Italian Sausage Soup W/Tortellini * Swoop Bread * Carmel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Here are some more of my family’s favorites!   The Swoop Bread recipe is a family recipe from my dad’s side of the family.  They have a German ancestry and my guess is that it’s was called, simply, “Soup Bread”, but with the German accent it got translated into “Swoop Bread”.  It’s a dense, hearty bread that is perfect with soup!

The Carmel Apple Cheesecake Bars w/Streusel Topping is to die for!!  You definitely need to try these!!

Italian Sausage Soup w/Tortellini

 

1 lb. Italian sausage

1 c. chopped onions

2 garlic cloves, sliced

5 c. beef broth

1/2 c. dry red wine

2 cans diced tomatoes

1 c. thinly sliced carrots

1/2 tsp. dried basil l

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1 (8 0z.) can tomato sauce

1 1/2 c. sliced zucchini

8 oz. cheese tortellini

3 T. chopped fresh parsley

1 medium green bell pepper, chopped

1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese

Brown sausage, onions and garlic in 5 qt. Dutch oven.  Drain.  Add broth, wine, tomatoes, carrots, basil, oregano and tomato sauce.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes.

Stir in zucchini, tortellini, parsley and green pepper.  Cover, simmer an additional 20 to 25 minutes.  Sprinkle each serving with Parmesan cheese.

Swoop Bread

4 c. whole wheat flour

2 c. white flour

1 c. sugar

2 tsp. salt

1 qt. buttermilk

4 tsp. baking soda

Preheat oven 375 degrees.

Mix all together. Pour mixture into 2 greased loaf pans.

Turn down oven to 350 degrees.  Bake for 50-70 minutes.

 

 

Carmel Apple Cheesecake Bars w/Streusel Topping

 

2 c. flour

1/2 C/ brown sugar

1 c. (2 sticks) butter, softened

2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese, softened

1/2 c. sugar, plus 2 T., divided

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

3 Granny smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Streusel topping, recipe follows

1/2 c. caramel topping

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar.  Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly.  Press evenly into a 9 x 13 pan lined with aluminum foil.  Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth.  Add eggs, one at a time, and vanilla.  Stir to combine.  Pour over warm crust.

In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, remaining 2 T. sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture.  Sprinkle evenly with Streusel topping.  Bake 30 minutes or until filling is set.  Drizzle with caramel topping.

Streusel Topping:

1 c. brown sugar

1 c. flour

1/2 c. quick cooking oats

1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, softened

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients.

 

To see who else is participating in Colleen’s (And Baby Makes 5) Back-To-School Fall Recipes Pool, click on the picture below!

Until Next Time. . .Kris

A Few Birthday Goodies and Fall Displays

Thank you to all of my Prim friends who sent me warm birthday wishes on Monday!  It was very heart-warming to read all of the emails and comments left on my blog !  A big HUG to all of you!

*****Carrie/Unmatched Socks – I still need you to email me your address so I can mail the giveaway goodies to you!  Thanks!!*****

 

My sister and I headed to Amish country where she treated me to a “birthday breakfast” at Rebecca’s Tea Room & Bistro. YUM!!

I had just been there a week and a half ago and didn’t find very much.

I found this bowl for $14.00 and this jar for $6.00 at an antique mall on my first trip:

 

I also found these goodies on the first trip!

 

 

 

 

I found the jar on   clearance for $5.99  at a bulk food store and the light-up pumpkin at Country Gatherings in Berlin on the trip  with my sister.

 

I bought a lamp shade on my first trip, but it was too big for where I wanted to put it.  So I exchanged it for this one:

We bought an Elliptical machine over Labor Day weekend that was suppose to be for my birthday, but my dear sweet hubby also gave me a very generous gift certificate to Primitive Keepings where I went on Tuesday to purchase this light.

 

I  finally got a start at putting some fall stuff out.  I forgot that I got rid of a lot of stuff last year with the intention of making or buying new decor, so I don’t have a whole lot to show yet. (I do have a long list of things I want to make!!  lol) Again, this is just a start!!

 

Don’t forget to check back here on Friday for 3 fabulous recipes!!  Italian Sausage Soup w/Tortellini  -  Swoop Bread  -   Carmel Apple Cheesecake Bars w/Streusel Topping!!!

