Italian Wedding Soup

"Worries go down better with soup."

This soup combines fresh vegetables, tender pasta, and savory meatballs.  Very satisfying regardless of the weather outside.

3/4 pound ground chicken breast

1/2 pound chicken or turkey sausage

1/4 cup Parmesan

1/4 cup Pecorino Romano

2/3 cup white bread crumbs

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced

3 tablespoons milk

1 extra large egg, beaten

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 yellow onion

3 carrots

2 celery stalks

10 cups homemade chicken stock

1/2 cup dry white wine

1 cup tubettini

1/4 cup dill

12 ounces spinach leaves

Banana Crunch Muffins

"Oh yeah.  The tops are the best part.  It's crunchy, it's explosive, it's where the muffin breaks free of the pan and sort of does it's own thing.  I'll tell you.  That's a million dollar idea right there."

These are my absolute favorite muffins.  They're fantastically moist and have big chunks of banana as well as crunchy granola clusters.  Served with a steaming cup of tea - the perfect breakfast.

16 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 pound)
3 ripe bananas
2 extra large eggs
3/4 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (15 ounces)
2 cups sugar (14 ounces)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1 cup walnuts
1 cup granola cereal
1 cup sweetened, shredded coconut

Caramel Chocolate Truffle Tart

"I don't drown my sorrows, I suffocate them with chocolate."

This dessert is for true chocolate lovers.  It combines the silkiness of ganache with the rich intense chocolatiness of truffles.  The smooth bittersweet chocolate layer is offset by the sweetness of the caramel.  Topped with homemade whipped cream, it's a perfect end to a great meal.

1 extra large egg yolk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1.5 cups + 2 tablespoons heavy cream
1.25 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (6.25 ounces)
1/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
3/4 cup powdered sugar (3 ounces)
1/2 teaspoon + a pinch table salt
18 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled (9 ounces)
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup sugar (3.5 ounces)
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1 tablespoon Cognac

Cream Cheese Brownies

"If there's no chocolate in heaven, I'm not going."

Who doesn't love chewy, moist brownies?  These have big chunks of sweet cream cheese swirled into the super chocolatey batter.  Serve with ice cream, fudge, and whipped cream.

2/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour (3.33 ounces)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon table salt
4 ounces semisweet chocolate
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (4 ounces)
1.25 cups sugar (8.75 ounces)
2.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 extra large eggs
8 ounces cream cheese
1 extra large egg yolk