Sticky Buns

Christmas is next week!!!!! You read that right……Christmas is next week!  As it is every year, the season has flown by!  I couldn’t let the holidays get by without sharing this Sticky Buns recipe with you.  If you love the idea of homemade cinnamon rolls but are either intimidated to make them or running short on time, these are the perfect solution!

These Sticky Buns are like a cinnamon roll but without all the work!  The secret that makes these so easy is frozen dinner rolls!

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Buckeyes

Can you believe we are already a week into December? It’s time to get down to business with our Christmas treats!  Today I’m bringing you  my family’s recipe for Buckeyes.  I have to say, these buckeyes and Peanut Butter Fudge are my two favorite Christmas candies!

If you are not familiar with a buckeye, they are a homemade peanut butter ball dipped in melted chocolate.  Think Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup in a bite sized form. 

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Classic Chex Mix

Christmas is in full swing everywhere I go and it seems like it will be here in no time.  So today I’m bringing you the recipe for my go-to neighbor gift.  Classic Chex Mix.  There is no better snack!  I don’t think you can change my mind!  Everyone loves it and it’s one of the things my family looks the most forward to during the holiday season!

I know that Chex Mix is readily available in stores these days.  But, in my opinion, it doesn’t come close to comparing to this classic recipe. 

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Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

With Thanksgiving coming up next week, I thought this would be the perfect time to share my Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese recipe with you.  With so many things to keep warm up until meal time, this Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese stays warm in the slow cooker which makes it a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving!

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Chocolate Chip Cheeseball

Can you believe it is November?  I know I say this every year, but I don’t know where they year has gone.  Since time if flying by so quickly, we need to get into holiday mode here on the blog.  So I’m going to be sharing some recipes from now until Christmas that will be good for holiday gatherings.  Today I bring you the ever-popular Chocolate Chip Cheeseball!

This is not your ordinary cheeseball!  Most people automatically think savory when they hear the word cheeseball.  I’m sure you figured out by the name that this one is sweet.  It’s definitely a new take on an old favorite.

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Magic Cookie Bars

If you are looking for something decadent to make, these Magic Cookie Bars are your answer!  Over the years, I’ve learned these bars go by many different names.  Some call them Hello Dolly’s, some call them 7 Layer Bars and I’ve even seen them just called Magic Bars.  Whatever they are called, just know they are rich and delicious!

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Chicken Casserole

Hey there!!!!  It’s been way too long since I’ve shared a recipe with you.  Things got crazy in the spring with my oldest graduating from high school and heading off to college this fall.  But I’m back now just in time to bring you some great recipes that are perfect for fall and the holidays!

The weather finally started to turn fall-like here in So Ill this past weekend.  Once that happens, my mind instantly goes to comfort food.  Today I’m sharing my husband’s grandma’s chicken casserole recipe.  It is one of the ultimate comfort foods.  This was her signature dish to bring to anyone if they had recently had a baby, a death in the family or she just wanted to show you love.

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Banana Pudding

Easter is Sunday!  I always enjoy Easter because to me that signals that we have made it through winter.  Thank goodness that is behind us!  If you are looking for an Easter dessert that can be made ahead of time and is a crowd-pleaser, then you are going to want to add this Banana Pudding recipe to your menu!

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Stromboli AKA The Big Game Sandwich

My family is looking forward to watching the Super Bowl this weekend.  While I do love football, I have to admit that my favorite part of the Super Bowl is not football or the commercials but the FOOD!  Once we know what teams are going to be playing, we start on our menu.  The one thing that is on our Super Bowl Menu EVERY.SINGLE.YEAR is this Stromboli or as we call it The Big Game Sandwich.

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Nordstrom Cafe’s Tomato Basil Soup

Nordstrom Cafe’s Tomato Basil Soup is one of their most popular menu items.  This make at home recipe shared by their chef is identical to what you get in the cafe.  Olive oil and some vegetables are sauteed and combined with tomatoes, broth, cream and fresh basil to make the most delicious soup.  You don’t need to go to a fancy cafe to enjoy restaurant quality tomato soup!

I think it’s safe to say that it’s Soup Season.  There are very few places it’s not cold or at least chilly right now.  When we are in the middle of winter I could eat soup every day.  Luckily, for me, my family likes soup too.  Not sure they would eat it every day, but they are definitely on board with it once a week!  I try to rotate so we don’t repeat too often, but this Tomato Basil Soup from Nordstrom Cafe is one that could easily be on repeat.

Have you ever noticed that recipes that have simple ingredients are sometimes the best.  Well, that’s definitely the case with this one!  I never really liked tomato soup before, but this one is so delicious!  If all you’ve had is the canned stuff, give this one a try.  I promise it doesn’t even compare.  Just think of a really good pasta sauce but in soup form.

What you need to make Nordstrom Cafe’s Tomato Basil Soup

  • olive oil
  • onion
  • carrots
  • dried basil
  • tomatoes
    • You need to use a good quality tomato for this soup.  I like San Marzano.
  • broth
  • heavy cream
  • fresh basil
  • kosher salt
  • black pepper

Not only do I love the flavors of this soup, it is very easy to make.  There are no roasting tomatoes involved in this recipe.  If you use good quality canned tomatoes like San Marzano you won’t need to.  The most complicated part of this recipe is chopping some onion and carrots.  You saute those and let the vegetable broth and tomatoes simmer for a while and that’s about it. You can have restaurant quality Tomato Basil Soup in under an hour!

How to make this recipe

You will start by sauteing the onions and carrot in a dutch oven.  Let them cook until the vegetables start to soften and caramelize.  This is where good flavor will start to develop.  Once the vegetables have begin to caramelize, add the salt, pepper and dried basil.  Let these cook for an additional minute.  The basil will become fragrant.

Add the tomatoes and broth to the pot and let them simmer for 20-25 minutes.  Next, add the cream and let it simmer for 5 more minutes.  After the cream has cooked in the soup for 5 minutes, add the fresh basil and puree the smooth until smooth.

 

 

There are very few good things that have came out of this global pandemic but Nordstrom Cafe sharing their Tomato Basil Soup on Instagram was definitely one of them!  The fact that the recipe is not complicated makes it even more of a winner!

Nordstrom Cafe's Tomato Basil Soup

Nordstrom Cafe's Tomato Basil Soup is one of their most popular menu items.  This make at home recipe shared by their chef is identical to what you get in the cafe.  Olive oil and some vegetables are sauteed and combined with tomatoes, broth, cream and fresh basil to make the most delicious soup.  You don't need to go to a fancy cafe to enjoy restaurant quality tomato soup!

Course Soup
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 1/3 c extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped (about 8 oz.)
  • 1 c carrots, peeled and finely chopped
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tsp dried basil
  • 56 oz. San Marzano or Italian Style plum tomatoes in juice
  • 1 quart vegetable stock
  • 16 oz. heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 oz fresh basil leaves

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large dutch oven over medium high heat. Add onion and carrots. Let cook 3-4 minutes until vegetables soften and start to caramelize.

  2. Add salt, pepper and dried basil. Stir and let cook for 1 minute.

  3. Add tomatoes and broth. Cook 20-25 minutes on a low simmer.

  4. Add cream and cook 5 more minutes.

  5. After cream has cooked for 5 minutes, add fresh basil and puree soup with an immersion or regular blender. Make sure soup is completely pureed.

  6. Serve in bowls with additional fresh basil for garnish.

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