Football Recipe Roundup

 I am sure there are more than sports you will find these great finger foods handy for. All the fall new series starts now, something here for everyone. Have a great gathering and enjoy some of these appetizers!
Just click on the names under the photo for the recipes on any of these below.

Crostini with delicious topping idea's

Stuffed Mushrooms



Pepperoni Rolls

Meatball Crockpot Appetizers

Chicken Parm Poppers

Pizza Tortilla

Watch them disappear!  Deviled Eggs

Grandma's Authentic Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

Many Regions in Italy take you to a different style for this basic recipe.  In Rome Italy where Grandma was born and raised, this is how she taught us to make it and our family still makes it that was today. Americanized is made with heavy cream.
Here is our basic recipe, we consider Authentic from where it originated. 
Hope you like Grandma's version.

Use the pasta machine to makes fresh wide noodles
Click link for the recipe for pasta above

1 1/2 pound fettuccine cooked al dente and drained ( buy the fresh kind in the dairy case)

2 sticks unsalted butter softened and smashed with the back of a spoon

salt

3 1/4 cups grating cheese around 1/2 pound grated (we like Romano and Parmesan blend)

3/4 cup pasta reserved water or more

large shreds of Parmesan or Romano cheese for the top

fresh chopped or dried parsley

Smash the butter in a large skillet pan with the back of a spoon the add the warm pasta water, place on low heat just to gently warm the sauce around two minutes .  Toss the pasta with cheese in this butter sauce mixture  and toss for two minutes to coat.  Add more pasta water if needed to make creamier.  Garnish with large shreds of  grated cheese and parsley. Add salt and pepper as needed.

For Grandma's pasta recipe click here

Baked White Fish with Lime Butter Breading Recipe

Healthier than fried? Yes it is. The taste is amazing though you just have to try it this way! I know fried is always the first choice. I just love the buttery taste of this one with lime and Italian seasonings. Give a try, it's less calories and still delicious baked!

1 lb filet white fish (haddock, flounder, cod, whiting)
1/2 cup Italian flavored bread crumbs
1 teaspoon each garlic powder, chili powder, black pepper
pinch of cayenne pepper
1/4 cup grating cheese
2 beaten egg whites
1 freshly squeezed lime
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
parchment paper
cookie sheet

Place butter on a parchment lined cookie sheet, stick this in the oven on 400 degrees and melt the butter. In the mean time mix the bread crumbs, seasonings and cheese all together in a pie plate.
Beat the egg white in another pie plate with 3 tablespoons of water then dip the filet in egg whites then bread crumbs and lay it down into the buttered cookie sheet.  Sprinkle the top of the fish with remaining bread crumbs. Drizzle with olive oil. Put the juice of lime lime around it into the butter on the cookie sheeet. Bake on 400 degree hot oven till browned and fish flakes easily around 25 minutes.

Crockpot Simple Minestrone Soup Recipe

2 lbs chopped fresh or canned Italian plum tomatoes
3 stalks celery cleaned and cut into cube
4 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 stalk fresh fennel cut into cubes
3 carrots cleaned and sliced
2 large zucchini cut into cut wedges
1 cup shredded curly cabbage
1 smal onion chopped fine
1 teaspoon each, rosemary, oregano, parsley, garlic powder, salt, pepper,  dried basil or fresh chopped
1/2 cup quick cooking barley
3 fresh garlic cloves minced fine
1 cups canned  red kidneys beans
1 can cannellini or white kidney beans
1 cup green beans

Options: you can add meat, cubed chicken, Italian sliced sausage, and sliced mushrooms for make a heartier soup but not a minestrone.

In a 5 to 7 quart crockpot, combine everything except beans and barley. Cook barley after soup has cooked around 7 hours to package directions. Drain and add beans and barley. Heat for 10 minutes. Serve.

Lemon Pasta with Fresh Tomato Basil Mozzarella Pasta

I always love a light blend of pasta for either a whole meal or side dish.
Here is one of my very favorites with lots of topping suggestions!

1 pound of your favorite pasta boiled in salt water drained and tossed with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and 1/4 cup freshly grated Romano Cheese. Set aside.

