Toscana Chorizo & Kale Soup

 1 lb. Chorizo
1/2 lb. breakfast pork sausage links, cooked and diced
2 Tbls. minced garlic
5-6 C. Chicken broth
1 onion, diced
1.5 pounds diced potatoes
1 bunch kale, chopped
1 C. Heavy Cream (or full fat milk)
1/2 C. fresh parmesan
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper

in stockpot, sauté chorizo, sausage, onion and garlic, until soft.  add chicken stock, bring to a boil.  Add potatoes and cook for about 10 minutes or until soft.  Add in kale, cream, parmesan, S & P, and cook another 5 minutes.  Serve with crusty bread.

Sausage Tortellini Soup

 1 Tbls. olive oil
1 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium sweet onion, diced
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
2 Tbls. all-purpose flour
4 cups chicken stock
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 9-ounce package three cheese tortellini
1/2 bunch kale chopped
1/3 cup heavy cream
3 Tbls. chopped fresh basil
Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in a pot, add Italian sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.  Drain fat.  Stir in garlic, onion, and seasoning. Cook, stirring frequently, until onion is cooked.  Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute.  Gradually whisk in chicken stock and tomato sauce.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced and slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.  Stir in tortellini, cover and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.  Stir in Kale until wilted, about 2 minutes, stir in heavy cream and basil until heated through, about 1 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  

Cranberry Sauce 2

 

1 cup sugar
6 oz water
12 oz fresh cranberries
zest of a whole orange, reserve juice
1 can pineapple tidbits (drained)
2/3 cup chopped pecans.
2 stalks celery
1/2 tsp cinnamon

In a pot, add sugar and water and bring to a boil.  Add cranberries, orange juice, zest, and cinnamon. Reduce and cook for about 10 minutes, it will thicken, and the cranberries will pop.  Remove from heat and stir in pineapple and pecans.  Can be stored for up to 5 days in an airtight container.

Heathers French Toast "Gravy"

1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 Tbls. honey
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. vanilla

Add butter, sugar, milk and honey to a pot.  Bring to a rolling boil,  and boil for 2 minutes.  Take off the heat and add baking soda and vanilla.  Whisk to mix together, the syrup will bubble and foam.  Let rest for a few minutes to let the foam settle down.  Serve!

Apple mug cake

 

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup milk room temperature
4 tablespoons butter melted & cooled
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 granny smith apple sliced and liberally tossed with cinnamon sugar
2 Tbls caramel

• 
  
• In a small bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon.  Add in milk, butter, and vanilla, whisking well. Spray 2 large microwave safe bowls add  1/4 of the dough to each bowl, spread flat. Layer with half the apples to each. Add 1 Tbls of caramel to each bowl, then add remainder of dough last. I like to take a butter, knife and kind of swirl everything together. Sprinkle with a little cinnamon sugar. Microwave on high 1.5 – 2 minutes for each bowl.  * Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice-cream