Italian Ground Beef Soup

I'm loving this Italian Ground Beef Soup!  It's a fairly simple and basic soup, but the way it all comes together with the spices is wonderful.  It reheats well and the leftovers get fought over.  And who fights over leftovers?!?

1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups carrots, sliced
1 1/2 cups celery, sliced
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
3 cups beef broth
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon thyme 

1/4 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
1 1/2 tablespoons parsley

Combine ground beef, onion and garlic in a large pot and cook over medium heat until the ground beef is cooked through (If you like to cook your meat with oil, feel free to add a couple tablespoons of oil.  I never use oil when I cook ground beef).  Once the ground beef is cooked, add remaining ingredients and stir to combine.  Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 40 minutes.

Recipe adapted from Art and the Kitchen.

Amish White Bread

I've said it before, but I'll say it again.  I'm fascinated with the Amish way of life!  I am 95% sure I could live the lifestyle without any problem.  I love the simplicity of their lifestyle and if a recipe has the word "Amish" in it, I'm more likely than not to try it out.  I guess that makes me a bit of a sucker. :)

I honestly haven't a clue if this is an authentic Amish recipe, but regardless, it's fantastic!  I've made 2 batches in the last 2 weeks and they haven't lasted long.  I made my girls sandwiches for their school lunches with this Amish White Bread and when I asked them how their sandwiches were, they had no clue the bread was homemade.  They both told me it tasted just like the kind of bread I buy.  Personally, I think this bread is better than store bought bread.  At least now I know it is a great sandwich bread!

1 cup warm water 

1 cup warm milk

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 tablespoons yeast

5 1/2 to 6 cups flour

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer (with a dough hook), pour warm milk and water (I heat them together in the microwave for about 1 1/2 minutes, stirring after each 30 seconds.  I like it to be warm enough that I can stick my finger in it without it being uncomfortable.)  Sprinkle with yeast and sugar, then mix just enough to make sure all the yeast is wet, instead of sitting on the top of the liquid.  Let the yeast sit to proof (get foamy); about 5 minutes.  Add in salt, oil and 3 cups of flour and mix well.  Slowly add the remaining flour, 1 cup at a time, until the dough is soft and not very sticky.  Let the mixer knead the dough for about 5 minutes, or until the dough is elasticy (when you poke it with your finger the indentation doesn't remain).  Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot until doubled; about 1 hour.  Dump the dough out onto the counter (I spray my counter with non-stick cooking spray) and divide into 2 equal parts.  Shape each part into a loaf and place in a greased loaf pan.  Cover the loaves with plastic wrap and let rise again until the dough is about 1-inch above the top of the pans; 30 to 60 minutes.  Preheat the oven to 350.  Bake for 30 minutes or until the top of the loaves are nicely browned and the loaves sound hollow when you tap them. Remove the loaves from the pans and place on a cooling rack.  If desired, brush the top of the loaves with melted butter.

Recipe adapted from Bakerette.

Hot Reuben Dip

My husband's favorite sandwich is a Reuben.  I have to admit, although I originally turned my nose up at them, they are pretty tasty.  For the Superbowl (I know, it was for-ev-er ago!) I decided to make him his favorite sandwich.  In a dip.

This hot Reuben Dip tastes just like the sandwich.  The leftovers were even the filling for a grilled sandwich. YUM!

If you love Reuben sandwiches, you'll love this dip!

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened (pretty sure most good dips start out this way)
1/3 cup thousand island salad dressing
1/2 pound pastrami, deli sliced and then chopped into about 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup sauerkraut
1 cup Swiss cheese, shredded

Combine cream cheese and thousand island dressing and mix until smooth.  Add pastrami, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese and mix until combined.  Pour into a greased 2-quart baking dish and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes, or until hot.

Recipe adapted from Will Cook for Smiles.

Jalapeno Popper Dip

I love Jalapeno Poppers, so when I figured out they could be made into a dip, I was excited!  The kids weren't excited though.  When I told them I was making a dip they thought I was talking about a bean dip.  Like my Hot Cheesy Bean Dip or my Layered Bean Dip.  When they found out I was making Jalapeno Popper Dip instead, they were a little disappointed, to say the least.  And then they tried it.  No more unhappy kids!!  This stuff is good!

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1 (4 ounce) can diced jalapenos
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup bread crumbs (I used panko bread crumbs because that's what I had on hand)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley

Combine the melted butter, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and parsley in a small bowl.  Mix until combined and set aside.  Combine the cream cheese and sour cream and mix until smooth.  Add cheddar cheese and jalapenos and mix until combined.  Pour into a 2-quart baking dish and top with bread crumb mixture.  Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until hot.

Recipe adapted from Spend with Pennies.