We've been cooking up some fantastic soups/stews recently, and I told a few people I would post the recipes. No pictures. Our dinner hour is the Indy 500 many nights, so pictures would truly be a feat. I will also say on the outstart that Jake was an equally huge fan of all of these, so feel free to serve these healthy, hearty dishes to gentlemen as well!
1.
Black-eyed pea and Rice with sausage- I picked up a bag of black-eyed peas on sale around New Years and had been hunting something fun to do with them. Found it. The adjustments I made were 1) used a red pepper/spinach sausage that I had instead of the andouille, 2. cut the Cajun seasoning in half and held the tabasco to be added as desired, so I could feed the meal to Abby Jane without her mouth catching on fire, and 3. stirred in about half a bag of fresh spinach right at the end so it was just barely wilted. FANTASTIC.
2.
Kale and White-Bean Stew- WAIT DON'T STOP READING! I promise it's good. When I have had kale in the past, I've honestly told myself I am eating it because it is a "superfood," but I haven't exactly been excited about the taste.
This is not one of those recipes.
I could have polished off the entire Dutch oven's worth all on my own. The flavor is amazing, and I did not stray one bit from the recipe (other than using a chicken sausage b/c it's what I had on hand). Jake, Blythe, and Joy were all in the same boat of obsession. I think Jake had thirds. Blythe and Joy wanted to lick the bowl, too. (Eating anything is low on my almost-three year old's priorities, so what is good or not is hard to define. Sitting still to eat is her battle.)
Make it super easy and go buy a bag of pre-chopped kale in the produce section- it's the exact right amount (another one of my sale purchases around New Years!) and makes it all a breeze.
If you try nothing else, try this- it is a surefire way to get something as crazy as kale on your family's rotation.
The last two are recipes of my dear friend Emily York's. I've made this veggie chili numerous times since she gave me the recipe in November for both big and small groups, and it's super colorful and always a hit. I haven't made the chicken noodle soup myself, but I have partaken of Emily's, and it was just delectable.
Black Bean and Vegetable Chili
1 large onion, coarsely chpd
1 pound Kielbasa sausage, sliced (optional- I've used turkey kielbasa)
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 (28 oz) can whole tomatoes, undrained and coarsely chpd
2/3 c picante sauce
1 1/2 tsp each: dried rosemary, oregano, chili powder, cumin
1 tsp dried basil
2 (16 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 green and 1 red pepper, cut into 3/4 inch pieces
1 large yellow squash and/or zucchini, cut into 1/2 inch chunks
Hot rice
Cook onion, and if desired, sausage in oil in large saucepan. Add tomatoes, picante sauce, and seasonings. Cover and simmer 5 min. Stir in beans, peppers, and squash. Cover and simmer 15 min or until veggies are crisp-tender. Serve over hot rice. Garnish each serving w/sour cream, chpd fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, hot picante sauce.
Chicken Noodle Soup
1 c sliced carrots
1 c chpd celery
1 small onion, chpd
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh chpd marjoram or 1 tsp dried marjoram
3 Tbps butter, melted
8 c chic broth
2 c chpd cooked chicken
1 (8 oz) package egg noodles
salt and pepper
1/2 c milk
1/2 c all purpose flour
Saute carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and marjoram in butter until veggies are crisp-tender. Add chicken broth and chicken. Cook over med heat 20 min. Add egg noodles, and cook 10-15 additional minutes. Season to taste. Mix milk and flour or cornstarch in separate bowl. Add to soup to thicken, stirring until well blended.
From "Food for Thought," Bham Junior League
You never want to put a man who you don't know personally on too much of a pedestal. But from what I do know about Gene Chizik, I put him on my short list of highly respected men of leadership.
It was definitely one of those "Auburn family" experiences.
Learning how we roll...
Look how captivated she is by her sweet mama and the treat coming her way! (Look how sweet that cake was, too! The Kelleys got in town less than 24 hours before and amazingly hosted a big group of us the next afternoon- well done, friends!)
