Vegas Wedding Soup

2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 red onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon each: dried Italian Herb seasoning, dried fennel seed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Freshly ground black pepper
2 Quarts low sodium chicken broth
18 frozen Italian meatballs (I use trader joe's meatballs, they are a little smaller)
1 pkg (16 oz) mixed frozen vegetables (Italian Blend)
2/3 cup small dried pasta
2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 gap (5 oz) baby arugula or spinach
1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

1. Heat the oil over medium heat in a stockpot or Dutch oven. Add onion and garlic: cook, stirring, until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Stir in the Italian seasoning, fennel seed, salt, red pepper flakes and black pepper to taste. Cook 30 seconds. Pour in the broth: increase heat to high. Heat mixture to a boil.

2. Add the meatballs, vegetables, pasta and vinegar to stockpot; lower heat to medium. cook until vegetables are heated through and pasta is cooked, about 10 minutes. Stir in arugula; cook until leaves have wilted, about 2 minutes. Serve soup with grated Parmesan or Romano cheese.

Submitted by: Krista Spaletto

Artichoke Parmesan Sourdough Stuffing

1 lb mushrooms, sliced
1 Tbs. butter
2 onions (3/4 lb. total), chopped
1 cup chopped celery
2 Tbs. minced garlic
About 2 cups chicken broth
1 loaf (1 lb.) sourdough bread, cut into 1/2" cubes
2 jars (6 oz. each) marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning
1 1/2 Tbs. minced fresh rosemary leaves, or 3/4 tsp. crumbled dried rosemary

* 1 lb. Jimmy Dean (or similar) sausage, browned. (The recipe didn't call for this, but I added it and it was very good)

Salt and pepper
1 large egg

In a 12" frying pan over high heat, cook mushrooms, butter, onions, celery, and garlic, stirring often, until veggies are lightly browned--about 15 mins. Pour into a large bowl. Add a bit of broth to pan and stir to scrape up browned bits. Add to bowl.

Pour 2 cups broth into bowl and add bread, artichoke hearts, parmesan, poultry seasoning, and rosemary; mix well. Mix in sausage, if using. Add salt and pepper to taste. Make a well in stuffing. Add egg and beat with a fork to blend; mix egg with stuffing.

Preheat oven to 325-350 (use temp. that turkey requires). Spoon stuffing into a shallow 3-qt. (9x13) casserole. For moist stuffing, cover with foil; for crusty stuffing, do not cover. Bake until hot (at least 150 degrees in center) or lightly browned, about 50 minutes.

Make ahead: Up to 1 day ahead, make stuffing, put in casserole, cover, and chill. Allow about 1 hour to bake.

This is a Sunset magazine receipe that we all thought was great~

Submitted by: Emily Sprague

Spicy Pumpkin Soup

4 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 med yellow onions, chopped
2 tsp garlic, minced
1/2 tsp red pepper, crushed
2 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp ground coriander
Pinch ground cayenne pepper (optional)
6 cups roasted pumpkin (actually it's butternut squash or any orange squash--this is what they call "pumpkin" around here)
5 cups chicken broth
2 cups milk
1/2 cup or less brown sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream

Melt butter over med-high heat. Add onions and garlic and cook, stirring often, about 4 minutes. Add red pepper, spices, pumpkin (squash), and chicken broth; blend well. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat; simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer soup, in batches, to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth; return to saucepan. With soup on low heat, add mild and brown sugar, stirring to blend. Add cream and season with salt and pepper as desired.
YUMMY!!

Submitted by: Sue Ng

White Chicken Chili

1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cans chicken broth
1 jar (48 oz) great northern beans, with liquid
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tsp minced garlic
1 can (3 oz) chopped green chilies, w/ liquid
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground oregano
Shredded cheese (cheddar/colby jack) and tortilla chips

Directions:
Bake Chicken breasts (350 for 30 min). Let cool and shred pieces. In a large pot, pour small amount of broth. Add onion and garlic and simmer until onion is wilted and hot. Add the chilies, stir, then add remaining broth and beans w/ liquid. Mix in the cumin and oregano. Bring to a boil and add the chicken. Cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes.
Serve topped with lots of shredded cheese and crushed chips.

**Note** GLUTEN FREE

Submitted by: Miriam

Cabbage Roll Skillet

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1/2 medium onion (chopped)
2 cans tomato soup
2 lbs chopped cabbage
1/2 cups uncooked white rice
Salt (to taste)
1 can beef broth

Directions:
Brown the meet along with the onion in a skillet until done (drain off fat)
Add the remainder of the ingredients
Cook until cabbage is tender and rice is done (20-30 minutes)

If you like cabbage rolls and don't want to mess with the hassle, this is a really good alternative and it takes just as good.

Submitted by: Miriam

Frozen Frango Mint Dessert

Cream:
1 cup butter
3 cups powdered sugar

Add:
4 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted & cooled
1 cup chopped nuts
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. peppermint extract

Spoon into paper muffin cups & freeze. serve with whipped cream and a cherry on top.

My mom would make this dessert for special occasions (Christmas) when we were young and it is yummy!

Submitted by: Joanna Falk

Pumpkin Bars

Mix everything together:

4 eggs
1 2/3 cup sugar
1 cup cooking oil
2 cups pumpkin
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda

Bake in a jelly roll pan at 350 degrees about 30 minutes or until done.
Cool and frost.

Frosting:

1 - 3 oz. pkg cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

Mix and spread on pumpkin bars. Refrigerate and cut into bars.

These are a family favorite! Geoff says these are his favorite.

Submitted by: Joanna Falk