Sweet Potato Bisque

I got this recipe from my neighbor.  I don't think she would mind if I share it since she had put in in my son's middle school fundraiser cookbook.  It is very easy to make and super tasty.  It is a good way for me to use sweet potatoes that I can enjoy.  I don't particularly like sweet potatoes even though I know how much healthier they are than white potatoes.  That subject comes up a lot on this blog.

Sweet Potato Bisque

This soup is simple, rich and easy to make.

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 cup celery (chopped)
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste

Melt the butter in a 4 quart saucepan.  Add the onions and celery.  Saute for 10 minutes.  Add the diced sweet potato and chicken broth.  Bring to a boil, lower heat to medium, cover and cook for 25 minutes until the potatoes are very tender.  Puree the potatoes in a blender (in small batches) or with a hand-held immersion blender.  Stir in the milk.  Season to taste with the salt and pepper.  Reheat and serve.

Enjoy!

Baked Ziti

This is another traditional Italian dish that I rarely if ever make.  My sister used to make Baked Ziti all the time when her kids were little.  I decided that it was time for me to make some.  This gets the "thumbs up" from my husband and my son.

BAKED ZITI

Servings:  12

Ingredients:

1 pound dry ziti pasta

1-1/2 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, minced

1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary  (1/2 teaspoon dry rosemary)

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound ground beef

½ pound ground pork sausage

1-1/2 (26 ounces) jars spaghetti sauce

Salt to taste

1 (6 ounce) package of provolone cheese sliced

1-1/2 cups ricotta cheese

1 (6 ounce) package mozzarella cheese, shredded

2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1.       Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.  Cook pasta in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.

2.       Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat.  Cook onion in oil until tender.  Stir in rosemary and garlic.  Transfer to a small bowl.

3.       Place ground beef and sausage in the skillet.  Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown.  Stir in the onion mixture and the spaghetti sauce.  Season with salt.  Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes.

4.       Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.  In the prepared dish, layer half of the cooked pasta, provolone cheese, ricotta and a little less than half the meat mixture.  Then layer the rest of the pasta, mozzarella cheese, remaining meat mixture, and Parmesan cheese.

5.       Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until heated through and cheeses are melted.

 Enjoy!