To make the soup ahead, omit the pasta and refrigerate or freeze the soup. As the soup reheats over medium heat, cook pasta separately according to package directions, then stir it in shortly before serving. Use leaves from celery stalks as a garnish.
When you don't have the time to make a pastry crust, try this quick lunch idea. You may add any other goodies you like, such as ham, chicken, crab, shrimp or broccoli.
These easy-to-prepare potatoes cook up tender and buttery on the stove, and they go so well with Mom's fried fish. I like using red potatoes because they have a little sweetness to them.
