DELICIOUS AND GOOD FOR YOU CHORIZO AND VEGETABLE CREAM SOUP

To make it extra delicious, sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the top of your soup.

Do any of you enjoy soup?  I love a good soup, especially a hearty soup for dinner.  Try this one, you won’t be disappointed.  The original inspiration for this soup came from www.JennySteffens.blogspot.com.  Do all your chopping before you start.  The vegetable amounts are approximate, if you have some favorite vegetables, feel free to add or substitute as you see fit.  Chopped tomatoes could be substituted for the crushed tomatoes.

 

Chorizo in the Dutch Oven on the stove with the casing removed.

 

The chorizo is cooked and crumbled, and I have added the carrots, mushrooms, and onions.



Add the crushed tomatoes after cooking the vegetables and garlic.

After adding the chicken broth and cream, add the spinach leaves.

 

The finished soup after simmering for 15 minutes.  So yummy!

 

 



INGREDIENTS

1 pound Chorizo sausage links – I used Johnsonville.

Chopped baby carrots, approximately 16

6 ounces Baby Bella Mushrooms, sliced and/or chopped

¾ cup chopped white onion

4 cloves of garlic, minced

2 cups raw spinach leaves with stems removed

4 cups of 99% fat free chicken broth

½ to ¾ cup half and half or cream - depending on how acidic your crushed tomatoes are - see directions

1 large can crushed tomatoes – should be 3 ½ cups

Optional – you may need to add up to 2 teaspoons sugar if your crushed tomatoes are too acidic

Also optional, you may want to add grated parmesan cheese to the top of your bowl of soup to kick it up a notch.

 DIRECTIONS

·         Remove the casing from the chorizo and place it in a dutch oven on medium to high heat on your stovetop. 

·         Break up the sausage into small pieces as you are cooking it. 

·         When it is pretty well cooked, drain as much grease as you can. 

·         Add the carrot, mushrooms, and onions and cook an additional 7 minutes. 

·         Add the garlic and cook an additional 2 minutes. 

·         Next, add the crushed tomatoes. 

·         Add the chicken broth, cream, and spinach and stir well.

·         Bring to a boil, at this point, taste the soup and see if you need to add more cream or half and half and/or sugar if your soup tastes too acidic. 

·         Then lower the heat to a simmer for 15 minutes. 

 

Soup is ready!

A BOOK REVIEW OF ROSEMARY OPENS HER HEART BY NAOMI KING

 

Rosemary Opens Her Heart by Naomi King (New American Library) is one of the best Amish romance novels out there.  Naomi King is an expert at writing about relationships with plausible characters and realistic situations.  Rosemary Opens Her Heart is book two in the Home at Cedar Creek series.  It can surely stand-alone but book one, Abby Finds Her Calling is also such a wonderful book to read.  Truly this is a series that can change the way readers view their community.

 

Rosemary is a 23 year old Amish widow from Queen City, Missouri who just recently lost her husband.  She is deeply mourning her loss, and continues to wear black daily.  Rosemary and her toddler daughter, Katie, live with her widower father-in-law, Titus, and his twelve year old daughter, Beth Ann.  The whole group makes the long trip to Cedar Creek, Missouri to attend the wedding of Zanna Lambright and Jonny Ropp. 

 

When Zanna’s nephew, 22 year old Matt Lambright first sees Rosemary, he is immediately smitten.  Matt is handsome, kind, and successfully raises sheep.  And he comes on way too strong to Rosemary who is still grieving.  She tries telling him as forcefully as she can that she is not interested in him or any relationship.  But Matt doesn’t stop pursuing Rosemary.  He quickly becomes friends with Rosemary’s young daughter, Katie.  Everyone in Cedar Creek seems to be telling Rosemary how great Matt is and how she should give him a chance.

 

When Rosemary gets back to Queen City she believes she hears her deceased husband Joe telling her, “Be true to yourself now.  Follow your dreams and live your life to the fullest.”  She interprets this to mean she should move on with her life, that Joe would not have wanted her to wallow in sadness forever for him.

 

Shortly after returning to Queen City, Titus and Matt decide to combine their sheep raising businesses and Titus would move his family and herd of sheep to Cedar Creek.  Titus announces they all will be moving as soon as Matt finds a farm in Cedar Creek for Titus to buy.  Rosemary is upset with the notion that the husband or father has the final say in decisions.  She wonders if God figures that as a woman, she should be happy with whatever the men in her life provide for her.  She yearns to spread her wings and exert her independence.  Will Rosemary refuse to move to Cedar Creek?  Will Matt and Rosemary ever have a chance to be together?

 

Intertwined with the story of Rosemary and Matt, several other relationships are advanced.  This book is filled with romantic tension as well as community togetherness and charity.  This book is so uplifting, it will make readers want to act with more kindness and thoughtfulness towards their own family and neighbors.   Rosemary Opens Her Heart is truly an inspiring book; it was published November 6, 2012.