Sauce:

1 freshly squeezed lemon no pits!

1/2 teaspoon black pepper, oregano, parsley and basil dried

pinch of cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon finely minced fresh garlic

1/4 cup melted butter

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup grating cheese

Mix all together in a pan or microwave safe bowl, warm it up in the microwave or stove top till everything is blended together.

Pour over pasta. Garnish with suggestions below.

Garnish for photo above:

chunks of fresh mozzarella cheese

grape tomatoes cleaned and cut in half

long shredded Parmesan cheese

Fresh basil leaves

Other suggestions for topping this pasta:

Grilled Salmon

Black Olives

Freshly Sauteed Spinach

Grilled Haddock or Cod on top of the pasta

Grilled or Roasted Chicken Breast

Roasted Peppers and Artichoke Hearts

Leftover Steak

Grilled Scallops or Shrimp



Easy in a hurry dessert recipes



Easy in a hurry desserts! When surprise company comes over,
you can never go wrong with these quick and easy pie desserts! If you like quick and easy desserts, also check out 5 minute trifle desserts by clicking here.

 12 Store bought mini graham cracker crusts
individual 4  premade packs of snack pack puddings (suggestions : 2 chocolate,  2 lemon,  2 vanilla or butterscotch )
flaked coconut and extra for garnishing
(There are many more to choose from use your favorites and imagination to create some delicious pies!)
2 sliced bananas for filling and more for garnish
1 small carton of egg whites
3 tablespoons sugar
whipped cream or whipped topping
chocolate syrup
chocolate curls
candy bars crushed

Mix 2 containers in a small bowl of  the vanilla individual snack pack puddings with 1/4 cup coconut set aside. Mix 2 more vanilla containers with 1 sliced banana, set aside.  Fill individual crusts with coconut cream, then another one with banana cream, top them with whipped cream and garnish with what the theme is, more coconut on top of the cream or bananas for the banana cream.
Take some of the other crusts and add chocolate pudding to them and top with whipped cream, garnish with chocolate curls or chocolate syrup.
Beat 1/2 cup of the eggs whites with  3 tablespoons sugar electric mixer until stiff.
In the other graham cracker crusts add the lemon pudding and top with meringue. Broil meringue until light brown on 400 degree hot oven.

Quick Pavlova Raspberry Chambord Recipe

I know it doesn't look like the normal puffy style pavlova but it sure tasted good. It was my first time believe or not making them and they didn't look right from all the  photo's and images I saw. I realized too late, I had it upside down and the crinkled cracked sides were underneath and then I also  put way too much whipped cream on it! I looked at other photo's and thought oh boy better try making another batch but they tasted so good, I decided to post it anyway. Lesson learned, read everything first then make sure you have the indented side up to fill (smile) mine were so puffy on the other side the indent was gone so I couldn't tell the difference.  See the links at the end for other recipes for Pavlova and photo's from some other awesome blogger friends that really aced the look and captured a great photo!
Hey if I missed a great recipe and post of this fine dessert feel free to leave your link!

Quick Pavlova

1 1/4 cup sugar
4 egg whites
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons corn starch

Beat egg whites until stiff not dry. Add sugar 1 tablespoon at a time until thick and glossy. Gently fold in the lemon juice, almond and cornstarch. Spread mixture evenly onto the circle, leaving a depression in the middle. Bake on 300 degrees for 1 hour. Cool completely on wire rack.

Filling:
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 cups fresh raspberries and more for garnish
1/4 cup Chambord Liqueur or in a pinch use another favorite flavor or you have on hand

1/4 cups water

1/2 cups heavy cream

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

In a medium size saucepan add the sugar and cornstarch, stir in the raspberries, Chambord and water. Cook until it boils then for another minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes then add the remaining raspberries. Cool.

Beat heavy cream and powdered sugar with a heavy duty electric wire beater, 1 minute or until soft peaks form.

There is no such thing as a bad Pavlova to me,
 even if you don't make it perfect to look at,  it
will still be delicious! This is no where near what I have seen other's make but oh well!
 Don't miss trying this delicious dessert!

