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Ah yes, we're finally within my favorite time of the year when all I want to do is prepare and eat warm, delicious comfort food. In fact, I started doing that mid-October by making an amazing pumpkin, sweet potato, red lentil soup and spooned it up using a warm, crispy on the outside; soft on the inside, French baguette drizzled with olive oil. Which incidentally caused me to have a foodgasm, while simultaneously hearing Donna Summer sing, "Love to love you, baby!"

To me, there is nothing more heavenly than hot soup during the cold fall and winter months. I could literally consume soup every single day and never get bored.

Yes....I LOVE ME SOME SOUP! 

As most of you know, I'm a big-time foodie and follow several people online who share their recipes. And lately, I've been online a lot, searching for new recipes that make my mouth water. If you haven't already noticed, I like to highlight different food websites and YouTube channels on my sidebar, in case anyone who reads my blog is interested in food as passionately as I am.

That's one of the side-effects of being Italian....food. Oh, and wine

Today, I would like to share several recipes from my most loved and most used website, Budget Bytes. This website seems to have recipes that I, as a vegetarian, find in abundance. However, the website has a TON of other food choices as well. And that's what I really like about Budget Bytes, it has something for every taste. Also, the recipes are quick and budget-friendly. 

Listed below are several recipes (soups and other delights) that caught my eye. 

I hope you find these appealing and useful this time of year (simply click on any of the titles and you'll be taken to the recipes, which you can print if you so desire)...


Easy Pumpkin Soup



Split Pea Soup



Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

*Note: Even though I'm vegetarian, I had to share this tortilla soup because it looks sooooooooooo delicious. I plan on making it, minus the chicken. This is one of those soups that I would love to dive into from a high diving board. Naked.





Easy Apple Crisp


And I saved this last one for the finale because it not only looks delicious and beautifully presented, but the epitome of something that would be ideal for Thanksgiving gatherings. I'm a cheese, cracker, nut and fruit freak, so this grazing board tickles my palate. I can see it going very well with a nice bottle of wine...


How To Make A Thanksgiving Grazing Board 



I would like to leave you with two vintage photos of my Italian family (Carnavil/Rosato) from the 1950's. These look like images from the movie, The Godfather, don't they?

I can almost hear my grandfather, Sam Rosato, who is holding up a glass of red wine in the right-side photograph saying, as Don Vito Corleone, "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse." LOL!

Mangia, everyone! 💗

26 comments:

  1. Well, now I’m starving!!! I’d eat every single one of those pictured foods. Soups are the best when the weather turns nasty (to me, not you!) and I try to make one per week. Last week, I made a smoked sausage bean soup. This week is a chicken/sweet potato/tortellini soup. I make a chicken tortilla soup quite often because it’s so easy and healthy ingredients. I also love my white chicken chili soup and pumpkin chili soup. And you’re right, a fresh loaf of crusty bread is the best accompaniment! So YUM! And my husband and I love to get a charcuterie board when we go to wineries. It’s the best!

    Thank you for sharing those great family photos at the end. When I was growing up, we had an Italian family that lived across the street from us and my dad was good friends with the father and they’d work on cars together. I remember going with them to the father’s parents’ house one Saturday for a pasta dinner and I swear to you that my memory of it looks exactly like your picture! I was probably about 7 years old. A great memory for me of my dad, so thank you for that, Ron! Have a super weekend! XO

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  2. Ron, that cracked me up about diving into the tortilla soup NAKED. I'm vegetarian too, and have been for over 10 years. I'm curious, is that a choice you made for a reason or have you always been vegetarian? I can't do vegan though, I love cheese too much. All of these look incredible! I felt like I wanted to reach inside the photos and taste them! I so glad you highlighted Budget Bytes because I didn't know about it, but will be checking it out this weekend. I'm a soup love as well. I even eat it during the summer.

    The photographs of your family are just the best. So Italian! I like looking at vintage photos and observing the styles - clothing, hair, decor. God, people dressed so nice back then, didn't they?

    Thank you for your recommendations, Ron. Now I'm suddenly hungry. LOL!

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  3. OMG, each everyone of the soups you mentioned made my mouth water! And yes, tortilla soups is so healthy! Yet, I can't believe that I have never made it. However, it's next on my list of "must-make soups!"

    "And my husband and I love to get a charcuterie board when we go to wineries. It’s the best!"


    Yes...it sure is! There is something about wine coupled with a charcuterie board. But I'm so bad because once I start eating those, I can't stop. I could literally eat that whole grazing board, minus the meat, by myself!!!

