One Pot Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta

Kim shared this recipe with me after she made it last night for supper and it looked really good.  She made some changes to the original recipe, so I will let you know what was the original.  I made it tonight and I thought it was good, quick and easy..

Here is her version:

ONE POT KIELBASA CHEESY PASTA:
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 ring of smoked kielbasa or smoked sausage cut into bite sized cubes
1/2 of a large onion finely diced
2 cloves garlic minced
2 cups chicken broth
1 (10 oz) can tomatoes (she used Rotel blended)
8 oz dry small pasta (I used small bow ties, she used small shells)
1/2 cup milk or heavy cream
1/2 tsp salt and pepper, each
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup thinly sliced scallions for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS
1.  Add olive oil to a 4-5 quart saute pan over medium high heat
2.  Fry the smoked kielbasa and onions
3.  Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
4.  Add chicken broth, tomatoes, heavy cream, pasta and seasonings
5.  Simmer for 15 minutes, or until pasta is tender.
6.  Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1/2 cup of cheese.
7.  Top with remaining cheese and cover until it's melted.
8.  sprinkle with sliced scallions and serve.

(I added some petite frozen peas when I added the pasta etc)

Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache and Marshmallow Frosting

We are celebrating my grandson, Kyle's, 12th birthday today.  When I asked him what kind of dessert he wanted he thought a bit and then said, chocolate cake with marshmallow frosting.  Where he thought that up is beyond me, but I came through today and made him a Hershey's chocolate cake with a layer of chocolate ganache and marshmallow frosting from a recipe I found on the internet.  It tastes just like marshmallows too, so I am hoping for a thumbs up!  The candles and decorations will be put on at the party... This cake would be a great Valentines dessert too..especially in cupcake form with a sugared raspberry or cute heart shaped marshmallow on top and served with ice cream even.  Here is how I made it.

Bake a chocolate cake or cupcakes.  I made a scratch one..the Hershey's chocolate cake (recipe is posted on my blog if you just do a "cake" search it will come up.  Let it completely cool.

Chocolate Ganache:
In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup of heavy cream to a simmer on medium high heat, remove from heat and add one 12 ounce bag of semisweet chocolate chips.  Let sit 5 minutes and then whisk until smooth.  Pour over cake, or dip cupcakes if you made those into it.  Let set/cool. 

Marshmallow Frosting:
Place a heat resistant glass bowl on top of a kettle with boiling water (not in the water-has to placed like a double boiler would) Add 8 egg whites, 2 cups of sugar, 3/4 tsp cream of tarter all at once into the bowl and whisk it continuously until the sugar has dissolved (1-5 minutes).  Remove from heat and beat with a mixer until stiff peaks form-about 5-7 minutes.  ADD 1 tsp vanilla, stirring it in to incorporate.  Frost or pipe onto cake or cupcakes.

A new banner for my cube at work

I have a "Hanging on a Star" hanger at work outside my cube that I have made different banners for throughout the year..I didn't have a February/Valentine's Day one, so Sunday afternoon and today in the afternoon, I made one up finally.  I will be anxious to hang it tomorrow and take down my snowman one for January..I am anxious for warmer weather and spring to come and this might help seeing it's fresh colors and hope for just that!  I think it turned out pretty..