Some other great Pavlova Recipes I was inspired by:

That Skinny Chick Can Bake Chocolate Raspberry Pavlova
No Recipes Perfect Pavlova
Joy of Baking Chocolate Pavlova

Pumpkin Coffee Frappe Recipe



It's really difficult to enjoy hot beverages living in Florida unless it's really chilly out.  Last year we had some really cool days and maybe you remember my
Crockpot Pumpkin Latte

Pumpkin Latte in a Crockpot

which was really a delicious way to warm up. This year I decided since we are outside most of the time and it's still just gorgeous out here, I would make a pumpkin drink that will sure to please anyone in warmer climates, so this one's for you wherever you are.


1 1/2 cups brewed coffee placed into a container and freeze
2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon Godiva French Vanilla liqueur or 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon or more of vanilla syrup for coffee or use powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup your choice of milk I used whole milk, (1%, 2% or coconut milk works fine too)

Garnish:
Whipped Cream
Cinnamon and sugar mixed
Optional: Cinnamon sticks

In a blender add the frozen coffee, puree, flavoring, spices and milk. Blend on high till thick and mix together. Pour into a glass. Garnish with whipped cream, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, add a cinnamon stick and sit back and relax!

 Do you love pumpkin?

Try some of these other pumpkin recipes:

Glazed Pumpkin Spiced Breakfast Scones
Pumpkin Spice  Rum Cookies
Pumpkin Mini Turnovers
Baked Pumpkin Donuts
French Pumpkin Mini Muffin Puffs
 Italian Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin Smoothie
Pumpkin Cake Mix Cookies

Margarita Lime Cheesecake

4 eggs
1 3/4 cups white sugar
1 tablespoon finely grated lime zest
2-1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon orange juice
3 tablespoons tequila
1 tablespoon triple sec
2- 8oz packages cream cheese, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 oil sprayed spring form pan
aluminum foil
water

Crust:
1 package lorna doone cookies finely crushed
3 tablespoons butter melted
Mix together and press into a lightly sprayed spring form pan. Wrap the pan on the sides and bottom with aluminum foil. Set inside 1/4 inch of water in a large roaster pan laying completely flat.
Filling:
In a large electric mixer beat eggs, sugar will light. Add softened cream cheese. Whip still smooth around 5 minutes. Add all the flavorings and mix well.
Pour into the springform pan. Bake at 350 degree preheated oven for around 1 hour or till the middle is set.

Angel Food Tiramisu Tunnel Cake Recipe

Cake:

1 Angel food cake store bought

1/4 cup coffee

1 tablespoon Kaluha or more if you like

In a small bowl combine coffee and 1 tablespoon liqueur set aside.

Filling:

1 8 oz. container mascarpone or you can use cream cheese in a pinch

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons Kahlua

Frosting:

2 cups heavy cream or if you want to substitute use whipped non dairy topping

1/4 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons Kahlua

Garnish:

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

1 bar of good grade chocolate made into curls for the top

Ice cream hot fudge topping sauce mixed with 1 teaspoon Kahlua

Beat mascarpone with 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons liqueur until smooth. Cover and refrigerate.

In another  bowl using an industrial mixed or hand mixer beat the heavy creame with 1/4 cup powdered sugar adding 2 tablespoons of liqueur, beat until thick. Fold 1/2 cup of the heavy cream mixture into the filling in the refrigerator.

Carve out the center leaving the outer wall of the angel food tube cake to make a tunnel. Pour the reserved coffee mixture all over the hollowed out cake evenly. Carefully add the filling with a tablespoon to fill the tunnel with the cheese mixture. Spread the entire cake with frosting. Garnish with cocoa, hot fudge sauce. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.
 

Baked Crunchy Hash Brown Potato Broccoli Cheese Casserole Recipe



A very easy side dish any potato and cheese lover will love!



 Baked Crunchy Potato Broccoli Cheese Casserole Recipe

1 package 32 ounce size frozen hash browns

1 - 16 ounce container sour cream

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup frozen chopped broccoli

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 can cheddar cheese soup (Campbells makes it)

Topping:

2 cups cornflakes crushed ( Add the corn flakes in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush them.

1/4 cup melted butter

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Mix the crushed cornflakes and garlic powder together.

