Italian Sausage Cabbage Patch Soup

I was feeling a little under the weather last week, so I was craving soup! I had a head of cabbabge and other fresh veggies that I wanted to use up, so off to Pinterest I went to find a soup recipe that uses cabbage. I came across this delicious recipe from The Crockin Girls that they affectionately called "Cabbage Patch" soup. I loved my cabbage patch doll and so the name drew me in! The recipe calls for ground beef, but I wanted to use Italian sausage to add a little more of a rustic taste to my soup.



Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef, or Italian Sausage browned and drained
4 ribs celery, coarsely chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 cup baby carrots, cut in 1/2
2 (15-ounce) cans Ranch Style Beans (with juice) I used Bush's Grillin Beans
2 (16-ounce) cans diced tomatoes (with juice)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt 1/2 teaspoon onion salt dash of cayenne pepper
1 to 2 cups water
1/2 head of cabbage, shredded

Directions:

Step One: Place first three ingredients in a skillet and brown until it crumbles (meat doesn't have to be cooked all the way through), drain, and place in slow cooker.

Step Two: Add rest of the ingredients, except for cabbage and mix well.

Step Three: Place shredded cabbage on top leaving it as a layer on top (do not mix).

Step Four: Cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours or HIGH for 6 hours.

Step Five: Two hours before the end of your chosen cooking time, stir cabbage into soup.

Serve with cornbread or crusty French bread and enjoy.

This recipe was delicious and my kids loved it!

Brave: My Review

So last week while my family was visiting and the temps were over 100 degrees, we decided to go and see this super cute new movie by Disney called Brave.  This movie was unlike all of the other princess movies because Merida, the fiery red head teenage princess was more of a tomboy than a girly girl.  She was very athletic and loved being outdoors honing her archery and sword fighting skills.  Merida loved riding through the Highland countryside on her trusted horse Angus.  While rough around the edges Merida had a soft heart for her triplet brothers and all of their shenanigans.  This movie definately was full of adventure for everyone.  I think you will enjoy the twisted and surprising plot.  This movie was given a HIGH 5 from our household. 

Enjoy!

Strawberry Poke Cake (Allergy Friendly Recipe)

I found this recipe for a gluten free Jello Strawberry Poke cake from Janell at Comfy In My Kitchen.  I have a few friends who have children that suffer from food allergies, so when I came across this recipe I had to share. Even if your kiddos like mine don't have food allergies, you can just use a regular yellow cake mix.  It looks so YUMMY! Here is the recipe she shared with pictures and all!

Enjoy!

Strawberry Jell-O Poke Hole Cake {Allergy Friendly}

You may use your cake mix of choice {my friends who do not have allergies- you may use a regular yellow cake mix}

I followed the package instructions but I used coconut milk instead of butter milk and coconut extract instead of almond.

Spread batter into a prepared pan {this is an 11×7, you can use an 8×8- a 9×13 would work with a regular boxed cake- gluten free boxed cake mixes have less in them} Bake at 350 for approx. 25 mins or per package instructions.

While the cake is baking, make your jell-o. Combine the packet with boiling water, then add your cold water. {If you are using bulk gelatin- this is 1/3 cup jello with 1 cup boiling and 1 cup cold}

1 container of vanilla frosting combined with 2 Tbsp of strawberry gelatin and 1/2 cup chopped strawberries. Blend together.

YUM!

When cake is done baking, poke all over with a fork and pour jell-o over top. You may not need to use all of your jell-o. Place in refrigerator for 2 hours.


Delicious!

Strawberry Jell-o Poke Hole Cake {Allergy Friendly}

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 25 mins

Total time: 35 mins

Serves: 8

Gluten and Dairy Free

Ingredients

• 1 box gluten free yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup softened butter (or butter flavored crisco)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp coconut extract
• 2 (3 oz packages) strawberry jell-o (1 packet for pouring and 2 Tbsp for adding flavor to frosting)
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 cup strawberries (1/2 diced 1/2 sliced for garnish)
• 1 container vanilla frosting

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Make caked by creaming softened butter or shortening with cake mix.
3. Add eggs, coconut milk, vanilla, and coconut extract.
4. Pour into prepared pan and bake at 350 for 25 mins or until golden brown.
5. Make jell-o by combining jell-o packet with 1 cup boiling water. Whisk, then add 1 cup cold water.
6. Make strawberry frosting by combining 2 Tbsp dry strawberry jell-o and 1/2 cup diced strawberries to vanilla frosting-blend together.
7. When cake is done baking and still hot- poke holes in it with a fork.
8. Pour prepared jell-o over top. You may not need to use all of the jell-o.
9. Place in refrigerator for 2 hours (make sure to put a pot holder underneath so your dish doesn’t crack-the heat can build up.
10. Frost with strawberry frosting and garnish with sliced strawberries.