January 8, 2010

Italian Sub Stoup and Garlic Toast Floaters



I have to give credit for this recipe to Rachel Ray's 30 minute meals and it is yummy. We really enjoyed it and if you like italian foods you will too. So here is the recipe for those who would like to give it a try.

2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil plus 1/4 c. for croutons
3/4 lb sweet italian sausage
1/4 lb stick pepperoni, diced
1 ham steak diced
1 green bell pepper, quartered and sliced
1 medium yellow onion, quartered and sliced
1 can diced tomatoes
salt and pepper
6 cups of chicken stock (I did use a little more)
1/2 lb gemelli pasta
5 c. cubed crusty bread
3 large garlic cloves
1/2 c grated parmigiano-reggiano
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (I didnt use these)
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
2 bunches arugula, trimmed and coarsely chopped (about 4 cups) (I didnt use these)

Directions

Place a soup pot or deep sided skillet on the stove top and preheat to medium high heat. Add olive oil, 2 turns of the pan and the sausage. Brown and crumble the sausage, drain off excess fat if necessary then add the ham and pepperoni. Cook meats together 2 minutes then add peppers and onions and cook 2 or 3 minutes more. Add diced tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Add chicken stock and bring stoup to a boil. Stir in pasta and cook for 8 minutes. Make croutons while pasta cooks.

In a large skillet heat about 1/4 cup of olive oil, 4 turns of the pan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add bread to garlic oil, toss and toast the cubes 5 or 6 minutes. Season the toasty cubes with red pepper flakes, oregano and lots of grated cheese.

Stir arugula into soup just before you serve it up. Ladle up the stoup and float several toasty garlic bread cubes in each bowl.

January 7, 2010

My Harris Teeter Shopping Trip


Harris Teeter is having super doubles this week, doubling all coupons up to $1.98 and 20 per household per day. My grand total was 103.18, I saved 110.68...yay! You cant see everything very good, but this included 2 boxes of laundry detergent, 3 packs chicken breast, 2 family packs cube steak, 2 packs stew beef, tenderloin, 2 packs bacon, pack of ham steaks, 2 packs of shredded cheese, 2 boxes of special k bars and 2 boxes of special k cereal. I love to get deals like these, did any of you make a trip to Harris Teeter this week?

January 6, 2010

Christmas

Hello everyone, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year. We had a very good Christmas, but very busy. The kids got way to much stuff as usual, and we eat way to much. The kids both got a nintendo ds and when they opened their boxes their faces were priceless, you see we told them we couldn't get them so they were totally surprised.



They both wanted some boots, Bryanna wanted pink boots and BW wanted toy story boots. Of course Bryanna got littlest pet shop stuff, a keyboard, some clothes and a few other things. BW got a few more pokemon, a batman cave, a Mr Potato Head along with a few more things. Still missed daddy being here and I think it made things even worse without my brother being home for Christmas(he had to work), but we did enjoy the family time together that we had. I enjoy spending time with my family because you never know when they will be here no longer. Every moment I have with them is precious.