Pinterest Win: Vegetable Lime Chickpea Chili

Guess what day it is... MEATLESS MONDAY! Ok fine, so my play on the camel with Hump Day didn't go over well. Just cuz you don't think I am funny doesn't mean I don't think I am funny.

This is my third Meatless Monday post, and I have to say that I am really enjoying these recipes. One of my besties, Bambi, is vegan so I invited her over tonight to try my new dish. Bambi said she liked it, and Bambi doesn't lie. I mean, hello, she is vegan... people who don't eat meat can't lie. They don't have enough energy to do that. tee hee hee

I have said in earlier posts that participating in Meatless Mondays is healthier and saves you money. Pretty sure my clothes aren't fitting looser, but I can say my grocery bill isn't as high. In addition, it is interesting and challenging to find recipes not based on meat. Most my meal planning started with what meat I had in the fridge or freezer, and then building the meal around that. On Meatless Mondays, it is what vegetables and alternative protein choices I have on hand. Basically, it is similar to switching from building an outfit off what shoes I have, and starting to build outfits from the jewelry on hand instead. I might have lost some men on that analogy, but pretty sure I got my point across.

Back to Bambi's and my dinner date. To be clear, a bottle of wine was involved. I know some of you were worried.

I pinned a recipe on Pinterest over a year ago, and am glad that I found it again. This is posted on my Gluten Free board. The recipe comes from a blog called Two Peas & Their Pod. Maria and Josh are a married couple who love cooking & entertaining and created a blog around it. Their blog literally puts mine to shame, it is good stuff. They have great recipes, and pictures of/references about their son Caleb who is a cutie. You should definitely check out their blog, and their stories.  You will feel like you are a part of their inner circle. :)

Maria and Josh have a recipe for Vegetable Lime Chickpea Chili. It comes from a friend of theirs cookbook. I agree with Maria that the recipe just looks great with all the fresh ingredients.

Photo from http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com
 

For me, one of the best parts is how quickly you can make this chili. The longest part is chopping up the vegetables. This is such an easy meal. The flavor is simple but so good at the same time. Not complex, not over done, just perfect. It is not a "heavy" chili, definitely one you can have in the summer or spring and still feel you have warm, comfort food.

I started sautéing the zucchini and squash first, then added the mushrooms & onion. I made sure the vegetables were cut around the same size so that they will cook evenly. Then all the other ingredients came in and it made a great meal. This literally took about 30 minutes and was very flavorful. This recipe is a go-to for the crazy busy SAHM's and those of us who spend our days behind the desk. Easy, simple, full of flavor ~ definitely will be loved by all.

If you don't believe me, then just ask Bambi. She had two bowls... fine, we both did. And we finished off the bottle of wine. I call that a great Monday night!

I know many of you have rolled your eyes at me trying this Meatless Monday thing, but I encourage you to try some of these meals. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.... and more importantly, full!

Go make you some Vegetable Lime Chickpea Chili!

Pinterest Win: Creamy Chicken Soup!

As you all know, I love soup. Like crazy love soup. It could be 110 degrees in Houston, with 100% humidity and I still want soup. Not that cold soup crap, but yummy warm soup. {Remind me one day to tell you about the one and only time I tried gazpacho, or how I like to refer to it: salsa.} 

I decided to act like I was in my twenties again on Sunday night, and today was definitely a much needed recovery day. There are few things more comforting to me than soup. I knew I had to have it today. I perused my 'Soups' Pinterest Board and found this enticing pin. This is my first cream soup to make, so I was a bit nervous. But, more importantly I was hungry. Very hungry... not quite hangry, but I could see that development. It was on the horizon.

The blog that the recipe is featured on is called The Cookie Rookie. This young woman, Becky, who writes the blog says that she loves to cook and enjoys easy recipes. I am thinking Becky and I could be friends. We seem to like the same things. It's a great blog, you should definitely check it out. Also, check out her picture of the soup.

