the never ending (but yummy) post

christian and i both had night test reviews from 6 to 8 last night... which is fine but that is prime cooking time! luckily, my mom gave me this EASY minestrone soup recipe that i planned on making when we got home from our respective reviews. sooo we got home, and i made the soup in about... 15 minutes. yep. so. easy.

and it was delicious! it is very healthy, filling, and cozy feeling. 

chin thought it was too "girly" and said he's more of a "meat soup guy" (whatever that means), but he still ate and said he enjoyed his girly soup. this soup is perfect for a girls night or a cozy night in by yourself. 

i made some yummy bruschetta from picky-palate earlier this afternoon and served it with a sliced garlic baguette and we had our own little italian meal all snuggled up on the couch! it was so relaxing :)

Bruschetta adapted from Picky-Palate

4 Roma Tomatoes, thinly diced

2 large garlic cloves, minced (her recipe tells you to roast the garlic in the oven but i was in a hurry)

8 larges basil leaves, stacked, rolled, then thinly sliced

2 tsp. olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

for bread:

turn on your broiler

slice your favorite baguette into thin slices

lightly spread olive oil onto one side of slices

stick on a cookie sheet and put in oven until top side is crispy

take out of oven, flip the slices over and broil the other side!

so easy. so delicious.

15 Minute Minestrone Soup

2 tsp. olive oil

2 carrots, peeled and halved lengthwise then thinly sliced crosswise

1 red pepper cut into 1/2 inch pieces

8 oz. green beans, stems trimmed but into 2-inch lengths

2 garlic cloves thinly sliced

1/3 cup couscous

1 can (14.5 oz) chicken broth (no msg)

2 tbsp. tomato paste

coarse salt

In a 3-quart microwave-safe dish, place oil, carrots, bell pepper, green beans, and garlic; stir to coat. Cover and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Add couscous, broth, tomato paste, navy beans, 1 cup water, and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt. Cover; microwave on high until vegetables and couscous are tender, 5 minutes. If desired, stir in parsley, and garnish with cheese.

for dessert we had Pumpkin Gingersnap Sundaes.

wednesday i made the pumpkin gingersnap ice cream from picky-palate (i am obsessed i know)

and so last night i whipped up some homemade fudge sauce: 

1 c. milk

1 c. sugar

1/3 c. cocoa

2 tbsp. flour

boil in saucepan on medium heat. boil until thickens! enjoy!

then we had the icecream, fudge sauce, sprinkles, and a few gingersnaps for garnish. :) 

a couple more things...

my darling friend Caitlin tagged me in her post to answer some questions! sooo here i go!

1. If you could be a vegetable, which one would you be and why? -i would definitely be a carrot. i'd be tan and have great eyesight forever!

2. Would you rather be blind or deaf? -deaf! i know asl now from my sign language class :)

3. Who is going to be the first person you go talk to in the Spirit World? you know... i'm not really sure. i'd really like to find joseph smith and chat with him if i could, maybe the people in my life who i offended or hurt and talk with them.

4. Who was your favorite Elementary/Middle school teacher and why? -Mr. Trawitz. He was my 8th grade english teacher and he always made everything so fun, he really wanted to be there for his students and was young and fun! he was great.

5. What's your favorite holiday? CHRISTMAS! i love everything about it. the snow, the lights, the colors, the smells. it's undeniable.


thanks caitlin for tagging me!


p.s. MY SISTER IN LAW is having her BABY tomorrow! EEEEEEEEEEEE! i'm going to have another baby nephew! words cannot explain how much joy my little niece and nephews bring me.
i am so lucky!