Until Next Time. . . . .Kris

We Have A Winner!!

First off, I want to thank everyone that left a comment and participated in my giveaway.  There were ALOT of you!!  This was so much fun!  I’ll definitely being doing this again!!

So to end the suspense. . . . . . .

The winner is. . . . .Carrie/Unmatched Socks!!

Congratulations, Carrie!!  If you would email me your address, I’ll get this sent out to you right away!

Well, my sister should be here soon to take me to Amish country!  (I know….I was just there a week and a half ago, but she hasn’t been there since Xmas and I have to exchange something anyways!)

Later, my hubby and kids are taking me to Macaroni Grill for dinner and my hubby made me a German chocolate cake!!!!  YUM!!!!!!!!

Oh, and for those of you who wanted to know how old I am. . . .I’m 47!!!

Until Next Time. . . . .Kris

Apple Cake, Pumpkin Dip and Gingersnap Cookies Recipes

Happy Friday, everyone!!  Here’s a couple more recipes that are favorites in my house!  This first recipe was actually given to my hubby.  He came home from work one day last year and told me we had to make this cake.  Several of the guys he associates with in the construction field had been passing around this recipe and said it was fantastic!  (I never envisioned construction workers as the recipe swapping type!! LOL )  This is the best apple cake I’ve ever tasted!! 

This recipe originated from a B&O Railroad Conductor named Lawrence Harper and is formatted the way he wrote it.

Apple Cake

1 1/2 c. vegetable oil

2 eggs

2 c. sugar

2 tsp. vanilla   -   Beat well

Then add & beat:

1 tsp. cinnamon

3 c. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

Then add:

4 c. diced apples

1 c. chopped nuts  -  Mix well

Pour all ingredients into a bunt or tube pan and bake in a preheated oven 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.

Cake Glaze

1 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. milk

1/4 c. butter – Boil for 3 minutes

As soon as cake is removed from oven, pour glaze over cake while hot.  Let set in pan until cool.

 

These next two recipes go together.  My daughter, Brittney, LOVES this stuff!!  In fact, when she saw me getting these recipes out, she got excited, thinking I was going to make them!  Probably sometime next week, Britt!  

 

Pumpkin Dip

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

2 c. powdered sugar

1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin pie filling

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 – 1 tsp. ground ginger

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Beat cream cheese and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.

Add pie filling, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, beating well.

Cover and chill 8 hours.

Serve with gingersnaps or fresh fruit.

Gingersnaps

3/4 c. vegetable shortening

1 c. sugar, plus extra to roll the cookies in

1 egg

1/4 c. molasses

2 c. flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 T. ground ginger

1 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease some cookie sheets.  Beat together the shortening and 1 cup of the sugar.  Add the egg, and beat until light and fluffy, then add the molasses.  Stir and toss together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger and cinnamon, and add to the first mixture, beating until smooth and blended.  gather up bits of dough and roll into 1” balls. then roll each ball into sugar.  Place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes, until cookies have spread and the tops have cracked.  Remove from cookie sheets and cool on a rack.

 

Again, if you’d like to see who else is sharing recipes today, check out Colleen’s blog by clicking on the picture below.

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!  Check back here sometime on Monday to see who the winner of my Birthday Giveaway is!!  If you haven’t already entered, click here, and leave me a comment, BUT you must be a Follower of my blog!!

Until Next Time. . . .Kris

Birthday Giveaway!!

What better way to celebrate your birthday than sharing it with friends!!   I’m having a giveaway so I can do just that!! 

You’ll receive a black felt table runner with pumpkins and berries stitched on it, a Choice Quilts “Autumn Leaf” placemat, a bag of putka pods, an iron book candle keep, a fire ash candle stub, a handmade cross-stitched pin keep, a handmade stuffed pumpkin and a handmade prim book.

 

All you need to do is leave a comment on this post. BUT, you must be a Follower of my blog!!

I’ll pick a winner on my actual birthday, Monday, September 14th! 

Good luck to all of you!!

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Check back here on Friday to see a yummy recipe for Apple Cake that is out of this world!!