A BOOK REVIEW OF ABBY FINDS HER CALLING BY NAOMI KING

The Home at Cedar Creek series begins with book one, Abby Finds Her Calling, written by Naomi King (New American Library).  This book is so special, it has all the elements necessary for a top rated novel from the Amish genre.  Abby Finds Her Calling contains inspiration, intrigue, romance, perfect and imperfect characters, and redemption.  This book’s message is so uplifting and so very difficult to put down once you start reading.

The book starts with James Graber so excited and happy on his wedding day.  He is to marry Zanna Lambright, his 17 year old neighbor.  Zanna’s older sister, Abby, a self-declared maidel (old maid), is secretly in love with James. Sadly Abby has to break the news to James that her sister has run away and there will not be a wedding today.  James can’t believe it, Zanna had not given him any sign that she didn’t want to get married.  He is crushed and heart broken.

Within a few days, Zanna is back and reveals a secret so loathsome and shameful, her family doesn’t want to have anything to do with her, except for Abby.  Abby invites Zanna to live with her.  After encouragement from Abby, Zanna tells James the true reason she left him on the day of the wedding.

Abby is selfless as she tries to understand and help her younger sister.  She is constantly thinking of ways to help her sister and others in the community.  Through her good example, she helps to reduce the ill will directed towards Zanna, and she gives Zanna a new occupation, which lifts her spirits.  Will Zanna find a happy ending?  Is it possible that James and Abby will find happy endings?

Abby Finds Her Calling also deals with difficult subjects in a kind and sensitive manner, such as dementia in older parents, verbal abuse of children by their parents, physical abuse of a husband towards his wife.  Naomi King has written a first class Amish novel.  Abby Finds Her Calling is definitely different from other books in this genre.  It is deeper, more intense, with higher highs and lower lows.  It has an authenticity along with a spiritual depth that readers will appreciate.  Abby Finds Her Calling was published February 28, 2012.

 

 

WHAT'S COMING UP NEXT WEEK JULY 21 - JULY 25, 2014

Hello Readers!  I'm so glad the past week is over.  My husband had surgery to remove a small piece of basal cell cancer from his face on Tuesday.  It seemed like it was going to be a minor procedure but it turned out to be anything but minor. 
 
After the small bit of basal cell cancer was removed from the tip of his nose I drove him to the hospital where a plastic surgeon was to repair his nose which now had a dime size hole in it.  After three hours of surgery, he had stitches from the top of his head, down his forehead, and all over his nose, plus in back of one of his ears where the doctor took cartilage.  The doctor took skin and blood vessels from his forehead to rebuild his nose.  It is hard to imagine all the work involved to patch this dime size hole in his nose. 
 
Anyway, as bad as I was feeling for my husband, I kept thinking, at least he isn't sick with a chronic disease.  This is a bad thing but we just got it fixed and he will be as good as new given time to heal his scars.  And for that, I thank God.  Everyday I make time to thank God for all the blessings, gifts, and opportunities He has given me and my family.  Tip for the day:  Limit your time spent in the sun, and count your blessings everyday!
 
Now on to next week's posts:
 
Monday:  A book review of Abby Finds Her Calling by Naomi King.  Both Monday's and Tuesday's books by Naomi King are really uplifting and inspiring books.  Please add them to your To Be Read lists!
 
Tuesday:  A book review of Rosemary Opens Her Heart by Naomi King.
 
Wednesday:  Today's recipe is Chorizo and Vegetable Cream Soup.  This soup has it all, it is super flavorful and is simple to make.
 
Thursday:  Learn all about Amish Family Size.

Friday:  A review of Ernest Bontrager's DVD's and Booklet about his life as a former Amish, now a Mennonite.  These DVD's are very interesting!

Have a great week ahead!

10 UNUSUAL WAYS TO USE VINEGAR

It's Friday so it must be time for some frugal tips to save money.  I love finding tips to make cleaning easier and to save money on cleaning solutions.  There are many, many more tips on using vinegar, please go to www.vinegartips.com to see all the ideas out there. 

1.       For stained and smelly plastic food containers, wipe them with a cloth dampened with white distilled vinegar.  I will try this soon, I've got many plastic, stained food containers.

2.       To clean a grease splattered oven door window, saturate paper towels with full-strength white distilled vinegar and place on the glass oven door window.   Keep the oven door open for 20 minutes before wiping with a sponge.  I tried this tip and it worked somewhat but my oven door was in very bad shape.

3.       Rid your shower head or faucet of lime deposits by tying a plastic bag containing ½ cup of white distilled vinegar around it, and leaving it there for 2 – 3 hours.  Wipe down with a sponge and scrub any remaining deposits with an old toothbrush.  I tried this one and it worked beautifully.

