Keeping Warm With Soups and Treats

We are experiencing frigid weather here in the Dallas area. 

Our "feels like" temperature in the afternoon is 5 degrees.  I covered my shrubs with frost cloth in hopes that they will survive, and I have my shutters all closed in hopes of keeping in the heat.  My tea is in front of my electric fireplace again and I changed out the framed art to roses  in keeping my theme.  

My pretty roses teacup and teapot are from dear friends of mine, and the roses are from Trader Joe's.  The beautiful platter is from Portugal, but bought at Ross years ago.  

One of my all-time favorite comforting soups is White Chili.  My beloved hubby loved this one and it's so good!

Yield: 5

Author: Kitty

White Chili

This recipe came from a November 1994 Good Housekeeping magazine, but I've adapted it to a slow cooker. I've never tried another white chili recipe because this one is so good!

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves or around 8 chicken tenders, cut in 1" chunks
• 1 can white kidney beans, drained
• 1 can garbanzo beans, drained
• 1 can white corn, drained, or frozen white corn kernels
• 2 cans chopped mild green chilies
• 2 cans chicken broth
• hot pepper sauce, to taste
• Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

Instructions

1. Over medium heat, cook the onion, garlic & cumin in the hot oil, until onion is tender.
2. In slow cooker, combine the onion mixture with the chicken, beans, corn, green chilies & broth. Cover & cook on high for 4-5 hours, or on low for 7-8 .
3. Serve with shredded cheese. I like to add slices of avocado & a dollop of sour cream.

Notes

You can use two cans of Great Northern Beans in place of the other two.

This Pasta Fagioli Soup is perfect for winter!  If you'd like to try the instant pot version, check it out here.  I just prefer to get it ready and have it cooking all day.  

Yield: 6-8

Author: Kitty

Pasta Fagioli Soup

This is such a wonderful soup and I've had friends say that they like it better than Olive Garden's.

Ingredients

• 1 can Great Northern beans, drained
• 1 lb. ground beef or Italian sausage, browned and drained
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans beef or chicken broth
• 2 14.5 oz. cans diced tomatoes
• 1/2 teaspoon, pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon, marjoram
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, optional
• 1 teaspoon, dried basil
• 1 teaspoon, dried oregano
• 3 cups of cooked small pasta, like ditalini

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients EXCEPT pasta, and put in slow cooker. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. Add the cooked pasta before serving & stir to combine, or put a scoop of pasta into the bowl and add the soup on top. To garnish, sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Notes

I like to keep the pasta separate so as not to get mushy in the soup.

I had been wanting to make these cookies at Christmas, but finally got to them.

Yield: depends on the cut, but I got 36

Author: Kitty, but recipe is from my friend, Ann, whose late mom got it in the 1970's

Caramelitas

This is an easy cookie. I did use my homemade caramels and melted them down, since I had them leftover.

Ingredients

• 1 roll of chocolate chip cookie dough or a tray of 12 unbaked chocolate chip cookies
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 32 caramels, unwrapped
• 1/4 cup canned milk (I used about 1 tablespoon of heavy cream)
• about 1/2 cup of pecans, chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Press the dough into the bottom of a 9" square baking dish. (Next time I will line with parchment paper).
3. Bake for around 25 minutes, until golden but still soft.
4. Sprinkle the top with the chocolate chips and spread over the top after they have melted.
5. Melt the caramels with the milk until they are smooth. Spread this on top of the chocolate layer.
6. Add the pecans. Let cool a bit and then refrigerate before cutting them.

I was able to attend Mass with Harper and her whole school, and go to her basketball game where she scored six points and her team won!  The girls are skiing with their parents and enjoying ice cream and treats.  Harper is skiing on black diamond trails...eek!!

Thank you for your visit!  xo

I'm sharing with these parties:

Talking About It Tuesdays

Love Your Creativity Link Party

Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's Country Cottage