Combine potatoes, broccoli, sour cream, cheese, garlic powder, soup and pepper. Scoop into several buttered individual ramkins dishes or a buttered 13x9 pan. Sprinkle with corn flakes and drizzle butter over the top of the casserole.  Bake at 325 degree oven until browned.  For the ramkins 35 to 40 minutes, place them on a cookie sheet, sprinkle with cornflake mixture and butter.  For the 13x9 pan, evenly sprinkle with the cornflakes and butter then bake around 1 hour, 20 minutes.

Italian Baked White Fish Recipe



Amazing blend of flavors.. if you love seafood this is a delicious treat!

 

A delicious white fish with white wine, herbs, spice and
fresh garden ripe plum tomatoes with bell peppers, for those of you that
read my blog you know these are all fresh from my garden. Click Here for the photo's.



4 pieces of white fish ( this in the photo is flounder) haddock, flounder, whiting, cod, tilapia
1 bell pepper cleaned and sliced
4 cloves of fresh garlic slices
2 plum tomatoes sliced
Italian flavored bread crumbs
1/2 cup white wine (Chablis)
2 tablespoon melted butter
olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh or dried oregano, basil, parsley
salt, pepper to taste
optional a dash cayenne pepper and grating cheese

Spray a pie plate with cooking spray. Place filets in the plate.  Drizzle generously with olive oil, around 1/4 cup. Place the slices of tomatoes and bell pepper next on top.   Sprinkle with bread crumbs and evenly spread the herbs over the top along with garlic slices.  Mix the butter with the wine and carefully pour into the plate not to touch the toppings and pour under the fish. Sprinkle with some cayenne pepper and grating cheese now if preferred.  Bake uncovered on 400 degrees until browned and fish flakes easily with a fork.

Mom's Fresh Homemade Ricotta Cheese Recipe



So many verisons, this is how Mom made it..  make it once you'll never buy it again!



2 quarts whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 fine mesh cheesecloth

 

Place a layer over a sieve with fine holes with the heavy-duty (fine-mesh) cheesecloth and then place it over a large bowl.

Slowly bring milk, cream, and salt to a rolling boil in a 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add lemon juice, then reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring constantly, until the mixture curdles, about 2 minutes.

Pour the mixture into the lined sieve and let it drain 1 hour. After discarding the liquid, chill the ricotta, covered; it will keep in the refrigerator 2 days.

Garlic Roasted Peppers, Tomatoes and Zucchini Bake Recipe

One of the many things I pride myself on is having and eating all freshly grown vegetables, it's a bonus when you can have them fresh for sure!
Here is fresh tomatoes and freshly grown peppers... and a wonderful baked medley in this recipe~



My babies (smile) I just love growing my own vegetables and have been so lucky to get
these beautiful red bell peppers I used in this recipe! 



Reggiano Romano Cheese Grated
Dried Oregano
Fresh Parsley
Fresh sliced Plum Tomatoes
Fresh Sliced Zucchini
Fresh Red and Green Bell Peppers Chopped in Cubes
Olive Oil
3 Cloves Fresh Garlic Slices
Salt, Pepper To Taste
Garlic Powder
Italian Flavored Bread Crumbs

On a oil sprayed cookie sheet or parchment paper lined, add the sliced vegetables to the cookie sheet.
Sprinkle evenly with grating cheese, parsley, oregano, slices of garlic and salt, pepper. Generously drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with Italian flavored bread crumbs, sprinkle with garlic powder. Bake at 400 degrees until browned and vegetables are soft when pierced with a fork around 35 minutes.

Old Fashioned Chocolate Cola Cake with Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe

After all these years, I finally tried this cake. I had it written down since the early 80's and never tried it. Moist, easy and will definitely recommend to those who like and easier way to bake. You can opt to buying a store bought jar of hot fudge for the topping!  A great cake to bring to any event too.

