{spinach gnocchi soup}

Oh my. Let's just say we had this three times in the first two weeks after gettings this recipe. It really is divine, and so easy. You have to try it! My friend Melissa shared it with me, after she introduced it to me at Olive Garden. I actually like this better, though!

SPINACH GNOCCHI SOUP

4 c. chicken stock
2 1/2 c. heavy whipping cream
1 stalk celery, diced
1 garlic clove, chopped (I use more :) )
1/2 carrot, shredded
1/2 onion, diced
1 c. fresh spinach, chopped
1 T. olive oil
1 tsp. thyme
salt and pepper
16 ounces potato gnocchi

Saute the onion, celery, onion, garlic, carrot in oil over medium heat until onion is translucent. Add chicken stock, cream, salt and pepper, and thyme. Heat to boiling, then add gnocchi. Gently boil for 4 minutes, then turn down to a simmer for 10 minutes. Add spinach and cook for another 1-2 minutes until spinach is wilted.

Ladel into bowls and serve. Freshly grated parmesan cheese is the perfect complement to this soup!

**I found potato gnocchi in the pasta section at my grocery store, and also in the frozen section by the hash browns.
***The original recipe calls for chicken, but I chose to eliminate it. If you would like it, it calls for 3-4 chicken breasts, cooked & diced, added with the stock and cream.
****I doubled the recipe for my family...leftovers are perfect for lunches, although we didn't have that much leftover. :)

ENJOY!!!

{pumpkin crumb cake}

I can't even remember where I got this recipe, but if you are a pumpkin-lover, this is for you!

PUMPKIN CRUMB CAKE

Crust:
1 package yellow cake mix (reserve 1 c.)
1/2 c. butter, melted
1 egg, beaten

Mix together and press in a 9x13 greased pan.

Filling:
1 lb. canned pumpkin
1 c. sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 c. milk
2 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Mix together and pour over crust.

Topping:
1 c. yellow cake mix
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. butter, softened

Crumb together and spread over filling. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

{autumn punch}

I was looking for a wassail recipe, when I came across this one at www.allrecipes.com. It is delicious! Not only will it warm you up, but it will make your house smell wonderful!!

AUTUMN PUNCH

12 c. apple juice
4 1/2 c. pineapple juice
6 T. lemon juice
2 cinnamon sticks
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 oranges
24 whole cloves

Combine first 6 ingredients in crock pot. Slice oranges into thick slices, and poke 4 cloves into the rind of each slice. Float them on top, then place cover on crock pot. Warm through on medium-low heat, then simmer for as long as you like!!

{lemon farfalle}

A good friend gave me the basics of this recipe, and then I made my own tweaks to it. My family loves it, and it's delicious!

LEMON FARFALLE



1 lb. farfalle (bowties)
1/2 c. extra virgin olive oil (you can use less if you want to)
zest of 1 lemon
juice of 1 lemon
minced garlic, to taste (I used about 2 T.)
1 T. sugar
salt and pepper
green onions, chopped
fresh parsley, chopped

Cook pasta al dente. In a blender, combine the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper, garlic and sugar. Blend well. Feel free to add more or less of something to your taste--this is a recipe that is easy to change around, depending on what you like.
Pour mixture over cooked pasta, then toss in green onions and parsley.

{black bean and corn salsa}

This is hands down the best salsa I've ever had. I received this recipe from a good friend a couple of weeks ago, and haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. It's so yummy, you might even want to eat it with a spoon--I have!

BLACK BEAN AND CORN SALSA

2-15 oz. cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1-17 oz. can whole kernel corn (I use frozen corn, that has been thawed)
1 large tomatoes, chopped
1 large avocado, peeled and chopped
1 purple onion, chopped
1/4 c. cilantro, chopped
3-4 T. lime juice
2 T. olive oil
1 T. red wine vinegar
1 t. salt
1 t. pepper

Combine ingredients in a bowl, cover and chill. Garnish with avocado and fresh cilantro. YUM!!!

{easy chicken pot pie}

Another meal that takes less than 10 minutes to put together, which is why it's my favorite. It's also delicious, and warms up well the next day, which is why it's my boys' favorite!

CHICKEN POT PIE

1 double pie crust (I use Pillsbury)

2 cans Cream of Potato soup

1 c. frozen mixed vegetables

2-3 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed

thyme

sage

salt & pepper

Mix the last 6 ingredients together (herbs and seasonings to taste). Press bottom crust into pie pan. Place filling inside pie crust. Top with other crust, seal and flute edges. Cut slits into the top of the crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until crust is golden brown. Cover crust edges with aluminum foil for first 20-25 minutes, then remove.

{blueberry buckle}

The state we live in is well known for it's blueberry production, and in our little area there are several wonderful patches where you can go and pick your own blueberries. They are inexpensive at $1.00 per pound, you can eat as many as you want to while picking, and they cater to whole families. Everyone gets their own buckets, even the littlest ones, and it's a really great family activity.
After the picking festivities last week, my husband was requesting a recipe that was shared by the blueberry patch, called Blueberry Buckle. My sweet mom made it for him, and it was amazing! You have to try this recipe--you won't be sorry!



BLUEBERRY BUCKLE

2 1/2 c. blueberries
1/4 c. butter. softened
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 C. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. buttermilk

Streusel Topping:

1/4 C. white sugar
1/4 C. brown sugar
1/4 C. flour
1/4 C. butter

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add this to the creamed mixture alternating with milk. Fold in blueberries. (Make sure they are washed, then completely dried. You don't want any extra moisture in your batter.) Pour into greased 9x9 baking dish. Combine sugars and flour for topping, then cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over batter. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes. or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack.