Tag: meal planning

Food, mustard seed sentinel

Easy Tomato Soup

meghanewhite

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A warm bowl of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich are the epitome of comfort food. I grew up eating tomato soup from a can, which is perfectly fine. Homemade tomato soup is so much better tasting than any canned soup. This simple recipe is delectable and easy to make. It’s also budget friendly.

You can make this creamy, or leave it with some tomato chunks. I prefer a creamy tomato soup so I use my immersion blender. If you don’t have an immersion blender you can use a regular blender, or even a potato masher. 

It comes together quickly, and smells incredible as it’s simmering away on the stove top. This would make a great weeknight dinner. Add some grilled cheese sandwiches, and you’ve got a hearty meal. You’ll be glad you made this delicious tomato soup.

Happy Eating!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

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Tomato Soup

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Required equipment: immersion blender or regular blender

Ingredients 

1 stick of butter (8 tablespoons)

1 medium onion cut into large chunks

2 (28 oz.) cans crushed or whole tomatoes 

2 cups chicken broth

½ to 1 cup fresh basil, chopped

1 tablespoon sugar (optional)

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon or more of fresh ground black pepper

½ cup heavy cream

Instructions

  1. In a large pot melt butter over medium heat.
  2. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes. 
  3. Add the tomatoes with their juices, chicken broth, fresh basil, sugar, salt, and pepper.
  4. Stir and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
  5. Blend the soup using an immersion blender until creamy.
  6. Give it a taste and add more salt/pepper to your liking.
  7. Turn down the heat and stir in the heavy cream.
  8. Ladle soup into bowls. Enjoy!

Notes

  • If you use a blender just add the soup in small batches to the blender and return it back to the pot.
  • You can also use a potato masher if you don’t have an immersion blender. 
  • Dice the onion small and chop the basil if you are not using any type of blender.

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To get more of my monthly recipes go to Mustard Seed Sentinel, Meghan’s Corner.

https://www.mustardseedsentinel.com/post/meghan-s-corner-easy-tomato-soup

 

Food, mustard seed sentinel

The Best Pasta Salad

meghanewhite

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Have you ever been to a potluck where you took a scoop of some random person’s pasta salad, and it was mushy and flavorless? I have, and it was not a good experience. You take a bite, and then move on to whatever else is on your plate. The days of boring pasta salad are over. Today is an exciting day for pasta salad fans everywhere.

Even if you are not a fan of pasta salad, you will be after having this incredible one. This salad has no official name, so I have named it The Best Pasta Salad. It has wonderful flavors and texture. Cashews and celery add some delightful crunch. Red grapes, pineapple, and mandarin oranges create bursts of sweetness. The tangy dressing is subtle. 

There are ten ingredients, not including the dressing, for The Best Pasta Salad. It is a lot, but they all work together beautifully to create a flavorful salad. The chicken makes this recipe hearty. It really should be called a main dish because it’s so filling. 

This pasta salad has been used for baby showers, bridal showers, potlucks, barbeques, parties, and family meals. The original recipe I was given makes enough for at least twenty people. Cut the recipe in half if you do not want to eat pasta salad for a month. If you need a large dish for an event make the full recipe. It can feed an army, and there will still be leftovers. 

I am so pleased to share one of my all time favorite recipes with you. When I bring The Best Pasta Salad to any party I always get asked for the recipe. Now you can do the same, and pass it on to your friends and family. We are changing lives here, one delicious recipe at a time. 

Happy Eating!

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 

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The Best Pasta Salad

1 (16 oz.) farfelle pasta 

1 (16 oz.) rotini pasta 

Cook and drain well

20 oz. can pineapple tidbits, drained

2 cups finely chopped celery

4 green onions chopped

1(5 oz.) package dried cranberries

2 cups red grapes cut in half

1 (10 oz.) package whole cashews

1 large can mandarin oranges, drained

6 cooked chicken breasts shredded or chopped

Dressing:

1 (16 oz.) Kraft Coleslaw Dressing and 1 cup mayonnaise mixed together.

There’s no exact order when making the pasta salad. The simplest thing to do is add the pasta and dressing first. Then add all the other ingredients and mix well.

Notes:

  • This recipe makes about 7 quarts.
  • Use a large bowl when making the full recipe.
  • Add the oranges last since they are the most fragile.
  • Cut this recipe in half for a smaller group. 

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Go to the link below to get this article and all my recipes at Mustard Seed Sentinel, “Meghan’s Corner”.

https://www.mustardseedsentinel.com/post/meghan-s-corner-the-best-pasta-salad