4.       To make your toilet bowl sparkle and smell fresh, pour a cup or more of diluted white distilled white vinegar and let it sit several hours or overnight.  Scrub well with a toilet brush and flush.  I tried this and it is great, easy and so much cheaper than buying toilet bowl cleaners.

5.       Get cleaner and softer laundry by adding ¼ cup white distilled vinegar to the last rinse.  Besides removing soap, white distilled vinegar prevents yellowing, and acts as a fabric softener and static cling reducer.  I plan on trying this for sure.

6.       Soften your cuticles on your fingers and toes before manicuring them by soaking in a bowl of white vinegar for 5 minutes.  I plan on trying this one.

7.       Before applying polish, wipe your clean nails with a cotton ball that has been dipped in vinegar.  It removes natural oils from the nails so that color can adhere better.  It is reported to prevent chipping too.  I definitely want to try this.

8.       Eliminate bad breath and whiten your teeth by brushing once or twice a week with white distilled vinegar.

9.       Make your own earth-friendly window cleaner.  Mix ¼ cup rubbing alcohol and 1/3 cup vinegar in a 32 oz. spray bottle, then fill with water.  Lightly spritz on a lint free cloth and wipe down mirrors and glass.

10.   Make onion odors disappear from your hands by rubbing with white distilled vinegar.  Also, if you have burned something in the kitchen, try boiling a small amount of water with ¼ cup of white distilled vinegar.  The steam will circulate the room and eliminate the burned smell.

 

A BOOK REVIEW OF THANKFUL BY SHELLEY SHEPARD GRAY

Thankful by Shelley Shepard Gray (HarperCollins Publishers) offers several captivating storylines in book two of the Return to Sugarcreek series.  This book tells the romantic story of the Christina and Aden, two young Amish people, who started out as friends.  Many people think of them as brother and sister since Aden lives with Christina’s family.  They have grown up together but their feelings are growing more romantic towards each other.

Aden, who is unaware of how Christina feels about him, decides he needs to move out, as it would be unfair to keep living under the same roof as Christina with the strong feelings he has about her.  He feels he is doing the right thing by squashing his feelings for Christina.  In an effort to move on, while working late, he accepts a ride home and dinner invitation from an Englischer nurse.  Christina doesn't like that one bit.

Similarly when Christina has an opportunity to walk out with a new young man in town, she goes, much to Aden’s chagrin.  What will it take for Christina and Aden to admit their feelings for each other?  Will Christina’s parents ever accept the two of them having romantic feelings for each other?

The continuation of the side story of Judith and Ben is included in Thankful.  Judith has been told she will never be able to carry a baby to term, so they are looking into adoption.  Meanwhile, their adoption caseworker asks if they would consider being foster parents to a baby while the baby’s mother is in prison.  Judith and Ben have much to consider before giving their answer.  How will they cope with knowing this child will someday go back to its mother?

Jana, the 58 year old Englischer owner of Sugarcreek Inn, has her own side story in this book.  Finally a little romance is headed her way as well as some other changes to her business.

Shelley Shepard Gray has given her fans of the Amish genre a fast paced novel about the many different blessings found in the lives of ordinary people.  The message of thankfulness to God resonates throughout the pages.  Thankful reads well as a stand-alone novel, but readers will want to read the entire series.  As an extra treat, the best ever Peanut Butter Pie recipe, complements of Sherry Gore, is included at the end of the book. Thankful was published May 6, 2014.

ITALIAN BAKED MEATBALLS

 

This is a simple to make recipe but turns out tender and mouthwateringly delicious meatballs perfect to top spaghetti or for a meatball hoagie.  The recipe comes from my sister-in-law, Sandi Beck.  Sandi is an excellent cook, she makes it look easy to get an appealing and appetizing meal on the table using fun and scrumptious recipes.

These meatballs are baked covered, at a low temperature for a long time to fully develop the taste.

Here are your ingredients!

Meatball ingredients before they are mixed together.

Start by placing a small amount of sauce in the bottom of your 2 quart casserole dish.

Here are all your meatballs ready for more sauce on top.

After cooking for 3 hours, you get delicious tender meatballs.

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound ground chuck, at least 85%/15% mix
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
1 egg
1 jar Prego spaghetti sauce

DIRECTIONS:

Combine everything except the Prego sauce, form into meatballs, place about 1/2 cup of the Prego sauce in the bottom of a 2 quart casserole dish, place the meatballs on top of the Prego sauce, then pour the rest of the Prego sauce over the meatballs. 

Bake covered in a 225 degree oven at least three hours.

A BOOK REVIEW OF HOPEFUL BY SHELLEY SHEPARD GRAY

Shelley Shepard Gray once again proves she knows the Amish romance genre with Hopeful (HarperCollins), book one in the Return to Sugarcreek series.  The book is captivating with excellent characterization and plot development. Readers should be prepared to neglect all else until finishing the book, it is just that entertaining.

