Soups & Salads
Wow I can’t believe how time has flown. I originally posted this in 2010 right after we moved here. Haha… the joke was on me. I just THOUGHT it was an unusually hot summer in Texas. We have had 3 since just like it!!!
FINALLY there is a hint (and when I say a hint, I mean in the 90’s) of fall in the air. We had the most brutal summer ever in Texas. I am so glad it is over. At least we have a new record to show for it.
So I am really ready for fall food. And fall clothes, but that is another subject.
I am going to try to post one soup recipe the beginning of each week for the next several weeks. It is one of my favorite things to make. We have new neighbors moving in today, so this one is for them. I might repeat a couple that I have already posted just to have them all in one place. And you may have forgotten about them. I wasn’t posting pictures back then.
Today is Italian Sausage Soup with Gnocchi. Gnocchi is a little Italian potato thing. (I am not a writer, I am a cook!) I found it in the pasta aisle at Wal Mart. There is a regular size and a mini. I like the mini for this recipe much better if you can find it.
I have a new camera and am taking some photography classes so I hope you see an improvement.
My friend Leslie in St. Louis made this for us the night we moved out of our house. It was so comforting and sweet of her. Moving is a stressful time. When a new neighbor moves in, go over and say hi. I bought a little pepper plant for only $4 and put it in a $2 burlap bag. I hope it will brighten her day. I know it would mine.
2 neighbors have come and gone since then. One just moved in last week. I made Pumpkin Mocha Bread for them. They loved it!
Italian Sausage Soup with Gnocchi
Ingredients:
1 whole medium yellow or white onion chopped
2 stalks celery chopped
2 cloves minced garlic, either fresh or 2 tsp. of the pre minced in a jar
1 lb. Italian mild sausage or sweet either in links or bulk
Remove the sausage from the casings and place in a large dutch oven. Break it up with a spoon and brown for a few minutes, then add the rest of the above. Cook until all the pink is gone in the sausage..
Drain in a colander then return to pan. Add:
8 cups of chicken stock
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. dried basil (fresh is really good if you want to go to the extra expense)
1/8 tsp. thyme
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup fresh parsley chopped
2 Tbs. sugar
Also add:
1 – 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 – 28 oz. can petite diced tomatoes
2 small green zucchini cut into chunks
2 small yellow zucchini cut into chunks
2 cups, or one half 10 oz. bag matchstick carrots
Bring to a boil then turn down to simmer for 10 minutes. (simmer longer if you have time)
Add one cup uncooked mini gnocchi (I found it at Wal Mart in the pasta aisle). Turn burner off and let sit 30 minutes. Go watch the 5:30 news and supper will be ready at 6:00.
Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!
Remember…….whatever you are……be a good one.
