Tomato Basil w/Orzo Soup

I know what you are thinking... doesn't a certain popular, Utah based restaurant have a soup like this? And the answer is yes, but not quite. This one might actually be better... AND you can get a whole tureen for the price of a small bowl at said restaurant. Can't beat that!

You will need:

1 tsp olive oil

1/4 cup apple juice (or cranberry, just something sweet)

1/2 medium onion finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped

1 can petite diced tomatoes (1 lb can, no chilis or flavors like garlic)

1 cup vegetable or chicken broth (can use bullion)

1/4 cup fresh basil or 2 Tbl dried basil

1 pint heavy cream

1/4 cup butter

Tobasco sauce to taste

Orzo pasta

Heat oil and apple juice in soup pot over medium heat. Saute onion, garlic and pepper 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently until onion is soft, but not brown. Remove from heat. Add tomatoes and broth, stir. Puree in blender and then return to pot. Add pasta, cook 10 minutes (I like to cook the pasta separately and add it in as I serve it, if so, then just cook 10 minutes without the pasta) Add butter and cream. Stir. (if using dried basil, add now) Simmer 15 minutes. DO NOT BOIL. Add basil (if using fresh).

Serve. This is good topped with sour cream, orzo, feta cheese or anything else you want to experiment with:) Also, I haven't tried it with the tobasco yet, but I am pretty sure it is just the kick it is lacking. Have fun and enjoy!

Black and Whites

Well, that just sounds weird (kinda like a well-known Michael Jackson song...maybe this is what he was talking about). Anyway, when I came back from Boston I was OBSESSED with black and white cookies, and even found a recipe to try and began to post it back in July, but never having tried it, I wanted to test it first before the final post. So, I finally tweaked it, but it still seems to have saved to July for some reason, so if anyone is interested, look them up on the sidebar under Cookies and Snacks. They are delicious!

Seven Layer Magic Bars

1/2 c. margarine

1-1/2c graham cracker crumbs

1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk

1c. butterscotch chips

1c. choc chips (I like milk but semi sweet are good too)

1-1/2c. flake coconut

1c. sliced shaved almonds

In 9x13 pan melt butter @350 sprinkle crumbs over butter, pour milk evenly over crumbs, top with remaining ing. in order listed. Press down firmly. Bake 25 min or untill lightly browned. Cool, cut into bars. Store at room temp.