Quality Family time- Its all in the balance!

Create a Family night. the solution is simple and can create memories to last a lifetime. Relax and talk with each other! I find cooking obviously very entertaining for everyone (and lots lots of wine haha)!! plus, I just learned how to make my mothers "secret" pasta sauce haha but we all learned a little bit more about each other! so.. take the time and enjoy.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Winter is around the corner .. its cold in the morning, hot in the afternoon and freezing at night so unless you are superman, you are going to get sick! Here's nature's BEST cold and flu delicious remedy!!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 medium carrots chopped

1 bay leaf

2 quarts chicken stock

8 ounces noodles or thin pasta and cut it into small pieces

1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken

kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 potato chopped

1 small zucchini chopped

tomato powder (knorr, consomate)

Step by step

Place a soup pot over medium heat and coat with the oil. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, potato, bay leaf and zucchini. cook and stir for about 6 minutes, until vegetables are softened but not browned. Pour in the chicken stock and bring the liquid to a boil. Add the noodles and simmer for 5 minutes or until tender. Fold in the chicken, and continue to simmer for another couple of minutes to heat through: season with salt and pepper and Consomate (tomato powder). Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving if desired!

Wake-up Call

Although Not to be recommended, a cocktail can be just the way to start the day, particularily during the weekend when you've a lazy day ahead of you. Fruity, fizzy, creamy, or caffeine-based, any of the recipes featured here will make a perfect accompaniment to that late breakfast or leisurely brunch.

Banana Daiquiri

serves 1

Ingredients

2 measures white rum

1/2 measure triple sec

1/2 measure light cream

1 teaspoon sugar syrup

1/4 banana, peeled and sliced

wedge of lime

*Place everything into a blender mix and serve in a cold lowball glass.

strawberry colada

4-6 ice cubes, crushed

3 measures rum

4 measures pineapple juice

1 measure coconut cream

6 strawberries, hulled

pineapple wedge

extra strawberries

*Place in blender everything, mix pour into a chill highball glass.

Espresso Galliano

Serves 1

Ingredients

2 measures Galliano

freshly made strong black coffee

sugar to taste

lemon or orange juice

sugar

twist of orange peel

*Pour the Galliano into a warm heatproof glass. Add the coffee, a teaspoon or two of sugar and a splash of lemon or orange juice to taste and stir, serve with a twist of orange peel.