Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

 We don't go often, but when we go to Olive Garden we often order the unlimited soup and salad.  He loves the Zupa Toscano soup and I love the Minestrone.  When we went last, I came right home and looked up a copycat recipe and tried it.  Delicious!

Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Olive oil

1 onion, diced

2-3 carrots, peeled and diced

2-3 ribs celery, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 small zucchini, halved and sliced

1 cup cut green beans, fresh or frozen

1 15 oz can red kidney beans

1 15 oz can white beans,

1 big handful fresh spinach

1 quart vegetable or beef broth

1 14 oz can diced tomatoes

1/4 cup tomato paste

about 1/4 cup sugar

1 T. Italian seasoning

1/2 cup uncooked small shell pasta or ditalini

Salt and pepper to taste

Sauté the onion, carrots, and celery in the oil.  When softened, add the garlic and sauté 1 more minute.  Add the zucchini Cook another minute or two.  Stir in the tomato paste and coat the vegetables and sauté.  Add the broth, tomatoes, sugar, and Italian seasoning.  Bring to a boil.  Turn down to med-low heat.  Drain the canned beans and add all three kinds of beans.  Add the pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes.  Add the spinach and cook for another couple of minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.  Ladle into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese.

Chicken Stuffing Casserole

 Easy and delicious.  I doubled it and took some to a family.  They loved it too.

Chicken Stuffing Casserole

Layer in a 13x9 casserole:

Cubed, raw chicken breast

Season well with garlic powder, salt and pepper

Top with:

Grated Swiss or other cheese

2 can cream of chicken soup

1 Stove top stuffing packet

1 cube butter, melted over all

Bake at 350 for 1 hour, Half with foil, half without.

Egg Roll in a Bowl

 Michelle shared this recipe.  It is delicious!

I served it on a plate!

Egg Roll in a Bowl

1 lb. ground beef

1 tsp. minced garlic

14 oz. shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 teaspoon ginger

1 egg

2 teaspoons siracha

1 Tablespoon sesame oil

2 Tablespoons sliced green onions

In a large skillet, brown the beef.  Add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds.  Add the cabbage, soy sauce, and ginger.  Saute until the cabbage is tender.  Add a little water if needed.  Create a well in the center of the skillet and add the egg. scramble until doen.  Stir in the sriacha and sesame oil and sprinkle with onion.  Add more soy sauce and sriacha as desired.

Kristen's Crepes

 Kristen is an expert Crepe maker.  Here is her recipe:

Kristen's Crepes

1 1/2 cups milk

1 cup cake flour

3 eggs

2 T. butter

Blend all ingredients and place in fridge for 1 hour.  Mix again before cooking.   Pour into a hot fry pan.  Cook until done.  Fill with whatever you like! Makes about 20 crepes.

Black Bean and Mango Quinoa Salad

 Michelle made this when our daughters all came to visit for my birthday.  It was colorful and delicious.

Black Bean and Mango Quinoa Salad

2 cups cooked and cooled quinoa (2/3 cup dry quinoa)

1 14 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 medium mango, peeled and diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

6 green onions, thinly sliced

1 handful chopped cilantro ( about 1/2 cup)

4 T. red wine vinegar

3 T. olive oil

1-2 T. fresh lime juice

Salt and pepper

Quinoa

Rinse in cool water and soak for 5 minutes.  Drain.  Put in a small pot with 1 1/3 cup water or broth and bring to a simmer.  Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes.  Fluff with fork.  Cool to room temperature.

Put the quinoa in a large bowl.  Add mango, pepper, green onion, black beans and clantro.

In a small, combine vinegar, oil, and lime juice.  Whisk until smooth and pour over the salad.  Toss and add salt and pepper to taste.  Chill for one hour.

Cafeteria Noodles

 This is a delicious side dish.  Or I guess you could add meat and make it the main dish.   It's comfort food!   Enjoy!

Cafeteria Noodles

 Bring to a boil:

1 quart chicken stock with 2 T. of better than bouillon

Add a whole bag of egg noodles and 1 can of cream of chicken soup.

Stir well and boil for 2 minutes.

Remove from heat, add 1 stick of butter and cover until butter is fully melted and noodles are soft.  It will take about 20 minutes.  Stir well and serve.

Taco Soup

 There are a lot of taco soup recipes out there, but this one was exceptional.  I have made it twice and will make it many more times, I'm sure.  I made it for family and they also loved it and wanted the recipe.  Easy and delicious.

Taco Soup

1 can diced tomatoes

2 cans diced tomatoes with green chilis (Rotel)

1 can Garbonzo beans

1 can Kidney beans

1 can Black beans

1 can corn

1 can tomato paste

1 8 oz block cream cheese

1/2 bag Costco Rotisserie chicken breast, cut up

1 box chicken stock

Taco seasoning to taste, 1 package

Toppings as desired: Cheese, Sour Cream, Tortilla chips, Cilantro

Rinse and drain beans. Put all ingredients in a crock pot and cook on low for four hours.

 To serve, top with desired toppings.