Rosemary Chicken Chowder

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I have a delicious recipe for you all today! This is officially my new favorite soup. So, so delicious. And so easy to make!

Hearty and Healthy meet White Chicken Chili!

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 Would you believe that we have 30 degree F weather here in Scottsdale? Yes, when we flew in from the Pacific Northwest, we left our fleece jackets on! Brrrrrrr... it's freezing! Dry but freezing! Even my cactus's are cold, they are all wearing their Winter gear, a Solo styrofoam cup!

This put me in the mood for White Chicken Chili  a recipe I played with for some time to perfect! I wanted a hearty but healthy, warm me up, thick soup.....

I like to eat low fat, when the flavor isn't jeopardized,  so I used 2% cheese in the soup, but, you can omit or use any cheese. The ground chicken  provides some lean protein, and the beans give a bunch of protein and fiber -- plus making the soup creamy with MUCH less fat than a cream-based soup would contain.

Sarah's Old fashion Beef Stew!

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Just in time for a weekend of football! Classic Old-Fashioned Beef Stew with Winter Vegetables, the perfect comfort food for the long, dark nights of January and February. For families that are on-the-go, slow cooker recipes are the best solution for hurried dining between work and play. 

                                                                                                                              This photo by Pam at For the love of Food

Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

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My husband is traveling on business this week and when he is away my dinner plans usually consist of light fare. My favorite is soup and I don't get to have it for dinner often because he doesn't consider it filling enough to be dinner - not enough food he says! I think this soup is plenty hardy with the addition of the grilled cheese croutons. It's basically a grilled cheese sandwich (using Gruyere cheese...uh yum!) but cut up into crouton sized pieces and garnished atop the soup.

Left overs! For breakfast?

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I just can't get enough turkey when Fall comes along!! I start off by buying turkey breast in September, trying different preparations, move on to thighs for casseroles or curry.  For my family, it doesn't end with Thanksgiving. Turkey for us, is the gift, that just keeps on giving!

What's your leftovers style? The obligatory turkey-stuffing-etc. sandwich? Throw an egg on those brussel sprouts? Repurpose the mashed potatoes into a family doughnut recipe? Or if you're craving spicy, ever tried a mouth-numbing Szechuan-style turkey dish? I dug up some leftovers recipes, so you can make the best of the gift that keeps on giving.

Pumpkin Soup with a surprise garnish!

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We love pumpkins this time of year, particularly when they're roasted and whipped into a creamy, cold-weather soup. So thankfully there are many variations on this classic Fall meal that have shown up on several of the blogs lately. Try pumpkin and coconut milk (a classic), but also chipotle chocolate pumpkin soup, or a spicy southwest version. All it takes is a few new ingredients and you'll be tasting pumpkin in a whole new way. 

My pumpkin soup is tried and true, is simple clean with fresh flavors that will please even your Mother in law!! The popcorn garnish, well, it is just a little surprise!!

Chicken Soup...the COLD remedy!

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 Who among you is coughing? Who among you is sneezing? Whose throat is so sore, it’s like you gargled sand?  I’m here to heal you and me, with homemade chicken soup. You may think to yourself: “Heck no! I haven't got time for homemade chicken soup! I’m opening a can!” But you’d be wrong, my friends, you’d be dead wrong. One whiff of this Godly creation and you’ll be better restored than the Sisteen Chapel. Behold the vision:

Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup!

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Amazingly, I have been swamped with e-mails, Facebook requests and written hugs, for writing a blog! I am pleased that you are enjoying it, and hope that at least once in a while, I help or entertain you! My blog has reached over 800 in 2 weeks time from all over the globe, US, Jamaica, South Korea, Russia, Mexico, Germany, Canada, Switzerland and the UK. WOW! Thank you!

Today, I am offering one of my favorite soups. It is easy, but needs to simmer for 2 1/2 hours. It is well worth it and great for a cold day!!  Bonus: it is "figure friendly"!!!  This one's for you Andrew!! You will love it!!

Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup

1 lb. lean ground beef

6 c. beef broth  (Homemade or Swansons low sodium)

1 can (16 oz) diced tomatoes

2 medium yellow onions

1/2 small pack frozen peas or frozen corn

2 carrots, diced (or a mix of celery and carrots)

1/2 c. pearl barley

2 T. tomato paste

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

salt and pepper to taste

In a nonstick frying pan, brown the meat. Drain well and put into a stock pot.

Add beef broth, tomatoes and remaining ingredients except peas, corn, salt and pepper.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for 2 1/2 hours. 

Add the frozen corn or peas. Simmer for 6-8 minutes.

Season to taste.

Freezes well.

* I love to give this as a hostess gift. I pour the soup into a clear glass canning container with a hinged lid. Wrap a decorative ribbon around the closed lid and deliver!! The host's have a little something to eat the day after entertaining and cleaning up!!

Moose and Bandit could not stand it, they sat at our feet Monday night as we watched Washington Husky's beat the Oregon Ducks......yipppeee! (this will get some blood flowing!!)  I had made the entire St. Patrick's Day meal and my soda bread, we were happily enjoying both, the game and the meal! The pups wanted to jump into our lap and help!! Moose is looking at Wee Bear with his plate thinking, which will drop food.....which will drop food.....which will drop food??????

Asparagus Leek soup for St. Patrick's Day!

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Frank Sinatra said, "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the Bible says love your enemy."  The Irish certainly love their drink. Is it any wonder then that even their coffee has alcohol?

This week I will be posting some fun recipes for your St. Patrick's Day feast, which falls on Saturday. And, some ideas for your table. so, even if you are not Irish, let's have some fun and plan a party or a special dinner for your family. After all, if you can't beat the "Winter Blues", let's join them with a hot alcoholic beverage, comfort food and some fun with friends and relatives!

Wee Bear loves his coffee, so, today I am offering a spin on Irish coffee, that he enjoys, not only on St. Patrick's Day,  but, during the Christmas Holiday as well. 

Irish Coffee Eggnog

1 quart commercial eggnog or homemade (recipe follows)

1 1/1/3 c. your favorite brewed coffee

2/3c. Irish cream liquor

1/2 c. brandy

1/2 c. sugar

* Combine all ingredients, stirring to dissolve sugar. Chill overnight.

Recipe: Classic Eggnog

• 5 egg yolks
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 1/3 cups good quality bourbon or whiskey
• 1/3 cup spiced rum
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg plus more for garnish

1. Whisk yolks with sugar until creamy and sugar begins to dissolve.
2. Add cream, milk, bourbon and rum and stir to combine.
3. Stir in nutmeg and vanilla and chill well.

  Start with some fun dinnerware!

These beautiful handcrafted bowls are made in Africa, I chose to mix and match the different patterns to create a fun and colorful table. You could also use teacups and saucers, that your Mom or Grandmother may have given you. 

My favorite Asparagus Leek Soup

Adapted from Eva Kenly

2 1/2 c. thinly sliced leeks, white and light green part

1 1/2 lb. asparagus, peeled and cut into 1/4" rounds

3 T. butter

1 c. parsley leaves

6 c. chicken stock

1 c. frozen peas, thawed

1 c. heavy cream, or half and half

In a large, heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt the butter and cook leeks for 3-4 minutes. Stir often.

Add the asparagus and cook, stirring, for another 4 minutes. Then, add parsley leaves and chicken stock. Partially cover pot and cook for 20 minutes, or until asparagus is almost tender. Add peas and cook for 10 minutes.

Puree in batches in a food processor or blender. Strain into a clean saucepan, add the cream and heat through. Season to taste.

*I have served this soup in hollowed out small pumpkins for Halloween or hollowed out red peppers for Christmas. For St. Patrick's you could pick green peppers.  Make sure to pick round ones, that will stand on a plate.

We are happily reunited with our doggies Moose and Bandit. I took Bandit for a 3 mile hike yesterday afternoon, he was jumping for joy. Wee Bear unpacked his suitcase and watched golf. Our missing bag, showed up at our door step just before dinner......Yippee! Vacation is fun, but, it was nice to sit down to a homemade dinner of Roast Loin of Pork with sauce Robert, mashed potatoes and green beans..............ahhhh the comforts of home :-)