Summer's Cooking Corner

      This soup is a staple in my family and everyone loves it. My oldest sister, Addie, loves this soup and I think you will too!  Recipe number five in my fall series! Special tools or ingredients: tortellini Ingredients 1 lb. sausage 1 medium onion, chopped 6 garlic cloves, minced 2 cans chicken broth 1 3/4 cup water 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained 1 package cheese tortellini 1 package (6 oz.) fresh baby spinach fresh or dried basil black pepper and red pepper flakes Shredded Parmesan cheese   Tools Frying pan Spatula Pot Measuring cups Lid Instructions 1. Fry sausage and onion in a pan. Once it is halfway cooked, add the minced garlic. 2. Transfer to a pot and add the broth, water, and tomatoes (with the juice). Bring to a boil and add tortellini. Boil for 7-9 minutes. 3. Add basil, spinach, red pepper flakes, and pepper. Heat through until the spinach is wilted. 4. Top with parmesan. (This recipe goes great with garlic bread!) Serves 4-6 Enjoy on a chilly f...

 Pancakes are quite easy to make if you do it right. They are also very versatile, and you can add chocolate, nuts, and, specifically in this recipe, blueberries and lemon. This is a very nice breakfast for a special morning, or just a slow morning!  This is recipe number four in my fall recipe series, and you can skip adding the blueberries and lemon if they are not in season, and just stick to the spices for a full-fall pancake. This recipe is perfect for September.   I got this recipe from The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs (I altered the recipe quite a bit, but it is very loosely based on it.) Special tools or ingredients: blueberries and lemon Ingredients 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 tbsp. sugar 2 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 3/4 cup milk 1 large egg 2 tbsp. oil (Vegetable, canola, and olive work well.) 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract (You can also use almond extract and it still tastes amazing!) Butter (The original recipe said oil spray, but butte...

      Here is my last recipe for the day! I will be posting more this week, and I am going to try (emphasis on try) to post one recipe everyday this week, and I am particularly excited for Thursday's recipe.       This recipe is one of my favorites to make when I need a sweet treat in fall time, and it's so easy and simple. Special tools or ingredients: none Ingredients One apple (I love Honeycrisp and Gala.) Three tbsp. brown sugar  Plain oats Vanilla extract (Imitation vanilla works great.) Honey (I used raw honey, but you can use a different kind as well. It's your apple!) Cinnamon (You knew it was coming.) Nutmeg Pumpkin pie spice (Optional.) Tools Baking dish (I have a little one that works amazingly.) Small baking sheet Fork or spatula Small bowl Spoon Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or about 205 degrees Celsius. 2.  Cut the core out of your apple using a small knife. Try to keep it as intact as possible. 3. ...

     Here is the second fall recipe of the season! This is a recipe my family has never missed making every fall. It's so easy and quick, I'm sure all of ya'll will love it.  Special tools or ingredients: pumpking seeds Ingredients Pumpkin seeds from one pumpkin Cajun seasoning  If you don't have Cajun seasoning, just use: paprika, cayenne, salt, and thyme. Olive or canola oil (spray also works too.) Tools Baking sheet pan Spatula (pancake flipper.) Bowl Instructions 1. Gut a pumpkin and wash the seeds of any flesh. Set them in a bowl or lay them flat on a plate with paper towels, and dry them for one to three hours. Preheat your oven to 385 degrees Farenheit or about 195 degrees Celsius.  2. After drying, keep them in a bowl or transfer to a container with a lid. Drizzle oil on top (just a small drizzle!) and put seasonings in. Shake or stir until evenly coated.       Tip: Always put much less seasoning than you think you need! You can alway...

     Hello all! I apologize so much for not posting in so long! I have many other priorities, and have not had time to think about posting recipes. But I promise you, I will try my very best to post once or twice a week. And with fall just starting up, there will be a lot of yummy cinnamon (my personal favorite fall and winter spice) and lots of nutmeg and pumpkin.       So, without further ado, the starter to my fall series of recipes and coziness! Enjoy you guys!      (There will be three fall recipes I will post today, and this is the first one.)       I got this recipe from Aunt Bee's Mayberry Cookbook Special tools or ingredients: pineapple juice Ingredients 6 cups apple cider or apple juice 1 cinnamon stick (you can use two as well! I told you-- I love cinnamon!) 1/4 tsp. nutmeg (I like to use a little more-- 1/2 tsp.) 1/4 cup honey 3 tbsp. lemon juice 1 tsp. lemon rind 1 20-oz can unsweetened pineapple juice Tools ...

