Happy New Year!

Christmas found me making Sugar Cookies and other Christmas cookies for the holidays.

Now it is time to prepare for New Years Festivities. Here's the recipe for Bizcochos which I grew up with during the Christmas and New Years holidays. So, I've received a supply of tamales from my dear older sister in San Antonio, TX along with spices which I cannot find in Alabama (the land of strict immigration laws which has in turn resulted in a scarcity of ethnic items).

Now, then next it is time to make Polvorones, Bunuelos and Bizcochitos. Mom made the most fabulous Bunuelos, crunchy sweet and huge, here is her recipe and also my grandmother's Polvorones (sand tarts that melt in your mouth).

Here are the recipes!

Bunuelos
 2 lbs self rising flour
3 eggs
3/4 can beer
1 pinch salt

Mix dough with a fork and cover with a wet cloth.  Put it in the fridge to chill for 3 -4 hours.
Take dough out of the fridge, roll into 38 balls, cover with damp cloth and roll each ball out .

Cook them one at a time in hot oil over medium heat. Place on paper towels to drain and then dredge in a bowl with 3 cups of sugar and lots of cinnamon. Store tightly covered.

Polvorones
2 1/2 c flour
1/2 lb butter or margarine
1/2 c confectioners sugar
1/2 t vanilla
Additional confectioners sugar

Sift flour, cream butter and 1/2 c sugar. Add flour and vanilla and mix well. Roll out on floured board and cut into circles or make 1" balls by hand and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.

Bake 15 minutes at 400 degrees!

Remove from sheet and roll in sugar.

Hope everyone enjoys a Happy New Year!

the Chrismas Holidays are upon us! Soup time!

Today marks the first day of December. I have a new toy, got an IPad, formally received my copyrights to my first two books, been writing and just received the proof for my third book and must start redlining it. Have yet to start my Christmas cards, just put up the Christmas tree, steamed my rugs in the house and have been trying quite a few recipes. Specifically cooking and testing soup recipes as I am co-chairing a benefit luncheon which consists of soups and stews. Being that we are very are very close to winter - best to serve hearty satisfying soups on a cold winter evening.

Here are the latest versions of soup recipes I have been dabbling with! Enjoy!

Goulash

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

2 medium uncooked onion(s), chopped
2 clove(s) garlic clove(s), minced (medium)
4 cup(s) fat-free beef broth, low sodium
1 pound(s) cooked lean beef steak
1 Tbsp paprika
1 Bay Leaf
1 Tbsp Tomato Paste
2 tsp white vinegar
1 tsp black pepper
3 medium cooked potato(es), red or white
2 medium uncooked baby carrots
1 cup(s) fresh tomato(es)
1 tsp dried marjoram

Instructions

Brown onions in oill, add garlicc the last two minutes. till soft (about 5 mins). Add broth, beef, paprika, herbs and pepper and bring to a boil, reduce heat. Simmer covered for 45 mins. Increase heat, stir in potatoes and carrots. Bring to slight boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes or until vgetables are done. Add tomato and cook till heated through.

Serve hot.

Green Chile Stew

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

8 Whole Green Chilies, peeled, coarsely chopped
1 pound(s) ground turkey
28 oz canned tomatoes, chopped
3 medium onions, chopped
1 link(s) Chorizo veggie protein sausages, browned (or lean pork or beef chorizo)
3 clove(s) garlic clove(s), minced (medium)
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 cup(s) fat-free chicken broth
1 large uncooked zucchini, chopped

Instructions

Brown turkey and onion in oil in a large pot, add garlic and cook 30 seconds longer. In another pan brown chorizo in Pam, discard juices when chorizo is browned. Add all the rest of ingredients to large pot . Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Serve hot with corn tortillas. Refrigerate leftovers.

Hearty Chicken Vegetable Soup

14 1/2 oz canned diced tomatoes

3 item(s) Herb-Ox Low-Sodium Instant Chicken Broth & Seasoning
2 medium uncooked carrot(s)
2 medium uncooked onion(s)
2 rib(s) uncooked celery, sliced (large)
1 medium uncooked zucchini
3/4 serving(s) uncooked macaroni
2 clove(s) garlic clove(s) (medium)
8 oz cooked skinless, boneless chicken breast(s), Or ground chicken
1/4 cup(s) parsley
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/3 tsp black pepper

Instructions

Bring tomatoes, bullion and 6 cups of water to a boil. Add onions, carrots, celery, zucchini, macaroni and garlic to pot. reduce and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in chciken parsley, pepper and salt. Reduce the heat and cook for 10 minute more. Serve hot.

Pasta e Fiagioli (with Turkey)

1 Tbsp canola oil

1 medium uncooked onion(s), chopped
1 medium uncooked carrot(s), chopped
2 clove(s) garlic clove(s), minced (medium)
1 tsp chili powder
14 1/2 oz canned diced tomatoes
4 cup(s) reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 oz uncooked pasta, small variety about 1/2 cup
15 1/2 oz canned great northern beans, rinsed and drained
3 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
2 rib(s) uncooked celery, chopped (medium)
8 oz uncooked 99% fat-free ground turkey breast
3 slice(s) crisp cooked bacon, diced

Instructions

Heat the oil in a large nonstick saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chili powder; cook 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes are softened and the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes.

Stir in the broth and pasta; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, until the pasta is tender and the soup thickens slightly, about 8 minutes. Add the beans and heat though. Remove from the heat, then sprinkle with the cheese and pepper. Yields generous 1 cup per serving.

Pintos with Chorizo

1 pound(s) dry pinto beans

2 slice(s) uncooked bacon
1 link(s) Chorizo sausages (your choice, veggie or beef or pork)
1 tsp black pepper

Instructions

Soak beans in water and 1 tsp baking soda overnight.

In the morning rinse beans3 times, add water to cover, black pepper, bacon and heat in a crock pot on low all day. The last 2 hours add cooked chorizo and simmer until beans are done.

Salt to taste after beans are done.

Serve with Corn Bread.