Veg*n Cooking and Other Random Musings

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Super Yummy Green Smoothie

I have been making more of an effort lately to make sure that Brett and I are getting adequate vitamins and minerals and have really become fond of juicing and making smoothies. Not only are they tasty and make a great breakfast, they are easy and so very healthy.

Below is one of my very first experiments and it is really good. I will make up a batch of this in the mornings and Brett and I will split it for breakfast. Super yummy and really easy, can't get much better than that.


















Super Yummy Green Smoothie
2 apples (you want to use a tart variety, I used organic Granny Smith), cored
2 bananas
a couple handfuls of spinach
juice of half a lime
1 heaping tsp. spirulina powder
5-6 ice cubes

Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Enjoy!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year!

'Til next time.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Random Grub We've Made (and remembered to take pictures of)

So yeah, promises, promises, right? I said, oh let's see, a month ago, that I was going to try to start blogging more regularly and look, it has been over a month. I really suck sometimes. I have all sorts of excuses, but I will not bore you all with them.

Needless to say, I have been a lot better about taking pictures of the things I have been cooking and have tried out some tasty new things I am going to be blogging about in just a little while. I guess you could say that my New Year's "resolution" will be to be more organized and a better blogger, because, you know, I've missed it.

Anywho, here is some of the random things I have made lately:


















Spicy Smashed Kidney Bean and Sweet Potato Burritos
.


















Potato, Mushroom, and Egg Burrito.


















Potato, Mushroom, and Egg Burrito cut open. I just simply cut up 3 small red potatoes, sliced half a container of button mushrooms, a bell pepper, a jalapeno, half an onion, and a couple of cloves of garlic, sautéed it and seasoned it with cumin, cilantro, chipotle chile powder and salt. The I scrambled an egg and stuffed it all in a warmed tortilla.

I hope everyone out there had a wonderful holiday. B and I stayed home this year, and seeing as how we didn't cook anything special on Thanksgiving, we decided to make all our favorite sides for our just-for-two Christmas dinner. After we gorged on the goodies you will see below, we spent the evening playing Sim City 4 together - so much fun, probably my favorite computer game ever. Anyways...


















Candied yams for Brett. He really, really likes these. I'm not a marshmallow person, and while I loves sweet potatoes, this isn't really my thing, I make it for Brett.


















Garlic mashed red potatoes.


















Green bean casserole.


















Herbed stuffing.

As you can see, it was a really tasty meal.

Well, I wish everyone a safe and happy New Year's. We will be joining a small contingent of friends and then heading to St. Louis on Friday to spend the weekend with my family. My brother Zac and his wife Brittine just had their first child, Gabriel, and I get to meet him for the first time. I'm Aunt J! The only problem is I am scared shitless of children, particularly little babies and B is hell bent on getting me to hold him.

I will mention one of my excuses for not blogging - I fractured a rib and it is hard to get comfortable. It is finally starting to feel better - there isn't much that can be done for a rib except for giving it time, but I plan on keeping that in my arsenal of excuses as to why I don't need to hold Gabriel. I will get down on the carpet and have a chat with him, where there is no chance of my dropping or otherwise injuring this tiny little human, but that is about as far as it goes. Is it weird to have adult like conversations with infants? I have VERY LITTLE experience and contact with children/babies and I am never sure how to approach/handle them. And my goodness, being pregnant? That has to be one of the creepiest things - ever. I don't think I could ever get comfortable with some creature in my belly, that is just, well, creepy. But I have the maternal instinct of most commitment-phobic males (though, obviously, since I am happily married I am not a commitment-phobe). It has made my grandparents and mother quite sad that I have no desire whatsoever to have children. My dad doesn't really care, he just wants me to be happy, and besides, I have three step-brothers to provide plenty of pitter-pattering little feet. I have a feeling I will do the "cool Aunt from afar" thing - I will bring cool gifts and play with the kid when I am around, but then will happily give him back to Mom and Dad. Nice.

Anywho - I will be writing and scheduling some more recipes to be posted in the next couple of days.

Have a great night everyone!

'Til next time.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Books J's Read - 2011

The new start of a new year means yet another Books J's Read list. It will likely contain mostly cozy mysteries, and the occasional non-fiction book, but if you are looking for something to read, and you trust my humble judgement, read on for my list of reads of the year.

