Recipes | The Best Tomato Basil Soup & The Best Grilled Cheese | Dinner Ideas

Tomato Basil Soup

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3 cloves of garlic, minced

2 tablespoons of olive oil

2 - 14 oz. cans of crushed tomatoes

1 - 14 oz. can of whole tomatoes

2 cups of stock (chicken or vegetable)

1 tsp of sea salt

1 tsp of sugar

1/2 tsp of fresh ground black pepper

1/4 cup of heavy cream

3 tablespoons of fresh basil, julienned

parmesan cheese

In a saucepan, saute garlic in olive oil on medium heat for 1 minute - being careful not to burn the garlic.  Add the crushed tomatoes.  Add the whole tomatoes one at a time, squeezing them into the pan to break them up.  Add the juice from the whole tomatoes, as well.  Add chicken stock, salt, pepper and sugar.  Cook the soup on medium at a simmer for 10 minutes.  

To finish, reduce the heat to low and stir in heavy cream and basil.  Serve topped with parmesan cheese or a grilled cheese sandwich.  Get the recipe for The Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich here.

 

When I first started my catering business I wrote all of my favorite recipes in a little blue journal book so I'd have them with me all of the time.  Over the years I've shared a couple of recipes from this little journal, but not all.  Truthfully, when I started this blog (forever ago...?) I was a burnt out on all of those recipes I'd made hundreds of times.

Now, after a four year break from the catering business, I am ready to dive back in to some of those old favorites, because after all, they were really great recipes for entertaining.  This Chocolate Molten Cake recipe was one of my first and best go-to's as a caterer.  I always served it at dinner parties - with great success.  The ingredients and supplies are humble - chocolate chips and a cupcake pan!  They work great for parties because the batter is made in advance, then baked right before dessert and served warm.

I made these last year for a friends dinner.  While the recipe makes 6-12, they work great in the freezer.  Just bake all of them together, then freeze the leftovers.  You can reheat in the microwave for just 30-60 seconds.

Now, onto the recipe, perfect for any celebration....

Chocolate Molten Cakes

makes 6 medium cakes or 12 small individual cakes

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2 tablespoons of butter, melted

2 tablespoons of cocoa

......

3/4 cup of butter

12 ounce of chocolate chips

1/2 cup of heavy cream 

5 eggs

3/4 cup sugar

2/3 cup of flour

Prepare cupcake pans by coating the inside of each with melted butter by swirling it around.  Then sprinkle the insides with cocoa, coating completely. 

To make the batter, place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, then top it with butter and cream.  Microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until the chocolate is smooth.  When chocolate has cooled slightly, stir in eggs, sugar and flour.  Pour into prepared cupcake pans.  Refrigerate for 1 hour (at least) and up to a couple of days.

Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes for regular 12/pan size and 15-18 for jumbo 6/pan size, just until the outsides and most of the top have set, and the centers are still slightly runny.  You can insert the tip of a knife to test.   You just want a bit of the very center to be a thick pudding like texture.   Let them cool for 5 minutes, then place a sheet pan on top of the muffin pan and invert them.  

Serve with whipped cream, ice cream and dusted with chocolate or cinnamon.

 

Melting chocolate with the butter and cream this way is so easy - microwave! 

The pans buttered and cocoa-ed while the chocolate is in the microwave.

Perfectly melted. 

You can fill them almost all the way to the top - they don't puff too much. 

Cooling for 5 minutes to help them continue to set. 

Top with a sheet pan... 

Ready for the flip... 

Mid-Flip 

So, so good.  You really must try them. 

10 seconds later...

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Here is the easy-to-pin strip!

 

The Spring Collection

Each morning I take a walk with Mr. Darcy.  While gauzed as my "workout" this daily ritual gives me a chance to quietly observe the seasonal changes.  February is truly a winter month here, but there are small signs of awakening.  Amongst the brown grass, small bits of new green sprigs are starting to break through, tips of daffodils are emerging just a tiny bit, and the birds are back and they are singing. 

