Work of the Heart

Tomato Soup is an absolute classic.   Homemade tomato soup is  delicious and so easy, it also happens to be one of my family’s favorites. It’s easy to make on the stove top. A good heavy bottom pot, wooden spoon & immersion blender or regular blender. Ingredients: 1 medium onion 3-4 stalks of celery 6-7 carrots 1-2 tablespoons of butter Salt Pepper 1 tsp dried parsley 1 tsp dried basil 2 large cans or tomatoes  1 carton on chicken stock 1/2 cup Parmesan  Milk    or half & half  In a large pot, melt butter on medium high heat. Add large chunks of onion. Let get translucent or just a little browned. Then add celery and carrots. Large chunks is fin because this whole soup will get blended down. Season throughout cooking process. Stir regularly.  As veggies begin to soften add tomatoes. Stir well, put lid on and lower to medium/low heat. Let come to a boil stirring occasionally to avoid scalding...

Another variation on my granola recipe.  I love coconut, but really no one in my family cares for it very much.  So I was really surprised at how much my crew loved this.  They gobbled this recipe up! See my original post here ! This particular  flavor  is great to top fresh fruit for breakfast, or as dessert. I store my granola in a large mason jar.  This particular batch I split and put half in a ziplock bag and stuck it in the freezer.  It will be perfect for fruit and yogurt parfaits for breakfast the first week of school. Coconut & Vanilla Granola 3 Cups of old fashion Oats 1 1/2 Cups of Walnuts (finely chopped) 2 Cups of sweetened Coconut Mixed together in a large bowl 1 stick of melted butter 2 Tablespoon of good vanilla 1/3 cup of honey  Stir wet ingredients with dry until mixed very well.  Spread on a lightly sprayed cookie sheet Bake at 325 for 45-50 minutes or until...