“You didn’t come this far...."

“You didn’t come this far, 
To only come this far. “

Broccoli and Cheese Soup

Another Rainy weekend here in Italy. 

I'm honestly getting tired of the rain. 

But, lets be positive and look at it in a different perspective.

Its a nice day to just relax with my boys.

How's you guys weekend?

I made this Soup today, very perfect!

Let me know what you guys think!!!

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• ½ medium chopped onion
• ¼ cup melted butter
• ¼ cup flour
• 2 cups half-and-half cream
• 2 cups chicken stock
• ½ lb fresh broccoli (I used one frozen 10 oz bag and it was perfect)
• 1 cup carrot, julienned (I used a food processor on pulse for nice slices)
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 8 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sauté the onion in 1 tablespoon melted butter until onions are soft. Add in the flour and 1/4 cup melted butter.  Stir with the onions over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes.
2. Slowly whisk in the half and half and chicken stock. Let this simmer for about 20 minutes.
3. Add the broccoli and carrots. Simmer on medium-low for about 25 minutes until the broccoli and carrots are tender.
4. Add nutmeg, salt, pepper and sharp cheddar cheese. Let the cheese melt and then serve. For a smoother soup you can puree it in a blender... but we love the chunks!
5. Enjoy!

I used Fresh Broccoli and you can definitely use a frozen one.

What ever you prefer. 

Enjoy!

xoxo

-Jen

Creamy Vegan Sausage Pasta

Hi Friends!

How did your week go?

It's one week before Thanksgiving!!

Of course, I'm excited even just a little bit.

It's going to be a wonderful time with friends. 

Anyways, The boys requested for Pasta few days ago.

I rarely make homemade sauce. 

Its so much easier to use Jar sauce but you know what?

It's really worth it making it yourself.

Even leftovers of this was so good!

I can't get enough!

I highly recommend this recipe!

I decided to use a Meatless Sausage for a change, of course you can use any sausage you prefer.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
• 12 ounces Light life Meatless Sausages sliced
• 3 tablespoons Butter
• 2 leaves Sage
• 1 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
• 1 cup Parmesan
• ⅛ teaspoon Nutmeg
• 2 cups Baby Spinach
• 12 ounces FettuccinePasta

Instructions

• Cook pasta according to package instructions. Once ready reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain pasta.
• Add olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat along with the Meatless Sausage until the sausage begins to brown. Once done set the sausage aside.


• Add 2 tablespoon of butter to the skillet and heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Add Parmesan cheese and nutmeg and continue stirring for 8-10 minutes, until mixture thickens. Salt and pepper to taste.
• Add pasta, sausage, spinach to the skillet stirring to coat everything. If you need to thin the sauce a bit you can add the reserved pasta water until you reach the consistency you like. Once the spinach is cooked remove pan from heat and serve immediately.

Serve with breadsticks or cheese bread you prefer.

Enjoy!!

xoxo

-Jen

MAKE things Happen

"Don't spend your life
waiting for things to happen
Go out and MAKE things happen."

Doppio Malto (Fiume Veneto)

There's a newly opened restaurant in by Emisfero mall in Fiume Veneto!

Everybody was saying its good.

So I had to try it. 

The restaurant was pretty big!

I'm very impressed how spacious it is.

Their specialty is beers and burgers. 

Seems like an American restaurant for me.

With an Italian hint. 

Their menu is pretty big and they have kids menu!

I invited my Italian friend.

I'm so glad she got to come. 

The menu!

I mean, look at those food!

This is probably my favorite part. 

You can play while waiting for your food.

Its a pub style that is family friendly.

The boys loved it.

They can run around while waiting for the food or after they eat. 

It's so nice!

Now, with the food.

Okay, the Burger was awesome!

American Bacon was good, patty was flavorful, Fresh Lettuce!

The buns were good too.

The fries.. a bit so so. 

It's not as cripsy as I prefer.

But all in all it was a good meal.

I still recommend!

It was such a great day. 

Have good weekend!

Ciao, Ciao!!

-Jen

Halloween 2019

3rd Halloween in Italy. 

Unfortunately our last one.

I can say that Halloween in Italy is different but in a good way.

We tried to make our last one fun even though daddy is not here.

I think it turned out amazing.

This year I decided to dress up with my boys.

We did Toy story theme!!

My woody.

...And my little Dinosaur.

They are just too cute!

My friend also did Toy story theme for her kids and it was perfect.

We went to Fall Festival on base. 

Its amazing that they do a lot of Festivals like this here. 

