Once again, we are in the midst of icy temperatures and tons of snow! It seems to me that the people I know are generally split into two camps when snow days hit -- those who want to cozy up indoors and those who want to get out and get moving! Lucky for my readers, I have something for both! Since I am the cozy up indoors type but my daughter is a cold-weather sports girl, I have my go-tos to make everyone happy.
A few winters ago during a blizzard, after several attempts that came close but missed the mark, I perfected a recipe for Sausage Tortellini Soup that my friends and family have been raving about ever since. With the perfect blend of spices and the cheesy, hearty goodness of tortellini, it's a great recipe for a cold day! Oftentimes to make it a little healthier, I will substitute turkey sausage instead of pork, and it turns out just as delicious. Try it, and I promise you'll like it! A good, crusty bread and a salad on the side, perhaps a nice glass of red, and you'll be happy you're trapped indoors! Take a look at the end of this blog for the recipe, and don't forget to let me know how you liked it!
While my idea of happiness on a cold day is staying indoors with a bowl of piping hot soup and a good bottle of vino, my daughter is the polar -- get it?! -- opposite! She likes to be outdoors, no matter how cold the weather. From skiing, to snowboarding, to making angels in the snow, she is happy when there is powder! And I am happy when I know she is all bundled up, warm and waterproofed. Lucky for us, Buckmann's Ski Shops are close by! Buckmann's has locations in Doylestown, Montgomeryville, and King of Prussia, and it is hands down my favorite stop for cold weather gear. They have a huge selection of ski and snowboarding apparel for adults, but what I like most about Buckmann's is how big their kids department is! I've yet to see such a large selection anywhere else. From North Face, to Marmont, to Patagonia and Spyder, the list of brands they carry for both children and adults goes on and on. The staff there are always friendly and willing to go the extra mile, and they are very knowledgeable about their products! They have been keeping my daughter cozy warm in freezing temps for years! Next time you need ski gear or even just a hat and gloves, stop in and see them!
Stay warm everyone! Until next time!
Jan
Ingredients:
1 lb. sausage (I use half sweet and half hot)
1 cup chopped onion (I use white)
2 cloves chopped garlic
5 cups beef stock
2 cans chopped/diced tomatoes
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 large zucchini, diced
2 large chopped carrots
1 chopped green pepper
1/2 cup red wine
2 tablespoons oregano
2 tablespoons basil
1 tablespoon black pepper
20. oz. bag refrigerated tortellini
Directions:
1. Remove sausage from casing.
2. Heat a little olive oil (2 tbs. or so) in a large soup pot.
3. Crumble sausage into pot and saute until mostly cooked through, then remove from pot and put aside.
4. Saute onions and garlic in same pot, then, when onions are translucent, return sausage to pot.
5. Add beef stock, tomatoes, sauce, vegetables (except zucchini), spices and wine. Simmer 40-45 minutes.
6. After 45 minutes, add zucchini and tortellini to pot. Cook for 8-10 minutes.
Serve with parmesan cheese, pecorino romano, or locatelli cheese. Bon apetit!
Janice Livshits
REALTOR®
EveryHome Realty
Worcester, PA 19490
Cell : 215-275-7380
Office : 215-699-5555
Fax: 215-699-5132
www.EveryHome.com
