Soup Oh Delicious Soup!

Soup is one of the easiest and fastest meals you can make. You can make soup out of anything, your leftovers, a handful of veggies, even just opening up a array  of different kinds of canned beans and crushed tomatoes and presto you have instant soup. I had a friend who use to make individual chicken soup for her son. Using one piece of chicken thigh or leg (sometimes they were even frozen), leftover veggies if she had or chopped up a carrot with pasta and her son was happy as a clam. What brings me to talk about soup. Well I had bunch of veggies I didn't get to cook during the week and very short on time I decided to make a veggie beef soup. I did go out to buy a couple of extra veggies because I wanted a really super veggie soup. (Trying to have a wholesome meals for my busy week.) I only needed a few and small amount didn't want to have more uncooked veggies leftover.

 I floured and browned the meat. Instead of using the usual onions to start I used a leek.

As I cut up the veggies I just threw them into the pot to start to cook them as I continued to chop away. This included carrots, parsnip, cerely, turnip, green beans and broccoli rabe.

 I also raided my pantry and threw in some procini mushroom which I chopped up to almost a power and a can of cannellini beans and chickpeas. Total time took about a little over an hour but if you use less veggies or they are already cut up it will be much faster. Cover everything with enough water to cover, threw in some beef bouillon and set to simmer.

 The soup did come out delicious. They only mistake I made would be that I didn't cut up the stewing beef into smaller pieces. This cut of beef needs time simmering to soften up. Mine where a little chewy. But If you use chicken that wouldn't be a problem. I had read some where that when cutting up veggies for soup you want to make sure they are small enough to fit in the soup spoon. Normally I do but as you can see this time around it was all about getting the soup done. Really when it comes down to it the preference is all yours.

It's awesome you stopped by....Thanks!
XOXO
Esther

Happy Valentine's Day!

In the spirit of and for Valentine's day I took pictures of all things that brought a smile to my face, gave me a chuckle and exploded my heart with .... of course love.  Take a look



Pictures of flowers I gave myself, displays... Wholefoods had a loves lane and yep I checked out on that lane of course. The Essential heart guide gave me a chuckle so prominently displayed right by the lover's lane check out. A sign Love from the restaurant we had lunch at on Valentine's day, a box of chocolates I received from my Aunt. A card I made everyone for that special day along with 2 heart projects I worked on. For fun a pink feather Boa, you just can't help but have a huge wide smile on your face if you wrap on of those around yourself. You bet I do.  And of course my little man Gus. Hope your Valentine's day was great!!

It's awesome you stopped by!...Thanks!!!

XOXO

Esther 

Some Great Photos

I recently started reading this Kimberly Taylor’s blog. She and Jeanne Oliver are doing a linky party. Which is to post your favorite photos that you have taken for the week. For this week I decided to go through all the photos I've taken this past year. Wow is all I can say to the memories they bought back. Here take a look at a few.

I enjoyed the memories of all the great restaurants I went to.. the new recipes I tried out.. of course the wines we can't forget the wines. The family gatherings from dinner parties to weddings. The great finds at flea markets and Holiday decorating. The joy of watching my Ferrets play and the sadness of losing Adien. She will always live in my heart. Why don't you take time to pull out your photos and relive some of those awesome moments you spent last year and look forward to all the great memories yet to come. And don't forget take pictures of it all.

It's awesome you stopped by...Thanks!!
XOXO
Esther

Kale with Butternut Squash

I read on the newsletter from Food 52 a recipe for a kale salad that included roasted butternut squash. I personally am not to fond of raw kale but I do love it sauteed. I thought why not just add it to my cooked kale and see how it goes.

I cut up the butternut squash. Some supermarkets do sell the butternut squash already cut up for you. The advantage of getting a whole on is that they last longer. I had originally bought this one 2 weeks ago for another recipe I never made. In my experience the cube versions don't keep for long.  All you need is good sharp knife. How I usually do it is to cut the butternut just above the larger rounded end. That is where all the seeds are. If I'm being lazy I'll just chop up that end and toss it in my worm compost bin. If you do want to use the whole thing just make the cubes larger since the squash will be thinner once the seeds are removed.

Drizzle some olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Pop it in a preheated oven for up to 40 minutes. I turn them half way so they get browned on both sides. While that is cooking I cut up the onions.

Saute them in some olive oil until just browning and then add the chopped kale. If you are using the whole leaf  make sure you remove the stems.



I also add some chicken stock cover and let it steam for about 10 to 15 minutes. Once the butternut squash is ready toss it all together.

Boy was this good the sweet tenderness of the butternut squash pair with the chewy kale. I was in heaven.

It's awesome you stopped by.....Thanks!!!
XOXO
Esther