Hello Friends!

Gosh, it is cold!! The temperature in my back yard on Thursday morning was 28!! Now, that is rather cold for Florida, don't you think?

My heart goes out to all those who have freezing weather combined with snow...here's a nice soup to warm your hearts, serve it with muffins and you will be dancing. Enjoy!!

Yucatan Carrot Soup with Cumin and Lime

2 tsps. olive oil
2 lbs. carrots, peeled and chopped (about 5 cups)
2 large leeks (white and pale green parts only, chopped, about 2 cups)
1 tablsp. chopped garlic
2 1/2 tsp.s cumin
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
6 1/2 cups or more chicken broth
8 tablsp. sour cream
2 tablsp. lime juice
2 tablsp. fresh cilantro
2 tablsp. grated lime peel

Heat oil in a heavy pot over med heat. Add carrots and leeks, saute til leeks are soft but not browned, about 5 mts. Add garlic, aute 1 mt. Add crushed red pepper flakes and cumin and saute 30 mts. Add broth-boil-reduce and simmer till veggies are tender-35 mts. Working in batches, puree the soup and transfer to a large serving bowl. Whisk in the sour cream and before serving stir in the lime juice and sprinkle with cilantro and grated lime peel.
THIS IS DELICIOUS!! McClenning Apple Muffins

1 Cup Flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspooon salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup Quaker Oats
1 cup pared and chopped Golden Delicious apples
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg

TOPPING:
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon sugar

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Sift flour, baking powder and salt together. Add remaining ingredients except topping; mix only until ingredients are moistened. Spoon into greased muffin tins. Prepare topping and sprinkle on muffins before baking. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Yields: 12 muffins.