Quick Alfredo Sauce

I know that this sauce is kind of simple. I mostly am blogging about it to preserve it for my kids when I am gone so that they know how to make it. If you have ever bought Alfredo sauce at the grocery store, this one will put it to shame. The best part about it is that it only takes about 15 minutes.

Please, for the sake of all things sacred, DO NOT use the green shake bottle of shelf-stable Parmesan cheese. That's just gross. If you decide to do that I would urge you to stop now and just buy a jar of Alfredo sauce. Call me a cheese snob (which I admit) but it just will not taste as wonderful.  My favorite Parmesan cheese comes from the fine folks at Sartori.

I know, if you have read any of my previous posts, you will already know that I think this is just the best ever. Why mess with perfection?

Here is what you need:

(1) stick of REAL butter (equals 1/2 cup) - please do not use margarine...just no.
(2) cups (or 1 pint) of heavy whipping cream
(1 1/2) cups of Sartori Grated Parmesan cheese
(1/2) teaspoon Fresh grated nutmeg (yep, I do not use a shake bottle of nutmeg that has been sitting around in my cabinet for centuries getting dull)

On medium-low heat, melt butter in a saucepan. Quick tip: I cut my butter up into slices to help it melt faster. When butter is melted, add the whipping cream. Whisk to combine well. Next add all your grated Parmesan cheese. Whisk to combine.

I cooked this on the stove top and stirred very frequently. You don't have to stir non-stop but don't neglect it. Keep stirring and checking until you can put a spoon it, take it out, and then draw a line down the middle of the spoon with your finger and the lines do not join back together. Be careful, this will most likely be hot.All total it takes about 15 minutes. Don't worry about it being too loose as it will thicken up as it cools.

That's it....how is that for easy? Pour it over pasta, chicken or whatever! I am convinced you will not go back to store-bought Alfredo sauce ever again.

Smoked Ham and Potato Soup

The weather has begun to change. Its time to roll out the soup recipes. What better time for a hearty soup when my two favorite men at home are sick?  I think a good strong soup always makes a body feel better!

The main ingredients in this soup are as follows:

Back to my favorite Cumberland Gap smoked ham, cut into small to medium dice
(1) 3 pound bag of golden potatoes, cut into even small chunks - try to keep as close to the same size as possible so the cooking time will be the same
(2) medium onions, diced
(6) cloves of garlic, smashed and chopped
olive oil
butter
(3) cans of Campbell's Cream of Chicken and Herb soup
(4) soup cans full of water
(1) cup of heavy cream

Chop your onions and put in the bottom of your soup pot with a turn or two of olive oil and two tablespoons of butter on medium low heat.  Dice the ham and add in.  Next add your smashed garlic.

While your ham and onions sizzle and marry, dice potatoes.  It is not necessary to peel the potatoes when using golden potatoes. The peel adds a nice texture.  Dicing them to even slices allows for even cooking time.  When they are all sliced, dump them all on top of the ham with the garlic and onions.  Next add the three cans of Campbell's Cream of Chicken and Herb soup and the (4) soup cans full of water.  Allow this to come to a boil and then reduce heat and cover and let simmer for at least 20 minutes.

Check the potatoes to see if they are done.  When the potatoes are tender, add (1) tablespoon of butter and (1) cup of heavy cream.  Allow the butter to melt and stir in the heavy cream.  Allow to heat through for about 10 minutes and then serve.

This was a thick, hearty soup that was warm and comforting. It was very easy to make and made my two men feel better. I hope you try it!

Raspberry Tiramisu Trifle

My amazing husband has quite the sweet tooth. I love making him happy so I set out to make a dessert with three things he really likes: raspberries, coffee and Milano cookies.  I wish that I could say I came up with this idea all by myself but alas, I cannot.  It came from a "new" cookbook found yesterday while on my thrift store marathon! It is called "Campbell's Potluck For All Occasions" by Publications International Ltd. 2007.  The recipe can also be found online right here: Campbell's Raspberry Tiramisu Trifle

It is an interesting cookbook and I was impressed with the recipes.  I got very excited when I found the trifle recipe.  I knew I had to make it for my sweet husband.  The only problem with the recipe was that I do not have a trifle bowl! How trifling! (Sorry! I could not resist!)

I started with three bricks of cream cheese, softened.

I put a second bowl and beaters in the freezer to get cold while I beat three cups of powdered sugar into the cream cheese.  I needed the other bowl and beaters cold because I was going to whip some heavy whipping cream and having a cold bowl and beaters helps the whipping go quicker and easier!

 Combining the powdered sugar and cinnamon was no easy feat for my little handheld mixer! I should have used my Kitchen Aid but I had it busy behind me whipping the heavy cream into a frenzy of fluffiness!

I added the cinnamon to my cream cheese and powdered sugar mixture and combined until it was light tan and smooth.

The heavy whipping cream that whipped all light and fluffy was folded it into the cream cheese mixture.

I began the layering.  First a layer of the cream cheese on the bottom. Next dip the Milano cookies into a cup of strong brewed coffee and place them on top.

 A sprinkle of raspberries and the the layering begins again.

I just kept dipping and layering until I reached the top! A few extra raspberries for good measure and the trifle was done! How does it taste? I have NO idea! It is in the refrigerator right now, setting up. I will let you know!!