    Aw...and thanks so much for sharing such a great memory of your dad. Happy to hear that my family photos brought that memory back for you. What I always remember is how my family's homes smelled whenever we'd meet for dinner - pasta sauce, garlic, and basil. The whole house smell like it! And then afterwards, all the men would adjourn to the living room and smoke Italian cigars. Even though I can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke, I LOVE the smell of a cigar. Even to this day.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend! Have a super weekend! XO

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  4. Morning, Candice!

    Tee-hee! I couldn't resist sharing that. And it's TRUE. HA!

    "I'm curious, is that a choice you made for a reason or have you always been vegetarian? I can't do vegan though, I love cheese too much."

    To be honest, I didn't consciously make the choice to be vegetarian. It's something that just gradually happened over time. One day I suddenly realized that I hadn't had meat in over 8 years. To be honest, I never liked meat. It never appealed to me, even as a kid. And I grew up in a family that ate meat almost every single dinner. I also don't eat fish. Can't stand the taste or the smell. And no, I'm not vegan, and for the same reason you aren't...I LOVE cheese!!!!

    "I like looking at vintage photos and observing the styles - clothing, hair, decor. God, people dressed so nice back then, didn't they?"

    YES!!! Meeeeeeeeee too! I could stare at vintage photos for hours and enjoy looking at all the details.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Candice. Have an awesome weekend!

    X

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  5. Now I just had a foodgasm! LOL Every one of those food photos look delicious and I think we'd like all of them. Soup is probably my all around fav food to make/eat. Last week, I made cheeseburger vegetable. I could have just eaten veggie soup, maybe w/grated cheese grated (As long as there is bread to go with it... because I have turned into a giant ball of dough from all the bread I've eaten!) but Ron would have been starving 2 hours after dinner. He must have meat. So I made mini burgers for it, like the size of a quarter.
    Love To Love You, Baby is an AWESOME song. I have listened to it many, many times... probably not too long ago either. And will now go listen to it as soon as I'm done typing! Oh, yes I will!

    Ahh, the old photos. I always enjoy looking at them so thanks for sharing. Perfect end to an amazing food post. As Cosmo Castorini would toast... alla famiglia, ti amo!

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  6. Oh wow!! Did I ever hit the jackpot today stopping by here!! I can't relay enough accolades on the subject of soup!! They're for the most part healthy, filling, and comforting. Not to mention little effort in preparing them. Another plus is the leftovers ...they always taste just as good or even better. I'm not sure I'd jump in any bowlful naked but for the fact I'd scald some important body parts...but you made me laugh,literally!

    Enjoyed you sharing photos of family & great memories...A tradition like these for me now-a-day that is long gone since all the elders have passed...now I'm the elder & family are scattered wide.

    Enjoyed your soupy post. (Play on words but not intended to impugn).

    http://hootin--anni.blogspot.com

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  7. Hey there Mary!

    HA! You too? It's funny because last night while I was putting the finishing touches on this post before I published it today, I was looking at these photos and DROOLING. And that was AFTER I had already eaten my dinner!!!

    Isn't soup the PERFECT food? HA! And yes, I hear you about bread because I'm the same way. In fact, I just made myself breakfast, which consisted of fresh avocado on multigrain toast, with a dash of hummus. OMG...it was HEAVENLY!

    Yes, my family was big meat eaters as well. However, I was the weird one because I never liked meat.

    Don't you LOVE "Love to love you baby?" Reminds me of my disco days at all the clubs. It's so sad that Donna Summer passed away so young. She had an incredible voice.

    "As Cosmo Castorini would toast... alla famiglia, ti amo!"


    LOVED THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's another wonderful "Italian themed" movie. And the whole cast was amazing. One of my very favorite films. I owe it and watch it at least once year. Lorette Castorini: *slap*"Snap out of it!!!"


    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor. Have a terrific rest of your week!

    X

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  8. Helloooooooooooo there, Anni!

    "I can't relay enough accolades on the subject of soup!! They're for the most part healthy, filling, and comforting. Not to mention little effort in preparing them. Another plus is the leftovers ...they always taste just as good or even better."

    Yes....I feel the exact same way! And funny you mentioned leftovers because I made some vegetable soup w/ lentils and spinach last night and can't wait to have the leftovers tonight. In fact, I think it actually tastes better the second day because it's had all that time to marinate in the seasonings.

    "I'm not sure I'd jump in any bowlful naked but for the fact I'd scald some important body parts...but you made me laugh,literally!"


    LOL! I just couldn't resist that!

    "A tradition like these for me now-a-day that is long gone since all the elders have passed...now I'm the elder & family are scattered wide."

