Soup for a Dark Day

Is it just me or did it just get super dark in the mornings all of a sudden? I wake up, I look outside, it's dark, and it's 7:00am? It feels like a prank, but sadly it's not.

These dark days make me yearn for hot, silky, creamy soup. The kind full of goodies and deliciousness. The kind of soup that makes you want a second bowl. Maybe the kind with a little heat in it, so you don't feel cold anymore. Do you know the kind I mean?

If you can't put your finger on the kind of soup I'm talking about, don't worry. I have your back. It's the kind of soup I'm sharing today - Thai Coconut Noodle Soup. It's perfect for the days you want to stay in bed, and the other days too.

July's Crazy Ingredient Challenge

July's Crazy Ingredient Challenge is a little less crazy than most months, it's combining cranberries and shallots! But while I think that's the perfect combination for Thanksgiving, but it's a little more challenging for the summer.

I came up with a shallot and dried cranberry compote butter that would amazing when tossed with veggies, but I felt like making something a little different for this challenge. So I took a look in my fridge and found a head of cauliflower. Then I looked in my garden and saw that my basil was bright and beautiful. I knew I would make a gorgeous summer soup out of the cauliflower and top it with tart little dried cranberries and bright basil.

This soup was one of my best so thanks to Dawn from Spatulas on Parade for, what turned out to be, a perfect summer combo!

Not Just a Soup and a Sandwich

I bet you read the words "soup and sandwich" and wondered if this post would be worth reading. A soup and a sandwich is something you can get at a deli, or even some grocery stores, so why would you want to read a recipe for it?

Well, I am so glad you decided to keep reading because this is one of the easiest and tastiest soups I've ever made. And, just to make it a little more special, the sandwich I've paired it with is actually more of a crouton. It's a grilled cheese sandwich cut into tiny cubes that are floated on top of the soup. So, you see, I meant what I said when I told you that it wasn't just a soup and a sandwich; it's a little more special than that!

Read on for my recipe, inspired by a fennel soup recipe in Jamie Oliver's newest cookbook.

Soup for On-Terrible Weather

I just arrived back home after a visit to see my family in Halifax and Ontario. I had a great time seeing everyone, but I am not sure if I'm built for such a cold climate anymore. I did love seeing my family, skiing, bundling up and walking the dog on the ice, and of course the warm home cooked meals - but I couldn't get over the cold!

And since the best part of my visit, seeing my family, is something I could do anytime of the year - I think I might be making future trips home in the summer! 

If you're looking for a warm, home cooked meal to make for your family, try my version of Chatelaine's Leek and and Fennel Soup with Poached Haddock. My version is a littler healthier and easier to make, plus I've found a great use for my preserved lemon! 

Mexican Winter Food

I find that one of the best ways to deal with Christmas being over is to eat spicy food. Bright and spicy Mexican dishes with toppings galore always make me happy on a dreary evening in Janaury.

Today's recipe is one from Chatealine, but I've topped their Mexican Lentil Soup with a delicious medley of treats that I think would make even the darkest night fun. Toppings make this soup interactive and can also make eating the soup into a game of who-can-make-the-best-topped-soup? 

That's not just a game at my house, is it? If that's not the game for you, try your chance at my current giveaway for Team Canada 2014 Olympic Gear! 

Movember - Mo Sistas, Mo Cookies, and Mo-re

I like to think of myself as a Mo Sista this month. But before you start thinking I've been quietly growing a moustache behind your back, let me tell you that being a Mo Sista means helping to raise money and spread awareness in the battles against testicular and prostate cancer and mental health - all through the power of a moustache.

To start my journey as a Mo Sista, I decided I should put my talents to use and cook, bake, and creatively name my goodies. I thought about things that would be easy to make, fun to name, and about celebrity moustaches because what's a moustache without the likes of Burt Reynolds?

