A big pot of goodness!

Mmmmm... My house smells of simmering soup and baking bread! What could be better??? Did I mention that the sun is shining too???

A friend/co-worker of Scott's had surgery on Monday and we wanted to take him a meal. He is a food lover, so it was hard to decide what to take him... I finally decided on Minestrone and homemade Dilly Bread. I wish I could convey how good my house smells as these things are cooking. The recipe calls this soup "minestrone", but I'm not so sure that is what it is. I would say it is more of a beef, barley and bean soup... Whatever it is, it's YUMMY! Then don't even get me started on the Dilly Bread... It is soooooo good! I could easily eat the whole loaf! (but that would be bad for the diet) I have debated if these are recipes that I want to share, and I think it is time...

MINESTRONE

3/4 cup navy beans, I use canned

1/2 cup barley

3 lbs beef short ribs

2 medium onions, chopped

1/4 cup parsley

2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. basil

1/4 tsp oregano and pepper

1 - 16 oz can tomatoes

1 - 8 oz can tomato sauce

1 cup chopped cabbage

1/2 cup celery, chopped

1 carrot, sliced

1 clove garlic, minced

In soup pot put beans, meat, onions, parsley, seasonings and 8 cups of water. Heat to boiling then lower heat and cook covered for 2 hours. Remove meat bones and cut up meat into small pieces. Add meat to soup with remaining ingredients. Cook covered for 45 minutes!

DILLY BREAD

1 package yeast

1/4 cup warm water (110-115 degrees)

1 cup cream style cottage cheese, heated to lukewarm

1 Tbsp. butter

2 Tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1 Tbsp. instant minced onion

2 tsp. dry dill weed

1 egg

2 1/4 -2 1/2 cups flour

Soften yeast in warm water and let stand for 10 minutes. Combine in a large bowl the cottage cheese, butter, sugar, salt and baking soda. Then add the onion, dill weed, egg, and softened yeast. Beat well to blend thoroughly. Add flour gradually, beating well after each addition.

Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled (at least an hour, maybe more!) Stir down dough, turn into well greased 1 1/2 quart casserole. Let rise in warm place until light, 30-40 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Take out of casserole to cool! ENJOY!!!!!!!