~Minestrone Soup~

Minestrone Soup
(File Photo)

With this damp chilly weather that we are experiencing here in Western MA it is a great time to prepare a batch of Minestrone Soup for dinner.  You know, a bowl of soup that is just filled with veggies. With every spoonful the chill of the day is gone for a while. It is so easy to prepare, too! All of the ingredients are placed in a large pot and after the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer. Simmer for an hour, stirring occasionally. What could be easier?

I always freeze the extra portions in freezer containers to enjoy in the future.  It does freeze so well. There will be other chilly days in our future and you will be able to take portions out of your freezer to defrost. Just add extra chicken broth when defrosting/ reheating. This soup tastes so good on a chilly day!

Click here for my recipe for Minestrone Soup.  

Enjoy!
Yummy!

 

Best Irish Soda Bread!

Best Irish Soda Bread
(File photo)

Add Buttermilk to your grocery list this week! It is one of the ingredients in Irish Soda Bread. You probably have tasted that delicious bread that is enjoyed on St. Patrick's Day. It is filled with raisins and oh so good! When you are thinking about your grocery list, add Raisins, too!

One year when I wanted to bake an Irish Soda Bread for this holiday I "googled" for a recipe that used 1 Cup of Buttermilk. The recipe I quickly found sounded so easy.  I was intrigued by the hint of soaking the Raisins in hot water and then draining them before adding the Raisins to the dough. Oh, I was hooked to try the recipe. After baking the bread and letting it cool the first bite quickly told me that I would never search for another recipe for this bread again. It was that good!  It was the Best Irish Soda Bread that I had ever tasted.  This bread was filled with plump Raisins and it was moist. Yum!

Cooled, Sliced and Ready to Eat!
(File Photo)

 
**Over the years I have learned to melt the unsalted Butter and let it cool before adding it to the dry ingredients.  It is easier to combine that way. 

Click here for the recipe! 

I have also learned that slices of this baked bread freeze very well.  It is a treat to take a slice out of the freezer a month later and enjoy it at breakfast.

Bake an Irish Soda Bread to enjoy on the holiday when so many of us wear the color green.

Enjoy!
Yummy!

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!     

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Dr. Seuss and the Cat in the Hat
at the
Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden
Springfield Museums, Springfield, MA

The birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel (commonly known to all of us as Dr. Seuss) is celebrated across our country on March 2nd!  He was born in Springfield, MA on March 2, 1904.  Seuss was his mother's maiden name.  There are so many wonderful stories that he wrote and illustrated for children of all ages.  Many of us have a favorite or two of his books.  One of my favorites is Green Eggs and Ham.

On the grounds of the Springfield Museums in Springfield, MA there are large beautiful bronze statues of characters in his books.  It's always a treat to walk around these statues!  The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum is an interesting museum located at this beautiful complex of art, science and history museums.

Walking onto the grounds The Lorax greets visitors.

The Lorax

 

 

 

 

Looking across the grass more bronze statues are in view.  Walking in the garden brings them all closer. 

Green Eggs and Ham

Another favorite to admire- Horton!
 

Horton and Friends

Today is a special day!  

It's March 2!!

We wish you,

Dr. Seuss,

a Happy Birthday!!!

 

Thank you for all of your interesting books!

Surprise!

Our outdoor thermometer reading is 62°F and the sun is shining this afternoon in Western MA!  A great afternoon to enjoy a walk outside.  At this time of year the Crocuses begin to pop up.  Looking very closely sprouts of the first Crocus are visible!  Hmmm- did a deer also spy this little gem?

Spring is just around the corner!
Enjoy!

     

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Many Delicious Treats

Enjoy your day!

Raisin Zucchini Muffins

A Raisin Zucchini Muffin
(File Photo)

It's the weekend! A weekend in late January when our local grocery store had some fine looking Zucchini in the Produce Department. Very quickly a memory of freshly baked Zucchini Muffins popped into my mind.  To be specific- Zucchini Muffins with Raisins.  Yum!  Not since that "buy local" veggie was available at road side stands this past summer have I baked a batch.

Well, that changed today.  A double batch is now baking in my oven and the aroma in my kitchen is beginning to make me hungry.  I baked a double batch.  There will be Raisin Zucchini Muffins located in our freezer tomorrow, too.  

Click here for the recipe. 

When you also find some "fine looking" Zucchini in your grocery store's Produce Department, bake a batch of these very tasty treats!

Enjoy!
Yummy!          

Tomato Basil White Bean Soup- with Couscous

Tomato Basil White Bean Soup- with Couscous
(file photo)

The word is out! Here in New England snow is in our future for this weekend!  Looks like snowblowers, snow plows and snow shovels will be put to very good use on Sunday.  Any time the word snow is mentioned I think of a bowl of hearty hot soup.  One that is easy to prep is always a bonus.  Tomato Basil White Bean Soup fits that description.  

You probably have the ingredients in your kitchen ready to use.  Chicken Broth, tomato sauce, canned tomatoes, dried basil and kidney beans are quite often staples for many of us.  There are a few more ingredients, too.  I also add Couscous to the soup, but it is not necessary.  If I do not have white kidney beans, I use red kidney beans instead.  It takes little time to prepare and it is so delicious!

Click here for my Tomato Basil White Bean Soup recipe.  If you do not prepare a batch this weekend, save the recipe for next weekend!  Our chilly weather is here.

Enjoy!
Yummy!