Here’s a recipe sent in from reader, Nina Mako.

Sangria LeBlanc

1/8 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
1 bottle dry white wine
1/2 cup orange liqueur
1 1/2 cups lemon-lime soda
1 lemon, sliced
1 lime, sliced
1 orange, cut in wedges
Fresh strawberries, cut in half
Mint leaves for garnish

In saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil, stirring frequently, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes. In large pitcher, combine sugar mixture, wine, and liqueur and chill for several hours. Just before serving, add soda and fruit, and garnish with mint leaves. Serve over ice. Out of this world! Cheers!.

Here at Ciao Pittsburgh, we plan to post recipes for Italian-related food. We came across this recent recipe from the UPMC Health Plan. The quality ingredients below will help you make a nutritious, savory Tortellini soup. If you have any recipes you’d like to share with our readers, please email jack@ciaopittsburgh.com.

Ingredients: 
1 cup dried Great Northern beans
¼ cup brown lentils
¼ cup green split peas
2 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes
2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
1 tablespoon chicken broth granules
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon instant minced garlic
½ teaspoon thyme
¾ cup dried tortellini
1 cup coarsely chopped carrots (optional)
1 cup coarsely chopped celery (optional)
2 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation:

1. Rinse beans.
2. Put into a 4 to 5 quart heavy pot with 8 cups of water.
3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and cover. Simmer until the beans are tender (1¼ to 1½ hours).
4. Add 4 cups water, the remaining ingredients, and the chopped carrots and celery if desired.
5. Return to boil.
6. Reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer ½ hour, until tortellini and vegetables are tender.
7. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Yields 6 (1½ cup) servings

Nutritional Information Per Serving: 210 calories, 13g protein, 37g carbohydrate, 2g fat, 5mg cholesterol, 11g fiber, 270mg sodium.