This month is soup month and we are doing our part to bring you some recipes that are sure to fill your tummy without emptying your wallet.  Broccoli and cauliflower are in season right now and often on sale.  Lucky for us, they also make a wonderful hearty winter soup.  Nothing can compare to soup.  There is something so comforting about a bowl of soup on a chilly afternoon.  I especially like to have it in a deep bowl that I can use to warm my hands.  

There are commercially made soups that I enjoy occasionally, but I prefer homemade soups.  It is not tricky, takes little actual involvement, and gives you control over the ingredients.  Often times, canned soups have a taste that you can’t quite identify.  That is the taste of ‘I was made in a big factory and have been sitting on a shelf for who knows how long’.  Fresh soup will NEVER have that taste.

Today’s soup is Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower.  It appears to be a cream based soup, but there is actually not much dairy involved.  The vegetables make this soup thick and hearty.  We have tried to keep the ingredient list short, but added a few spices and herbs to bring out the flavor.

savour… hearty goodness

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This week is that glorious time between Christmas and New Year’s.  Everyone is still basking in the newness of their gifts, excited about bargains at the mall, and generally joyous.  Winter chill drives us inside and we huddle around the fire to keep warm as a family (it helps that the new video gaming system is in the same spot).

The winter months are perfect cause for slow cooked meals.  Delicious and familiar fragrances fill your home and add to the reasons for staying indoors.  Fortunately, there are at least as many slow cooked meals as there are winter days to enjoy them.  Today we are offering up one of our favorites.

Brisket loves slow roasting.  It is certainly not the tenderest cut, but when cooked over moderately low heat for several hours, it becomes fork tender and very flavorful.  As a bonus, it is also typically priced well below other cuts.

We have flavored ours with some standard Tex-Mex flavor and included a little ground Ancho.  You may have some left over from the Mexican Hot Cocoa we made a couple of weeks ago.  The result is a meat filling that is smoky, a little spicy, and very tender.  Enjoy this with warmed tortillas and a little cilantro and lime.  

savour… fireside chats

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Our Festivus celebration continues this week as we prepare for the big day.  Nearly all of our gifts have been purchased or made and most are wrapped and under the tree.  Nevertheless, I’m sure there will be plenty of last minute things to finish.  Christmas Eve is always busier than expected and often peppered with visits and visitors.  For that reason, we always make the same slow cooked meal to put a warm and cozy cap on a busy day... cabbage rolls.

We have perfected our recipe over the years and now have something that is robust comfort food at its best.  The cabbage is the perfect casing for seasoned beef and rice and the tomato sauce tones down the cabbage flavor just enough.  Enjoy a warm bowl of cabbage rolls with a piece of crusty bread and a glass of wine by the fire… wooly socks optional.

savour… comfort and joy

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The holidays draw nearer each day.  The slight chill in the morning air reminds me that soon there will be fires in the fireplace and all that comes with that.  If you know me, you know I am already thinking of food.  There are so many good seassonal foods to enjoy in the fall.  One that is a bit forgotten, but always takes me straight back to a simpler time is mincemeat.

Traditionally, mincemeat was made with meat.  It still is in many kitchens today, but we have opted for a meatless variety here.  MIncemeat has several applications, but the most common is pie filling.  At some point mincemeat pie gained popularity as a yuletide treat.  While less common today, you can still find it in some homes as a part of holiday meals.  In fact, if you think you might be using it in that way, now might be a good time to make and store it.

One of my favorite childhood holiday treats was a thumbprint cookie that my mom made filled with a mound of mincemeat.  I looked forward to it every year as the baking commenced.  My kids have only been introduced to mincemeat recently.  The word itself turned them off a bit, but the taste made up for it.  

savour... traditional treats

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Isn't it interesting how food affects mood?  Many of my childhood memories circle around meals or gatherings where food was part of the supporting cast.  As an adult, I make plans and even consider vacation spots based on the cuisine involved.

To relive our fond food feelings we often make dishes that are familiar.  But what happens when our tastes have changed?  Today we offer up a classic dish from my childhood... with a twist.  The majority of my childhood was spent in Michigan.  Chicken and dumplings was a common meal for us.  Not only is it warm and hearty for those chilly falls and chillier winters, but it is cheap to make.  However, the words cilantro and chorizo were not part of our vocabulary.  It wasn't until I moved around that I started experiencing other flavors.

As I prepared this comfort food dish I was transported to a simpler, more cozy place.  Lifting the cast iron lid and seeing those dumplings took me right back to a cozy seat next to the wood stove.  The flavors have changed a bit, but the feelings are just the same.  

savour... comfort with a spoon

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I must apologize.  It has been a very hectic week.  We are deep in the throes of putting together a new home for Lola and all of the Today's Nest goodness.  Additionally, I have taken on some new projects that are taking up a great deal of time... as the initial stages often do.  I have been consumed with guilt for leaving you without a new post since Friday's treat.

Since I knew this post would have to be a quick one, I also chose something that I eat when I need something quick... hummus.

Now, don't be fooled.  Hummus is a mainstay in our home.  It's not just for when we are rushed, although it does come in handy for those times.  On the contrary, we eat it at least once a week and many times more often than that.  This dip is packed with nutrients and FLAVOR!  Over time we have put together what is the perfect hummus for us.  I think you will agree.  It has just a bit of spiciness and the consistency is just right for dipping warm pita.

savour... deliciousness on the run

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As the school year gets into full swing you may find yourself once again seeking quick and easy meal options.  The trouble is you want to offer a bit of variety and hopefully a home cooked meal or two.  To avoid pulling dinner from a drive thru bag we must look for speedy alternatives.  Today Lola is cooking up an entree that can easily be made in under 20 min.

This bacon tomato shrimp is simple to pull off if you have the ingredients assembled ahead of time.  Each component cooks up incredibly fast and then it is just a matter of putting it all together.  Add a simple side of steamed vegetables and your done.  And the best part... you'll look like a kitchen wizard.

savour... weeknight wizardry

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