Fiction:
  1. A Peach of a Murder (Fresh-Baked Mysteries, 1) - Livia J. Washburn - 4 out of 5
  2. Accessory to Murder (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper 3) - Elaine Viets - 5 out of 5
  3. An Uplifting Murder (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, 6) - Elaine Viets - 5 out of 5
  4. Bantam of the Opera (Bed & Breakfast, 5) - Mary Daheim - 3 out of 5
  5. Cat Sitter Among the Pigeons (Dixie Hemingway, 6) - Blaize Clement - 4 out of 5
  6. Cat Sitter On a Hot Tine Roof (Dixie Hemingway, 4) - Blaize Clement - 4 out of 5
  7. Curiosity Thrilled the Cat (Magical Cats Mystery 1) - Sofie Kelly - 4.5 out of 5
  8. Dune to Death (Bed & Breakfast Mystery, 4) - Mary Daheim - 3 out of 5
  9. Curiosity Killed the Cat Sitter (Dixie Hemingway, 1) - Blaize Clement - 4 out of 5
  10. Duplicity Dogged the Dachshund (Dixie Hemingway, 2) - Blaize Clement - 4 out of 5
  11. Even Cat Sitters Get the Blues (Dixie Hemingway, 3) - Blaize Clement - 4 out of 5
  12. Foul Prey (Bed & Breakfast Mystery, 2) - Mary Daheim - 3 out of 5
  13. Dying in Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, 1) - Elaine Viets - 5 out of 5
  14. Holy Terrors (Bed & Breakfast Mystery, 3) - Mary Daheim - 3 out of 5
  15. Just Desserts (Bed & Breakfast Mystery, 1) - Mary Daheim - 3 out of 5
  16. Killer Crab Cakes (Fresh-Baked Mysteries, 4) - Livia J. Washburn - 3 out of 5
  17. High Heels Are Murder (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, 2) - Elaine Viets - 5 out of 5
  18. Murder By the Slice (Fresh-Baked Mysteries, 2) - Livia J. Washburn - 3.5 out of 5
  19. Murder With All the Trimmings (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, 4) - Elaine Viets - 5 out of 5
  20. Raining Cat Sitters and Dogs (Dixie Hemingway, 5) - Blaize Clement - 4 out of 5
  21. Shot Through Velvet (Crime of Fashion Mysteries, 7) - 3.5 out of 5
  22. The Christmas Cookie Killer (Fresh-Baked Mysteries, 3) - Livia J. Washburn - 3 out of 5
  23. The Fashion Hound Murders (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, 5) - Elaine Viets - 5 out of 5
  24. The Pumpkin Muffin Murder (Fresh-Baked Mysteries, 5) - Livia J. Washburn - 3 out of 5

