The Kitchen Chalkboard

Winter has arrived! And here I am, longing for a chicken meatball soup with pasta. There are a ton out there but I wanted one that doesn’t take an hour to make and require the use of the stove and the oven. During weekdays, when I am trying to get dinner on the table, I need simple. And this recipe, which I’ve adapted, is just that.

You may not have used Great Northern Beans before but I recommend you try them. They should be easy to find in the bean aisle of the grocery store. Great Northern Beans are high in fiber, low in fat, and have no cholesterol. They are medium-shaped white beans with a firmer texture than Cannellini beans. They hold up well in this recipe and really make a great addition here.

I heard Rachel Ray use the term stoup, half soup, and half stew, years ago. This recipe would be in that category. It is not very brothy since the pasta, meatballs, and beans absorb a great deal of it. This makes it hearty but not at all heavy.

I didn’t even call this soup to my kids — it’s meatballs and pasta without sauce. It’s all about marketing, right?

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

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Gift Ideas for Someone who Likes to Cook

Gift giving is hard. I’m here to make it as easy as possible. Check out the items below to bring a smile to not just the cooks but everyone on your list.

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

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How to Make Pumpkin Puree

It all started with Curious George.

Story time in our house is always an exciting time. It usually involves me reading while my little ones ask ten thousand questions. The conversations vary from what are clouds made of to the most recent, how does pumpkin pie taste?

Curious George was eating a pumpkin pie, and my husband pipes in, “Can you make a pumpkin pie?” I was ecstatic! My family never asks for any specific food. Let alone a vegetable! I’m counting pie as a vegetable in this instance. It’s an ingredient, right?

Before we make a pie, we need to make the pumpkin puree. Let’s go to the chalkboard.

Want to learn how to make pumpkin puree from scratch?

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

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Quick Ramen Dinner

The kids went back to school last week and our leisurely summer schedule was out the window. I had backpacks, school supplies, forms, lunch boxes and snacks all ready to go. And then the whirlwind happened. Shoes that fit weeks ago were too small, the big kid tried to put the little kids’ clothes on and tears were shed. We managed to pull it together to get outside in time — only for the bus to be a no-show. It was not the morning I had envisioned

By the time evening came, I had Meet the Teacher Night and was running out of steam. I needed a comforting dinner with little time commitment.

Enter the key to dinner in minutes – instant ramen noodles.

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Well-Stocked Pantry

When I moved into my first apartment, I decided I needed to learn how to cook. I loved to eat and nurture so cooking was a natural fit. Slowly cooking through the only cookbook I had, The Campbell’s Soup Cookbook, I learned a ton and I was sold.

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Can You Eat Shrimp Tails?

I was recently sitting down for dinner with my favorite shrimp recipe, and as I was eating, I pushed the shrimp tails to the side of the plate as I always do. I looked at those little tails, and my mind went all over the place.

Can you eat shrimp tails? How do they taste? What else can you do with them? I knew there was work to be done.

Want to learn more about whether or not you can eat shrimp tails?

Let’s go to The Chalkboard.

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Copper Cookware

Up early with the kids on the weekend I couldn’t help but come across the copper chef infomercials. You may have seen them boasting a square pan! Oven-safe! Heatproof! Non-stick! I mean, what’s not to love? I was intrigued. Cooler heads prevailed before I went online to purchase. I started researching copper as an element in cookware right away. Did I need a Copper Chef pot in my kitchen? Do you?

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

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Online Grocery Shopping Tips

Tips For Online Grocery Shopping

Online grocery shopping has increased in popularity.

Here are some online grocery shopping tips to make your next shopping experience a successful one.

Always check the specials section when shopping. There you can often find great savings including free delivery, deep discounts, and even complimentary items.
Create a grocery list from the essentials you purchase every week to make checkout easier.
To ensure you get the delivery time you want, start shopping a few days earlier. Check out using your grocery list of essentials and add other items later on. Most services allow you to add items up to 12 hours before the delivery time…
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Butternut Squash Ravioli

Try this butternut squash ravioli as a main course or appetizer.

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Bolognese Stuffed Shells