Friday, February 15, 2013

Internet Treasures

I have two recipes that I used this past week that I found on the internet. It is amazing that through technology we can have such wonderful blessings in our lives. It makes me wonder how people get trapped with the 'bad' that goes along with it. I found this Lasagna Soup recipe and tried it....
A M A Z I N G . I am putting a copy here
Ingredients


1 tablespoon oil

1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed

1 onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed

4 cups chicken broth or chicken stock

1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 teaspoon oregano

1 bay leaf

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 pound pasta

4 ounces ricotta

1/2 cup parmesan, grated

2 cup mozzarella, shredded

1 handful basil, chopped

Directions

1.Heat the oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat add the sausage and cook until lightly browned, about 10 minutes, breaking it apart as you go and set aside reserving the remaining oil and grease.

2.Add the onion and saute until tender, about 5-7 minutes.

3.Add the garlic, red pepper flake and fennel and saute until fragrant, about a minute.

4.Add the chicken broth, tomatoes, tomato paste, sausage, oregano, bay leaf, salt and pepper, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. (If you have the time this soup will benefit from being simmered longer.)

5.Add the pasta and cook until al-dente, about 7 minutes and remove from heat.

6.Mix the ricotta, parmesan and mozzarella and serve the soup garnished with a tablespoon of the mixture along with the basil.
Here is a link to the site: http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/lasagna-soup.html

I also have tried this recipe for Kneaders Brownies 3 times now. Also A M A Z I N G
 I still haven't nailed the cook time exactly. I need ot bake at 360* for about 5 minutes longer than the recipe calls for. Steve loves these- Gooey, or little more baked. He asked for them for Valenties Dday.
I was happy to oblige!

Kneaders Double Chocolate Mint Brownies
Brownie


1 cup butter

4 oz unsweetened chocolate

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoons vanilla

4 eggs

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips



Melt the chocolate and butter in a 2 quart bowl in the microwave on high for 3 minutes, stirring every 20 – 30 seconds until the chocolate is melted. Cool slightly.

Add sugar, eggs and vanilla and mix well with a spatula.

Add the flour and stir to combine.

Stir in chocolate chips. Spread into a buttered 13-inch x 9-inch x 2-inch baking pan.

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Do not overcook. Cool.



Filling

½ cup softened butter, margarine, or shortening

2 cups confectioners’ sugar

2 drops mint flavoring or to taste

1 drop pink food coloring



In a small bowl, beat the confectioners’ sugar, butter and mint flavoring until smooth.

Add food coloring to make a light pink.

Spread evenly over cooled brownies and then chill. (I have to add a little milk because I like it spreadable)
Chocolate Ganache


½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

¼ cup heavy cream

crushed peppermint (red and white)



Put the chocolate chips and cream into a small bowl.

Microwave on high for 1 minute stirring every 20 – 30 seconds until chocolate is melted. Do not over heat.

Immediately pour over the brownies.

Decorate with crushed peppermint.

Do not refrigerate. Mixture will set up on brownies in about 15 – 20 minutes
Link to Girls with Recipes http://girlswithrecipes.blogspot.com/2008/12/kneaders-double-chocolate-peppermint.html