pasta fijole soup.

Disclaimer: I have no idea what "fijole" means/is! Apparently something delicious.

This soup is so good. It's been my choice for numerous birthday gatherings and it's the perfect lunch on a cold day. Or a summer day. Or any day. 

On the downside, this is one of my mom's recipes that has no measurements. (Who in the world makes a recipe with no measurements?!) You might have to go a little bit Julia Child on this one but it's definitely worth it.

So here is what you need:

spicy sausage

hamburger

onion, chopped

celery, chopped finely

carrot, julienne cut

one can (14-15 oz) Italian stewed tomatoes

one can Swansons beef broth

V8 (vegetable juice, sometimes we use the Trader Joes brand)

garlic clove

crushed basil

one 15 oz can kidney beans

chile powder

pepper

salad pasta 

Saute sausage, hamburger, celery, and onion together, adding minced garlic for last few minutes. Drain grease. Add carrots, stewed tomatoes, broth, V8, kidney beans, and spices (to taste) and simmer until carrots are done. Add cooked, drained salad pasta and serve. Also good topped with parmesan cheese.

in the kitchen

Let me start by saying that these are some of the best carrot cake cupcakes I have ever had. Ever. Beats the local cupcake shop for sure. Another highlight of these little bits of heaven is that they have lots of carrot in them. So that makes them healthy. Essentially, you don't have to feel guilty about eating them. Guilt free cupcakes? Yes, please! Let's get started.

You'll need:

• 4 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• 3 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup chopped pecans (I leave these out)
• 
  

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
2. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, oil, white sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir in carrots. Fold in pecans. Pour into prepared pan.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.

Now for the heavenly cream cheese frosting:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 
  
• In a medium bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in chopped pecans. Frost the cooled cake.

Warning: be prepared to eat at least ten cupcakes in one sitting. Happy baking!

recipe from here

in the kitchen: roasted chick peas

these are super cute, healthy, and fun to eat! (aka: the perfect snack food)
to make these little guys you'll need:
-one can (or more) of chick peas/garbanzo beans (same thing. so confusing)
-cookie sheet
-oven, preheated to 400
-olive oil
-salt
-seasoning of your choice (optional)

simply drain the water out of the chick peas and pat dry. spread out on cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil. stir around so they are lightly covered. salt. cook for 30-40 minutes (i cooked mine about 40 minutes because i like them to be on the crunchier side) and stir occasionally.

that's it! so easy. try them and tell me what you think!

in case you've missed some older recipes:
hearty chocolate chip cookies
yummy spinach salad
baked oatmeal

hearty chocolate chip cookies

this recipe is soo good. I know there are a lot of chocolate chip cookie recipes out there, but this one should definitely be up there in the top ten somewhere! these have walnuts in them and have a more hearty feel than most chocolate chip cookies.

here's the recipe:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon flaxseed (this stuff is so good for you!)
1 1/4 cup oatmeal
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 oz grated milk chocolate (about one hershey bar)
3/4 chopped walnuts
chocolate chips


Bake at 375 for ten minutes!

in the kitchen: yummy spinach salad

My friend introduced me to this spinach salad a couple weeks ago and I have been obsessed ever since! I don't normally even like spinach very much but this stuff is beyond delicious!
For my salad I like to use:
spinach
cucumber chunks
red pepper slices
dried craisins
feta
raw or salted almonds
chicken or turkey
(the chicken is especially good grilled with Trader Joe's soyaki sauce or Yoshidas)
Dressing: (soo simple)
1/3 parts olive oil
2/3 parts balsamic vinegar

Ta da! You have just made yourself the most delicious salad ever. (Not to mention healthy...so you can pat yourself on the back twice!) This makes the best lunch and is super easy to throw together!

in the kitchen: baked oatmeal

This stuff is soo good. It has become the new family favorite at breakfast time and it makes the whole house smell delicious!

Okay...here is the recipe:

Innkeeper's Baked Oatmeal

In one bowl, mix:

3 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

Add cinnamon and/or nutmeg (optional, to taste)

At this point, mix can be set aside until morning.

When ready to bake, butter a two quart casserole dish and set aside. Into dry ingredients, stir:

3/4 of a cube of butter

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 cups milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Options: Can add raisins, chopped apples, nuts, shredded coconut into the mix as well!

Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes. Top with yogurt, honey, extra toasted nuts, or my favorite, toasted shredded coconut! 

Warning: this stuff is addicting.