French Onion Soup

I had always had French Onion soup at my favorite restaurants but little did I know how light and EASY it could be made at home.  This recipe freezes really well too!  Enjoy!

French Onion Soup – Noffze Style!

4 Tbs butter
4 c thinly sliced onion
2 c sliced mushroom
1 T flour
6 c beef broth
1 Tbs balsamic vinegar
tsp salt to taste
fresh cracked pepper to taste
tsp Kitchen Bouquet seasoning (veg bouquet sub)
shredded or shaved parmesan cheese (light) OR thick slice mozzarella cheese
rye bagette

Melt butter in a soup pot
Add onions, tossing every few minutes until golden brown
(Cook for 15-20 minutes)
Add mushrooms
Cook 5 minutes & sprinkle and stir in flour
add 2 c beef broth
Continue to stir until the mixture is thickens
Add the remaining broth
Stir in salt
Bring to a boil
Cover & simmer for 45 minutes
Add the Kitchen Bouquet and balsamic vinegar
Taste for additional seasoning (I like fresh ground pepper in mine)

Toast rye baguette and lay over soup in bowl
Sprinkle with parmesan cheese for lighter version
OR go for the traditional thick mozzarella slice over rye
Broil bowl 6 in from element until mozzarella is nicely colored/scorched
Careful when removing bowl, soup is HOT and so is the bowl!

6 servings, 1 c each

Beef and Barley Stew

Winter is fast upon us and this house warming stew is a crowd pleasing favorite!

Enjoy!

Noffze’s-BEST Beef and Barley Stew!

2-14.5oz cans beef broth
2 Tbs tomato paste
2lbs beef stew meat (lean-bite size)
8oz pkg sliced white mushrooms
½ medium onion, chopped
½ c barley, rinsed and picked over
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
4 Tbs butter
½ tsp thyme
¼ tsp rosemary
¼ tsp salt
½ tsp fresh cracked pepper
1 cube beef bullion

In bottom of stock pot melt butter on med-high. Add onions and cook until golden brown. Add mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes. Add stew meat and sear. Add remaining vegetables, toss for 1 minute and reduce heat to low. (caramelizing the veggies and meat is the key to this robust stew!)
Add beef broth, tomato paste, bullion cube and remaining spices, stir.
Cook on low for 3-4 hours on stove or 7-9 hours in crock pot. YUM! (freezes well, great solution to make ahead dinners for company too!) Serves 6

Pan Seared Tuna with Mango Salsa

I found a new recipe and I had to share!  Fast, super easy and, I LOVE IT!

It's from More Low-Carb Meals in Minutes by Linda Gassenheimer.

Pan Seared Tuna with Mango Salsa

Mango Salsa
1 ripe mango, cut into cubes
2-4 TBS red onion (to taste)
1 tsp ground cumin
1 TBS balsamic vinegar
1/4C fresh chopped cilantro

Combine ingredients and toss lightly. May be made 2-24 hours ahead of serving time.


Pan Seared Tuna
1 TBS cumin seed
1 TBS coriander seed
1 TBS olive oil
3/4lb tuna steak (enough for 2 servings!)
salt to taste

To prepare tuna, place cumin and coriander seeds in a medium nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Toss 2 minutes and remove from heat. Place in food processors or coarsely chop. Add olive oil and blend for a few seconds.
Rince tuna and pat dry with paper towel. Spoon the spice mixture over both sides of tuna, pressing the seeds into the fish with the back of a spoon. Heat the same skillet on high. It needs to be smoking before the tuna is added. Brown tuna for 1 minute on each side (high). Reduce heat to medium-high and cook another 3-4 minutes. Add salt to taste. Serve over mango salsa!

Back in Business!

I'm BACK, I'm back, I'm back!  And Ooooohhhh does it feel good!

I took the summer off of  jewelry making to quilt and now that school has started for the boys, I'm BACK to doing what I L-O-V-E!

On a roll with new color combinations and plenty of new gemstones to play with, I'm back in my studio snatching little bits of creativity here and there.

I've committed to the Mayo Art Show on November 17th at the Civic Center (mark your calendars) for one final year.  If you want a sneak peek at what I've been up to, visit: www.impressivelysimple.com for the latest creations. This hobby is WAY TOO MUCH FUN!!! luv it!

First Day of School and can you guess..........

Can you guess which Noffze Boy said what about the first day of school?

"I like my new classroom, but only have one friend from last year.  He IS my best friend though so it's OK."

"My teacher rides a Motor-Cycle, she said she has THREE.  I hope she wears a helmet."

"I'm going to DiE if it's that hot in school tomorrow, I drank like a million gallons of water today."

"Everyone wanted me for my peanuts today."

"Can I wear a collared shirt Mom, just so I can look cool for the first day of school."

"I checked out the girls Mom, and there are just too MANY in my class this year."

"My teacher's husband is a lawyer Mom, but I didn't tell her that you and Dad said I can't grow up to be one."

The Noffze house was FULL to the brim with chatter today after the boys got home from school.  On the whole, it was a great first day back after a very full summer of activities.  It appears that the boys are settling in well to their new classrooms, and I'm really excited to see what they will learn this year.