Tag Archives: Cuisinart

Cheesy Cheese Soup!

IMG_2866

In this family we like it super cheesy!

Ingredients

1 stick of butter

1 cup finely minced onion

1 cup peeled and finely minced carrot

1 cup finely minced celery

6 tablespoons flour

2 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon white pepper

½ teaspoon paprika

dash or two of cayenne pepper

6 cups chicken broth – 2 boxes, 32 oz

1 cup heavy cream, 8 oz

3 tablespoons dry sherry

6 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese

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Now let’s get to cookin’!

In a large saucepan over medium heat melt the butter and sauté the onion, carrot and celery for 10 minutes.  Stir the vegetable mixture often to combine all the flavors.  Sprinkle in the flour and all the seasonings, blending well.  Slowly add the chicken broth stirring until well combined.  Reduce the heat to simmer.  Add the heavy cream, sherry and grated cheese.  Stir constantly until the cheese has melted.

Take a taste test and add any seasonings. I like it with a little extra kick, so I usually add extra cayenne pepper and salt.  Use extra sharp or sharp cheddar cheese preferably in a block.  Its melting consistency is the best for this recipe.  Save a little extra time and use a food processor, Cuisinart, for the vegetables and cheese.

Serve this soup hot, garnished with parsley or dill.  A fresh spring mix salad with a homemade vinaigrette will complete this dinner.  Enjoy!

From our kitchen to yours,

Isabella and Gina

 

Bacon, Leeks and Tomato…It’s Like A BLT On Pasta!

lil chefMy lil chef, Isabella, made this dish extra magical with her cooking talent! 

Ingredients,

5 Leeks

2 tablespoons olive oil

6-8 slices of bacon, one package

3 cloves garlic, crushed or chopped

1 28-ounce can Muir Glen Organic, fire roasted crushed tomatoes

¼ cup parsley

2 packages garlic basil pasta, Trader Joe’s

Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

1 bunch fresh basil, chopped

Salt and pepper

bacon and leeks 2             basil pasta

Oh the smell of bacon…Now let’s get to cookin’!

Trim the tough tops and root ends of the leeks.  Make sure to clean well as leeks often tend to have dirt on the roots.  Thinly slice with a knife or use a food processor for the leeks, basil and parsley.  Save some whole basil leaves for garnish.

In a large skillet heat the olive oil on medium heat.  Coat the bottom of skillet.  Slowly add the bacon and cook until crisp.  Remove bacon from the pan and roughly chop in your food processor (Cuisinart, everything, is my favorite!)  Add the leeks and garlic to the bacon.  Cook for 6 or so minutes.

bacon               muir glen

Add the tomatoes to the pan and mash using the back of a wooden spoon.  Simmer for 10-15 minutes over low heat.  Stir a few times to mix the flavors.

In a large pot, salt the water and bring to a boil.  Cook pasta to al dente.  Drain the pasta well and place back into pot.  Slowly mix the tomato mixture in with the pasta.  Season with salt and pepper, if desired.   Garnish with parmesan cheese and basil.

blt pasta 2

The pasta pictured above, I purchased at Trader Joe’s.  I love both flavors and use them often during the spring and summer months.  The Muir Glen tomatoes can be found at any grocery store or online.  Serve with a fresh green salad, steamed asparagus or any fresh vegetable your family enjoys.

Happy cooking friends and enjoy!

With love and peace in my heart,

G-xx 

Spaghetti with Vegetable Meat Sauce…all covered with cheese!

Ingredients

A Fabulous Fall Spaghetti Sauce

Ingredients

3 lbs Roma or On the Vine tomatoes

1 28oz can Roma tomatoes (unsalted)

1 package white mushrooms

2 green peppers

1 lb carrots

1 large yellow onion

I bunch fresh basil

8 garlic cloves (minced)

Salt and pepper, to taste

3-4 tablespoons olive oil

Sprigs of garden herbs: rosemary, winter savory, French thyme (for sauce and meat)

2 lbs ground beef, 85% works fine

1 16 oz ( 1lb) packaged spaghetti noodles

Parmesan cheese, grated

Little Isabella mixin' it up!

Little Isabella mixin’ it up!

I love to cook this recipe for the little munchkins. It’s a great way for them to eat fresh vegetables without even knowing it.  If you own a food processor, Cuisinart, this tool will come in very handy to mince the vegetable melody.

How to prepare this wonderful comfort food:

In a large stock pot add ¾ water and bring to a boil. Score tomatoes and place them into the boiling water.  Boil for about 5-10 minutes.  You will begin to notice the skins of the tomatoes starting to peel off.  In a large bowl prepare an ice bath (water and ice cubes).  Drain the water from the tomatoes and transfer them to the ice bath.  When cool to touch, peel the skins off.  Place the peeled tomatoes in the food processor.  You should get a nice liquid sauce.  Transfer tomato sauce to a large bowl.

ice bath

In a food processor mince the mushrooms, green peppers, onion, basil, 4 garlic cloves and garden herbs. You can combine the vegetables together in processor to save time.  Transfer the chopped vegetables to a medium bowl and set aside.

minced veggies

Place the remaining minced garlic and garden herbs in a sauce pan on medium heat. Brown for about 3 minutes.  Add the ground beef and brown until thoroughly cooked.  Drain the juices as needed.  I always leave a small portion of meat juice as that is where the flavor comes from.

Add the browned meat and chopped vegetable melody to a large stock pot. Slowly add the tomato purée to the meat sauce.  Add the olive oil stirring until fully combined.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Simmer on low for at least one hour.  The longer the better for maximum flavor.

Boil the spaghetti noodles according to the directions on the package. Drain water and place noodles back into the pot.  Gradually add the meat sauce to the noodles.  Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese on top of your spaghetti as much as your little heart desires.  In our family we sprinkle a lot!!!

Garlic bread or a garden salad make fantastic side dishes. Most of these ingredients you can purchase at Trader Joes.  This is a great dish for leftovers.  You can also freeze any meat sauce that remains.  Frozen sauces come in super handy when a mom has “one of those days!”

Enjoy this fun video of my dear Isabella using her Cuisinart skills in the kitchen!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_7o1iBQbZQ

b smiling while serving

Yours truly with Love and Peace in my heart,

G-