I Heart Soup!

With the cold weather upon us, I've been on a soup kick these days!  From chili, to tomato, to potato, to squash....the list goes on and on!  But I recently tried a new soup recipe that I just HAD to share!  It's like potato soup with a kick!! Some may know this as the divine zuppa toscana from the Olive Garden (I've personally never had it there, but I've heard its praises from many who have).  My friend makes it regularly and was nice enough to share her recipe with me...and I'm forever grateful to her for it!!  I tweaked it to my own liking (as you can do also), but I highly recommend you try this soup recipe on the next cold day that comes your way!  It's healthy, delicious and sure to warm you up!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs spicy sausage (you could opt to use regular sausage if you don't like spicy)
• 1/2 onion- chopped
• 1 leek- chopped
• 2 Tbsp garlic- minced or chopped
• 3 Tbsp butter
• 12-15 red skin potatoes (either chopped into bite size pieces or thinly sliced...your preference, but leave skins on)
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 4 cups half and half (you can use milk for a less fattening version, but I believe in splurging on stuff like this...life is too short!!!)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 bunch of kale- torn or chopped into bite size shreds  (if you don't like kale, you can use spinach as a substitute)

Directions

1. Add butter, onion and leeks to a medium or large pot.  Saute on medium heat until tender.
2. Add sausage, garlic, salt and pepper to onion leek mixture...heat until sausage is browned.
3. Add broth and half and half, along with potatoes.
4. Simmer on a medium to low heat until potatoes are cooked thoroughly.  (check potatoes with a fork for softness)
5. Add kale.  (you don't need to cook the kale, just stir it in and it will wilt)

And that's it!!  You can serve it with your favorite breadsticks, fresh baguette, or whatever you choose. You won't be disappointed with this delicious soup!!!

A Wintery Treat

What kid doesn't like to cut out paper snowflakes??!!  Well, I've come up with a new treat that involves the fun of cutting snowflakes!  They are simple and taste yummy...something both parents and kids alike will enjoy!

I call them "Snowflake Crispies"!

Ingredients

• tortilla shells (you can use any size, but we used the small ones)
• oil (I use canola oil or safflower oil)
• frying pan
• toppings...you can use anything from cinnamon and sugar (that's what we use) to powdered sugar to your favorite fruits

Directions

1. Take tortilla shells and fold in half.  Cut out shapes, just like you would with a paper snowflake.
2. Add oil to frying pan and heat.  Once oil is heated, fry the snowflake tortillas until crispy and lightly browned.
3. Top with your favorite toppings.

We make these as a special wintery day treat!  My son loves that they look like snowflakes and I love that they are fun and easy for us to make!!! :)