Cute button mushrooms soaked and bathed in olive oil, seasoned with herbs and spices all ready to be picked up and popped. These are so totally awesome!

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Ladenia is a local taste of Kimolos, a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea; “volcanic, mountainous island with white cliffs and roads is a perfect getaway for those who want some peace and quiet…. The food served on Kimolos is traditional Greek. You’ll find the taverns in Chora or the harbour, and the island’s speciality is a kind of pizza called Ladenia“.”Lathenia” (also called Ladenia) is  Greek word for Pizza. Ladenia is like a pizza but without cheese, more like a bread dough topped with fresh tomatoes, onions, and olive oil”(from which it gets its name: “ladi” means “oil” in Greek)”, and baked until the edges are crunchy from the olive oil and the onions caramelized.

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A phone conversation, & a Home Delivery gone wrong…

It’s Friday evening…After pulling thru’ the 5 long weekdays, it’s finally here. Chilled Beer (lemonade for kids) & an evening out with friends in a local pizzeria is one option, the other one being having a quiet family time with a pizza home delivery. So one of these Fridays we opted on having that Oh! so precious (Quiet? no way!) family time & some thought of “custom pizza”.

I put the beer cans in the refrigerator, hubby goes up to pick a movie which we hope we can all enjoy together (mind it we have kids), & I pick up the phone and dial the number while I fish out the Pizza Coupon… here starts the drama-If you are like us ( “Picky Pizza People”) you would know what I am talking about.

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Minestrone Soup

The amazing Olive Garden Minestrone Soup is our all time favorite. We do not have to worry what the kids are eating as they smack this down real quick… the beans, the vegetables and all things nutritious.

So why should it be just in Olive Garden?  Below is the recipe of the all vegetarian minestrone soup I make at home.

Ingredients:

1. 1/4 cup chopped onion
2. 1/2 cup celery chopped
3. 2 cello carrots chopped
4. 1 small potato peeled and chopped
5. 1 small can of red beans drained
6. 1 small can of cannelini beans drained
7. 1/2 cup of Italian beans(frozen)
8. 2 cloves garlic chopped
9. 1 bay leaf
10. 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
11. 1.5 cups baby  spinach (may be substituted with frozen spinach)
12. 1 cup V8 ( may be substituted with tomato puree half cup mixed with half cup of water)
13. 1/2 cup chopped fresh tomatoes
14. 1/4 cup shell or elbow pasta
15. 1 zucchini chopped
16. 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
17. 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
18. 1 teaspoon freshly chopped parsley
19. Salt and crushed Black Pepper to taste
20. 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese

Preparation:

Heat oil  and saute garlic and onion till glazed and clear, but not brown. Add the celery, potato, carrots, Italian beans and saute fir another 7-10 minutes.

Add the zucchini, chopped tomato, oregano, basil and stir it for another 5 minutes.

Add the V8, bay leaves, red beans and cannelini beans.

Add another cup of water, cover and simmer for about 45 minutes at low heat.

Uncover, add the spinach leaves, pasta, salt and black pepper, and cover it back again and simmer for another 15 minutes.

Garnish with parsley and parmesan cheese.

Serve with hard crusted country bread, or sour dough bread or any of your favorite bread.