Books J's Read - 2010

  1. 44 Scotland Street (44 Scotland Street, 1) - Alexander McCall Smith - 5 out of 5
  2. A Charmed Death (Bewitching Mystery, 2) - Madelyn Alt - 3 out of 5
  3. A Hoe Lot of Trouble (A Nina Quinn Mystery, 1) - Heather Webber - 3 out of 5
  4. A Killer Workout (A Fat City Mystery, 2) - Kathryn Lilley - 3 out of 5
  5. A Rose from the Dead (Flower Shop Mystery, 6) - Kate Collins - 3 out of 5
  6. Arsenic and Old Paint (Annie Kincaid, 4) - Hailey Lind - 3.5 out of 5
  7. A Toast to Murder (Wine Lover's Mystery, 6) - Michele Scott - 3 out of 5
  8. A Vintage Murder (Wine Lover's Mystery, 4) - Michele Scott - 3 out of 5
  9. A Wedding to Die For (Yellow Rose Mysteries, 2) - Leann Sweeney - 4 out of 5
  10. A Witch in Time (Bewitching Mystery, 6) - Madelyn Alt - 3 out of 5
  11. Acts of Violets (Flower Shop Mystery, 5) - Kate Collins - 3 out of 5
  12. Armed and Glamorous (Crime of Fashion, 6) - Ellen Byerrum - 3 out of 5
  13. Bed Rest - Sarah Bilston - 4 out of 5
  14. Better Off Wed (Annabelle Archer Mystery, 1) - Laura Durham - 3.5 out of 5
  15. Bookmarked for Death (Booktown Mystery, 2) - Lorna Barrett - 4 out of 5
  16. Bookplate Special (Booktown Mystery, 3) - Lorna Barrett - 4 out of 5
  17. Bride and Doom (Carnegie Kincaid, 6) - Deborah Donnelly - 3.5 out of 5
  18. Brush with Death (Annie Kincaid Mystery, 3) - Hailey Lind - 4 out of 5
  19. Catch As Cat Can (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 10) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
  20. Catering to Nobody (Goldy Schulz Catering, 1) Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
  21. Cat On the Scent (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 7) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
  22. Cat's Eyewitness (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 13) - Rita Mae Brown - 3 out of 5
  23. Chapter & Hearse (Booktown Mystery, 4) - Lorna Barrett - 3 out of 5
  24. Chopping Spree (Goldy Schulz Catering, 11) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
  25. Class Mothers - Katherine Stewart - 3 out of 5
  26. Claws and Effect (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 9) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
  27. Clubbed to Death (Dead-End Job, 7) - Elaine Viets - 3.5 out of 5
  28. Cooking Up Murder (Cooking Class Mysteries, 1) - Miranda Bliss - 3.5 out of 5
  29. Corked By Cabernet (Wine Lover's Mystery, 5) - Michele Scot - 3 out of 5
  30. Crossing the Lion (Reigning Cats and Dogs, 9) - Cynthia Baxter - 3.5 out of 5
  31. Damsel Under Stress (Katie Chandler, 3) - Shanna Swedsen - 4 out of 5
  32. Dark Tort (Goldy Schulz Catering, 13) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
  33. Dead Air (A Talk Radio Mystery, 1) - Mary Kennedy - 3.5 out of 5
  34. Dead Canaries Don't Sing (Reigning Cats and Dogs, 1) - Cynthia Baxter - 4 out of 5
  35. Dead Giveaway (Yellow Rose Mysteries, 3) - Leann Sweeney - 3.5 out of 5
  36. Dead Men Don't Get the Munchies (Cooking Class Mysteries, 3) - Miranda Bliss - 3.5 out of 5
  37. Dearly Depotted (Flower Shop Mystery, 3) - Kate Collins - 3 out of 5
  38. Death By Panty Hose (Jaine Austen Mystery, 6) - Laura Levine - 4 out of 5
  39. Death of a Trophy Wife (Jaine Austen Mystery, 9) - Laura Levine - 4 out of 5
  40. Death Takes a Honeymoon (Carnegie Kincaid, 4) - Deborah Donnelly - 3.5 out of 5
  41. Death Takes the Cake (Della Cooks Mystery, 2) - Melinda Wells - 4 out of 5
  42. Decaffeinated Corpse (Coffeehouse Mystery, 5) - Cleo Coyle - 3 out of 5
  43. Designer Knockoff (Crime of Fashion, 2) - Ellen Byerrum - 3 out of 5
  44. Died to Match (Carnegie Kincaid, 2) - Deborah Donnelly - 3 out of 5
  45. Digging Up Trouble (A Nina Quinn Mystery, 3) - Heather Webber - 3 out of 5
  46. Dirty Rotten Tendrils (Flower Shop Mystery, 10) - Kate Collins - 3.5 out of 5
  47. Don't Hex With Texas (Katie Chandler, 4) - Shanna Swedsen - 4 out of 5
  48. Double Dog Dare (Kendra Ballantyne, 6) - Linda O. Johnston - 3 out of 5
  49. Double Shot (Goldy Schulz Catering, 12) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
  50. Dying for Chocolate (Goldy Schulz Catering, 2) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