To start the fun I like the idea of inviting my good friend Burt Reynolds over for some Beet Reynolds Soup with mo croutons. :)

Read on for my recipe and save room for some Easy Mo Cookies. Then, if you're feeling generous, please click here to donate to a local Victoria, BC Movember team.

Kitchen Sink Soup

I know I am ready for winter when I start filling my grocery cart and fridge with more food than I can possibly eat in one week. I just see yummy looking ingredients, detour from my carefully planned list, and fill up my grocery cart. Doing may make me seem like part squirrel, but it also has helped me to come up with really yummy recipes. 

Today's recipe is compliments of my having binge bought far too much kale, leeks, and carrots at the farmers market and from having stock piled too many dried beans in my cupboards. And I'm happy it happened because this soup was delicious! 

BrOc-tober Soup

It's October and time to start enjoying soups again. But to be completely honest with you, I made this soup on a chilly day in summer and saved sharing it with you until now because soups just seem more fall than summer. Plus calling this post BrOc-tober Soup was just too fun to pass up!

Although I change almost all recipes to make them my own, this soup recipe originally came from Martha Stewart's Meatless. I love that there's a can of protein filled beans in it to make it both creamy and filling. I would never have thought to use puréed beans in a broccoli soup, but now I know I'll do it again and again. 

Read on for the recipe!

Chilly Summer Days

We all seem to be having really erratic weather this year, so even though it's June and it's warm where I am, I thought I would share one of my newest chili recipes. I sure hope we don't need to warm up with a big bowl of chili, but I guess we just don't know what weather we are going to get. 

And, to be honest, I like chili in the summer, regardless of the weather. It's awesome to serve any leftovers on top of a sausage in a bun! 

Faux Pho

Pho is a Vietnamese dish where I just don't see the appeal. I like everything that goes into it on its own, but I just don't like slurping up long dripping noodles from a bowl of broth. 

Since I do like to eat Wonton Noodle Soup I feel like a bit of a hypocrite, but there's a difference between the two soups. Pho has really long rice noodles and they're super slippery. Wonton Noodle Soup has a different kind of noodle that's much easier and less messy to eat. 

Alright, that's a big stretch. They're pretty much the same. But since my honey loves them, I keep giving them a try. 

Here's my first successful version of a Pho. Mine's a Faux Pho as it has fish instead of beef and I have to admit that I like it. Somehow it feels less uncomfortable to eat a drippy soup in the comfort of my own home! 

Souper Trooper

Oh, soup. Soup is a wonderful thing. It can be hot or cold, silky smooth or chunky, meaty or vegetarian, and elegant or rustic. The possibilities for soup are pretty much endless.

Today I wanted a really simple soup and I wanted it to be spicy, bold, and smooth. I got hooked on the idea of making it a mushroom soup and it was amazing. The only thing I wasn't so fond of about this soup was the colour, but a little yogurt and basil garnish went a long way.

The New Soup Topper

I have dishes on my blog that I make on a regular basis, my Chocolate Banana Brownies and my newly discovered Celebration Lasagna often top that list. But neither of those posts are your favourite. My most viewed post is for my Crispy Spiced Chickpeas and today I'm sharing a recipe to make that snack into a great meal. 

I love a good spicy tomato soup and I love crackers with a bowl of it, but there are no crackers in today's post. Today I'm swapping crackers for Crispy Spiced Chickpeas and thrilled about it. Read on for my recipe!

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Chicken noodle soup always makes me feel comforted, but this winter I seem to have more sniffles than normal and I am getting bored with my typical soup recipe. It's not that I don't like my usual soup, it's just that Sometimes I need something a little spicier than normal. Luckily, today's recipe is the perfect solution. 

This soup is full of Asian flavours and a little heat, but it's still a comforting hug on a cold day. Read on for my Asian Chicken and Rice Soup recipe! 

Abundance and Plenty

Many people wish for abundance and plenty on for the New Year and, since fish produce a very large amount of eggs at once, they're a typical New Year's food. To celebrate wishes such as abundance and plenty, I'm going to share a few seafood recipes with you over the next couple days. 

