Garlicky Tomato Tortellini Soup

Years ago I went for lunch at my friend Jeanette’s and she made this amazing soup from SCRATCH in just a few minutes! It was #lifechanging and she was kind enough to share the recipe with me. There are not too many recipes I know from heart but this is definitely one of them. It is a family favourite that has been made for 30 of my family members at our yearly Greenwater trips, at scrapbook retreats and day events. It is perfect when you have had a long day but are short on time to make a healthy meal for your family. I recently treated some girls to this so I thought I should share it with everyone. It originally came from a Best of Bridge cook book (don’t ask me which one, hahaha!) and this is what Jeanette shared with me:

Garlicky Tomato Tortellini Soup

1 tbsp butter

6-8 cloves of garlic, chopped (I do substitute in dried garlic)

4 cups of chicken broth

a bag of fresh tortellini (I use cheese tortellini and often mine is frozen so I toss it in there as such)

1 large can of diced tomatoes (I use the ones with Italian seasonings added)

10 oz bag of spinach

8-10 fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped

parmesan cheese for garnish

Melt butter in large pot and saute garlic for about 2 minutes. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add the tortellini and cook halfway, about 5 min. Add tomatoes and their liquid. Bring to boil and then reduce heat to simmer. Cook until pasta is tender. Stir in the spinach and basil and cook until wilted, about 1-2 min. Serve sprinkled with parmesan cheese. Or any cheese really, how can you go wrong?

Oreo Popcorn

This is the easiest recipe I have! 3 ingredients—microwave popcorn, Wilton Candy Melts and Oreos! To create this you will need 2-3 bags of microwave popcorn, one bag of white candy melts and one bag of Oreo’s (crushed). Toss the popcorn and Oreos in a huge bowl, melt your chocolate, pour on top and shake everything to coat. Set out on waxed paper or tin foil to harden. I store mine in an airtight container but it actually doesn’t last that long!

This is one of my kids favourite treats. It is requested a lot as a treat to take to share at school with friends and is basically a Christmas staple!

Good Morning Granola

I have been making this granola recipe, ripped from a Martha Stewart magazine, for at least 10 years. One would think I would know it from heart (I do not!). Here it is…

Makes 6 1/2 cups

1/2 c shredded coconut

4 cups old fashioned rolled oats (not quick oats!)

1/4 c toasted wheat germ (sometimes I substitute flax)

1/4 c sunflower seeds

1 c coarsely chopped almonds

1 tbsp sesame seeds

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 c honey

1/2 c melted butter

1/2 c golden raisins (you can omit if you are not a raisin fan)

Heat oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment and toast coconut (approx 5 min). Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Reduce oven temp to 300. Line two baking sheets with parchment and set aside. In a large bowl mix all dry ingredients together except the raisins. In a smaller bowl mix the honey and butter together and pour over oat mixture. Stir well and spread on baking sheets. Bake until golden, approx 25 min. Transfer to a rack to cool. Break up granola, mix in coconut and raisins. Store in an airtight container and ENJOY!

Seriously, try this with your yogurt!

I eat this every single morning. Fun fact!

Brenda's Banana Bread

Over the years there is one class treat that I have shared repeatedly and always with fan fair! I am going to share my secret not so secret Banana Bread recipe with you. I believe the origin of this recipe came from my mom. I always write my favourite recipe’s on recipe cards and in the top corner I write who shared this recipe with me. Its a part of memory keeping!

Brenda’s Banana Bread

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, beaten

4 ripe bananas, mashed

1 1/2 cup flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp vanilla

Grease and flour a muffin tin pan (I use the square muffin pan from Pampered Chef). Add the butter to sugar and cream; add eggs and bananas and combine. Separately, sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture and combine. Add vanilla. You can add in chocolate chips too! I usually toss a couple of handfuls in.

Bake for 25 min at 350! Enjoy!