FoodFixe

Mom's Chili Con Carne

It's been awhile. It's not that I haven't been cooking; I have. Leading up to my recent surgery, I was busily making double batches of dishes that would freeze well, knowing I wouldn't have the gumption to cook for awhile.

I relied on some favorites that I've shared here before, such as cream of spinach soup and enchiladas with pumpkin sauce. But one dish I made I realized I have yet to share—my mom's chili. It's a seasonal go-to recipe for me. Perfect during the cold weather months and easily doubled or tripled for a large crowd or to freeze.

Curried Pumpkin: Soup to Nuts

  It’s fall. It’s Halloween. It’s pumpkin season! My favorite time of year. And I’ve been on quite a pumpkin bender of late. A couple weeks ago I was determined to find a really good pumpkin soup recipe. I used to make one years ago that, although I loved the idea of pumpkin soup, I finally had to admit really wasn’t all that great.

I asked for recommendations from the foodie folks on Twitter and scoured the intertubes, and found what sounded like a winner—Curried Pumpkin Soup. I love the pumpkin curry at the Thai joint near work, so soup sounded like the next best thing.

Krazy for Kale

For those of us who started the year trying to stay on the nutritional straight and narrow, the food universe doesn’t make it easy. In the span of six weeks, we’ve had to endure National Pie Day, National Chocolate Cake Day, National Carrot Cake Day, world Nutella Day and, of course, Valentine’s Day. Fortunately, I had recently joined a CSA—Farm Fresh To You —which at least ensured I had fresh fruit and veggies on hand as a way to counterbalance or bypass all together the sweet temptations.

Among my bounty of veggies was my first ever bunch of kale. I like greens of all kinds, but I’d never cooked with kale. When I mentioned my excitement about acquiring some kale on Facebook, I was astounded by the comments and conversation it inspired. People are crazy about kale! And, as coincidence would have it, at a team-building off-site for work that same week at Paulding & Co.,a delicious Butternut Squash and Kale and Chestnuts was among the dishes we were preparing.

5 Favorite Soups

The weather outside if frightful ... Well, in some parts of the country. Here in the Bay Area, we’ve been having a little summer in January. No matter, it’s still winter and few dishes are as appealing this time of year as a warm, comforting bowl of soup.

In honor of National Soup Swap Day today, I thought I’d share my five favorite soups. Whether you decide to participate in a soup swap this season or just stock up for some quick and easy meals, these soups are all freezer-friendly.

Soup’s on!

Two-Potato Soup

I went to my first soup swap a week ago Sunday. When I received the invitation from my friend Debbie Lacy, of chocolate fondue fame, I thought, “What a great idea!” This was a chance to fill my freezer with a variety of warm, comforting goodness to get me through the winter, and all I had to do was make one big pot of soup. I’m in!
 
Apparently soup swaps are not a new idea, because just a few days later BlogHer began featuring a soup a day for the two weeks leading up to National Soup Swap Day on January 22. Who knew there was such a day? Apparently, I do live under a rock. That said, my friend Debbie’s been hosting an annual soup swap since she lived in Boston many years ago. So I credit her with being the trendsetter on this one.

Mom's Spinach Soup

Fall arrived in all its glorious gray gloom this weekend—the perfect weather for soup. (Apparently it rained last weekend, but I was in Hawai’i enjoying sunny and 83°F.) Because I was spending much of my time in the kitchen yesterday experimenting with a new cookie inspired by my recent trip to the Big Island (that’s another post), I opted to make my favorite quick and easy soup—my mom’s Spinach Soup.

As soups go, this one couldn’t be simpler with just three ingredients (if you don’t count the salt and pepper and Tabasco): frozen spinach, sour cream, and chicken broth. My mom only made this soup once, maybe twice, a year, usually to accompany corned beef. Even as a kid, I loved spinach, so this soup is one of my fondest childhood food memories. When I moved out, my mom’s spinach soup was one of the first recipes I requested from her, and it’s been my go-to soup every since. I always keep the ingredients on hand this time of year for those nights when I’m too tired or unmotivated to cook but want something good and homey

5 Favorite Fall Recipes

I love autumn. It’s my favorite season—from the warm days and cool nights and the changing colors of the trees to the food. It’s the time of year when I most enjoy cooking and being in my kitchen.

While baking a Pumpkin Hazelnut Cheesecake [http://www.foodfixe.com/foodfixe/pumpkin-hazelnut-cheesecake.html] recently, I was musing about all the dishes I look forward to making this time of year. Here are some of my go-to fall recipes.

3 ways to get your greens

 Today’s post is penned by my friend Elaine. She not only crafts a sublime cocktail (see Sparkletini and Pluotta Cocktail) but also is a fine, creative cook. I’ve been hearing her sing the praises of green garlic for years and finally persuaded her to share her passion—and recipes.

I want to eat kale, really I do—it's so good for you.  I've tried and tried, but I finally had to admit that I simply don't enjoy eating piles of sautéed, stir-fried, or wilted greens, no matter how enthusiastic the application of bacon.

Spicy Sweet Potato Soup

 The trees in bloom are a sure sign that spring is around the corner, but we’re still getting cold, rainy weather. Personally, I’ve grown weary of winter – winter weather, winter clothes, winter food. But when it was raining buckets several days ago, I turned to my favorite go-to cold-weather comfort food – soup.

In this instance, I turned to a recipe for Spicy Sweet Potato Soup from The San Francisco Chronicle Cookbook Volume II.  Although the recipe touts this as a holiday soup, I think it’s perfect as a ‘tween season soup. It’s creamy but light, with a nice little kick. Best of all, Spicy Sweet Potato Soup is a cheery shade of orange – just the thing to brighten up a gray day.

Winter Tomato Soup

The weather has finally turned winter-like last week in the Bay Area – cold, gray, and drizzly. That always puts me in the mood for soup. Because I was still recovering from the over indulgence that is Thanksgiving, I opted for a lighter soup.

I consulted one of my favorite cookbooks for inspiration – The Campagna Table – and decided on the Winter Tomato Soup. I hadn’t made this soup in quite awhile but remembered it being light yet warm and satisfying. Perfect.