Minestra

If you want an amazing soup this is great for entertaining.  Serve with fresh parmigiano-reggiano and crusty bread.

Serves 6

1 head escarole (chopped) or Kale  
6 quarts chicken broth
3 large carrots, chopped

For the meatballs
1 pound veal or ground pork
2 large eggs
1/2 cup minced shallot
1 cup plain bread crumbs
1 cup freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Fresh ground pepper
8 oz ditalini or tubetti

In a large pot, combine the escarole, broth and carrots.  Bring to a simmer and cook until the escarole is almost tender, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile mix together all of the meatball ingredients.  Shape into tiny balls (less than 1 inch diameter). Stir in the pasta and drop the meatballs into the soup.   Cook over low heat, stirring gently, until the meatballs and pasta are cooked.  About 20 minutes.  Serve with grated parmesan.

My Mom's Applesauce Cookies

Do you remember coming home from school and your house smelling amazing?  My mom always had something yummy cooking.  This is one of my favorites, thanks mom :).

Preheat oven to 375 | Place parchment paper on your cookie sheets | Yield 40 cookies
1/4 lb butter
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 C sugar
1 egg
1 C applesauce
2 C flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground cloves

Cream butter and two sugars.  Stir in egg and applesauce.  Mix flour, soda, salt and spices.  Add to other mixture until smooth.  Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Spanish Tortilla- Tapa or side dish

This is an amazing way to put potatoes together in a different way.  Serve it with a garlicky mayo for lots of love.
1 1/2 C Olive Oil
2 lb. Yukon Gold Potatoes, peeled, quartered and sliced (about 1/4")
1 White onion, quartered and thinly sliced
2 1/2 tbs Kosher salt
8 Eggs beaten

Heat olive oil in ovenproof skillet over medium heat.  Add potatoes, onion and salt.  Coat potatoes with oil, turn to medium-low heat.  Turn frequently until tender (about 25 min.)

Transfer potatoes and onion to large bowl, add eggs and combine, do not break potatoes.

Heat 3 tbs. reserve oil over  medium head.  Add egg-potato mixture. Stir until eggs start to set (eggs will look scrambled). About two minutes.  Spread mixture in an even layer; reduce heat.  Preheat broiler.

Transfer skillet to oven cook for about two minutes. Remove from oven.  Invert large plate over skillet, hold firmly and flip releasing tortilla onto plate.  Let sit at room temp. for at least twenty minutes.