    It's the same with me and my family. All of my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even my parents have all passed. But I love still holding on to those wonderful memories. They warm my heart.

    LOVED your play on words!!!

    Much thanks for stopping by, Anni. Have a super rest of your week and weekend!

    X

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  9. Well, thank you very much. I'm sure I gained about 10 pounds just looking at all this delish food! I'm a soup girl and have already made pots of soup....and it's not even cold yet. The family photos you shared at the end are so precious. My heritage is pretty much 100% German but I will always be Italian at heart!

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  10. Hey there, Lisa!

    LOL! I know, don't these recipes looks BEYOND delicious? Yes, it really hasn't been that cold here yet but I've been making soup regardless. In fact, I made a pot last night and had leftovers planned for this evening.

    Thank you. I found those photos several days ago and thought they would be a fun accent to this post about food because Italians are ALWAYS eating.

    I've heard many people say that, regardless of what heritage they were born into, they feel Italian.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you're having a fantastic week!

    X

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  11. HaHa, Ron, I think those old photos look wonderful! They look like some of the ones in my family photo album -- all those dark-haired, smiling people dressed up for the holidays.


    You've given us some wonderful recipes -- thank you. You'd fit right in at my Italian mother's table -- all that soup! I swear, she could LIVE on soup. It's just one thing I have a hard time consuming when it's hot and humid outside (I guess I take after my dad's side of the family there).


    Sorry I'm here a little later than usual -- it's been a crazy kind of day. Hope your weekend is wonderful!

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  12. Hello there, Debbie!

    Aw...thank you! I found those photos (along with others) while going through a box in my closet of family photographs that I had forgotten was there.

    " all those dark-haired, smiling people dressed up for the holidays."

    I know, isn't it something how people dressed up for family gather's years ago? My family (both sides) were all dark-haired, dark-eyed. And yet, my father's father was lighter and blue-eyed, which is how I took after. I looked a lot like him, both in coloring and stature.

    Yes, Italian's are notorious for people soup-people. They LOVE soup! I always remember both my grandmothers always having soup brewing on the stove. My step-mother, however, was German/Irish, so her side of the family was more "meat and potatoes.

    Much thanks for stopping by, my friend. And no worries about being late, you're perfectly on time! Have a faaaaaaabulous weekend!

    X

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  13. Ron, I could devour everyone of these and then ask for more! Laughed at your Donna Summer, "Love to love you baby". I'm going to try making the rosemary garlic white bean soup this weekend, and then the chicken tortilla soup the following week. Damn, that looks amazing! I like the added avocado slices.

    I'm half Italian, so I really enjoyed your family photos and your reference to "The Godfather." I love how the table is set with all the utensils next to the dishes and how the glasses of wine are all filled to the exact same level.

    Thanks for a de-licious post, Ron. Mangia!

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  14. Hi Daniel!

    It was so challenging for me to choose only these recipes because the website had SO MANY delicious-looking fall recipes. I actually had two other ones I was going to share, but thought it would be too many. I adore beans and add them to so many of my meals (soups, salads, sandwiches, and even pasta), therefore that white bean soup caught my eye, as well as the tortilla soup with black beans. Yes, doesn't the avocado slices add a nice touch? I eat at least ONE avocado per day. Love them!

    " I love how the table is set with all the utensils next to the dishes and how the glasses of wine are all filled to the exact same level."

    HA! I know, isn't that something? My mother always brought out the fine china, flatware, cloth napkins, and crystal glasses for family gatherings.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Daniel! Enjoy the recipes, and have a grrrrrreat weekend!

    X

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  15. This was such a timely post, Ron, as homemade soup and homemade bread are a favorite meal starting this time of year. Yesterday, I made chicken soup vegetable soup and before that butternut squash soup. Next is that white bean and rosemary one you posted here and also pea soup and lentil soup. Budget Bytes is a great cooking website and thanks for the links there.
    Those family photos were such fun to see and I wondered about the IDs of everyone shown in them.

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  16. By the way, the Stepmom film I bought on ebay after reading your previous post arrives today. We will be watching it this weekend and if you lived closer, you would be welcome to join us. We would serve some wine, homemade bread and maybe even soup😋

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  17. Oh, that's AWESOME, D! I just know that you're going to LOVE it! It's one of those films/stories that you can watch at anytime, however, it's especially good to watch around the holidays.

    Thanks for letting me know, and ENJOY!

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  18. Hey there D!

    "Yesterday, I made chicken soup vegetable soup and before that butternut squash soup. Next is that white bean and rosemary one you posted here and also pea soup and lentil soup
    ."