The beginning of March brings all of the changes of spring that I love the most - the season before the season.  I love to watch the slow reveal of each new flowering bulb - first the crocus, then the daffodils, then the hyacinth and finally the tulips.  The trees aren't just grey sticks any longer, if you look closely you can see their new buds slightly shading their branches.  Our maple trees look almost red with their tiny buds, and Emma's cherry tree has deep pink buds that will be blossoms in a months time.  I also love to obsess over my peonies.  Right now, you can go in your garden and see the teeniest deep fuchsia shoots poking through the dirt.  And the dirt, I live for the scent of the fresh, damp mud that hangs in the air during the pre-spring season.

Every season brings a fresh beginning, but none quite like Spring.  This is the time of year when I want everything simple, clean and fresh inside.  I want my windows open and each room to be filled with light.  This collection reflects that feeling of freshness for your home and Easter celebrations this Spring.

Shop the entire Spring Collection, here >

Spring Changes

This year has been one of exciting moves for my business.  You all read about The School House that will by my business' new head quarters.  We're working to have it up and running next month!  Another new avenue I'm traveling down is offering more custom designed products.  I've been at this for a while now, and I find that the only time I'm really able to offer you exactly what I want is if I design it myself.    I'm moving to an almost entire store of completely custom collections designed by me, just for my store.   In the Spring Collection, you'll see some of my newest custom products and some classics. 

Not only am I interested in bringing you my custom designs, but I also want them made in a way that feels good.  I want the products that I offer to be made by someone that loves making them and that makes them in a way that they'll last forever.

I've partnered with a local service organization, Rightfully Sewn.  They seek out under-employed, and sometimes at-risk women and train them as seamstresses and pair them up with businesses like mine so they are able to work for themselves.  The custom designs and quality they've been able to offer me are beyond what I've had available before.  

Rightfully Sewn

I feel so blessed to be one of their partners and have plans to help them to continue to grow with me.  You will be blown away at the quality of the stitching, zippers and hand-pressing of each item.  And look at my new cute tags!  It all feels very official.  And the entire process gives me the warm fuzzies, which is the entire idea - all the way around.  I want the entire process of my business from inspiration, to design, to production, to fulfillment to feel good and solid and right.

Natural Check Pillows, $38-46

Creamy and classic, the Natural Check Pillows are perfect for brightening our sofa for spring.  Offered in 22" & 20" Squares that are self-piped and self-backed, and in a Rectangle that is piped and backed with a natural oatmeal.

Here is a close-up shot of the natural oatmeal backing and piping featured on the Rectangle pillow.

The Square 22" & 20" is self backed and piped in the natural check.

Spa Checked Pillows, $38-46

The Spa Check is in between a blue and a green - in the best way.  It is such a soothing color - almost neutral, but in an airy, breezy way.  Like the Natural Check, the Square Pillows have a matching check back, while the Rectangle has a natural oatmeal backing and piping.

Wellie Boots Stationery

What is more charming than a pair of Wellie Boots?  They are nostalgic, yet modern, seemingly child-like yet utilitarian for any adult that enjoys the outdoors, alike.  This paper collection of tags, tablets and cards will add that sweet, charming touch to a gift.  I set the kids' Easter table with a tablet at each place, ready for drawing.  I'm also using it as my official tablet for the School House.  

Tags : Set of 10

Tablets : 50 pages

Card & Envelope Boxed Sets : Set of 10

Here I've used a Spa Check Napkin as a liner for an Easter basket.  A tea towel would be easily used, as well.  For a little color, I add a simple tied Pool Satin Ribbon on the top of the basket.

Spa Check Tea Towel

Cello Bags

Grosgrain Ribbon

Wellie Boots Short Tablet

Pool Satin Ribbon

I have loved this Pool Paper-Source ribbon for years.  Like almost 20 years.  I use it with kraft paper to wrap gifts, to tie on cello bags and everything else.  The color is just fabulous - not to saturated, just the right shade of blue.  It is a bit of a splurge, but a little goes a long way.