  51. Dying for Dinner (Cooking Class Mysteries, 4) - Miranda Bliss - 3.5 out of 5
  52. Dying to Be Thin (A Fat City Mystery, 1) - Kathryn Lilley - 3 out of 5
  53. Dying to Call You (Dead-End Job, 3) - Elaine Viets - 3.5 out of 5
  54. Enchanted, Inc. (Katie Chandler, 1) - Shanna Swedsen - 4 out of 5
  55. Espresso Shot (Coffeehouse Mystery, 7) - Cleo Coyle - 3 out of 5
  56. Espresso Tales (44 Scotland Street, 2) - Alexander McCall Smith - 5 out of 5
  57. Evil in Carnations (Flower Shop Mystery, 8) - Kate Collins - 3 out of 5
  58. Fatally Flaky (Goldy Schulz Catering, 15) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
  59. Family Affair - Caprice Crane - 3 out of 5
  60. Feline Fatale (Kendra Ballantyne, 9) - Linda O. Johnston - 3 out of 5
  61. Fine Feathered Death (Kendra Ballantyne, 3) - Linda O. Johnston - 4 out of 5
  62. For Better or Hearse (Annabelle Archer Mystery, 2) - Laura Durham - 3.5 out of 5
  63. French Pressed (Coffeehouse Mystery, 6) - Cleo Coyle - 3 out of 5
  64. Fundraising the Dead (Museum Mystery, 1) - Sheila Connelly - 3 out of 5
  65. Feint of Art (Annie Kincaid Mystery, 1) - Hailey Lind - 4 out of 5
  66. Grave Apparel (Crime of Fashion, 5) - Ellen Byerrum - 3 out of 5
  67. Half-Price Homicide (Dead-End Job, 9) - Elaine Viets - 3.5 out of 5
  68. Hare Today, Dead Tomorrow (Reigning Cats and Dogs, 4) - Cynthia Baxter - 3.5 out of 5
  69. Hex Marks the Spot (Bewitching Mystery, 3) - Madelyn Alt - 3 out of 5
  70. Holiday Grind (Coffeehouse Mystery, 8) - Cleo Coyle - 3 out of 5
  71. Homicide in Hardcover (Bibliophile Mystery, 1) - Kate Carlisle - 4 out of 5
  72. Hostile Makeover (Crime of Fashion, 4) - Ellen Byerrum - 3 out of 5
  73. Howl Deadly (Kendra Ballantyne, 8) - Linda O. Johnston - 3.5 out of 5
  74. How to Crash a Killer Bash (Party Planning Mystery, 1) - Penny Warner - 4 out of 5
  75. How to Host a Killer Party (Party Planning Mystery, 2) - Penny Warner - 4 out of 5
  76. Hunger Point - Jillian Medoff - 3.5 out of 5
  77. If Books Could Kill (Bibliophile Mystery, 2) - Kate Carlisle - 3.5 out of 5
  78. Killer Blonde (Jaine Austen Mystery, 3) - Laura Levine - 4 out of 5
  79. Killer Cuts (Dead-End Job, 8) - Elaine Viets - 3.5 out of 5
  80. Killer Mousse (Della Cooks Mystery, 1) - Melinda Wells - 4 out of 5
  81. Killer Pancake (Goldy Schulz Catering, 5) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
  82. Killing Bridezilla (Jaine Austen Mystery, 7) - Laura Levine - 4 out of 5
  83. Last Writes (Jaine Austen Mystery, 2) - Laura Levine - 4 out of 5
  84. Latte Trouble (Coffehouse Mystery, 3) - Cleo Coyle - 3 out of 5
  85. Lead a Horse to Murder (Reigning Cats and Dogs, 3) - Cynthia Baxter - 3.5 out of 5
  86. Love Over Scotland (44 Scotland Street, 3) - Alexander McCall Smith - 5 out of 5
  87. Love You To Death - Melissa Senate - 3 out of 5
  88. Makeovers Can Be Murder (A Fat City Mystery, 3) - Kathryn Lilley - 3 out of 5
  89. May the Best Man Die (Carnegie Kincaid, 3) - Deborah Donnelly - 3 out of 5
  90. Misery Loves Cabernet - Kim Gruenenfelder - 3 out of 5
  91. Meow for Murder (Kendra Ballantyne, 4) - Linda O. Johnston - 3.5 out of 5
  92. Monkey See, Monkey Die (Reigning Cats and Dogs, 7) - Cynthia Baxter - 3.5 out of 5
  93. Mum's the Word (Flower Shop Mystery, 1) - Kate Collins - 3 out of 5
  94. Murder At Monticello (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 3) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
  95. Murder Between the Covers (Dead-End Job, 2) - Elaine Viets - 3.5 out of 5
  96. Murder By the Glass (Wine Lover's Mystery, 2) - Michele Scott - 3 out of 5
  97. Murder Had a Little Lamb (Reigning Cats and Dogs, 8) - Cynthia Baxter - 3.5 out of 5
  98. Murder Has A Sweet Tooth (Cooking Class Mysteries, 5) - Miranda Bliss - 3.5 out of 5
  99. Murder is Binding (Booktown Mystery, 1) - Lorna Barrett - 4 out of 5
  100. Murder Most Frothy (Coffeehouse Mystery, 4) - Cleo Coyle - 3 out of 5
  101. Murder On the Menu (Cooking Class Mysteries, 2) - Miranda Bliss - 3.5 out of 5
  102. Murder on the Prowl (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 6) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
