GLADE

Chocolate Cake Balls with Crushed Pretzel,Butterscotch,and Caramel Drizzle

Tiffany's Italian Vegetable Minestrone Soup

This Minestrone Soup is full of vegetables and has touches of Italian flavor.

1 onion (chopped)
4 garlic cloves (chopped)
2 celery (sliced)
2 carrots(sliced)
2 large potatoes (cubed)
2 cans diced tomatoes
4 cans chicken broth
4 c water
2 bullion cubes
1/4 c pecorino romano cheese
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp parsley
1 can cut green beans
1 can kidney beans (rinsed)
1 package frozen mixed vegetables
salt and pepper to taste

1 box small pasta (elbows, ditalini, small shells)

In a large pot put onions, garlic, celery and carrots with a little olive oil and cook till the onions are translucent. Add tomatoes and potatoes and cook for 10 minutes. Add cheese, basil,oregano, parsley, chicken broth and water. Cook for 1/2 hr. Add green beans, kidney beans and mixed vegetables and let cook for 1 hr. While the soup is cooking make the pasta and set aside. Salt and pepper to taste. Put cooked pasta in a bowl and pour soup over it. Sprinkle a little more Pecorino Romano on top.

Tip: Keep the pasta aside separate from the soup so it does not get mushy. If you have any left over you can also freeze the pasta and take it out to add to other soups and broths.

Homemade Cereal/Granola Bars

These are very easy and you can also use any kind of cereal,nuts, dried fruit, dried beans etc.
‎1/2 c packed brown sugar
1/2 c creamy peanut butter
1/4 c light corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 c old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 c crisp rice cereal
1/4 c miniature chocolate chips
1/3 c raisins

In a large bowl, stir together the rice cereal,oats, raisins, chocolate chips. Set aside. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Combine the brown sugar and corn syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat just until boiling, then remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Pour over the cereal and oat mixture and mix well.Press into the prepared pan using the back of a large spoon. Allow to cool and cut into rectangles.

Cake Balls

Cake Balls can be made with any flavors you like. This is very easy to do. These are great for any gathering.

1 box cake mix (for this i used red velvet mix)
1 container icing (i used vanilla)
chocolate for melting (milk chocolate)

Make the cake mix as the box says in any cake pan. Let it completely cool. Crumble the cake up in a bowl and add the icing. Mix well. Put the mixture into the refrigerator for 1 hr. Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Roll the mixture into bite sized balls.If it sticks to your hand keep them wet with water. Place the balls on the cookie sheet and put back in the refrigerator for another hour. Melt chocolate in a glass bowl in the microwave, or in a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Take out the balls and coat them in the chocolate. Use a toothpick or fork to hold them while coating. Put the coated cake balls back onto the parchment covered cookie sheet, decorate with sprinkles, nuts or coconuts (or whatever other topping you like) and place back into the refrigerator till they set.

Herbed Focaccia Bread

I love to make Italian Olive Oil Dip to go with this. This is also good with different toppings. Cant wait to try it with some fresh tomatoes, basil  and garlic on top :-)