Mom’s Tomato Cream Pasta

Pretty Sugar Cookies

Sugar Cookies

6 cups flour

1 tsp kosher salt

2 cups cold butter cut into chunks

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

3 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. Real Vanilla

2 tsp. Almond Extract

1.       Whisk the dry ingredients

2.       In a standing mixer with the paddle attachment cream the butter and sugar. Whip them together on a medium speed until they are pale and fluffy.

3.       Scrape down the sides and add the egg and beach until incorporated. Add extract. Mix until fluffy.

4.       Slowly add the flour. If a little sticky you can add more flour when you are rolling it out.

5.       Drop half the dough on a lightly floured piece of parchment paper.

6.       Lightly dust the dough with flour and sandwich with another piece of parchment paper.

7.       Roll the dough out- about 3/8” thick.

8.       Make a stack of the dough and put into the fridge for at least 30 min.

9.       Preheat to 350

10.   Line pan with parchment paper.

11.   Cut out cookies.  (If dough gets sticky put back in the fridge.)

12.   Bake cookies for 7 min.  (between 5-10)

13.   Let cool on pan for 10 min.

14.   Transfer to cooling rack.

Royal Icing

2 large egg whites

2-4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (or more or less)

1 lb powdered sugar

2 tsp. light corn syrup

1.       Separate egg whites

2.       Add egg whites and half of a lemon (or 3 Tablespoons of lemon juice)

3.       Sift in the powdered sugar (3-4 cups at first)

4.       Mix on low and add the corn syrup.

5.       If it seems VERY stiff add more lemon- if it is too runny add powdered sugar

6.       Increase the speed of the  mixer and beat until the icing is glossy and peaks form when you remove the paddle or whisk. (about 5 minutes) If it droops, but doesn’t fall off of the paddle it is the right consistency.

Ham and Lima Bean Soup-just for Danny Boy

 Day 1

1. Soak about 4 cups dried baby Lima beans in 12 c. of water overnight
2. Cook ham bone and leftover ham with enough water to cover and 2 sliced onions-simmer until meat falls easily from bone- remove ham and chill the liquid until grease is solidified and can be removed .  

Day 2

1. Cook beans in liquid that they were soaked in and the liquid from the ham  w/ 2 bay leaves to desired softness.
2. Cut ham into bite size pieces and set aside.
3. Saute 1 chopped onion and 1 tablespoon garlic in olive oil until tender.  Add to beans and liquid.  
4. Add ham
5. Add 1 tablespoon seasoning salt and about 1 tablespoon pepper.
6. Add 1 cup maple pancake syrup,
7. Simmer until warmed through