Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

It is a cold winter day in Michigan today- 6+ inches of snow and still going strong!  I am in the mood for some warm soup, and this is one of my favorites.  I hope you enjoy it too!

You will need:

•  3-4 Chicken Breasts, cooked and diced
• 4 C. Chicken Stock
• 2 C. Half and Half
• 1 stalk Celery, diced
• 1/2 Carrot, shredded or diced
• 1/2 Onion, diced
• 1 C. fresh Spinach, chopped (I use 1/2 a package of frozen spinach)
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp Thyme
• 16 oz. Potato Gnocchi (In the Italian aisle by the pasta)
• Salt and Pepper

1. Saute the onion, celery, carrot, and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until the onion is translucent.
2. Add chicken, stock, half and half, salt and pepper, and thyme. 
3. Heat to boiling, then add gnocchi.
4. Gently boil for 4 minutes, then turn down to a simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Add spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes or until spinach is wilted.

Delicious!

Chocolate Cinnamon Brownies

My mother-in-law made these delicious Chocolate Cinnamon Brownies for my husband, and they are one of his favorites!  I made them the other night to take over to our neighbors when we played cards.  Here is the recipe, enjoy!

1st Mixture:

• 2 c. Sugar
• 2 c. Flour
• 2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. Salt

2nd Mixture:

• 1 stick butter (I use the unsalted sweet cream)
• 1/2 c. oil (I use canola oil)
• 4 T. Cocoa Powder
• 1 c. Water

Bring 2nd Mixture to a boil, then add to the first mixture

Then Add:

• 2 Eggs
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 c. Buttermilk
• 1 tsp. Baking Soda

Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes (it will have a cake-like texture).

For the Icing:

• 1 Stick Butter (again the unsalted sweet cream butter)
• 4 T. Cocoa Powder
• 6 T. Milk

Bring to a boil, stirring often.  Remove from heat and add:

• 1 box Powdered Sugar (about 2 1/2 cups)
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 1 1/2 T. Cinnamon

Spread on hot cake- it will set up as the cake cools.