Tortellini Soup

All you need is a hunk of crusty bread and you've got dinner for tonight...and maybe lunch for tomorrow!

1 tablespoons olive oil
2 ounces pancetta or bacon, finely diced
1 medium onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large can chicken broth, 49 oz
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 package refrigerated cheese tortellini, 9 oz
1 can crushed tomatoes in puree, 28 oz
8 oz. fresh spinach leaves, rinsed and chopped
salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese for garnishing

Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.

Add pancetta or bacon, cook until crisp.

Add onion and garlic; cook 3-4 minutes or until tender.

Add broth, crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning; bring to a boil, then turn down heat and simmer 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook tortellini according to package directions; drain.

Add cooked tortellini to soup mixture.

Add spinach and cook until just wilted.

Season with salt and pepper.

Serve in bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese.

I found this recipe in an older Taste of Home magazine. 

It was originally called "Holiday Tortellini Soup"

Chocolate Sheet Cake

Make this for someone special in your family...I did!

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cocoa
1 cup water
1 stick margarine (or butter)
1/2 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Sift together flour, sugar and salt.

Bring to a boil; cocoa, water, margarine and oil.

Pour over dry ingredients while hot.

Add soda to buttermilk and add to mixture.

Add eggs, cinnamon, and vanilla.

Stir well and pour into a greased 18 x 12 inch pan.

Bake 15 minutes at 400*

Icing:

1 stick margarine (or butter)
6 tablespoons evaporated milk
4 tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 lb box powdered sugar

Bring to a boil; margarine, evaporated milk and cocoa.

Remove from heat and add vanilla and powdered sugar, beat well.

Pour over hot cake.

 This is a Dellasega family recipe. It is in a cookbook the Dellasega women gave to Doug when he was single. Christie often makes this for special occasions, it's a favorite!