BASIL AND GARLIC MINESTRONE
~ 3 ounces pancetta, finely chopped
~ 3 cloves garlic, minced
~ 1 scant cup olive oil
~ pinch of oregano
~ 1/2 cup whole peeled Italian tomatoes, drained
~ 1 tsp chicken bouillon (or soup base)
~ 1 1/2 tablespoons salt
~ pinch of pepper
~ pinch or red pepper flakes
~ 10 ounces spaghetti or linquine, broken
~ 3 tablespoons fresh basil, coarsely chopped
~ 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
In a large skillet, saute chopped pancetta in olive oil, when browned, stir in tomatoes and simmer, stirring occasionally.
Add 6 cups cold water (1 1/2 quarts). Add salt. Bring to a boil, then drop in broken pasta. Cook pasta until al dente (literally, "to the tooth", which means that the pasta should not be mushy, and should have a little "bite").
When pasta is cooked, remove from the heat. Add basil, and some of the grated cheese. Sprinkle to taste with sea salt or kosher salt, and freshly grated black pepper. Add a light dusting of hot red pepper flakes (optional), as you like it.
Serve hot, with extra Parmesan cheese at the table, for sprinkling. At my table, we never grate the cheese in advance, but the block of cheese is placed at the table with a grater, for extra helpings.
This dish is as versatile as pasta itself and can be varied as desired; a few suggestions are included below.
Substitutions and variations: Use pork soup base instead of chicken bouillon. Bacon, ham or salt pork may be used instead of pancetta. Diced fresh or canned tomatoes can be substituted for whole peeled. Fresh pasta noodles can be used in place of dry pasta.
Prosperity Potion...
You will need:
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp ground bay leaf
1/2 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. marjoram
a wooden spoon
1-1/2 cup spring water
a small cloth
a jar with lid
a rubber band
What to do:
Mix the ingredients together and boil in the spring water for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain the potion and pour it into the jar. Cover the jar with the cloth and fasten it with the rubber band. Leave the potion in a dark, cool place for three days and three nights, then cap the jar with it's original lid. The potion only last until for fourteen nights, then you will have to pour it on the Earth, thanking it for it's powers and energies.
My List:
1.) My kids
2.) Fantastic sunny days
3.) Tarot videos
4.) Great friends
5.) Contest prizes
6.) Bouncy music
7.) Books
8.) Mentors
9.) Smiles
10.) Fresh herbs
Full Moon Prosperity Charm Bag
First, you will need to make a small bag. You need two pieces of green fabric (green is used for prosperity matters.) 4" x 3" in size. Next, Place the two pieces together with the insides facing each other. Slowly sew three of the sides of the pouch together. Fold the top of the open edges down to 1/4 inch and sew around the top (across one side seam but leave the other side seam unsewn.) Turn the charm bag right side out and using a small safety pin, attach a green cord or ribbon to it.
Carefully thread the cord or ribbon through the opening until you can pull it out to an even lengths at the side of the charm bag. Remove the safety pin and knot both ends of the cord or ribbon (not together mind you)...Voila! You are the proud owner of your very own charm bag!
The ingredients
A pinch of Moss
A whole Basil leaf
A pinch of All Spice
3 silver coins
Two green stones (such as Adventurine, Green Calcite or Chrysoprase)
Next
Put one ingredient into the bag at a time and while doing this say this chant:
"Spirits of Prosperity send abundance down to me... Spirits of Prosperity send me financial prosperity. Bring me success in all endeavors, for my highest good, harming none. So mote it be!"
After putting all of the ingredients into the bag (and saying the chant each time) tie the top of the bag with the green cord or ribbon. You can carry this with you or hang it on the door knob or by the entrance to your home.
These bags also make great gifts for friends and family members. When given to someone with Love, will bring Good Luck and Prosperity.
(*small note, the picture of charm bag is not the description that I gave as how to make one, these are just simply instructions for those that may not sew well.)
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