The food.

I thought you might enjoy some of the recipes we shared this weekend.

Paige made her yummy Cheese Tortellini with Pesto. I can’t get enough of this stuff. It’s delish hot or cold from the refrigerator the next day!

Frozen Cheese Tortellini
Pesto Sauce (or homemade)
Grape Tomatoes
Shredded Parmesan
Salt & Pepper to taste
Roasted Pine Nuts

Cook Tortellini, drain.
Mix in Pesto Sauce. Add a little at a time to Tortellini until coated then add a bit more to taste.
Toss in Tomatoes and Parmesan.
Salt & Pepper to taste.
Serve at room temperature.

I made Brownie Bottom Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

You must try this. It’s a no-fail cheesecake. And even if it does crack, you get to add a topping so no one will ever know:)

3-8oz cream cheese softened
14oz Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
1Pkg of fudge brownie mix
3 eggs
2tsp vanilla
1/2 C. Mini chocolate chips
Cool Whip

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom only of a 9″ springform pan. Prepare brownie mix according to pkg. directions. Spread evenly into springform pan. Bake 35 min. or until toothpick comes out clean. Meanwhile in large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese till soft and gradually add in Eagle Brand. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well. Stir in chips. Pour into pan. Reduce temp. to 300 and bake for 50 minutes or till center is set. Chill overnight. Remove sides and garnish with cool whip and sprinkle mini chips on top.

We had Chicken Enchiladas, Black Beans, & Rice one night. This is a recipe I’ve made twice now and it’s so good!! It’s Tyler Florence’s from the Food Network found here.

Ham or turkey and provolone Paninis, salad and veggies.

Are you drooling over the muffins in the pic? Those are Banana Muffins with Mascarpone Cream Cheese Icing for breakfast..or dessert:) …found here.

Margaret has some really good dip mixes that she makes from scratch and I can’t wait to get some of those. She made us a spicy mexican dip and also provided the homemade pesto for the tortellini…it was yum!

And if you have this salsa in your grocery store…buy it. If you live in Chicago, it was purchased at Caputo’s. It’s Chuck and Dave’s and it tasted so fresh. Look for it!

Thanks for sharing our retreat weekend with us. We hope you enjoyed it:)