Snow

Everyone is probably getting sick of the snow. We have had over a foot on the ground since December 26th. Now we have about 2 feet on the ground, and even more in the drifts and piles. It is in massive blobs of ice on every street corner. It doesn't look fresh and new any more. It just looks cold and wintery and blah, right? Wrong. Maybe I'm a little crazy, but I love the snow. This year I've been sledding, I've built snowmen, I've had snow ball fights, I've made forts...and I've loved every second of it. I can't think of any point this year that I've been out in the snow and thought "I really wish it were Spring." Even from the indoors, I love it! It is fun looking out over the back yard and seeing the birds - we've had tons of blue jays - and the cat foot prints, and the mostly frozen creek. I've done a lot more cooking and baking since it snowed because that's a wintery weather sort of thing to do, and it keeps the house warm. I have never experienced such a snowy winter, and based on the snow I've experienced other winters, I never thought I would like it...but I do. I have even learned to drive on 2 inches of packed snow, slush and ice! As far as I'm concerned, if it is going to be freezing out, there may as well be snow on the ground. I am starting to think that Marc might get his wish after all, and in 20 years, we'll be moving to Fargo...

Ground Beef Soup aka Zuppa a la Sarah

Step 1:
1/2 - 1lb ground beef
1 small onion, diced
1/2 - 1lb mushrooms, sliced
Brown and drain ground beef
Add onion and mushrooms...cook until soft

Step 2:
1 Tbsp flour
1 tsp. basil
Add to ground beef and stir well...cook for about 1 minute

Step 3:
1/4 cup cooking sherry
1 cup red wine (not cooking wine...but the bottle you plan to drink with dinner)
Add to beef and cook for about 2 minutes
NOTE: I have used beer when I didn't have any wine in the house (gasp!). It worked but wasn't as good. And don't kid yourself, this recipe NEEDS the sherry...the wine and the sherry are what make this recipe, so if you don't have them, jump in the car and head to the store and get them, b/c without them this is just beef/vegetable soup and not nearly as exciting.

Step 4:
16 oz can stewed or diced tomatoes
48 oz beef broth
Add to all of the above...bring to a boil

Step 5:
1 1/2 cups dry pasta (small noodles work best)
WARNING: don't use too much...or the soup turns into stew. You can always cook the noodles seperately and add when serving.

Serves 4 - 6

This recipe was shared with me by my friend Marie. It is one of the best soups I have ever had, and I used to be one of the soup cooks in a cafe, so I've had/made tons of different soups. Thanks Marie!

So, why does this soup make me happy? Well, the first time I had it was at Marie's with Marc...it was a very happy day. We laughed so hard. The next time I had it was with my husbands family on Christmas Eve...and Christmas Eve this year was wonderful and memorable. The next time was when we were snowed in on a cold winter day...just Marc, myself, and a puzzle, again, a happy day. And I made it over the weekend when some of my friends came over. I haven't laughed as hard as I laughed on Sunday night in a long time. So now this isn't only a really yummy soup, but I have unforgetable memories that go with it. And that makes me happy.

Oh, and since I didn't know if the soup had a real name or not, it has been dubbed "Zuppa a la Sarah" by Pat and Misti. I don't know why I get the credit for it, but I'll take it. :)