     This year I'm going to do a new recipe every month. My mom recently bought this new recipe box with different summer recipes for 12 weeks. (Here's the link: https://shop.passionatepennypincher.com/products/summer-menu-plans  So now for every month in the year, I'm going to post a new recipe that I have made this year. This recipe is simple and delicious, perfect for summer (or a Florida winter!)  I got this recipe from the Passionate Penny Pincher summer meal planning pack. Special tools or ingredients: crumbled feta, kalamata olives, Greek dressing, and marinated artichoke hearts. INGREDIENTS   1 cup leftover cubed grilled chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces (I didn't use the chicken, and it tasted fine.) 1 1/2 cups uncooked orzo pasta 6 oz jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained (you can save the marinade for a dressing!) 1 1/2 cups diced cucumber 1/2 pint grape tomatoes, cut in half 1/2 cup kalamata olives 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese 1/4 cu...

      Hello my fellow bakers! This week's post will be about using leftover dough! This recipe akes a perfect sweet breakfast!        This sort of ties back to my tart recipe. If you have any leftover dough from a pie or a tart, this is one way to use it. Let's get started! Special tools or ingredients: none INGREDIENTS Leftover dough  Any flavor jam or preserves Milk (optional) Egg (optional) Coarse or regular sugar (optional) TOOLS Baking sheet Pastry brush Cup or cookie cutter INSTRCUTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit or 220 degrees Celsius. 2. Roll out leftover dough and cut out ad many 4 inch circles you can with a cookie cutter or the top of a drinking glass. Flatten it out a bit with you hands. 3. Place one on a plate or baking sheet and place one teaspoon full of jam in the middle. Fold the bottom up, then fold the sides in at an angle, or simply fold it in half ad close with pressing the tips of a fork on the edges. Repeat wi...

Here I am yet again with another recipe! This recipe is very easy and you can enjoy them at any time! So, without further ado, the recipe. I got this recipe from   a cookbook   by Dinah Bucholz. Special tools or ingredients: cream of tartar INGREDIENTS 2 large egg whites, room temperature 1/8 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. cream of tartar 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract (or any other flavor you would like.) 1/2 cup granulated sugar Food coloring (optional) TOOLS 2 baking sheets medium bowl beater (stand or hand mixer) Pastry bag or spoon Parchment paper INSTRUCTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit or about 105 degrees Celsius. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Pace egg whites, salt, cream of tartar, and vanilla in a large mixing bow and beat unti soft mounds form. Gradually add the sugar into and beat util stiff but still glossy. When I say do not over mix, DO NOT. If you do it will become dry and cottony and you wil have to start all over again.  2. Fill a pastry bag w...

     This recipe is a favorite of me and my family. This is a very simple recipe that is fun to make for a quick homework or lounging snack.      I remember when I first made these. I had seen a video of someone making these, so I had taken a block of cheese, cut it up, and starting baking it. I can't remember if I looked up a recipe, or if I had watched the video of them baking it. So this is my version of cheese crisps. Special ingredients or tools: none INGREDIENTS 1 block of cheese ( I use cheddar and pepper jack.) Salt Any other seasonings you will like! (I use red pepper flakes to add some spice.) TOOLS Baking sheet Knife Cutting board Parchment paper Oven mitts INSTRUCTIONS 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or approximately 200 degrees Celsius. Prepare baking sheet by cutting and placing parchment paper on the pan.  2. Cut the block of cheese into slices, then cut them into squares. 3. Place each square on the baking sheet and space ...

 Hello fellow readers! I am deeply sorry I have not posted in a while, but that is because of school, vacations, and other acivities. So I will be posting three new recipes this week to make up for it.  This recipe is one of my favorites! If you are a fan of sweets, you will love this. I have made this recipe many times and now I will share this recipe with you all! I got this recipe from a cookbook  by Dinah Bucholz. Special tools or ingredients: none INGREDIENTS For the Tart Crust 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1/2 tsp. salt 2 stick cold butter or margarine, cut into pieces 1 cold large egg yoke 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract (I didn't use pure, I used imitation.) 3 tbls. ice water Filling 1/2 cup any flavor jam (I like to use raspberry and strawberry. You can use any type that you want!) INSTRUCTIONS 1. To make the crust, place the four, sugar, and salt into a food processor and pulse to mix. Scatter butter or margarine into the processor and pulse till...