Tasty Tortellini, Upside Down Peach Pudding cake ,awards and apoligies

I have to start this out by saying I am sorry I have been absent for a week or so and that my lack of commenting was just due to a very crazy week at my house, but it is over and done with and I can now move on to my regular schedule again, hopefully. I also want to apoligize for taking so long to acknowledge these two fabulous awards that were given to me. The first is from
Michelle, over at the cooking nurse, please check it out. Not only does she have great recipes, she has sites where you can get free samples and also many sites for moms to save money. So please take a quick peek, you will love it. Thanks, Michelle.

This second award comes from someone most of us know, Rachel over at rachel vs the kitchen, her blog is so much fun and everything always looks so good. Thank you so much Rachel, I appreciate it.

Now, onto two pretty quick and easy recipes. The first one is I found over at allrecipes.
I was looking for something quick to make for a light dinner and still have some to take to work the next day and I wanted to use what I had. I didnt want to have to run out to the store. I had these in the freezer:

Frozen cheese tortellini. I knew I could find something, and I did. This is a quick, tasty pasta salad that is open to so many possibilities. Here is the recipe and I will add my changes and additions in.


Tatsy Tortellini

20 oz frozen cheese tortellini
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 tbsp dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
4 green onions, thinly sliced ( i did not use)
salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup black olives ( i did not use)
6 tbsp grated parmesan cheese


Cook tortellini according to directions, al dente.
While tortellini is cooking, prepare marinade. Combine vinegar, olive oil, mustard, garlic, basil, parsley, onions and salt and pepper, to taste. Whisk well, to combine. Set aside.
Drain tortellini, and rinse under cold water. Pour marinade over tortellini, olives( add additional ingredients here, ie: artichoke hearts, cannellini beans, chopped tomatoes, chunks of salami or mozzarella cheese) and refrigerate. When ready to serve, add parmesan cheese.


I added string beans, cannellini beans and tomatoes. I think artichoke hearts would work really well. The marinade has a great flavor from the mustard and I think it will taste better tomorrow after sitting in the fridge all night.



Up next is a quick but rather impressive looking cake. Peach Upside- Down Pudding Cake, I found it on recipezaar.
I had a can of sliced peaches in the cabinet, just waiting for me, calling to be used, can you hear them?

I think that most people probably have everything they need for this really beautiful cake at home.

Peach Upside-Down Pudding Cake

1/4 cup butter

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 (29 ounce) can sliced yellow cling peaches, drained

1 package yellow cake mix

1 package vanilla instant pudding mix

4 eggs

1 cup sour cream

1/4 cup veg oil

1/2 tsp vanilla

Combine butter and brown sugar in small saucepan and heat up, until sugar dissolves. I took some advice from the people who reviewed this recipe and doubled up on this part. Pour into the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Arrange peaches on top, like this:

Set that aside, while making the batter. Combine remaining ingredients and beat at med speed for 4 minutes. Spoon into pan and bake at 350 for 55-60 minutes or until cake springs back when touched. Cool in pan for 5 minutes. It will look like this:

I know, I know it doesn't look too impressive yet, but just wait a minute. Invert cake onto platter and cool completely. Serve with whipped cream, and Enjoy. Once you invert the cake, it should look like this:





Now, to me, that is impressive. It was so fast and easy and the smell in the house while it was cooking was out of this world. I think it would be great for a brunch or to bring to a BBQ. It is a perfect summer cake.

Want some? Try it. You won't be disappointed.