Thursday, September 30, 2010

PaperCubed -A Transparent October and Foodie Friday

This month's PaperCubed (P3) challenge is to use acrylic in your creation.  Remember, NO CARDS.  

I chose to use one of my favorite digital bag templates - The Funky Bag from The Digichick and a medium weight acrylic that I got from Dick Blick.   This bag has a cool curved flap that you can see here.  I reversed the direction of the flap and hid the clear velcro dot closure with the middle ghost.    See that awesome velvet corduroy and the satin cutout bats and ghosts?  They're from May Arts!  I love the texture of the velvet corduroy and it comes in awesome colors!


Remember, you have the entire month to get your acrylic thinking cap on so let's see those 3D acrylic creations!  Post your project over at P3 and you could win a super prize.  Be sure to pop in so you can see the other fabulous DT creations!

Challenges:
Aud's Challenge Blog - Halloween Sentiments
No Time to Stamp - Three is the Key (ssnotime159)

Now for Foodie Friday!  We love soup so we don't wait for cool weather to enjoy it.  This Italian Wedding Soup is easy and one of our favorites.  It's even better the second day.   


Italian Wedding Soup 

1 recipe Italian Mini Meatballs (recipe follows)

1 c. onion, diced
1 c. celery, diced
1 c. carrots, diced
1 c. ham, diced
1 T. garlic, minced
2 T. olive oil
1/2 c. dry white wine
6 c. chicken broth
2 t. dried oregano
1 t. red pepper flakes (may be omitted if you don't want the heat)
1 bay leaf
1 can (15 oz.) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
2 c. fresh spinach
1/2 c. chopped fresh parsley
2 eggs
Shredded Parmesan

Sweat vegetables, ham and garlic in oil in a large soup pot, covered, over med. heat until soft, about 10 minutes.

Deglaze with wine; reduce until nearly evaporated.  Stir in broth and seasonings, bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, covered, 15-20 minutes.

Drop meatballs into simmering soup and simmer 3-4 minutes.  Add beans, spinach and parsley, and cook just until spinach wilts, about 2 minutes.

In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with some of the hot broth, then remove the soup from the heat; stir in egg mixture.

Serve and garnish with shredded fresh Parmesan.


Meatballs (May be made in advance and frozen until ready to use.  I make double and freeze for spaghetti & meatballs)

Stir together:
1/4 c. unseasoned fresh bread crumbs
1/4 c. grated Parmesan
2 T. whole milk
2 T. chicken broth
2 T. chopped fresh parsley
1 egg, beaten
2 t. dried Italian seasoning
1 t. garlic, minced
1 t. kosher salt
1/2 t. ground black pepper
1/8 t. red pepper flakes
Pinch of nutmeg

Add:
1/2 lb. ground chuck OR ground turkey

Mix thoroughly.  Form meatballs using a small scoop or melon baller and place on a aluminum foiled lined cookie sheet.  Bake in a 350 degree oven until meatballs are cooked through about 15-20 minutes.  May be used immediately or frozen for later use.

                                
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12 comments:

Kimberly Jones said...

Yum! This soup looks delicious! I love soup all year long, but especially in the fall and winter. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

Michelle said...

Hi Charlene
Fabulous treat bag, such a fun design!
Your Italian Wedding Soup looks delish. Your Foodie Fridays are always make me hungry!

Michelle :-)

Kelly said...

What a fabulous treat bag Charlene! I love the way you decorated it for Hallowwen! Your Wedding soup looks and sounds delicious!

Sharon (notimetostamp) said...

What a darling treat bag/box Charlene, LOVE IT! So glad to have you play the Stamp Simply Challenge this week!

Lorrinda said...

Love the treat box! And how appropriate to have the candy holder on Foodie Friday...candy is a food group right?
We love Italian Wedding Soup at our house, and every time I make it my kids ask if Italians just call it wedding soup, or if they even have it at their weddings?

jen said...

FUN box!! I love that corduroy too!

Audrey said...

What a yummy bag! I love the skeleton! Thanks for joining us at Aud Sentiments and don't forget to enter in our October monthly drawing going on right now.

Unknown said...

Wow, absolutely love your project, what a fantastic idea!! Thanks for joining us at Aud Sentiment. Cheers Suzanne

Julie said...

That treat bag is amazing! Thanks for joining us at Aud Sentiments!
hugs
Julie

marilynprestonn said...

Gee, I've only tried wedding soup by Campbells. I am sure yours is much healthier...will have to try this one for sure Charlene.

Thank you for sharing this, the picture is making my mouth water already! yummy!

mamia (me and mine in Alabama) said...

Wow Charlene, his is an adorable treat bag and has my favorite candy in it as well. I love all candy corn but the ones with the chocolate at the bottom are sooo yummy. I am gonna have to try the soup recipe too, today would be perfect since we woke to a cool 35 degrees.

Ruthie said...

mmmmmm - yummy! Great treat bag!

Thanks for joining us at Aud Sentiments

Rx

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