You'll find hints of spring in this menu -- leeks, fresh herbs, and strawberries -- and some sweet delights to finish it off.

You'll find hints of spring in this menu -- leeks, fresh herbs, and strawberries -- and some sweet delights to finish it off.

Your Menu: Serves 10

Harvest Trio Soup

• Dinner rolls

Fantasy Chocolate-Caramel Delights

• Sparkling water with strawberry slices

Test Kitchen Tips:

For dinner rolls, purchase baked rolls or brown-and-serve or frozen rolls that you bake according to the package.

Leftover soup can be chilled in a covered container up to 3 days. Transfer to a saucepan and reheat over low heat before serving.

Leftover cookies (if any) can be stored in a covered storage container up to 3 days or in the freezer up to 3 months.

Shopping List:

For Soup

• 4 large eggplants
• 5 medium tomatoes
• 4 medium leeks
• 1 head garlic (12 cloves) or 1 jar bottled minced garlic
• 2 14-ounce cans vegetable broth
• 1 bottle dry white wine
• 1 package fresh thyme
• 1 package fresh oregano
• 1 8-ounce carton whipping cream (optional)
• 1 to 2 packages (9) dinner rolls
• 1 12-pack sparkling water
• 1 pint strawberries

For Cookies

• 1 pound butter
• 1 dozen eggs
• 1 quart milk
• 1 package vanilla caramels
• 1 8-ounce carton whipping cream
• 1 package pecan pieces
• 1 6-ounce package semisweet chocolate pieces

Pantry Items:

For Soup

• olive oil
• paprika
• cayenne pepper
• balsamic vinegar
• ground black pepper

For Cookies

• granulated sugar
• vanilla
• all-purpose flour
• unsweetened cocoa powder
• salt
• shortening

Equipment Needed:

For Soup

• measuring cups and spoons
• cutting board and knife
• kitchen scissors for snipping herb
• 2 15 x 10 x 1-inch baking pans
• foil
• large spoon
• 4-quart Dutch oven
• wooden spoon
• food processor or blender
• rubber spatula

For Cookies

• measuring cups and spoons
• cutting board and knife or nut chopper
• large mixing bowl
• electric mixer
• rubber spatula
• medium mixing bowl
• plastic wrap
• 2 small saucepans
• wooden spoon
• 2 small bowls
• cookie sheets
• wire racks
• self-sealing plastic bag
• kitchen scissors

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