Comfort Food in (un)Comfortable Weather

I guess it all depends on what you're into, or maybe where you have to go and how you have to get there... but I happen to love a good rainy day.  Yesterday was gloriously rainy, today is cloudy and drizzly, and I feel so very lucky to be able to work from home, and spend a little time just being cozy.  I started off the morning with some of Starbucks' new hot cocoa mix.

This stuff is awesome.  At first, I was all "hell no, I'm not spending $6 on a box of hot chocolate mix..." but realizing it was the only vegan-friendly cocoa on the shelf, I decided I didn't really have a choice.  I am SO glad I tried it!  It's well worth the $6, and if you mix it up with hot Coconut Dream, you have quite the decadent drink in your hands -- warm, creamy, rich & chocolatey -- so comforting.

My other comfort food is soup.  Unfortunately (for me) my boyfriend doesn't share this sentiment.  Unfortunately (for him) I'm going to make soup, anyway.  This one from Post Punk Kitchen looks like it will fit the bill.

Find the recipe here!

I love kale, I love chickpeas, I don't think there's any way this could go wrong.  We always called them garbanzo beans... there isn't a difference, is there?

I hope everyone is staying warm and cozy out there!  We're supposed to get some snow or ice here in Chicago.  It's difficult to really believe that though, going from a 60-degree day to snow... but hey, that's Chicago for you.

Throw it together broccoli soup

I love soup, but I always end up making too much.  Today, I was desperate for a bowl, just one bowl, of broccoli soup.  I didn't want to make a whole batch, I didn't want to go to the store, I just wanted the bowl of soup as quickly and easily as possible.

Turns out, it's really not that difficult to make an awesome bowl of soup, for one.

Unofficial Ingredients:

Whatever is left in that bag of broccoli in the freezer (we'll estimate about 1/2 cup, here)

1 carrot, peeled and sliced thin

1 cup water and a chicken bouillon cube (or about 1 cup chicken stock)

Cream, as much or as little as you like

I boiled the water with the bouillon cube for about 3 minutes, then added the frozen broccoli and sliced carrots.  If you have a little extra onion, or garlic, throw that in too.

Boil, boil, boil until the veggies are mushy.  This way you can avoid blending or pureeing all the ingredients together, and just go to town on them with a potato masher.  Is it perfect?  No... but it's easier, creates less mess, and makes the soup delightfully chunky and homemade-y.

Once you have poured the soup into a bowl, add a little bit of cream, and stir.  Dip bread and butter into the soup, and mmm... enjoy.

The Winter Housewife

That should probably be my new nickname, "The Winter Housewife".  During the Summer (well, during the baseball season), I'm so busy working I can hardly see straight.  But once we get into off-season territory, it's all making soups, baking bread, and decorating the apartment.  I'm a Winter Housewife (House-Domestic-Partner, actually).

Yesterday I made a positively delightful Sweet Pepper Soup, today it was Blueberry Jam.  I think tomorrow I'll try Peanut Butter Dog Treats for Ike.

I also have enough time to leisurely drink my Buttery Caramel Coffee.  So far, life is pretty sweet.  I know myself well enough to realize I'll get bored very quickly, but for right now, I'm enjoying this slow-paced city life.

What I'm Eating... Dinner at Pho 888

Pho 888 is awesome, that's all there is to it.  I went it to get an avocado smoothie, with bubbles, to go, but then we couldn't resist the spring rolls (beef, and shrimp), and once I saw the hot bowl of steaming pho going to another table, I just had to order some for us.  I left positively stuffed, and holding my belly and moaning with all the fullness, but it was just SO good!

If my Momma or my friend Marika are reading this -- this place is a definite for when you visit this year!  It's best in the Winter, anyway, when you just need a bowl of delicious pho to warm you up.

Mmm, bubbles!

Beef Spring Rolls

Shrimp Spring Rolls (w/ plum sauce, and crushed peanuts)

One of my favorite things in the world -- a hot bowl of Pho (this time with meatballs)

What I'm Eating... Chicken Soup w/ Tortellini

Delicious!  It's almost too easy to make, and it will impress!

Recipe:

Chicken Soup w/ Tortellini

(clicking link will take you to vanessauttaro.com)

Ingredients:

Chicken breasts (or left over roast chicken), carrots, chicken stock, tarragon, fresh or frozen tortellini

Decorate, Eat & Repeat

What I'm Eating... Chicken & Dumplings

My 'fella isn't feeling too well, and I know from experience that, even if I make a gorgeous chicken soup from scratch, starting with a whole chicken... he won't eat it.  So, I made him chicken and dumplings instead, and he loved it!  Approval from both the sick, and the well.

Recipe:

Chicken & Dumplings

Ingredients:

Chicken thighs (or breasts), carrots, celery, onion, chicken stock, fresh or dried spices/herbs, olive oil, butter, flour, salt & pepper; pancake mix (yeah, I said it), milk

Decorate, Eat & Repeat

Decorate, Eat & Repeat

What I'm Eating... Tortilla Soup

Is anyone else noticing a trend, here?  I am way into Mexican food right now, I think because I got such a good deal on these organic corn tortillas at Whole Foods (99-cents!).

This is a pretty simple recipe, which is great when you aren't much in the mood for cooking dinner -- its quick, simple, and satisfying.

Recipe:
Tortilla Soup
(Clicking link will take you to vanessauttaro.com)

Ingredients:
Corn tortillas, onion, garlic, jalapeño pepper, fresh cilantro, chicken stock, tomatoes (canned or fresh), olive oil, grated cheese or queso fresco

What I'm eating... Broccoli (leftover) Soup

When I don't want produce to go to waste, making soup is one of my favorite ways of saving it.  Broccoli soup is especially warm and comforting on a cold night, and delightfully easy to prepare, so you will get a little bit of a break from the usual kitchen duties... unless, like me, you have to wash dishes to even get to the soup pot...

The recipe:

Broccoli (leftover) Soup

Ingredients:

Broccoli, potato(es), garlic, salt & pepper, chicken stock or chicken bouillon cubes, sour cream, cheddar cheese (optional)

Decorate, Eat & Repeat

What I'm eating... Crab & Roasted Corn Soup

Delicious!  Of course, I would get all excited about soup right when Chicago gets hit by a heat wave (I want my cool Autumn weather!), but I'll just stay inside and pretend I'm chilly and warming up with this yummy soup.

Want the recipe?  Go to: Decorate, Eat & Repeat

Crab & Roasted Corn Soup
Click here for the recipe, on Decorate, Eat & Repeat

What I'm eating... Split Pea Soup

It might look yucky, but its delicious!