Photo from http://www.thecookierookie.com

Looks good, huh? The recipe seems a bit overwhelming but it actually was really easy. I used Half & Half instead of heavy cream or regular milk. I had almond milk in the fridge but wasn't in the mood to experiment too much. I mean, I was hungry and I needed to be able to eat what I make. Ya know? I got priorities...

 

The flavor of this soup is amazing! I had two bowls. Yup, fatty had two bowls. I would have had three but I got full. That is right kids, Momma is no longer hungry. You can imagine me doing the Happy Lee dance. It's a fun dance. You should try it. Though, it might not be called the Happy "Lee" dance when you do it. Anyway, I digress...

 

This recipe literally makes about 10-12 servings. I have so much to eat all week, and probably another week or two after that. I am a big fan of leftovers, so this recipe works well for me. If you are cooking this for a family then you'll obviously not have as much leftovers as me. Seeing as I made the soup for one, this girl is going to be eating soup for a while. Again, cue the Happy Lee dance. Check out my version of the soup (as usual, not professionally taken...)

 

 

 Now get off the internet and go make yourself some soup!

Mmmmmm...

Pinterest Win: Chicken Barley Soup

I love soup, all year round, I love it! I think there is always time for soup. It can be 110 degrees outside, and I want it. John and I wanted a low key night on Friday because I had some fun nights on Wednesday and Thursday, plus we had two pool parties on Saturday and a brunch planned on Sunday. I figured I would make John dinner and we would have something comforting and light. (Yes, to answer your question... it is hard to be so popular...)

This recipe comes from my Pinterest board, aptly named Soups. I know... shocker! It is on a pin from Southern Living called 51 Satisfying Soups & Stews. Yes, 51! These soup recipes look really good, and I chose one that seemed the lightest. Instead of making you guys search for this recipe, I am kind enough to give you the exact link: http://www.myrecipes.com/m/recipe/chunky-chicken-barley-soup-10000001536747/.

Of course, since it was Southern Living I am pretty sure they had someone stage the food. Their picture looks really good.

Photo from www.myrecipes.com

Even their bowl is fancier. Once I finish telling you about the experience, you'll see I do not have stagers helping me. Just me!

First, I have to tell you the "DOH!" moment of the recipe. You know there is always one with me...

I went to HEB Friday morning to get the groceries. I got the fresh veggies and garlic, and then remembered to get chicken. I decided to get the already cooked grilled chicken from the lunch meat section. We already had so  much meat at the house that getting a whole chicken to shred seemed stupid to me. (Please keep this last sentence in mind.)

I come home and tell John I am making him soup. Luckily he likes soup, too. Otherwise, he won't be thrilled a lot with what I make! In the middle of telling him about the groceries I got, it hit me. Like a bag of bricks... Hit. Me. HARD! We still have tons of meat leftover from the smoking John did on Sunday. In case you don't remember the picture, I am going to include it again below.

Yes, right in the middle of the picture there is chicken. You see chicken. A crap load of chicken! Geesh! I decided to put the new chicken away and use the smoked chicken for the soup. ( that Still shaking my head...)

This was a great and light soup. Wasn't too hearty that we felt it was more of a wintery soup, but it was filling enough for both of us. Keep in mind, when the recipe says it makes 4 servings... it ain't lying. John and I each had two bowls. Luckily, I don't eat as much as him so there is a small bowl left over. Otherwise, we would have eaten it all Friday night.

I'm a garlic lover so I used a little more than the recipe called for. I'm glad I bought fresh garlic, rather than using the pre-jarred kind I already had in the fridge. I didn't read the label well the last time I bought thyme, and accidentally got ground rather than the dried. I used a little more ground than the dried that the recipe called for to make sure I got the flavor. In addition, I added rosemary and red pepper flakes. The red pepper a perfect amount of heat - it wasn't overpowering, and had a good "bite" to it. Plus, using the smoked chicken rather than regular chicken really added flavor. I was impressed. If you have a chance to do that you really should. If you don't have easy access to smoked chicken, you might want to add  something to recipe to make it more flavorful.

I am really happy with this soup. Definitely making it again. Maybe next time I'll find a stager to help me take a better picture. But knowing me, probably not...

Now, go out there and make you some soup!