Carlyn

Our garden is doing to so well this year.  James has put lots of work into it and it shows.  This is one of our favorite recipes when the tomatoes are abundant.  Garden Fresh Tomato Soup Ingredients 8 cups chopped fresh tomatoes 2 onions, chopped 8 garlic cloves, minced  Olive oil 3 cups chicken broth 4 tablespoons butter 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2  tablespoons of basil pesto 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 cup of heavy cream 1  teaspoon salt  ½ teaspoons white sugar, or to taste Pepper to taste Directions Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil until tender.  Add chopped tomatoes with their juices and bring to a boil.  Then add the chicken stock and simmer for about 20 minutes.  For an even thicker & richer soup, you can add less chicken stock.  I have left it out and used this as a tomato cream sauce over ravioli.  Remove from heat and puree ...

we love quick snacks around our house that are good to go.  here are 2 of our favorites.   i tried to hit the gym early some mornings, so these bars, plus a cheese stick and/or piece of fruit make a nice breakfast that the kids and eat in the car on our way there. Granola Bars 2 1/2 cups brown rice puffs(or you could use rice crispy) 2 cups old fashion oatmeal 1/2 cup packed brown sugar  1/2 cup honey  1/2 cup peanut butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract  ½ teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 cup chocolate chips DIRECTIONS In a large bowl, stir together the rice cereal and oats & cinnamon. Set aside. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.  Combine the brown sugar and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Bring sugar mixture to a boil while you are stirring constantly.  Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Pour over the cereal and oat mixture, ...