FROZEN MIDNIGHT LADY (serves 12) Two 3 oz pkg ladyfingers 1 qt vanilla ice cream 1 qt chocolate ice cream 1 qt coffee ice cream 22 oz fudge ice cream topping 12 oz brickle bits Whipped cream Line sides & bottom of 10" springform pan with split ladyfingers, standing rounded, uncut edges around inside of pan. Drop slightly softened vanilla ice cream by scoopfuls into bottom of pan; smooth ice cream using back of a spoon to form an even layer. Cover ice cream with 1/3 of fudge topping. Sprinkle 1/3 of brickle bits over fudge topping. continue layering next 2 ice cream flavors & toppings as described above. Freeze for at least 24 hours. Garnish with whipped cream before serving.~~Uptown Down South

Just make a basic cream soup base using good chicken stock ( home made is best) then puree it with some cooked artichoke hearts, add some more artichoke hearts sliced and finish with a bit of heavy cream. Here's a recipe Cream of artichoke soup. 1 cup finely chopped onions 1/2 a stick of butter sweat the onions in the butter until translucent...add 1/3 cup flour Stir for a moment and slowly whisk in 2 cups of home made chicken stock....cook for at least 3 minutes stirring, add about 1 cup artichoke hearts ( canned is OK be sure they are not the marinated ones...I just use one can) svaing out 2 or 3 hearts for garnish. and the juice of half a lemon. Bring to a simmer and add 1/2 tsp marjoram...and 2 cups whole milk or half and half Puree and strain. Add reserve artichokes.. and serve

Here are some that I like. Le MadeleineÂs Tomato Basil Soup --4 cups (8 to 10) tomatoes, peeled, cored, chopped or 4 cups canned whole tomatoes, crushed --4 cups tomato juice or mix of juice with vegetable or chicken stock --12-14 washed basil leaves --1 cup whipping cream --1/2 cup butter (1 whole stick) --Salt & Pepper Combine tomatoes and juice in a large pan and simmer over medium-low heat for 30 minutes. Cool then put into blender or food processor along with basil to puree. Return to pan and add cream and butter over low heat to warm. Add salt and pepper to taste. Will serve approximately 6 to 8 people. **I use this basic recipe, but I include a couple of cloves of minced garlic. Also, I do not put the tomato-basil mixture into the blender. I prefer the texture of the soup with chunks of tomatoes and basil. I also add both freshly ground black and white pepper along with the salt. Also, I have substituted the tomato juice with V-8 juice. It is whatever you prefer. My version: LINDAÂS CHUNKY TOMATO BASIL SOUP --4 cups (8 to 10) tomatoes chopped or 4 cups canned whole tomatoes --4 cups tomato juice or V-8 juice (you can use spicy if you like a little heat) --1/4 cup finely cut sweet yellow onion --2 or 3 garlic cloves, minced --12-14 washed & dried basil leaves, chiffonade --1 cup heavy whipping cream --1/2 cup butter (1 whole stick) --Kosher Salt --Freshly ground white & black Pepper Combine tomatoes, juice, onion and garlic in a large pan and simmer over medium-low heat for 30 minutes. Add basil, cream and butter and continue to heat over low heat. Add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve with hot crusty French bread. CHILLED TOMATO BASIL SOUP 2 cups chopped onion 2 TBL butter, melted 2 cups peeled, seeded & cubed cucumbers 3 cups peeled, cored & cubed tomatoes 3 fresh basil leaves (or more) or 1 tsp dried 2 cups chicken broth 2 cups plain yogurt Salt to taste 1 tsp chopped fresh mint ot to taste Sauté the onion in butter 10 minutes. Add the cucumbers, tomatoes, basil & broth. Cook, stirring frequently for 30 minutes. Remove from heat & cool. Puree the cooked mixture in a blender. Pour into a bowl & blend in the yogurt & salt. Chill thoroughly. Serve garnished with mint.

linda 6, my Hungarian Grandmother and my mom made the best beet soup. I don't have a recipe as everything was done from taste. I made it quite a few times, but haven't done so in a few years, so I am going by memory here! Cook 2-3 pork hocks in a soup pot filled with water and season with salt & pepper, bay leaves and some onion. Simmer slowly for about an hour or until pork hock meat is tender. Remove hocks and add sliced beets and potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks, season with salt & pepper and cook until vegies are tender. Make a batch of egg dumplings in another pot and add to the soup. Chop up the pork hock meat and add to the soup pot. Add a tablespoon or more of vinegar and sugar, temper about a cup of sour cream with the hot soup and add to the pot. If the soup is not thick enough for your taste, make a roux with flour and oil and add to the soup until a disired thickness.