Week 155: Ode to Winter ... Part 2

Last winter I featured a popular menu called, "Ode to Winter." With an arctic blast predicted for next week, I thought it was only appropriate to bring out this menu again.

This hearty and delicious soup combines mini pierogies with smoked sausage and fresh kale in a creamy broth your whole family will love. This is one of my most requested winter soups ... order quickly so you don't miss out (hint: this is the last time I will offer it this winter). The menu also features a brand-new bread, Italian Supermarket Bread.  This cozy menu will bring you plenty of comfort!!  

On the menu for TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9th is CREAMY PIEROGI SOUP and ITALIAN SUPERMARKET BREAD. Pierogies, native to Poland, are little purses of noodle dough and filled with potato, onion and cheese. The soup begins with sauteing diced bacon in the pot until crispy. The bacon is removed and saved for a crispy garnish.

Next, sliced kielbasa sausage, carrots, onion, garlic and fresh thyme are added. Once the veggies are softened, a little flour is mixed in to start the roux that will help thicken the soup. Homemade chicken stock, mini pierogies, chopped fresh kale and a dash of nutmeg are mixed in. Once the pierogies are cooked, the soup is garnished with the diced bacon and fresh parsley.   

The bread companion this week is my brand-new bread, ITALIAN SUPERMARKET BREAD.  Just like the name says ... it's a fresh loaf of bread that tastes like the loaves of Italian bread you used to be able to pick up from the supermarket.  It has a crispy exterior with a nice chewy bite and is coated in sesame seeds.  It is simple, but tastes anything but.  

On the menu for dessert this week are MAPLE BROWN SUGAR COOKIES. With big flavor, crisp edges and chewy centers, these maple brown sugar cookies are delicious! These are unbelievably chewy and soft in the center, loaded with brown sugar, filled with maple syrup and topped with a maple icing. They are absolutely one of my favorite cookies! - Jenny from Jenny Sue Delights