    OMG, that sounds deeeeeeeelicious! I love anything with butternut squash. Trader Joe's actually sells butternut squash ravioli and it's HEVENLY. I get them around Thanksgiving because they tastes like PUMPKIN!

    I discovered that website about two years ago and use it a lot. Like I shared, there is something for everyone's taste. And the recipes are quick and budget-friendly.

    Aren't those photos a hoot? All of the people in the photos consist of my grandparents and aunts and uncles on BOTH sides of my family. The only two people I don't know are the lady and man who are leaning into each photo. I have no idea who they are?!?!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, D! Have a terrific weekend!!!!

    X

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  19. Ron, these recipes are in your word, FAAAAAAAAAAAAAABULOUS! LOL! I love them all, but the first one I'm going to try is the Easy Caprese Pizza. OMG...that looks amazing! I'm also, being Spanish, am going to try the tortilla soup. I've made tortilla soup before, but the one in the photograph looks so much better than mine. And that apple crisp makes my mouth salivate!

    The photos of your family are by FAVORITE part of this post! What a good-looking family! Who is the gentleman in the left-hand photo smiling? What a cutie!

    Thank you for sharing this today, Ron. Perfect weekend post! xo

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  20. Hola Denise!

    I KNEW you would mention the tortilla soup!!! Doesn't it look freaking amazing? I will making that one this weekend. Tomorrow night, in fact. And the apple crisp makes my mouth water too. I don't eat a lot of sweets, but anything with apples and pumpkin flavoring I ADORE.

    And it's ironic you mentioned the Caprese Pizza because a friend of mine here in Philly reads my blogs and she texted me yesterday and said that she was going to make that pizza this weekend. She loves anything with balsamic vinegar.

    "The photos of your family are by FAVORITE part of this post! What a good-looking family! Who is the gentleman in the left-hand photo smiling? What a cutie!"


    HA! That was one of my mothers' brothers, (Tom), who was married to the woman sitting next to him (her name was Kitty). He had such handsome face, and a very sweet man too. In fact, all of her brothers were just the greatest guys. They were all in business together and had a family-owned landscaping company, and we VERY successful.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Have a delicious weekend!

    X

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  21. Ron, wanted to stop back to let you know that I made the Caprese Pizza on Sunday night and LOVED it. I made two of them LOL! This coming weekend I'm going to try the tortilla soup.

    Thanks for the recommendations, Ron! xo

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  22. That's AWESOME! Happy to hear that you enjoyed the pizza! I made the bean soup over the weekend and am going to try the tortilla soup THIS weekend.

    Don't you LOVE autumn food?

    Thanks for stopping back to let me know....X

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  23. Ye gods, Ron, I love this post!

    I swear you must be psychic! Just today I was thinking that I have to learn how to make soup because, as they say in Game of Thrones, winter is coming.

    And then you cook up this list of recipes like Chef Ron-Boy-Ar-Dee!

    I love all these wonderful dishes that you presented and I think I gained five pounds just by reading your wondrous words. Talk about a foodgasm!

    I just heard Ethel Merman singing "Blow, Gabriel, Blow!"

    Thanks for sharing those photos of your family at the end. I love these people! So many of our most cherished memories seem to revolve around family dinners.

    Now I'm going to try making one of these soup recipes. Hell, I may even send you a few quarts, but please--no naked high diving!

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  24. Hey there, Rob!

    "And then you cook up this list of recipes like Chef Ron-Boy-Ar-Dee!" LOL!!!!

    Aw...thank you, happy to hear you enjoyed it. I turn into a BIG TIME foodieholic this time of year. You will LOVE the soup recipes on Budget Bytes because they are so simple, easy to make, and very economical. I made the rosemary white bean soup and had it for THREE days! And soup is one of those things that tasted better the longer it sits.

    "I just heard Ethel Merman singing "Blow, Gabriel, Blow!""

    HAHAHAHAHA! OMG, that cracked me the hell up! (btw, that's one of my favorite songs from that musical).

    And you are so right, many of our most cherished memories seem to revolve around family dinners; especially us ITALIANS!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. And yes, I promise, no naked high diving!

    Hope you're enjoying a fabulous week!

    X

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  25. Mmmm. These all look wonderful. I love hearty stews in the cool weather. And anything Italian. One of the best things about our trip to Italy was, of course, the food. Love the last two photos of your family!

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  26. Meeeeeeeeeeee too! In fact, tonight I made another HUGE pot of the rosemary/white bean soup and added a load of garlic hummus this time, which made the soup more stew-like. YUM-MY!

    I bet you had some of the best Italian food while in Italy. And WINE!

    Salute, my friend!

    X

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