I think that's a European thing. 

This part is probably what I will miss the most.

They don't do these things in the US.

So at the Fall Festival, they do trick or treating, fun things for the kids, foods, Scary activities, Pumpkin patch and more.

Stuff to keep everyone entertained.

It was so packed this year. 

They finally scheduled it perfectly this year, before Halloween.

They usually do it after, feels like everyone lost their halloween spirit already after Halloween.

But, this year it was before Halloween!!

So we did Trick or treat, Pumpkin patch and just let the kids have fun.

Carousel and there was a band!

So happy to see some friends too!

It was so much fun!

Halloween night, I took the kids trick or treating.

Well, its actually Trunk or Treat on base. 

The line was a bit crazy, but when it started moving it went okay.

Hanging out with friends while waiting made it a little less boring.

Friends!

Probably my favorite trunk!!

We didn't stay that long because it was really starting to get so cold.

But, I think my boys had enough candies.

Last Halloween in Italy.

It was definitely an amazing time. 

Nothing will be the same next year, I wonder where are we going to be. 

Whatever it is, or Wherever we are. I am ready for our next chapter!

xoxo

-Jen

It's Okay.

"Sometimes,

It's okay

if the only thing

you did today

was breath."

Chicken and Dumplings (Slow Cooker)

Rainy, fall days are here. 

Rainy, cold days are not my favorite.

But, it was time to make it positive with making a delicious meal that will change my mood.

It's my first time making Chicken and dumplings!

...And it was so good guys!

Especially making it in the crockpot.

This is perfect for someone who doesn't have much time to cook.

Perfect for busy week day. 

Or a chill weekend when you just want to sit down and watch movies all day and 

 relax with your love ones.

Let me know what you guys think!

CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS (SLOW COOKER)

INGREDIENTS   

1 

onion, chopped

1 1/4 lb. 

boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 tsp. 

dried oregano

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 

(10.5-oz.) cans cream of chicken soup

2 c. 

low-sodium chicken broth

4 

sprigs fresh thyme

1 

bay leaf

2 

stalks celery, chopped

2 

large carrots, peeled and chopped 

1 c. 

frozen peas, thawed

3 

cloves garlic, minced

1 

(16.3-oz.) can refrigerated biscuits

DIRECTIONS

1. -Scatter onion in the bottom of a large slow cooker then top with chicken. Season with oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. -Pour over soup and broth then add thyme and bay leaf. Cover and cook on high until the chicken is cooked through, about 3 hours.
3. -Discard thyme and bay leaf, then shred chicken with two forks. Stir in celery, carrots, peas, and garlic. Cut biscuits into small pieces, then stir into chicken mixture. Spoon liquid over any biscuits at the top. Cook on high until vegetables are tender and biscuits are cooked through, about 1 hour more. 

Enjoy, and Stay dry friends!

xoxo

Cashew Chicken

Hello Friends!

Happy Weekend!!

So excited for this long weekend. 

Just happy to have more relaxing time with my boys. 

Maybe, I'll have extra time to cook too!

I missed baking and  cooking something new. 

Yesterday, for dinner I made this delicious dish. 

Hubby hates peanuts, So I never make anything like this when he's home.

I mean, right now is the perfect time to cook what ever I want.

This turned out good.

The boys loved it.

Let me know what you think!!!

Cashew Chicken

Ingredients 

3 tbsp hoisin sauce

½ tsp chili garlic sauce

3 tbsp chicken broth or water

1½ lb boneless, skinless, chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces

salt and pepper

1 tbsp cornstarch

1½ tbsp vegetable oil

1 small onion, cut into 1-inch pieces

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbsp rice vinegar

6 green onions, diced

¾ cup unsalted, roasted cashews

cooked white rice

Instructions

1. Whisk together hoisin sauce, chili garlic sauce, and chicken broth in a small bowl. Set aside.
2. Transfer chicken to a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper.
3. Sprinkle corn starch on top of chicken and toss to coat.
4. In a large non stick pan, or wok, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the chicken, stirring often, until golden brown and cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes.
5. Add the onion and cook for another 3 or 5 minutes, stirring often, until the onion is soft and translucent.
6. Add garlic and cook for another minute or so.
7. Add rice vinegar and stir. Cook for another minute.
8. Reduce heat to medium-low and add the hoisin mixture. Stir to combine and cook for another few minutes to warm through. Remove from heat.
9. Stir in cashews and green onions. Season with more salt and pepper if needed.
10. Serve over cooked white rice.

Enjoy!!!

xoxo