Showing posts with label breadsticks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breadsticks. Show all posts

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Minestrone and Easy Breadsticks


This meal is a definite family favorite. My mom used to make it when I was growing up and I even remember requesting it as my birthday dinner as a teen. We made the breadsticks twice in the past week. The pictures above are with half whole wheat flour and the ones below are with no wheat flour. They taste great both ways. This soup is pretty easy and very comforting. It does take a little time, but if you plan ahead, your house will smell great. Perfect for a chilly weekend!


Minestrone
3/4 pd mild pork sausage
4 cups water
2 beef bouilllon cubes
1 large onion, chopped
2 medium carrots, sliced
2 medium celery ribs, diced
1- 16 oz can tomatoes, pureed
2- 8 oz cans tomato sauce
2 tsps crushed dried parsley flakes
1/2 tsp crushed dried basil
1/2 tsp crushed dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
garlic salt to taste
1-15 oz can garbanzo beans
1-8 oz can cut green beans, undrained
2/3 cup uncooked wide noodles or other pasta
Brown pork sausage in a dutch oven; drain. Dissolve bouillon cubes in water. Add onions, carrots, celery, tomatoes, tomato sauce, parsley, and seasonings. Simmer, covered, for 4 to 6 hours. Thirty minutes before serving time, add beans and noodles. Simmer until noodles are tender. Makes 8 servings.

Easy Breadsticks
1 Tbls active dry yeast
1 Tbls honey
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 tsp salt
3 to 4 cups all-purpose flour, stirred and measured (you can use half whole wheat)

In a large mixing bowl, soften yeast and honey in warm water; allow to stand for 5 minutes. Stir in salt. Gradually add flour, blending with a wooden spoon until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl to form a ball. Divide dough in to 12 pieces. Roll each piece between hands and make sticks about 10 or 12 inches long. Place on greased cookie sheets. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with desired seasonings- poppy, sesame or caraway seeds, Parmesan cheese, crushed dried parsley, or garlic salt. Allow to rise 10 to 15 minutes, if desired, not necessary. Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Coming Tomorrow- Late Barefoot Blogger's Root Vegetable Pot Pie with a Phyllo Crust