The temperatures continue to drop as we move closer to winter, and just yesterday I awoke to see snow covering the ground. Just thinking about several more months of snow-covered landscapes sends a chill up my spine.
But a couple of things that can battle the cold temperatures and help keep the chill away are a great bowl of hot soup or a hearty pasta to warm your tummy.
I received recipes from two readers this week! One is from across the country in California, and the other is across the county near Etna Green.
The first recipe for crock pot hamburger vegetable soup comes from Jennine Bentz of Indio, Calif. Jennine is a former Warsaw resident who makes the soup for her family.
"Here is a crock pot soup that I make, and we really enjoy it," Jennine wrote.
Hamburger
Vegetable Soup
2 pounds hamburger
2 large cans of tomatoes
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Salt & pepper
1 cup chopped onion
3 carrots, cut up
6 potatoes, cut up
4 stalks celery, cut up
1/3 head cabbage, cut in pieces.
Brown hamburger and drain. Pour two large cans of tomatoes in a 5-quart crock pot and add the meat.
Add rest of ingredients to crock pot and add water to cover completely. Cook on low all day.
"This can also be cooked on the stove for a shorter amount of time but I like the smell of it cooking all day," Jennine added. "I don't usually add the cabbage as we aren't cabbage eaters."
*****
The second reader to submit recipes this week hails from the Etna Green area.
Jill VanSickle wrote, "Add me to the rapidly growing list of folks who read and enjoy your column.
"Since cooking is at the bottom of my list of things to do in the summer, in the winter I concentrate on long cook, hearty, one-dish meals.
"Last week I tried the chicken mushroom and barley soup. Yummy, and better the second day. A bit too much soy sauce for me. I'll cut it down next time. This week the hearty vegetable soup is on my menu.
"I really like the fact that so far most recipes can be made with ingredients already in my pantry or freezer. The crispy pretzel bars will entail a trip to town but they are on my 'to do' list.
"Here is a favorite recipe that was originally found in 'A Taste of Home' magazine. Since we prefer our dishes to be vegetable-heavy rather than meat-heavy I did some adjustments."
Cabbage Goulash
1 pound ground beef
1 large onion
1-28 ounce can diced tomatoes
1-6 ounce can tomato paste
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper, opt.
10 cups shredded cabbage
In a large kettle, brown beef and onion: drain off fat. Add remaining ingredients except cabbage and mix well.
Stir in cabbage and simmer 15-20 minutes or until cabbage is tender.
(The original recipe called for an additional 1-pound of sausage, but Jill thinks that is too much meat and said she usually doesn't have ground sausage on hand.)
*****
Jill also sent a recipe for a hearty pasta.
"This one dish recipe was found on the inside of the feta cheese package and it is one of my husband's favorites. It is really quick, easy, and has a wonderful blend of flavors."
Feta Pasta
8 ounces or 1/2 box penne pasta. (You can substitute elbow macaroni)
1-10 ounce package of frozen chopped spinach, thawed with most of the water squeezed out
1/2 cup chopped onion (green onion is nice, but any will do)
1-28 ounce can diced tomatoes
1-8 ounce package of Feta cheese (this comes in a block or crumbled, but I like the block best)
Cook pasta according to instructions on back of package.
Drain water from pasta and add the spinach, onion and tomato.
Stir gently. Heat about 2-5 minutes or until warm.
Crumble up Feta cheese and add to pasta.
Heat 2 minutes, give or take, until cheese is warm.
*****
All three of these recipes sound tasty. Thanks for your submissions ladies - I'm sure there will be a lot of people keeping warm by eating these hearty dishes.
And now I have another request - cookie recipes! The holidays are quickly approaching and I know many people enjoy baking a variety of different cookies to give to family and friends.
I am always looking for new cookie recipes as well as old favorites. I plan to run as many cookie recipes as possible in this column early December, so get out those recipe boxes and send some in - I need your help to reach my goal.
What's my goal? I would like to get so many cookie recipes that I need to request an extra page to share all of them with all of you!
