Tortellini Soup

Just like the rest of the country, Florida has been under a cold snap. I have lived in Florida my entire life and I can’t remember in any recent years where it has been this cold for this long. There was two weeks were the temperature did not get above 45 degrees with lows below freezing every night. While that might sound like no big deal to you but to us it was torture.


There were a couple of good things that happened because of the cold snap. One was I didn’t have enough cold weather clothes so I told my husband I had to go shopping. Those words normally could give my husband a heart attack since when I shop, I mean I shop!! But we just bought him a new car to go with his new promotion, so he couldn’t say a thing.

The second good thing to happen was I decided to try a soup recipe. I got this recipe from Slim Shoppin'. I love this site. She gives such good advice on dieting and healthy eating and it has some awesome health conscious recipes. This recipe for Tortellini Soup was awesome. My husband and I both loved it and he said it was a definite keeper for our normal rotation.

I made slight variations because of what I had on hand. You can find the recipe here. My variation did not have the snap peas or the basil leaves. Enjoy!



Until Next Time,

Christine

9 degrees in Florida

Okay so here in Tampa it didn’t get down to 9 degrees but it did get down to 17 last night and there were snow sightings the night before. That is right, you heard me. Snow in the middle of Florida!! The last time that happened I wasn’t even born. However all of this cold weather has brought back the memories of recent trip the hubby and I took.


The husband and I took a trip to Orlando (the land of the larger than life mouse). We spent the day attending an attraction called ICE! It is the only place (at the time) that was 9 degrees in Florida. It is this entire winter wonderland that is created entirely from ice. What these people created is absolutely awe inspiring! Here are some photos from our adventures at ICE!

Old Man Winter

I was freezing sitting on the merry go round.

He sooo didn't want his picture taken.

A nativity scene that was spectacular.

My absolute fav was this angel. So beautiful.

Until Next Time,
 
Christine

Paper Bag Apple Pie

Around the holidays I always bake apple pies. Every couple of years I will try a new recipe but I always end up back baking my standard recipe. It is such a classic and so simple. It is a little different in the sense that you bake the pie in a big brown bag inside of the oven. My husband thinks that it is one of the best apple pies he has ever tasted, I think he just says that so I will make it more often.


I actually started using this recipe when I was 12. I picked up a recipe book that was made by some church group for 25 cents at a garage sale that summer. This recipe ended up being the only one I ever made from that book but I think the 25 cents was worth it. Hope you enjoy.



Paper Bag Apple Pie

• Unbaked 9” pie shell

• 7 cooking apples (tart)

• 1 cup sugar

• ½ cup plus 2 tbsp flour

• ¼ tsp cinnamon

• ¼ tsp nutmeg

• 2 tbsp lemon juice

• ½ cup butter or margarine, softened



Place prepared crust in a pan. Heat the oven to 400 degrees.

Pare apples, cut each quarter in half making 8 good-size chunks. Slice smaller if you wish.

In large bowl, toss apple chunks with a mixture of ½ cup sugar, 2 tbsp. flour and spices until coated.

Fill pie with apples and sprinkle with lemon juice.

Thoroughly mix ½ up flour, ½ cup sugar, ½ cup butter into soft paste. Spread over apples. Press down gently.

Place pie in paper bag; fasten open end with paper clip. Set on cookie sheet and place in center of oven. Bake one hour and cool on rack for 10 minutes before carefully removing from the bag.



Until Next Time,

Christine