Spicy Shrimp & Tortellini Soup

This Soup is Another Family Favorite!

This is a very spicy soup. If you are not a fan of spicy food check out my variations below.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup Olive Oil
• 2 Celery Sticks, Chopped
• 4 Garlic Cloves, Smashed & Peeled
• 2 large Shallots, Chopped
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
• 1 lb Chorizo (Spicy Pork Sausage)
• 2 Cups Dry-White Wine (Pinot Grigio)
• 1 6oz Can Tomato Paste
• 6 cups Chicken Broth
• 2 Dry Bay Leaves
• 1 pack Three Cheese Tortellini (not dry)
• 1 Pound Peeled & Deveined Shrimp (uncooked)
• 1 15oz can of Cannellini Beans (White Kidney Beans), Rinsed & Drained
• 1 Cup Fresh Basil Leaves, 
• 1 Tbs Chopped Fresh Thyme or 1 tsp dry Thyme
• Crusty Bread

Directions:

1. In a large stock pot heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the Celery, Garlic, Shallots, Salt, & Pepper. Cook until vegetables are slightly softened, 4-5 mins. 
2. Add the Chorizo. Break into pieces with a wood sppon and cook until brown, 4-5 mins. 
3. Add the Wine and scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan. 
4. Stir in Tomato Paste, Chicken Broth, and Bay Leaves. Cover, bring to a simmer, and cook at a Medium-low heat for 5 mins. 
5. Bring back to a boil, uncover, add the Pasta, Shrimp, Beans, Basil, and Thyme. Cook until the shrimp and pasta are cooked through, 4 mins. Shrimp will turn pink once cooked. 
6. Remove Bay Leaves and discard. 
7. Serve with a crusty bread. I love toasted french bread with a little butter and garlic salt. 

Tips:

• If you are not a fan of Spicy food try a mild sausage or any other favorite ground meat.
• Make sure you get the fresh 3 cheese tortellini usually found near the produce in a cooler. 

Whipped Cream Recipe

Yummy and Easy Whipped Cream!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
• 2 Tbs Powdered Sugar

Directions: 

1. Add the Cream and Sugar to a bowl and mix with an electric mixer until fluffy. If you over mix it will turn into butter. 
2. Use immediately or save refrigerated for up to 2 days. 

Tips: Add a flavor to your whipped cream by adding a little extract, cinnamon or even pumpkin spice. 

Crispy Belgian Waffle Recipe

 I Love This Waffle Recipe! My Family Goes Crazy Over These. 

I am not a fan of soggy Belgian Waffles. These get a perfect crispy texture that makes you want more! Try these and you will fall in love like we did!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups All Purpose Flour
• 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
• 3 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
• 2 Eggs, Separated
• 1 1/2 cups Whole Milk
• 1 Cup Salted Butter, Melted
• 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Directions:

1. Preheat your waffle maker. 
2. Mix together flour, sugar, and baking powder in a large bowl and set aside.
3. In another bowl beat egg yokes. Add the milk, melted butter, and vanilla and mix well. 
4. Add the liquid mixture to the flour mixture and mix until combined. 
5. With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites in a separate bowl. Beat until stiff peaks form. 
6. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the egg whites into the batter until just combined. Do not over mix. 
7. Spray the waffle maker with cooking oil. Add your batter and cook the waffles according to your waffle maker. 
8. Once cooked remove them from the waffle maker. Serve immediately with whipped cream (Recipe) and fresh sliced strawberries or with your favorite syrup! 

• Tips:  If you do not serve and eat immediately spread them out to cool. If you stack them, the steam will be trapped and make them soggy. Once cooled you can freeze to reheat later. When reheating them, let them defrost and then pop them in the toaster to get the crisp texture back. 

Halloween Pumpkin Bucket Light

This is such a fun and cute way to decorate for Halloween! Simple, Easy and Cheap!

Get a plastic pumpkin bucket at your local store or the dollar store. They are usually around $1. Remove the handles from the bucket.

Depending on the type of light fixture you have you will have to figure out how to attach it. I removed the glass part of my fixture and just slid the bucket on. The screws that were sticking out for the glass attachment are holding on the bucket for me. Another way to attach the bucket would be to cut it and wrap it around your fixture. 

If you are worried about the bulb being too hot, use LED bulbs!