Comfort Soup

I woke up feeling a little tickle in my throat this morning.  As the day progressed my nose started to run and my body felt a little achy.  I wanted to lay down on the couch and wrap myself up in a blanket but since I am the mom of an energetic 4 year old I had to suck it up and resort to plan B, make soup.  Elliot and I made our family's favorite soup this afternoon and it is now warming my soul and my belly.  This recipe comes to me courtesy of my lovely friend Andrea and her Bon Appetit Magazine hand-me-downs.


                        Lentil Soup with Italian Sausage

It doesn't cure any colds but it sure does taste good.

PS.  If you live here in Phoenix, you must make a special trip to Niccoli's Italian Deli for the homemade Italian sweet sausage.  I paid $5 for a pound today.  Worth every penny!

Super Spinach

Spinach is one of the healthiest, most nutrient packed foods out there.  It has earned the right to be listed as one of the Top Ten Superfoods because of it's amazing health benefits.  Each leaf of spinach might as well have a tiny blue and red cape with a "S" hanging from it.  You would think that something so magical would be hard to get your hands on but no, spinach comes washed and ready to go home with you in a sealed bag.  Thanks to one of my homegirls, Emmy, I now buy a new bag every week for $1-2, depending on the sale that week.  After seeing her pile it up high on a sandwich, I was hooked.  We use it in everything.  It doesn't have a very strong flavor presence so it can go undetected (if you need to be sneaky for the kids).
Here are some of the ways we use our Super Spinach:
Add it to any egg dish:  scrambled, quiche, frittata, omelets
Saute it with a little garlic as a side dish
Add it to pasta dishes (cooked or fresh right on top)
Add to casseroles, soups, and stews
Salads                                                                
Use it as your lettuce on sandwiches
Pizza topping
Add it to dips:  hummus or bean dip
Blend it into a fruit smoothie

Here are a couple of favorites that I whipped up yesterday.

White Bean and Spinach Dip

1 can white beans, drained and rinsed                                               
1 clove of garlic
 2 Tbsp. lemon juice                                                              
1/4 cup olive oil
1 handful of spinach
salt and pepper to taste
Combine ingredients in food processor
Serve with pita chips

Fruit Smoothies

1 cup of vanilla, lowfat yogurt                                                    
1/4 of a banana
hand full of blueberries (fresh or frozen)
hand full of spinach
1/4 cup of orange juice
small hand full of ice (optional)
Use blender or immersion blender to combine
Makes enough for me and my little honey
Serve as is or freeze it in Popsicle molds to make healthy cool, treats.
Try any combination of fruit with the base ingredients.

How do you use spinach?  

Baked Oatmeal

Have you ever met a Mennonite?  Chances are you have and they are probably the nicest people you have ever had the pleasure of meeting.  On top of that, they know how to cook and love to feed people.  This is how I came to know Baked Oatmeal.  I have been shown the Mennonite love through my belly.  Thank you Mennos!

I have never really been a big fan of oatmeal served in the traditional way.  It's a texture thing for me so when I first had baked oatmeal I realized that I really like the flavor of oatmeal, when it doesn't feel like I'm eating glue.  When it is baked in this way it keeps a texture that is pleasing and has a real earthy, nutty flavor.  You can add milk or yogurt if you want to add some creaminess.  You can also add nuts or berries to jazz it up.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup applesauce ( I used the last of the homemade applesauce from a few posts ago)
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
3 cups rolled oats
1/2 tbsp. + 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
Mix the wet ingredients together then add the dry stuff.  Throw it all in a greased 9 x 5 in. loaf pan.  Bake for 30 min. at 400 degrees.  Let is sit for 5 min. when it comes out of the oven to set.  Spoon out a warm portion, add topping or enjoy it straight up.  Either way, it's a super yummy way to start the day. 

Pancake Mornings

I didn't like pancakes until a couple of years ago.  I tried to like them.  I tried them at restaurants and I tried many pre-made mixes at home but I just never really loved it.  This all changed, as so many things do when you have kids, when Little Miss E asked me to make pancakes one morning.  I called up my recipe guru, Lizzy B, and got her "everyday single day" pancake recipe.  I have been in love ever since.  It is a sure way for my family to start the day with a smile and a happy tummy.

Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup buttermilk (Shamrock Farms, $1.89 at Fresh and Easy)
1 egg
2 tbsp. canola oil
1-2 tbsp. milk (optional) to get the batter a bit thinner, just my personal preference

Time saver tip:  We always put a second batch of dry ingredients in a storage bag to have ready for next time.

