Quick Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

When you are under the weather, nothing tastes better than a nice hot bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup. In a pinch, you can make this soup, even without chicken and it is still satisfying. It is so easy, that in less than 20 minutes, you can enjoy some yummy goodness.

The Recipe:

1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 rib celery, chopped
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 box Chicken Broth ( I used College Inn)
3 cubes chicken Boullion
1/2 bag frozen mixed vegetables (I used Hanover brand)
3 Cups water
2 handfuls of wide egg noodles (about 2 cups) more or less to your liking.

Over medium heat, cook onion, garlic and celery in the olive oil until tender.

 Add box of chicken broth, boullion, water and frozen vegetables.

Bring to a boil. Add egg noodles and cook until noodles are done. Turn soup down to simmer and cook another 5 minutes.

Enjoy!

Chocolate Nutella Cookies

I just spoke to my dear friend Kim the other day and she asked me for this recipe. I saw this on the Food Network during the Halloween holiday and Giada De Laurentiis had made this for the Trick-or -Treaters. She made these rolled in orange sugar and placed a Hershey Kiss on top (like a peanut butter blossom cookie). I did not make them the same way (omitted the kiss) - surprise, surprise; but they are so yummy, especially warm, right from the oven!


The Recipe:

1 3/4 Cup Flour
1 tsp. Baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 stick butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup Nutella

Mix flour, baking soda and salt. In separate bowl (or in your mixer) cream butter, sugar and brown sugar. Add egg and vanilla, mix well. Add Nutella and mix until creamy. Gradually add dry ingredients. Make walnut size balls and roll in sugar*. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and place cookie balls on tray. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 8 minutes.**

*Giada's recipe rolled the cookie balls in orange sugar crystals and
** after 8 minutes, she placed a chocolate Kiss in center of cookie and returned to oven for an additional 3 minutes. 

I neither had orange sugar or Kisses at the time I tried these. I rolled in regular sugar and then just baked them. They came out of the oven so warm and gooey and I kid you not, lasted no more than 15 minutes in the kitchen!

I just bought a fresh jar of Nutella, so when I bake a batch I will take pictures and add to this post.