1 package 18 ounce devils food cake mix
4 eggs
1 package chocolate instant pudding or (vanilla pudding with the addition of
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder)
1 1/4 cups cola soda
1/2 cup canola oil

Mix all ingredients together until all the lumps are gone around 4 minutes with an electric mixer.
Pour into a prepared 13x9 sheet greased cake pan, cupcake or tube pan.
Bake at 350 until middle is set and when using a tooth pick in the center it is clean. Around 35 to 45 minutes.  Cool around 15 minutes and serve warm with warm homemade or store bought hot fudge sauce.

Hot Fudge Sauce:

2/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/3 cup light brown sugar
unsweetened cocoa powder
6 oz chocolate semi sweet and a good quality chocolate chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla or add 1 teaspoon of your favorite liqueur (Amaretto, Kahlua, Frangelico just to name a few)
pinch of salt
Add everything to a medium size sauce pan and heat till boiling, lower simmering for 5 minutes.  Add the vanilla and butter.

Crockpot Italian Style Jambalaya Recipe

You know I am a huge crockpot fan and love seafood! This was a recipe I decided to try and adapt and make Italian Style! Living in the South coming from Upstate N.Y.,
I certainly can't totally reform to eating the
Southern way of cooking so here is my Italian version.

4 boneless chicken breast cubed
1 pound Italian sausage sliced
1- 28 ounce can of stewed tomatoes
1 bell pepper chopped
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup Chablis white wine
2 teaspoons cajun seasoning
1/2 teaspoon oregano, garlic powder, parsely and cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 pound cleaned steamed large shrimp set aside
2 cups cooked steamed cooked rice set aside

Combine chicken, sausage, chopped bell pepper, and minced garlic in slow cooker. Add tomatoes, chicken broth, wine and all seasonings, and season with salt, pepper; stir gently. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. About 20 minutes before eating, add cooked shrimp and hot cooked rice; heat thoroughly

Grandma's Favorite Marinara, Angel Hair and Fried Meatball Recipe

What's not to love end of summer, fresh garden plum tomatoes and angel hair pasta. Fresh herbs from the garden, basil, parsley, oregano, fresh grown bulb garlic, the only thing missing now, Grandma, her memory of food lives on forever.....  This is a meatless sauce, if you want to serve meat.

Fry the meatballs or sausage, pour some sauce over them.. Do not add to the sauce.



My dad was able to almost duplicate her sauce but Grandma still holds the trophy of excellence.
 Here is as close as it gets to her perfection! Simplicity, nothing unusual, just what she had to work with.
Good Ole Fashion Italian Cooking at it's finest.



Fresh Plum Marinara Sauce:  ( a meatless sauce)

10 Roma (plum) tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil
3 fresh garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon sea or kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup white wine

I use a food processor for the tomatoes. (If you prefer to remove the skins, place tomatoes in boiling water for ten minutes, remove and immediately put into iced water. Peel the skins with a sharp knife, you can also squeeze out the seeds.) Saute garlic in extra virgin olive oil, add seasonings, tomatoes, simmer in pot for 15 minutes add wine parsley and basil. Cook for 15 more minutes. Serve over your favorite pasta. We use angel hair or vermicelli.

Click here for MEATBALL RECIPE

Broccoli, Artichoke Cornbread Recipe

2 boxes cornbread prepackaged mix ( jiffy brand or other same size)
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and drained
1 cup chopped canned artichoke hearts or chopped asparagus tips
24 ounces of Ricotta cheese
4 eggs, beaten lightly
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon each garlic powder, oregano, basil, parsley and black pepper
Shredded cheddar cheese or mozzarella
In a bowl, combine the eggs, cornbread mix, spices, herbs, Ricotta, butter, artichoke hearts and broccoli. Pour into a 9x13-inch buttered baking pan, top with shredded cheddar cheese evenly and bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes or until middle is solid. Test with a toothpick that is comes out clean. Cut into squares and serve.

Lemon Garlic Chicken Wing Recipe

24 Drumettes (Chicken Wings)

Butter

Olive Oil

Lemon Juice

Dried Parsley

Salt, Pepper

Garlic Powder

Cayenne Pepper

White Wine

Flour

Zip Lock Bag

Canola oil for frying



In a zip lock bag add 1 cup flour seasoned with a teaspoon of salt, pepper, garlic powder, pinch of cayenne pepper.  Rinse wings under cold water. Drain. Shake in the season flour. 

