Zuppa Toscana

Better than Olive Garden!

1 lb Italian sausage (i used 2 fresh bratwurst, so good)
3 large russet baking potatoes, sliced in half,and then in 1/4 inch slices
1 large onion, chopped
4 strips bacon
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups kale chopped
2 cans chicken broth (i used bullion, so dont salt until you taste it)
1 quart water
1 cup heavy whipping cream (half cream half milk)
Change Measurements: US | Metric

Directions:Prep Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 1 1/2 hrs
Remove sausage casing and crumble meat, saute until done, set aside. saute onion, bacon and garlic until bacon is done. add potatoes, chicken broth, water, garlic in pot, and cook on medium heat until potatoes are done. Add sausage. pepper to taste. 6 Simmer for another 10 minutes. 7 Turn to low heat. 8 Add kale when kale is tender add cream. 9 Heat through and serve.

Diamond Dough!

SALT DOUGH
Salt dough has a sparkly texture. It is heavy and strong and is especially suited for large or standing pieces, such as plaques or trivets, or as foundations for other, more delicate craft doughs. Salt dough keeps indefinitely when covered and refrigerated.

Recipe 1
2 cups salt
2/3 cup water
1 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup cold water
Food coloring, tempera, or other water-base paint

Mix salt and 2/3 cup water in a pan. Heat until quite warm. Remove from heat. Mix cornstarch and cold water together and add to mix in the pan, stirring constantly. Return pan to stove and keep stirring until mixture forms a smooth mass. Turn out on a plate and cover with a damp cloth until cool. Work in coloring if desired.

Shape on a foil-covered cookie sheet and let dry thoroughly - several hours in a warm oven or several days at room temperature. Smooth away rough edges with a nail file.

Cinnamon Clay Ornaments

All Mimi's Grandbabies!

Isabella, Jackson, Tyler and the Twins!

1 1/8 cup flour
3/4 cup ground cinnamon
1 cup salt
...1 cup water
1 Tbsp. ground nutmeg (optional) I am going to add these.
1 Tbsp. ground cloves (optional)

Mix dry ingredients with water to form smooth, stiff dough. Divide dough into three or four portions. Place each section between two sheets of waxed paper, and roll to 1/4-3/8 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut Christmas shapes out of dough. While dough is still soft, use a straw to make a hole near the top of each shape where ribbon can later be inserted for hanging. Bake cut shapes at 350 degrees 15-20 minutes to dry. If desired, insert ribbon in hole, tie, and hang as ornaments.

Non-edible Homemade Clay for ornaments!

4 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 1/2 cups water

Directions:Prep Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 40 mins

1 Combine ingredients and knead dough for 15 to 20 minutes. (or 5-10) ;-)

2 Roll dough out and cut around hand or cut circles out for making hand imprints. Use cookie cutters for ornaments or gift tags. If necessary, slightly dampen pieces to make them stick together. (I make the whole batch into a log and cut slices like slice and bake cookies and then roll out the slices, they look more homemade that way, not perfect.)

3 Make a small hole for the hanger and prick to prevent air bubbles.
I use a straw to make the hole, its like a tiny cookie cutter.

4 Bake at 300ºF about 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. You may have to bake considerably longer depending on how thick your items are. They may not feel hard right away but will harden as they cool.

5 Paint and decorate as desired. Acrylic paints work best and use a varnish to make them shiny. You can also just color them with markers and then your ready to go.

Merry Christmas!

Creamy Cheesy Mac and Cheese

Ingredients
1 tablespoon salt
1 pound elbow, shell or other bite-size shaped pasta
6oz heavy cream
1/2 cup milk

1 cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup flour
1 dash ground mustard

1 dash paprika

1 dash salt (be careful with the salt!)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese ( I used Kraft pregrated Italian cheese blend, in the bags)
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (I used the pregrated sharp cheddar here too)

8 oz grated colby jack cheese

1.Bring 2 quarts of water to boil in large soup kettle. Add salt and pasta. Using package directions as a guide, cook until done. Drain and quickly rinse. Return to pot. (the pasta should finish cooking about the same time as the cheese sauce)

2.Meanwhile, microwave the milk and chicken broth in a 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup or bowl until hot and steamy (not boiling). About 1 min.

3. Melt butter in a large pan; whisk in flour, cook about 2 min, then add hot milk mixture. Continue to whisk until thick and bubbly, 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk in mustard, paprika, Parmesan and pepper. Turn off heat, stir in the rest of the cheese until melted.

4..Add drained pasta to sauce, and stir until everything is well combined . Serve hot.

Magic Bars

Yummy!!

1 sleeve graham crackers- crushed

1 stick butter melted

1 can condenced milk

1 bag chocolate chips (you can use whatever you want, white, milk, dark, or a mix of all)

1 small bag coconut

pecans (or your fave nut or both!)

You don't have to stop with those ing. You can add flavored chips, caramel, chopped up candy bars... you get to play Willy Wonka! :-)

Line a 9X13 pan with foil, SPRAY with cooking spray. Heat oven to 350. Before you open the sleeve of crackers hit them a few times with a large spoon just so they are crushed up, but not fine. Empty crumbs into the bottom of pan. Pour butter over crumbs. Drizzle half the can of milk over the crust. Next sprinkle chocolate chips, then coconut, then nuts. drizzle the rest of the milk over the top and bake until coconut starts to brown. cool and cut into SMALL bars. The hubby tried to eat 3 but was defeated by the second one! They are so yummy with a tall glass of milk!!

Texas Sheet Cake

This is the best non-fussy chocolate cake ever!

I always ask mom to make this cake any time the cake is for me!

Make sure the glaze is hot when you pour it on the hot cake!

I think it is better the next day!

Thick, moist, chocolate goodness!!

Bring to boil:
1 cup butter
1 cup water
5 Tblsp. cocoa
Add to flour mixture consisting of:
1 1/2 cup of flour
2 cups sugar
now add 1 tsp. soda to 1/2 cup milk and add to mixture.

Add 1 tsp. vanilla
Now add 2 slighly beaten eggs and bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.
Don't over cook.

Heat to boiling:
1 stick butter
6 Tblsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
3 Tblsp. cocoa
add:
1 lb. confectioners sugar
1 cup chopped nuts
and pour over hot cake.