Warm up with this easy to make family favorite.  Beginning with ground sirloin and just adding convenience items, the kids will gravitate to the burger style soup.  Packed with an abundance of flavors and ingredients, this chunky soup has chili characteristics, being hearty and satisfying.  The Louisiana yams add a natural sweetness contrasting with the southwestern seasonings.  Thumbs up!

My new addiction is the Eggnog Spice Bundt Cake which deserves a post of  its own. This sensational cake begins with a spice cake mix with easy ingredients including light eggnog to give it that holiday taste.  When you take a bite of this moist cake with butterscotch and pecans, you melt.

WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE COOKING SEGMENT:  WBRZ Holly December

Southwestern Soup and Eggnog Spice Bundt Cake-Two Winter Favorites

My kids are all coming in for the week of Christmas with my three granddogs (when will they have kids)–between book signings and parties–who has time to cook so I turn to my My trim&TERRIFIC Freezer Friendly Meals Cookbook  that not only includes recipes, but everything you wanted to know about freezing but didn’t know where to look.  Also, check out quick breads as I have those in my freezer for those unexpected gift-Chocolate Zucchini Bread-yum!  To the kitchen to make a chili, lasagna, of course gumbo, and some sweet treats…this way there is no stress in my kitchen

Here’s my freezing tips:  

Food must be at room temperature before freezing.

• Avoid freezing high sodium foods as salt lowers freezing point of water
• Don’t overload your freezer.
• Do not put cold glass or ceramic dish in a hot oven as dish may possibly break.
• Allow room for food to expand as food freezes
• Air and moisture cause freezer burn—use freezer plastic containers and freezer plastic bags for moisture proof and airtight freezing.

Home for the Holidays-Make ahead and freeze

Crawfish Bisque and Oatmeal Chocolate Pizza-Two Favorites

What goes on behind the scenes when I appear with all my ingredients in bowls and all chopped?  Well, the day before, I chop, dice, pre-cook and organize.  I always want a beauty shot to show my viewers the finished recipe as TV time doesn’t always correspond with the real clock.  However, fortunately, my recipes TRULY are easy and not too time consuming.  My sister says, “a recipe should fit on one page or it is too long.”  She loves my Gulf Coast Favorites book as most pages include two recipes.  Looking for Louisiana recipes, this book includes it all.  Off to the kitchen to prepare for tomorrow’s segment: Crawfish and Sweet Potato Soup and Oatmeal Chocolate Pizza.

Healthy soup and pizza: WBRZ Noon Show

Years ago I actually use to make homemade egg nog, an old family recipe that when I look back, wasn’t trim&TERRIFIC!  Now, you can buy light eggnog which still has rich creamy flavor, but without all the fat–give it a try.  Now, when I see that carton of eggnog, I think recipe so here my recipe I created for Relish Magazine that will be a nice holiday cake.  Finally, my sister is happy as she always likes a spice cake.

Eggnog Spice Bundt Cake 

Each bite of this amazing moist cake melts in your mouth.  Spice and everything nice makes this a holiday hit.

 Makes 16 serving

Eggnog Spice Bundt Cake

 1 (18 ¼-ounce) box spice cake mix

1 (4-serving) box instant cheesecake pudding and pie filling

1 cup vanilla or eggnog nonfat yogurt

1/4 cup canola oil

1 cup light eggnog

1 egg

3 egg whites

1 cup butterscotch chips, optional

2/3 cup chopped pecans

1. Preheat oven 350° F.  Coat nonstick Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray. 

2.  In mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding, yogurt, oil, eggnog, egg, and egg whites, mixing until creamy. 

3.  Stir in butterscotch chips and pecans.  Pour in prepared pan and bake 40-45 minutes or until wooden pick inserted comes out clean. 

Per serving: 280 calories, 14g fat, 20mg chol., 5g prot., 34g carbs., 2g fiber, 330mg sodium 

What to do with carton of eggnog?