to my oats before I bake them. Joy the Baker’s Recipe got me started on the baked version of oatmeal. I unusually do a simpler version in the morning; oats, a dash of baking powder, milk, fruit, and just a little bit of brown sugar.

Biscuit Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls are great, but they do take rising time and mine never seem to come out just right. Biscuits I have mastered so when I happen upon this recipe from Joythe Baker I had to try it. They have the texture of a biscuit with the flavor of a cinnamon roll.  They are delightful with Saturday morning coffee.

Ham Potato Soup

This soup has been in the rotation for years. Milk based soups often separate when frozen. If you are picky just make enough for one night. It doesn’t stop me.  I double the recipe and freeze most of it. I say a slightly imperfect homemade lunch is better than anything I can buy in our lunch room. 

You can find the recipe here.