Pasta e Fagioi .

I know people who love soup. They can eat soup in some form several times a week and never get tired of it. I secretly envy them. I have to be in the mood to eat soup—and then I love it. Making soup is another story. I love cooking soup and could make a big pot of soup several times a week and never get tired of that kitchen duty.

Ingredients

1/2 cup choppen onion
1 small carrot, grated
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 clove garlic minced
1/4 pound prosciutto, chopped fine
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 cups chicken broth
3 cups tomato juice
2 cups red beans
1 tablespoon dried parsley
2 teaspoons dried basil
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
16 ounces ditalini pasta

1. In a large stock pot saute onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and ham in olive oil until the onions are transparent.
2. Add chicken broth, tomato juice, red beans, parsley, basil, red pepper, vinegar, and sugar. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Simmer for 1 hour.
4. Fill a second stock pot 3/4 full of water and bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook until tender. Drain.
5. Place pasta in separate serving bowls and ladle soup on top.

Crock-pot Breakfast Strata .

Several people at my workplace have shared versions of this breakfast dish. It often shows up at "kick-off" breakfast pot-lucks for various programs.

Load up the crock-pot the night before.

Ingredients
12 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
salt
pepper
1 lb bacon, cut in small pieces, cooked and drained
1 (32 ounce) bag frozen hash brown potatoes
1/2 cup onions, diced
1/4 pound shredded cheddar cheese

Layer in this order:
1/2 of the potatoes on the bottom
1/2 of the bacon
1/2 of the onions
1/2 of the cheese
Repeat those four in that order.
Beat the eggs, milk, mustard, salt and pepper. Pour over the layered ingredients.
Cook on low for 10 to 12 hours.

Oatmeal Cake .

This is from one of my favorite people who is a darn good cook. The older I get, the more I enjoy oatmeal and oatmeal baked goods. I made this tonight and now I have a happy tummy. Some things are worth heating up the kitchen for.

Preheat oven to 350, grease and flour 9x13 pan
1 1/4 cup boiling water
1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup margarine
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 tablespoon cinnamon
Mix the boiling water with the oatmeal and let stand for 20 minutes, then add flour, baking soda, and cinnamon.
In another bowl, Beat margarine, brown sugar, sugar, and eggs. Add to oatmeal mixture.

Bake 35 minutes.
Frosting-
6 tablespoons margarine or butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup milk or cream
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 cup coconut
Cook and stir margarine, sugar, milk, and nuts. Cook on stove until sugar is dissolved, remove from heat and add coconut. Spread over cake.