Italian Wedding Soup

Per Jason's Request (and quite delicious)

1/2 lb lean ground beef
1 egg slightly beaten
2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon parm. cheese
1 teaspoon italian seasonings (basil, oregano, etc whatever you have)
6 cups chicken broth
1 cup chopped spinach
1/2 cup orzo pasta
grated parm. cheese (for garnish)

1. In a medium bowl combine beef, egg, breadcrumbs, cheese, and seasonings. Shape into 3/4 inch balls (I tried to make mine a little smaller even).
2. In a bowl bring broth, spinach and pasta to a boil. Slowly drop in meatballs and stir gently so they don't break apart. Bring to a gentle boil for about 10 minutes.
3. Serve with parm cheese sprinkled on top if desired. Makes about 4 servings, took about 25 minutes to make. And it was great!

Frosted Maple Cookies

I had to make something unique for a cookie exchange and these were the ones chosen! Jason said the house smelled like waffles :)


Frosted Maple Cookies
Makes about 60 cookies
Cookie:
3 Cups of Flour
2 Cups Brown Sugar
½ Cup Butter (softened)
1 Tsp. Maple Extract
12 oz. White Chocolate Morsels
2 Tsp. Baking Soda
1 Cup Shortening
2 Eggs
1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract
½ Cup Chopped Pecans
Topping:
A pecan half for each cookie (about 60)
Frosting- 2 cups powdered sugar, 2-3 tbsp. Milk, 2 tbsp. Butter, ½ tsp. Maple extract, mix until smooth
Beat together all the ingredients (stir in the chips and pecans last). Drop by rounded tablespoon onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-12 minutes or until lightly golden brown and transfer to a plate to cool. Once cooled top with maple frosting and a pecan half. Enjoy!