The story begins with Miriam late for work again, because she is just so bored with her life and job as a waitress at Sugarcreek Inn.  She is 25 years old and still single.  Every one of her friends seems to be moving forward in their lives, getting married or having children, except for Miriam.  There is only one person she wants to notice her and that is Junior Beiler.

Junior is the second oldest of eight children.  He has acted as father to his younger siblings since both his mother and father have died.  Somehow Junior and his older sisters have managed to keep all the siblings together and thriving.  Now Junior is ready to find someone to court and marry.  Unfortunately he is infatuated with Mary Katherine the new standoffish Amish school teacher who is also Miriam’s best friend.

Junior sees Miriam at the Sugarcreek Inn and asks her if he could stop by her home later that evening, that there is something he needs to ask her.  Miriam assumes he is coming to court her.  She is on cloud nine, thrilled that Junior has finally noticed her and that her time has come to step out.  When Junior comes over to Miriam’s home and asks her how to get Mary Katherine to date him, Miriam is devastated.  Junior apologizes for giving her the wrong impression.  She pulls herself together and agrees to help Junior with Mary Katherine.  Miriam and Junior agree that they will sit with Mary Katherine at lunch after church on Sunday.

Mary Katherine lets Junior know that the only thing she likes less than teaching school is Junior himself.  She wants nothing to do with Junior but he continues to have his heart set on her.  Everyone else doesn’t understand why Junior can’t see that Miriam is the perfect girl for Junior.  What will it take for Junior to wake up to what is right in front of him?

Hopeful tells the tale of ordinary Miriam who becomes quite extraordinary in Junior’s eyes.  Shelley Shepard Gray tells a beautiful story that includes true friendship, romance, and mystery.  And just like her past novels, Hopeful is as delicious to read as a glass of cold lemonade is on a hot summer’s day. And speaking of delicious, don't miss the Chocolate Cream Pie recipe in the back of the book!  Hopeful was published on February 4, 2014.

A BOOK REVIEW OF RUMSPRINGA'S HOPE BY BETH SHRIVER

Rumspringa’s Hope by Beth Shriver (Realms) is book one in The Spirit of the Amish series.  This novel tells the story of Emma, Zeb, and Caleb.  Emma and Caleb have grown up together since childhood, now both are 23 years old but Caleb has left Lititz, Pennsylvania to evangelize in Philadelphia.  He watches over Amish youth who come to Philadelphia on Rumspringa.  Zeb is a 33 year old widower who wants to marry Emma and combine his farm with Emma’s family farm.

Emma always imagined that she would end up with Caleb, but he broke her heart when he left Lititz and didn’t come back for her.  Emma is thrilled to learn that after being gone for a year, Caleb is rumored to be back in town to chaperone a new group of Rumpringers to Philadelphia.  Now Emma’s brother Mark wants to go with Caleb.  Mark is restless, unwilling to listen to anyone, yearning to be on his own, to have an adventure without supervision.  Emma worries his impulsive nature will get him in trouble in the big city.

Zeb is pressuring Emma to marry him but while he is nice and good to her, she still thinks of Caleb.  Caleb explains to Emma about his evangelizing work in Philadelphia and Emma starts to think about going to Philadelphia with Mark.  She tells her parents she is going to Philadelphia and will keep an eye on Mark so he doesn’t get in trouble.  Emma also tells her parents she will make sure he comes back to Lititz.  Telling Zeb won’t be so easy.  He doesn’t want her anywhere near Caleb.  Emma feels her future is with Zeb but wants this time in Philadelphia before she marries Zeb.

Beth Shriver has penned a beautiful story of two Amish youths trying to make the outside world a better place by spreading the word of God.  Rumspringa’s Hope is filled with adventures and interesting characters, some lovable and others cringe worthy.  The plot moves right along covering subject matter not usually found in Amish fiction, but it all works together to make this into a book that readers will not be able to put down until the last page is turned.  Rumspringa’s Hope was published May 6, 2014.

WHAT'S COMING UP JULY 14 - JULY 18, 2014

I'm so excited to post this week's book reviews.  Beth Shriver and Shelley Shepard Gray are both excellent authors and these books are a delight to read.  Amish genre readers are so blessed with the ever increasing number of talented Amish romance authors that are feeding our need to read more books.  If you are like me, you don't like when the book ends but love the happy endings.

Monday:  A book review of Rumspringa's Hope by Beth Shriver.

Tuesday:  A book review of Hopeful by Shelley Shepard Gray.

Wednesday:  Today's recipe is super delicious Italian Baked Meatballs.

Thursday:  A book review of Thankful by Shelley Shepard Gray.

Friday:  Here are 10 Tips on Using Vinegar, make cleaning easier and more frugal too.