Small : 1/4", 10 yards

Large : 1 1/2", 10 yards

Spa Check Napkin, Set of 4, $34

Natural Beeswax Tapers, $10.50

Spa Check Runner, $46

I set the Kids' Table with a Spa Check Runner folded in half.  Each setting has a Wellie Boots Short Tablet.

Creamware Creamers holding daffodils and colored pencils act as the interactive centerpieces.

Creamware Creamers, Set of 5

Wellie Boots Short Tablet

Pool Satin Ribbon

Natural Check Napkin

Spa Check Runner

Spa Check Tea Towel, $10

Clear Kitchen Bottles Set

Small Classic Tray

At the dining table, I featured the Natural Check linens, using the long and wide runner with the napkins.  I love this rustic, gardeny setting.  It feels elegant but also feel a bit like you're lunching in the potting shed.  Use a collection of vessels for flowers, and bring some outdoor pots inside for that fresh from the garden feel.  The monochromatic creams and pale yellow make this a really lovely scheme.

Natural Check Runner

Natural Check Napkins

Creamware Creamers Collection of 5

Classic Cream & Sugar Set

Creamware Platters

Each setting is tied with a Grosgrain Ribbon and a Garden Tool tag as the place card.

Natural Check Napkins, Set of 4

Garden Tool Tag

Grosgrain Ribbon

The Creamware Platters have been restocked.  They are a favorite all year long, but the creaminess is especially Springy to me.  Great for entertaining and for display, as you can see on our walls and hutch.

As a favor, each guest receives this charming hyacinth wrapped in a Natural Check Napkin, and tied with the same Grosgrain Ribbon and Garden Tool Tag.

Natural Check Napkins, Set of 4
Garden Tool Tag
Grosgrain Ribbon

Garden Tool Stationery Collection

I love this stationery suite because it is rustic enough to use to label your gardening supplies or make out your to-do list in the garden, but still elegant enough to use on your Easter table.  I think it would be perfect for a springtime gift to a friend - maybe a potted plant or a favorite packet of seeds.   

Tags : Set of 10

Tablets : 50 pages

Card & Envelop Boxed Sets : 10

Natural Check Tea Towel, $10

Easter Basket Essentials : Grosgrain

I've added some essential ribbons in pastel colors, perfect for Easter.  All of these color coordinate with both the Natural and the Spa Check Linen Collection.  I know that we all love ivories mixed with these colors, but we also know our kids will love some hues that are a little more fun.  Emma, for instance, will love the Lilac Grosgrain on her basket.  I'll probably accent the basket with the Spa Check Tea Towel, then tie her treats up with the Lilac ribbon.

Springtime Bunny Garland Kit

This is the perfect Easter Kids' Table craft - all of the supplies needed to make a Bunny & Pom Garland you can use year after year.

Kit includes pre-cut shapes, yarn pre-strung with poms.  Makes 1 garland approx 12 feet with 12 bunnies each 5x5".

Bunny Paper Dolls Kit 

Speaking of colorful...  These will be right up Emma's alley!  Each season she makes some decorations for our home.  Today after school, she's going to work on these and apply them to our french doors in the kitchen.    She will love the bright, fun colors, and I can't wait to see how she adds a little personality to each one of these bunnies.  I'm sure some of them will have Jo-Jo bows... if you know what that is, then you know what I mean ; )

12 bunnies

Gold Bunny Stickers, $5, Set of 24

This might be just the thing for you to add to your Easter Baskets, or cello bags to give them a little Easter spirit.  Great for class gifts!

An Easter Collection isn't complete without mention of Granny's Bunny Cake!  This year, I have the perfect Deep 8-inch Cake Pan that will make a delightfully plump bunny.

Shop the Spring & Easter Collection >