Tortellini Soup

This is a great recipe for a refreshing soup.  I'm not sure where Mom got the recipe but, it's a keeper.

1 T butter 

2 cloves garlic (minced)

1 15 oz chicken broth

1 small pkg. tortellini (fresh-cheese)

1 15 oz can diced tomatoes

1/2 pkg. frozen chopped spinach (thawed and drained)

1 T Italian seasoning

parmesan cheese

Melt butter in medium pan.  Add garlic and saute.  Add chicken broth and bring to a low boil.  Add tortellini and cook at a low boil for 7 minutes.  Add tomatoes, spinach and italian seasoning.  Heat through and serve with parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.

*I haven't always been able to find fresh tortellini.  I've experimented with both frozen and dried tortellini.  They both turn out just as good.  If using dry tortellini, double the amount of chicken broth.*

Grandma Keller's Chili

(I always turn to this exact recipe EVERY TIME I make chili.)

2 med. cans crushed tomatoes

2 med. cans stewed tomatoes

1 large can tomato puree

2 med. cans Hot Chili beans

2 lbs. ground round steak (not ground beef)

1 large onion, sliced thin and separated

4 T. chili powder

2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. black pepper

1 tsp. garlic powder

Put first 4 ingredients into large pot on medium heat. Crumble and brown ground round, along with sliced onions, in a large skillet. Add the remainder of ingredients to the meat/onion mixture. (VERY IMPORTANT, add ALL the seasonings to the meat mixture, not the tomato mixture.) When meat is well browned, add to the tomato mixture in the large pot. Mix well and cook on LOW for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Serves 6...enjoy!