Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Minestrone Soup, Festive Herb Spirals and the Perfect Bribe

Hi all!
Sorry I haven't been reading and commenting lately.
The weather here has been gorgeous this week and Miss M and I have been taking advantage of it by spending our days outside. I haven't driven my car once this week we have just been walking everywhere, it's been pretty awesome.

For dinner last night I made a beautiful Minestrone Soup-
I use half V-8 juice, half water and add in whatever vegies I can find, this time we had a great mixture-

carrots, yellow pepper, onion, kidney beans, cilantro, parsley, spinach, corn, green beans and ditalini noodles. Yummy.

To go with the soup I made some Festive Herb Spirals, these would also make great appetizers-

Festive Herb Spirals
Ingred;
1 pkg crescent roll dough
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1/4c. minced fresh herbs- I used cilantro and parsley
1/2t. greek seasoning
1t. onion powder
3 minced green onions

I ran everything except for the dough through my food processor.
Unroll the crescent roll dough and seal the edges.
Spread with the herbed cream cheese and roll up.
Slice in 1 inch slices and place on a greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

Now if you kids are like mine and you tried the usual pleading, or threats to get them to eat their dinner and that hasn't worked I have the perfect Bribe, er um reward. I am totally not above bribing, um rewarding my kiddos to get them to do what I ask. Everyone loves a reward right?

This was the one I offered my little ones for dessert after they finished their dinner-

That is my kind of reward, yum.
Chocolate Mousse Bars
Ingred;

1 pkg Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix + the ingred it calls for
1 8oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1c. whipping cream, whipped
1c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2c. cream

Oven 350.
Prepare cookie mix and spread into the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan.
Bake for 15 minutes. Cool completely.
Beat the cream cheese, melt 1c. of the chocolate chips in the microwave, beat into the cream cheese. Fold in the whipped cream.
Spread over the cookie layer.
Melt the remaining 1c. of chocolate chips, whisk together with the 1/2c. cream.
Spread over the mousse layer and refridgerate for a couple hours.

I was told by the kiddos that they wanted me to make this everyday, because it was the BEST thing they have ever had, and that I am the BEST cook ever.
Anyone else think they were trying to butter me up for something????
A second piece maybe?????

15 comments:

Liz Mays said...

Hey! I've missed you!!!! I know you said you weren't gonna be posting but I don't have to like it! Those ditalini noodles are faves of mine, thanks to the Olive Garden's pasta fagioli soup.

Your minestrone looks so hearty and delicious!

Kristina P. said...

Yummy, yummy, yummy!

Kim said...

I love that kind of bribe, although you wouldn't have to bribe me to eat that minestrone because it looks delicious! Those cheesy rolls look addictive, like you couldn't just eat one.

Willoughby said...

I think a bribe/reward is a great way to get kids to eat their dinner. And that minestrone looks soooooo delicious! I love minestrone!

Unknown said...

That is one beautiful bowl of soup!

Holly Lefevre said...

Your soup and herb spiral look great..I love cilantro. I am trying not to loo at the chocolate mousee bars....

ChristineM said...

Yum! I am not a huge soup fan, but I do love minestrone, and yours looks wonderful! Thanks for posting! The herb spiral look yummy too!

Get those mousse bars away from me!!! ;)

Tammy said...

I love soup on cold nights! This one looks delish and easy.

Donna-FFW said...

The soup sounds wonderful, I love minestrone, however that chocolate mousse bar dessert .. holy cow, does that ever look fantastic!! A must try for damn sure!

betty said...

glad you are taking advantage of the beautiful weather and spending time outside instead of behind a computer screen! you go girl! like I always say, blogs will always be here.

that soup looks delicious and oh my that chocolate mousse dessert! yummy!!! I didn't take one on my way out though since I gave up sugary desserts as a new year resolution (what was I thinking, LOL??)

enjoy your time away from the computer!!

betty

Monica H said...

Now if only I had read this this morning I would have made those bars and those rolls for dinner. In-laws are coming over in a bit...

Thanks for these wonderful ideas- they look delicious!

sanjeet said...

Your minestrone looks so hearty and delicious!

Work from home India

Chicago Mom said...

What an awesome dinner! I have been meaning to make minestrone, but I haven't done it yet. At least I have plenty of winter left to do it in! Those rolls look great - I LOVE cream cheese!

Green-Eyed Momster said...

I L.O.V.E. V-8 juice! I never thought to cook with it. Gosh, I wish you were my neighbor. You're so talented in the kitchen. I'd pay you to cook for me/us!

Hugs!!

JennyMac said...

YUM YUM and YUM. Those spirals look fab. I have made them with cream cheese and pesto but need to try your version.

Thank you!!!

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