march 3

66. Pasta Fagiolo with Sausage

This was good. I think that if I make it again I would add something to give it a little more of a kick. One warning...It made a ton of food. So make sure that when you make it, make sure you are cooking for more than 2. Or freeze it. I am sending it with Dave to work tomorrow. I will let you know what they think of it too. Dave really liked it. Have it some good bread.

*2 TBSP olive oil
*1/2 lb sweet Italian sausage, casing removed
*3 cloves garlic, crushed or thinly sliced
*3 large chicken bouillon cubes, dissolved into 6 cups hot water
*1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
*1 tsp Italian seasoning
*1/2 tsp onion salt
*1/2 tsp black pepper
*1 lb ditalini pasta
*2 cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
*1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

In a large sauce pan, heat oil over medium high heat
Crumble sausage into saucepan, stirring until browned (about 5 minutes)
Add garlic and cook for 1 minute
Add dissolved bouillon cubes, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, onion salt and pepper
Bring to boil over high heat
Stir in pasta and reduce heat
Simmer, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes or until pasta is tender
Stir in beans and cook for about 1 minute or until beans are heated through
Serve with cheese

67. Key Lime Cake

One of my best friends birthday is this weekend. She told me in passing that she has not had a birthday cake in 10 years. I could not stand for that. So I asked what kind of cake she wanted and she said something fruity. So this is what I found to make her. I will let you know tomorrow what she thinks of it. We are taking her to lunch tomorrow with no children!! So happy birthday Tracy!!

*1 (18.25 ounce) package lemon cake mix
*1 (3 ounce) package instant lemon pudding mix
*3/4 cup water
*1/2 cup vegetable oil
*4 eggs
*5 tablespoons key lime juice
*1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
*3 tablespoons key lime juice

Preheat oven to 350
Lightly grease one 9x13 inch cake pan or one 10 inch bundt pan.
In a large bowl stir together; lemon cake mix, lemon instant pudding, water, oil, eggs, and 5 tablespoons key lime juice, mixing well.
Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake for 45 minutes.
Pour key lime glaze over cake while still warm.
To Make Glaze: Mix together the confectioner's sugar and 3 tablespoons of the key lime juice (or more if necessary), spoon glaze over warm cake.

Feb 27

We had a childrens clothing party today at my house and I like to make a cake when I have these. This cake was a hit. Everyone, even the kids, liked it. Plus it really looks cute!

60. Pistachio Cake

*1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
*1 (3.4 ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix
*4 eggs
*1 1/2 cups water
*1/4 cup vegetable oil
*1/2 teaspoon almond extract
*7 drops green food coloring

Preheat oven to 350
Grease and flour a 10 inch tube pan.
In a large bowl mix together cake mix and pudding mix.
Make a well in the center and pour in eggs, water, oil, almond extract and green food coloring. Blend ingredients, then beat for 2 minutes at medium speed.
Pour into prepared 10 inch tube pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes, or until cake springs back when lightly pressed.
Cool in pan 15 minutes.
Turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
Dust with Powder Sugar.

61. Balsamic-Glazed Salmon Fillets

*6 (5 ounce) salmon fillets
*4 cloves garlic, minced
*1 tablespoon white wine
*1 tablespoon honey
*1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
*4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
*salt and pepper to taste
*1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

Preheat oven to 400
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Coat a small saucepan with non-stick cooking spray.
Over medium heat, cook and stir garlic until soft, about 3 minutes.
Mix in white wine, honey, balsamic vinegar, mustard, and salt and pepper.
Simmer, uncovered, for about 3 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
Arrange salmon fillets on foil-lined baking sheet.
Brush fillets with balsamic glaze, and sprinkle with oregano.
Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 14 minutes, or until flesh flakes easily with a fork.
Brush fillets with remaining glaze, and season with salt and pepper.

62.Roasted Garlic Cauliflower

*2 tablespoons minced garlic
*3 tablespoons olive oil
*1 large head cauliflower, separated into florets
*1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
*salt and black pepper to taste
*1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Preheat the oven to 450
Grease a large casserole dish.
Place the olive oil and garlic in a large resealable bag.
Add cauliflower, and shake to mix.
Pour into the prepared casserole dish.
Bake for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Top with Parmesan cheese and parsley, and broil for 3 to 5 minutes, until golden brown.

Dinner was good. I really like cauliflower now. I always thought that it was just ok but roasted it is so good. The salmon was good. Both the kids liked it and Elise was even willing eating the cauliflower. That was a shocker.

ps....thanks to my friend Alicia we added tabs to the side. So if you want to look at chicken it will pull up the post for chicken. Enjoy!!

Jan 16 Real Butter

26. Million-Dollar Pound Cake

One of my very best friends came to see us from Florida and I was not in the mood to cook tonight but I wanted to make something for her that I dont always make. So I made a pound cake.
When you see this recipe you will understand the real butter in the title.

*1 lb Butter, soften...thats right..1 POUND. that is 4 sticks
*3 cups sugar
*6 large eggs
*4 cups flour
*3/4 cup milk
*1 tsp vanilla
*1 tsp almond (I think that next time I would use a tad more.)

Preheat oven to 300
grease the inside of a bunt pan or tube pan
Beat butter until light yellow and creamy
Add in the sugar
Beat one egg at a time
Add flour alternately with the milk, end with the flour
Stir in the extracts
Bake for 1 hour and 40 minutes.
It is done with the toothpick come out clean

I used a bunt pan and I had to take out about a 1 maybe 1 1/2 cup of the batter. Maybe it will fit better in the tube pan.

I almost never make things like this and it was so good. I am going to freeze half of it. It is a big pound cake.
Serve with ice cream, fruit, whipped cream...and enjoy!!