Homemade Applesauce

This was so easy!  Who knew?  Well, my mom has told me many times how easy it is to make applesauce but I guess I wasn't listening.  Sorry Mom.  I did however listen, or feel inspired, to try it out when I saw an easy step by step recipe in the latest Martha Stewart Everyday Food.  I started with a bag of Fuji apples from the           $1 store.  YES, the $1 store!  The apples were a little banged up but they were from a farm in Washington and they smelled sweet so I thought, what the heck.  At home my little lady and I gave them a good scrub with baking soda and water (thank you for this tip, Lisa) to get rid of any chemical residue.

We followed these easy directions from there:

Peel, core, and slice 2 pounds of apples
In a large pot, add the juice of 1 lemon and 1 cup water to the sliced apples
Bring to a boil over high, then reduce to a simmer for 25-30 min.
Smash with a potato masher or pulse in a food processor until smooth
Add sugar if desired, I didn't because it was naturally sweet enough for our taste
Refrigerate for up to 5 days, or freeze, up to 2 months

What a fun, easy, family pleasing project. 
Bonus:  healthier and cheaper than store bought applesauce.
Enjoy

Dollar Store Scores

I frequently visit the two $1 stores in my area to see what kind of deals they have going on and I am usually quite pleased with my 4 quarter purchases.  I am a fan of the 99 Cent Only Stores and Dollar Tree. 
Here is a picture of my recent haul:

I get a lot of great "teacher" stuff at these stores to use with my tutoring clients and at home with my own kiddo.
Here are some other items that I often purchase at the $1 stores:
Plastic storage bags
Bandaids
Flossers
Craft beads
Pipe cleaners
Googly eyes
Craft sticks
Glue sticks
Pencils / Pens
Erasers
Scissors
Envelopes
Note pads
Post-it notes
Helium balloons
Goody brand hair clips and hair bands
Garbage bags
Paper plates and cups
Party decorations
Dog toys / treats
Greeting cards (Dollar Tree, specifically)

You never know what you might find and how you might save at the dollar store.

Free Coffee!!!

After a wonderful hike / run with my girl Chelsea this AM, I knew I needed some caffeine to keep the morning going so I hit the McDonald's drive-thru by my house for a small cup of coffee.  I ordered my usual half decaf / half regular and pull up to the window only to hear the nice man say, "It's free."  I immediately think that it's because of my charm and charisma but just to be sure I ask, "Why?"  The man tells me that it has been free all week, "Don't you watch TV or read the paper?" he asks.  Well, I guess I didn't get the memo.  Anywhoooooo...it's true.  McDonald's locations throughout the Phoenix Metro Area are offering free small coffee, no purchase necessary, through Jan. 22nd. 
I will definitely be taking advantage of this deal.
Cheers!

Crockpot Curry

I love the crock pot!  It is so wonderful to put delicious ingredients in a pot, walk away, and voila: a hot meal is ready in 4-6 hours.  Amazing!
This is one of my absolute faves.  So much depth of flavor.  Savory with a hint of sweetness.  Comfort food with a twist.

Ingredients:
1 can coconut milk
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 russet potato, cubed
3 garlic cloves, minced or finely chopped
1/2 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
1/2 bag of fresh spinach
6 tomatoes, quartered (or a can of diced tomatoes) (or 1 tbsp of tomato paste)
1/2 can of chicken broth
4-6 bone-in chicken thighs
2 tbsp. of curry powder
1 tsp. coriander
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. Garam Masala (optional)
1/2 tsp. ginger
A few dashes of hot sauce
Salt and pepper
White rice

Season both sides of the chicken thighs with salt and pepper then sear them in a skillet with a bit of olive oil over medium-high heat for about 4 minutes per side, until golden brown.  Put all your liquids and spices into the crock pot and stir to combine.  Then add chicken, then all the veggies.  Cover and let it go for 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low.  Time may vary depending on your crock pot.  Stir in the spinach just before serving.  We like to eat this over white rice but it tastes great on it's own.
This recipe is totally flexible.  You can add or delete almost any of the veggies and make it your own. 

Some suggestions: 
add diced eggplant
use sweet potatoes instead of russet
add a can of diced green chilis
add a can of chickpeas

Bon Appetit

Lasagna Soup

Making a traditional lasagna takes a lot of time and energy.  This simple lasagna soup is a great way to get the same flavors with way less work.  So simple, so delicious!  Whatever you do, don't skip the last step in the oven.  It totally makes the dish.

Quick tips: 
1.  Stir well as you add the broken dry lasagna pieces so they don't clump and stick together.
 2.  I used ground turkey instead of beef.  You could also use sausage.