Sunday, February 21, 2010

Tortellini Soup

Here is another new recipe that we tried and LOVED! It is called Christmas Tortellini soup but we ate it during February and it was perfect! All of the ingredients worked so well together! Hope you enjoy!

















8 Servings Prep: 20 min. Cook: 15 min.

Ingredients
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2 tablespoons Pure Olive Oil
2 ounces pancetta or bacon, finely diced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (49-1/2 ounces) chicken broth
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
9 ounces cheese tortellini ( I used a 20 oz. family pack, minus about 10 for Liam)
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes in puree
8 ounces fresh spinach, rinsed, stemmed and chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
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Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add pancetta. Cook until crisp. Add chopped onions; cook 3-4 minutes or until soft. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add chicken broth and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil, and simmer for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook tortellini according to package directions; drain. Add cooked tortellini to soup mixture. Stir in crushed tomatoes; simmer for 5 minutes longer. Add spinach; cook until spinach is wilted. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with Parmesan cheese. Yield: 8 servings.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

The Two's

This is such a tough age, and I never really understood the meaning of the Terrible Two's until we got to this stage in Liam's life. Deron and I both feel like we are at a loss for what to do sometimes. We feel like we just can't get it right. Liam is a fantastic kid, and we love him with all our hearts. But, he has just been so emotional, and demanding and down right mean sometimes. Time outs are a constant thing in this house it seems. He has to do EVERYTHING himself and will through a tantrum if he doesn't get to. When he doesn't want Deron around, he says "you go!" and hits him. "NO!" is his favorite word. He hates sitting in the cart when we go to the store, and will scream and yell until he gets his way. And I think the main thing is that he has started talking back and not listening. Yesterday Deron told Liam that he would go in time out if he didn't stop doing something he was doing, and Liam turned around and said, "no, you go in time out!" I know that this is all about being two years old, but it is hard. I think the thing that is the hardest is how he is with Deron. He can be really mean to him and sometimes wants nothing to do with him. I can see how it is breaking Deron's heart and I have to keep reassuring him that it will be okay and that it is just a stage. But it isn't really helping their bond. Liam does spend more time with me because I do have a set work schedule, whereas Deron's schedule is all over the place. I am just at a loss for how to make their relationship better. I am very eager for this stage in our lives to be over..... too bad Liam just turned 2!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

A Fresh Idea

At work on Wednesday I noticed a new product coming out to the floor. It was garden kits for kids from Sesame Street. The come with a bag that includes a rake, shovel and trowel, pots, pellets and seeds. It was too cute to pass up, plus I knew Liam would get a kick out of it. I picked up the Oscar the Grouch bag which makes green beans and when we got home, Liam was so happy to see it. He has been playing with it everyday. Today we were finally able to plant our seeds. I have never done the pellet experience before and it was quite different. So we planted 6 pots of green beans in hopes that they will grow to be delicious beans for dinner. Maybe Liam might even eat them since he grew them :)















For those of you who are interested in these, they have more characters! Big Bird grows sunflowers. Bert & Ernie grown bell peppers. Cookie Monster grows watermelon. Elmo grows tomatoes. And Abby Kadaby grows flowers, I believe.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Mexican Bubble Pizza

We are trying out new recipes because the same old same old is well, getting old. I found this recipe this morning and it just sounded delicious. I was a bit skeptical at first because it is made with biscuits, but it was very good. I even had seconds and it didn't feel too heavy. With all the veggies, it almost felt like a salad!

Mexican Bubble Pizza












Prep Time: 15 Min
Total Time: 50 Min
Makes: 8 servings

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso® taco seasoning mix
3/4 cup water
1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed tomato soup
1 can (16.3 oz) Pillsbury® Grands!® refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (8 oz)
2 cups shredded lettuce
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 cup Old El Paso® Thick 'n Chunky salsa
1 can (2 1/4 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 container (8 oz) sour cream
3 green onions, sliced, if desired

DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat oven to 375°F. In 10-inch skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes or until thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently; drain. Add taco seasoning mix, water and soup; mix well. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; simmer 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
2. Separate dough into 8 biscuits. Cut each biscuit into 8 pieces. Add pieces to beef mixture; stir gently. Spoon mixture into ungreased 13x9-inch pan.
3. Bake 18 to 23 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and biscuits are golden brown. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 8 to 10 minutes longer or until cheese is bubbly.
4. To serve, cut pizza into 8 squares. Top each serving with remaining ingredients.