Heat canola oil on medium heat. Fry seasoned wings in heated oil 5 minutes on each side.

Remove from oil, place on foil lined and oil sprayed cookie sheet. Brush each wing with melted butter and bake for on 400 degrees for around 45 minutes or until browned and crispy.

In a medium size bowl add 4 tablespoons melted butter, 1/4 cup olive oil,  3 tablespoons lemon juice, 3 tablespoons white wine (Chablis) or more to taste, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon dried parsley, 1/4 teaspoon each salt, pepper and cayenne pepper mix all together.

Pour over crispy hot wings and serve.

A Candle To Pass Along Yearly Vigual For All Bloggers United

We shall never forget

We shall keep this day,

We shall keep the events and the tears

In our minds, our memory and our hearts

and take them with us as we carry on.

 

Everyone join me tonight and  light a red candle today at 6 pm with a moment of silence vigual

September 11, 2001 was a life-altering event for not just Americans, but for the entire world.  Prayers to all the families and victims of 911 today, now 11 years later, it still seems so impossible that we endured such disaster and pain . A moment of silence for all bloggers of the world to unit who read this, may God be with all who lost their lives and their families.

We are keeping this candle burning for all the people

& their families who were in the planes, buildings and

anywhere near the explosions today. May God be with them now and

always to  help them through each day and their tomorrows

God Bless

Keep The Candle Going

I asked God for water, he gave me an ocean.

I asked God for a flower, he gave me a garden.

I asked God for a tree, he gave me a forest.

I asked God for a friend, he gave me YOU.

"There is not enough darkness in the world to put

out the light of one candle."

The Candle of Love, Hope and Friendship

Patriotic Cake  
(Bloggers every year bake something patriotic to respect and remember everyone who lost their lives) 

 September 11th,  2011 at 3:00 pm, my sons Chad and Curt lost their father to Cancer. A day no one could ever forget in our family. My heart goes out to all the family that lost a loved one on this day.

R.I.P. You will be their Guardian Angel now

Italian Fig and Cheese Filled Galette Recipe

Almond Cheese Filling:
3 1/2 ounces of almond paste
1/3 cup mascarpone cheese
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping:
1/4 cup raspberry seedless jam or other seedless jam of choice
6 large fresh brown figs sliced stems removed or (around 20 dried that have been simmered in water for 5 minutes then drained)

Garnish:
1 egg white
1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 tart dough recipe or use  (to make a11 inch round circle) of pastry dough,  store bought pie dough or use puff pastry dough found in frozen foods section of your local supermarkets.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a food processor add the paste, cheese, honey, vanilla. Blend until smooth. Roll out pastry and place on a heavy duty parchment paper lined baking sheet.  Pour the cheese on top of the dough almost to the edges all around. Place the sliced figs on top of the cheese mixture, (microwave jam 10 seconds) and  spoon or pour on top of the figs. Fold the edges all around the exposing the center.

 Brush with some  beaten egg white wash and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 40 minutes or until browned at 400 degrees.
Serve with ice cream or plain.

Wagon Wheels Chickpea and Broccoli Rabe Soup Recipe

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 (15 1/2-ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained or other white beans

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

8 ounces broccoli rabe (rapini), chopped into 1-inch pieces rinsed and boiled till tender, then drain

3 cups fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth

4 cups hot, cooked wagon wheels

1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes

2 tablespoon tomato paste

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon each garlic powder, dried oregano

1 tablespoon fresh chopped basil and fresh parsley

1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Long shreds of grating cheese for garnish

Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, saute add chickpeas, with garlic powder and  tomato paste, sauté 2 minutes. Add fresh garlic, cayenne pepper and sauté 2 minutes.
Add the cooked broccoli rabe and chicken broth to pan,  bring to a simmer and cook 3 minutes. Add the  chopped fresh tomatoes and herbs. Simmer for another 10 minutes.
Stir in hot pasta and salt, cook 2 minutes or until heated throughout. Stir in 1/4 cup of grating cheese stir to blend evenly.  Add more water if too thick.

Add long shreds of Parmesan cheese to the top of your soup.