Until Next Time . . . .Kris

Baked Potato Soup and Pepperoni Bread

I’d like to share with you a couple of my family’s favorite recipes. 

 

Baked Potato Soup

8 slices bacon, fried and crumbled

1 c. yellow onions, diced

2/3 c. flour

6 c. chicken stock, hot

4 c. potatoes, baked, peeled and diced

2 c. heavy cream

1/4 c. parsley, chopped

1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. dried basil

1 1/2 tsp. red pepper sauce

1 1/2 tsp. coarse black pepper

1 c. cheddar cheese, grated

1/4 c. green onions, diced

Sauté onions in about 1/4 c. butter until transparent.  Add flour, stirring to prevent lumps; cook for 3-5 minutes until mixture just begins to turn golden brown.

Add chicken stock gradually, whisking to prevent lumps until liquid thickens.

Reduce heat to simmer and add potatoes, heavy cream, crumbled bacon, parsley, garlic powder, basil, red pepper sauce and black pepper.  Simmer 10 minutes.  DO NOT allow to boil.

Add grated cheese and green onion; heat until cheese melts smoothly.

Pepperoni Bread

1 loaf frozen bread dough

Pepperoni, sliced

Yellow onions, chopped

Mozzarella cheese, grated

Allow the bread dough to thaw; then spread out onto a greased cookie sheet.  Let rise slightly – about 1 – 11/2 hours.  Layer with pepperoni (as much as you prefer). Then sprinkle chopped onions and grated mozzarella over top of pepperoni.  Starting on one long side, start rolling up jellyroll fashion.  Place seam on bottom, centering on middle of the cookie sheet.  Let rise until double in size.  Bake 25-30 minutes in a 350 degree oven until golden brown.  Let stand for 5-10 minutes; then slice and serve.

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To see who else is sharing some yummy recipes, click here to go to Colleen’s (And Baby Makes Five) blog.

Have a Happy Labor Day Weekend!!

 

Until Next Time . . . .Kris

Peg Board and a Candle Shelf

I had an area to the left of my couch in my Living Room that I have had such a hard time finding a display that I liked.  I think I finally found one that I’ll keep (for a while, anyways! lol)! 

I’ve always liked this style of peg board and finally decided to make one for myself.  As far as a tutorial, there really isn’t much to explain other than I used a  1x8 pine board and cut it 40” long.  I then ripped a 2x2  to a thickness of 1” on the table saw, then cut 4 5” pieces on my miter saw.  I used the template below to trace on the pieces and cut them out with my scroll saw. Sanded, painted and finished all of the pieces, then attached the pegs with glue and screws.

After making the peg board, I needed items to decorate it with!  I added a couple of baskets and hand-dipped candles and need something long.  I’ve seen various styles of candle shelves that I’ve liked and decided to go with this one.  Very easy to make!! 

First, cut a 1” dowel  16” long and a 1x2 11” long.  Drill a hole through one end of the dowel. Sand both pieces.  I sanded a taper on the end with the drilled hole by pressing down on the sander over the hole until I got the shape that I wanted.  Repeat on other side.  Center the dowel onto the 1x2, then attach with glue and a screw.  Finish as desired.  From the bottom side of the 1x2, hammer a 1 1/2” finish nail all the way through on each side of the dowel.  Push a candle nub down onto each nail and tie on a piece of jute twine through the hole on top.

I’m working on a couple of cross stitch samplers to hang above the peg board and I’ll share them with you when I get them done!

The other day, I went to a nearby antique store and found this neat box for $22.50.  Besides having a drawer, the top lifts up and has a deep cubby!  PLUS, I didn’t have to do a thing with it, it was already primmed up!!  Can’t beat that!  (I haven’t started decorating for Fall yet, I bought the little pumpkin on the same day that I bought the box and thought it looked good there for a pic!! lol)

I’m making a quick trip to Walnut Creek and Berlin (aka Amish country) tomorrow.  I have a few things I’m on the lookout for and will hopefully have pics to post later.

 

I’m participating in Colleen’s (AndBabyMakesFive) Back to School Fall Recipe Pool on Fridays so check out my blog tomorrow morning for a recipe for Baked Potato Soup and Pepperoni Bread.  They’re some of my family’s favorites!

 

So Until Next time . . .Kris