I don't know about you, but even though I feel blessed and very satisfied with my life, I won't stop wishing for plenty of happiness for the new year. 

Read on for today's recipe, Salmon and Corn Chowder, a true bountiful catch of the day. 

Spring Fling

When the weather's grey and dreary outside I love to enjoy a hot bowl of soup with toast on my sofa. It makes me feel cozy and I also get the added benefit of watching tv with dinner, something I don't always do!

Since the weather in Victoria BC has been exceptionally grey lately I knew not just any bowl of soup would do. It didn't long to come up with what would be a good fit because all I could think of was Spring and Spring made me want a Spring Vegetable Chicken Soup. Not only is this soup full of fresh spring-y veggies, but it's also a lovely spring green colour.

Deep down inside I know it's fall and my fling with spring will be short lived, but I think each bite pushes those thoughts further from my mind. I hope it works for you too!

Pumpkin Eater

It's weird to think of pumpkin carving as anything other than an activity to make children smile, but pumpkin carving has existed for many, many years and it's origin many not be what you think it is.

Pumpkin carving started as a way to honour deceased loved ones and ward off evil spirits as people hollowed out beets, turnips, and gourds to create lanterns. But since pumpkins are bigger than turnips and other veggies, they eventually became the chosen vessel for the lanterns. 

I prefer to eat pumpkins, rather than carve them, but I still like to have a little fun. I think this meal lets me have my jack-o-lantern and eat it too. What do you think?

Hallo-Weenies

Some holidays are all about fun and smiling and Halloween is definitely one of them for me. Halloween is for dressing up silly, overindulging on junk food, and having a great time.

To make the holiday extra special, I try and make meals really creative. Sometimes they're on the creepy side, sometimes they're orange and black, and sometimes they're just cute. I'll let you decide what today's post falls into yourself.

Today I am sharing a recipe from Life Made Delicious, Crescent Mummy Dogs. I didn't have any cheese slices on hand, so my version is slightly different, but both version are easy to make and taste delicious!

Souper Soup

When I read a recipe I like to use it as inspiration and make it as easy to replicate, but still keep the original amazing flavour. 

I don't think cooking should be hard and I don't think that it should make people shy away from staying home for dinner. I think cooking should be fun and creating flavourful meals should be easy. 

When I was given a recipe for Tom Yam Gung (Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup), I almost put it down and vowed to only enjoy it when I ate out. But then I thought to myself that I could replace making a time intensive shrimp broth with simple seafood (or even veggie broth) and just add in a few extra flavours. It worked when I made Wonton Noodle Soup, so why wouldn't it work now?

Well, wouldn't you know it. My idea worked. I think my simple version of Tom Yam Gung is just as good as the homemade broth version!

A Nutty Mix of Sweet and Spicy

I love to mix sweet and spicy flavours into one dish. I think it makes the flavours feel more layered and complex. And when I get to add in a nutty taste too, well that's just the icing on top of the cake. 

This recipe takes a basic sweet potato soup up notch by adding in a few tablespoons each of thick peanut butter and sweet Thai chili sauce. Plus I've created a garnish of sticky and sweet peanuts that make the soup extra special. 

I think the peanuts would make a great topping for a salad or even a great bar snack too. So I'd advise making a double serving of them! 

Big Soup

While this soup does make a nice big pot of soup, my post's title really refers to the exact translation of minestrone - "big soup". 

There is no standard recipe for minestrone, the soup used to made with leftover veggies and was very thick. Today it is also made with a thin broth, seasonal veggies, and whatever else you want to add in. 

But I have heard that minestrone isn't called minestrone by Italians unless it contains romano beans and has a bean broth. 

My soup has a ham bone base, mostly because I had a ham bone in my freezer I wanted to use up, but it does have romano beans in it. I think it still counts! It was yummy! And even better, it was easy!