Tortellini Vegetable Soup

This soup is fairly quick and easy. It is flavorful and colorful. It smells so delightful as it's cooking. Add some garlic bread or a crusty baguette for an easy and delicious meal. 

Makes about 5 servings.

Ingredients: 

2 Tablespoons olive oil 

1 medium onion, chopped 

1 small zucchini, diced 

1 medium carrot, peeled and diced 

1 Clove garlic, chopped 

1 quart (4 cups) chicken stock

1 teaspoon dried basil 

1 teaspoon dried oregano 

1 bay leaf 

1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes 

8 to 9 ounces fresh or frozen tortellini (cheese or meat filled) 

2 to 3 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 

1/2 teaspoon Black pepper 

Instructions: 

1. Heat the olive oil in a medium soup pot or large saucepan. Add the onion, zucchini, and carrot. Saute over moderate heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the garlic and saute 1 more minute.

2. Add the chicken stock, basil, oregano, bay leaf, and tomatoes to the pot. Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a low boil. Add the tortellini and bring the soup back to a low boil. Cook it for 2 minutes, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 to 6 minutes longer. Gently stir in the parsley and pepper during the last minute. Remove the bay leaf before serving. 

3. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of grated cheese, and/or some fresh parsley.

Lasagna Rolls Make-Ahead and Freeze

I love having these in the freezer for when I don't have time or energy to cook a meal. Add a salad and your meal is complete. They are delicious also. Easy, quick, and delicious...that's a combination that can't be beat.
This recipe makes 8 Lasagne Rolls. Each one is a single serving.
Note to my kids:  You know how I am about lasagne.  I really like these and have made them several times.

INGREDIENTS:
8 uncooked lasagna noodles (I used 1/2 pound. Some of them always break, so I wanted extras.)
1 (12-oz.) container low-fat cottage cheese
4 oz. (1 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (I used fresh. You could use the green canister.)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1 (14 to 15-oz.) jar (2 cups) pasta sauce*
Additional Chopped parsley for garnish

DIRECTIONS:
Cook lasagna noodles to desired doneness as directed on package. Drain.
Meanwhile, in medium bowl, combine all remaining ingredients except pasta sauce and additional chopped parsley; mix well.
Spread each cooked lasagna noodle with a generous 1/4 cup cheese mixture to within 1 inch of one short end. Just spread it along the length of the noodle. Roll up firmly toward unfilled end, like a sleeping bag. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap.

Repeat with remaining noodles and cheese mixture. Place the wrapped rolls in a zipper freezer bag. Refrigerate or freeze lasagna rolls.

Place 1/4 cup pasta sauce in each of 8 freezer bags and freeze.

To cook one serving, unwrap lasagna roll and place seam side down in microwave-safe bowl; cover with microwave-safe waxed paper. If refrigerated, microwave on HIGH for 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese begins to melt at ends of roll. Spoon 1/4 cup pasta sauce over roll; cover. Microwave on HIGH for 20 to 30 seconds or until thoroughly heated. (If frozen, microwave on LOW for 1 to 2 minutes or until thawed before heating as directed above.) Top with chopped parsley.

(If desired add 1/2 pound cooked ground beef to pasta sauce.  I actually added the ground beef to the cheese mixture and rolled it into the noodles.)*

Nutty Dessert Bars

These are delicious. They taste almost like a candy bar.
Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons cold butter, divided
1 cup butterscotch chips (Use a good brand)
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 can (11-1/2 ounces) mixed nuts (Again, use a good brand)

Directions:

In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar and salt. Cut in 1/2 cup butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. (I just use my hands.) Line a 9 x 13 inch pan with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Press flour mixture into the foil lined baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
While it’s baking melt butterscotch chips and remaining butter; stir until smooth. Mix in corn syrup.
Remove crust from oven; but leave the oven ON.
Sprinkle nuts over crust and spread into a single layer; top with the butterscotch mixture. Spread it carefully so you don’t pull up the nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes longer or until set.
Carefully remove the bars by lifting the aluminum foil and place the bars, still on the foil, onto a wire rack.
Cool completely. Cut into bars.
Yield: about 3 dozen.

Angel Rolls

I make these when I want hot rolls quickly. You can have them on the table in about 30-40 minutes.

3 1/2 cups bread flour, divided
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 package (1/4 ounce) quick-rise yeast
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup warm buttermilk* (120 to 130 degrees)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup warm water (120 to 130 degrees)
melted butter or margarine

In a mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Add the buttermilk, oil and water; beat until moistened. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 4-6 minutes. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.

Roll out to 1/2 inch thickness; cut with a 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter. Place on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Brush tops with butter.
Yield 14 to 20 rolls

*Warm buttermilk will appear curdled