Taco Soup

A hearty soup, perfect for winter. I got the idea from work... but I'm a meat-eater so this recipe uses the good stuff. :-) No soy crumbles here! Also a good alternative to a traditional chili if you're sick of the same 'ole! Super easy, filling, and well-rounded meal you can throw in the crock pot before work!

Taco Soup via Food Network:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/taco-soup-recipe/index.html

Black Bean-Pineapple Soup/Stew/Chili?

Let me start by apologizing for this horrible picture. My camera is on hiatus, but this turned out SO good, I absolutely had to include it on the blog. This combination of black beans and pineapple was an instant intrigue to me when I saw this recipe on foodgawker. Finally got around to trying it last night and I was so impressed! If other veggie/vegan dishes I had tried before tasted THIS good... I might actually consider passing on the meat. This is really simply, hearty, and super healthy. Enjoy.

Black Bean-Pineapple Soup/Stew/Chili via Fat Free Vegan Kitchen:

http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2011/04/black-bean-pineapple-soup-stew-chili.html

Crock Pot Rotisserie White Chicken Chili

It was cold and raining here this morning in San Jose so I felt compelled to muster up something warm and comforting. I didn't have time to go home and search for recipes, so I created this little masterpiece just off the top of my head while I was at Safeway. This totally fulfilled my rainy day craving and turned out delicious. Chili keeps really well, usually tastes better the second day and even freezes great. This is a perfect make ahead dish.

Crock Pot Rotisserie White Chicken Chili via the Flick of my Wrist:

(Makes A TON!)

1 lb. dry great northern beans

48 oz. chicken broth

16 oz. hot water

1 diced green bell pepper

1 diced yellow onion

1 diced whole jalapeno (seeds removed)

1 7 oz. can diced green chilies

1 14 oz. can sweet yellow corn, drained

1 tbsp. minced garlic

1 whole store-bought rotisserie chicken, skinned & shredded

1/3 cup half & half

2 tsp. sea salt

2 tbsp. cumin

2 tbsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. cayenne

Combine all ingredients in a crock pot except the half & half. Cook on high heat for about 3-4 hours, or low heat for about 8 hours, stirring occasionally throughout. Do a taste test towards the end of the cooking time to ensure that the beans have cooked through and adjust any seasonings as necessary. Once the beans have cooked through and you are satisfied with the seasoning, finish the chili with the half & half, stir thoroughly to combine the creamy half & half into the mixture evenly. I topped this chili with a three cheese mix: fontina, parmesan & asiago. PERFECT!

Simple, Hearty White Chili & Cheddar, Scallion Corn Muffins

It was so cold & windy yesterday. Cold = chili & cornbread in my book! I've been wanting to try out a white chili for awhile now, and this recipe sounded delicious. Delicious it was, AMAZE! This was so tasty and hearty. The batch was huge, so I'll probably be eating this for the next 4 days, and I do not mind. This is the type of dish that actually tastes better after it sits. The next day is really the ideal time to eat it, though I doubt you'll be able to resist it once it's done. This type of dish also freezes well if you wanted to save any for a later time. I fall more and more in love with my dutch oven every time I make something like this. If you haven't made the investment to purchase one, you won't regret it. It has some kind of magical power that causes everything cooked in it to become instantly delicious. Enjoy.

P.S. On the chili: I substituted 1 cup of buttermilk for the whole milk. I also added a whole can of drained corn for some bite, sweetness, & fiber!

Simple, Hearty White Chili via the Pioneer Woman:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/01/simple-hearty-white-chili/

Cheddar, Scallion Corn Muffins via the Flick of my Wrist:

1 box Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix

1/3 cup buttermilk

1 egg

4 scallions, chopped

1/3 cup grated cheddar

Mix corn muffin mix, milk, and egg until combined. Stir in scallions & cheese until evenly mixed. Divide evenly among 6 greased muffin tins. Bake at 400 F for 12 minutes.

Red Bean Chili

This is a quick take on a classic favorite. This recipe is deliciously simple, fairly quick, and still packed with flavor. Perfect main dish for football! Load it up with all your favorite chili toppings. We did shredded mexican cheeses, sour cream, and chopped scallions.

Red Bean Chili via Smitten Kitchen:

http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/07/a-mea-culpa-meal/

Down South Comfort!

This has to be one of my all time favorite meals I've ever made! Lousiana Red Beans & Rice, Collard Greens, and Cornbread muffins with cinnamon honey butter! It really doesn't get much better than that! And to accompany the meal, a Laker victory! C'mon now... that's a great day! Enjoyed this meal with my Daddy. Let me tell you, he went back for seconds! This will not disappoint! I recommend Frank's Original Red Hot Sauce for a little kicker of a condiment, I like my nose to run! Take note of the excessive use of exclamation points in this post, this meal is THAT good!

*note: I substitued small red beans for kidney beans in this recipe. (I feel like if a recipe is titled "authentic," it should at least use the right bean!)

Authentic Louisiana Red Beans & Rice via All Recipes:

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/authentic-louisiana-red-beans-and-rice/Detail.aspx 

Short-Cut Collard Greens via Ellie Krieger:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/short-cut-collard-greens-recipe/index.html

Cinnamon Honey Butter via Ina Garten:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/cinnamon-honey-butter-recipe/index.html

The cornbread muffins were just from the good ole' Jiffy box... 99 cents folks! Cut your losses!