November 29, 2022

ITALIAN SAUSAGE TORTELLINI SOUP and CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Good Morning Loves....
we are midway through the holiday season....
Thanksgiving was just delightful and we are
probably excited for Christmas day.....
I have a fabulous recipe for you today
and a fun baking idea you will want to try
with your grandchildren!



I did manage to capture this tiny bit of Autumn beauty
this morning...the sun was shining brightly
and our neighbors trees were just vibrant ...
we do not have a lot of foliage color, so this was rather special!

While we entertained Miss M and her family,
I tried this delicious soup recipe and just 
had to share it with y'all....it was two thumbs up 
from everyone....if I find a five star recipe,
you can count on me bringing it to you!




With cold, sometimes rainy weather days ahead,
this will warm you heart and your tummy!



ITALIAN SAUSAGE TORTELLINI SOUP

1-pound Italian sausage hot, mild or sweet

1 ½ cups chopped yellow onion

1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic

1 (32 ounce) container chicken broth 4 cups

1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes undrained

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground

1 bay leaf

1 (9 ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini

1 (5 ounce) package fresh baby spinach

¼ cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese optional garnish

 

Cook sausage and onions in a 6-quart Dutch oven or soup pot over medium high heat, crumbling sausage with a wooden spoon while it is cooking. Cook until sausage is browned, no longer pink and fully cooked.

Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds), stirring constantly.

Drain off excess fat.

Add chicken broth, diced tomatoes with juices, Italian seasoning, black pepper and bay leaf. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.

Add tortellini and return to a boil. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, or until tortellini is almost tender, stirring occasionally.

Reduce heat to medium low and add spinach. Stir to combine. Cook an additional 2 minutes, or until spinach is wilted and tortellini is tender.

Remove and discard bay leaf.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese when serving, if desired.



I wanted to share some time with our Luke the Duke
and decided we would do an easy Christmas Cookie Bake....
it's not easy enticing a teen boy to come into the kitchen
and spend a few hours with his Grandma...but we had fun together 
for this particular afternoon.....


His part was simply placing the cookie dough evenly on the baking sheet.....



I actually placed the cookie doughs on top of each other
and they were delicious.....
if you are trying to think of a teen holiday activity...this was a winner!

Y'all enjoy!





11 comments:

  1. Luke is a great kid! How good of his teenage self to spend time in the kitchen with you. I don't suppose he enjoyed the cookies. ☺️ My grands only like those frosted terrors that come from the bakery section of Wal*Mart, etc. But! I am going to look for those ELF cookies for my little great nephew and niece arriving tomorrow for a visit.

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  2. I would love to see how those cookies blended after baking. If you took a photo please show us, but then if you had, you probably would have shown us. I think it is wonderful when you can get a teenager away from their phone and actually spend quality time together, they need it so badly and many are not getting it. I think too many teens are left to fend for themselves because they won't need the care that younger children need, we forget that they are still children with values being form. They need time spent with them, this is the only way that will make them feel secure and loved. They will share their life and dreams with those that take the time to listen.
    Wow! I didn't mean to spout off so much . . . I just loved seeing this post. You're not just creating a memory of cookie baking but a bond of love :)

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  3. I think all teens (boys and girls) need to learn how to cook. With young adults going out on their own and not marrying 'til later (or never) who's gonna feed them? ha ha.

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  4. I just got those elf cookies today and can't wait to make them. That soup sounds delicious. I am cautious about eating cheese, though, because of my allergy. But I might just give it a try.

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  5. That soup looks delicious. I've been looking for new recipes and must try this one. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Yummmmmmm....

    And those Elf cookies are precious!!!!

    πŸŽ„ πŸŽ„ πŸŽ„ πŸŽ„ πŸŽ„

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  7. Great minds....I made this soup just tonight!! And agree on cooking with the grands...so much fun!! Mine are still young and think everything is FUN but I'm hoping to get them into the habit of asking to help me in the kitchen. I taught their daddys to cook at a very young age and they still talk often of times we spent together there!!

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  8. WHAT beautiful memories you made for that beautiful family!! and OH MY! how Luke has grown! He looks so much like his mom and his mom looks so much like you.....you must be so proud! it looks like your family gathering was so much fun....and of course, so elegant. Your tables?? Awesome and definitely gonna make that bark. YUM. Trying to get my turkey day post put together but we've had a bit of sadness here. My daughter in law's mom passed away yesterday morning and I've been back and forth between here and Plano keeping the grands. And trying to get Christmas decor up before a friends gathering here and recovering from the Thanksgiving week. Whew! These ol' bones are so tired. I just wanna sleep for days...

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    1. I am so very sorry that your DIL's mother has passed away...especially at this time of year....please offer our sympathies to her loss. I look forward to your Thanksgiving post and hope you all had a lovely and joyous day together....warm hugs Janey! Glad you enjoyed the soup...it's a keeper!

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  9. I will be making that soup for sure! Love seeing your Luke in the kitchen with you!

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  10. Your Italian sausage and tortellini soup looks amazing. It sounds perfect for a cold wintery day, and we had our first snowfall today. How wonderful that your grandson helped you in the kitchen with the cookies. They are darling, and I absolutely LOVE the movie Elf. Have to watch it every Christmas. This is a pretty photo of the tree still showing its Autumn colors. Always love to visit with you and see what's happening around your neck of the woods.....and especially all the creative ideas you have in your kitchen and home. : )

    Have a peaceful weekend, Betsy.

    ~Sheri

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I so love receiving your thoughts and comments. I also hope you found something that made you smile.