  103. Murder Uncorked (Wine Lover's Mystery, 1) - Michele Scot - 3 out of 5
  104. Murder Unleashed (Dead-End Job, 5) - Elaine Viets - 3.5 out of 5
  105. Murder, She Meowed (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 5) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
  106. Murder with Reservations (Dead-End Job, 6) - Elaine Viets - 3.5 out of 5
  107. Never Say Sty (Kendra Ballantyne, 7) - Linda O. Johnston - 3 out of 5
  108. Nothing to Fear but Ferrets (Kendra Ballantyne, 2) - Linda O. Johnston - 4 out of 5
  109. No Rest of the Wiccan (Bewitching Mystery, 4) - Madelyn Alt - 3 out of 5
  110. On What Grounds (Coffeehouse Mystery, 1) - Cleo Coyle - 3 out of 5
  111. Once Upon Stilettos (Katie Chandler, 2) - Shanna Swedsen
  112. Pawing Through the Past (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 8) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
  113. Pay Dirt (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 4) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
  114. Pick Your Poison (Yellow Rose Mysteries, 1) - Leann Sweeney - 3.5 out of 5
  115. Prime Cut (Goldy Schulz Catering, 8) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
  116. Pushing Up Bluebonnets (Yellow Rose Mysteries, 5) - Leann Sweeney - 3.5 out 5
  117. Puss 'n Cahoot (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 15) - Rita Mae Brown - 3 out of 5
  118. Putting on the Dog (Reigning Cats and Dogs, 2) - Cynthia Baxter - 3.5 out of 5
  119. Rachel's Holiday - Marian Keyes - 3 out of 5
  120. Raiders of the Lost Corset (Crime of Fashion, 3) - Ellen Byerrum - 3 out of 5
  121. Rest in Pieces (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 2) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
  122. Reel Murder (A Talk Radio Mystery, 2) - Mary Kennedy - 3 out of 5
  123. Rich Again - Anna Maxted - 3 out of 5
  124. Right from the Gecko (Reigning Cats and Dogs, 5) - Cynthia Baxter - 3.5 out of 5
  125. Roast Mortem (Coffeehouse Mystery, 9) - Cleo Coyle - 3 out of 5
  126. Santa Clawed (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 17) - Rita Mae Brown - 3.5 out of 5
  127. Shoes to Die For (Jaine Austen Mystery, 4) - Laura Levine - 4 out of 5
  128. Shoot from the Lip (Yellow Rose Mysteries, 4) - Leann Sweeney - 3.5 out of 5
  129. Shooting Gallery (Annie Kincaid Mystery, 2) - Hailey Lind - 4 out of 5
  130. Shoots to Kill (Flower Shop Mystery, 7) - Kate Collins - 3 out of 5
  131. Shop Till You Drop (Dead End Job, 1) - Elaine Viets - 3.5 out of 5
  132. Silenced By Syrah (Wine Lover's Mystery, 3) - Michele Scot - 3 out of 5
  133. Slay it with Flowers (Flower Shop Mystery, 2) - Kate Collins - 3 out of 5
  134. Sleeping with Anemone (Flower Shop Mystery, 9) - Kate Collins - 3 out of 5
  135. Snipped in the Bud (Flower Shop Mystery, 4) - Kate Collins - 3 out of 5
  136. Sour Puss (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 14) - Rita Mae Brown - 3 out of 5
  137. Sticks and Scones (Goldy Schulz Catering, 10) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
  138. Sweet Revenge (Goldy Schulz Catering, 14) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
  139. The Accidental Virgin - Valerie Frankel - 1 out of 5
  140. The Cereal Murders (Goldy Schulz Catering, 3) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
  141. The Ex-Mrs. Hedgefund - Jill Kargman - 2 out of 5
  142. The Fright of the Iguana (Kendra Ballantyne, 5) - 3.5 out of 5
  143. The Girl's Guide to Witchcraft - Mindy L. Klasky - 3 out of 5
  144. The Grilling Season (Goldy Schulz Catering, 7) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
  145. The Hunt (Rachel Benjamin, 4) - Jennifer Sturman - 4 out of 5
  146. The Jinx (Rachel Benjamin, 2) - Jennifer Sturman - 4 out of 5
  147. The Key (Rachel Benjamin, 3) - Jennifer Sturman - 4 out of 5
  148. The Killer Hair (Crime of Fashion, 1) - Ellen Byerrum - 3 out of 5
  149. The Kitchen Witch - Annette Blair - 2 out of 5
  150. The Last Suppers (Goldy Schulz Catering, 4) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
  151. The Main Corpse (Goldy Schulz Catering, 6) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
  152. The Pact (Rachel Benjamin, 1) - Jennifer Sturman - 4 out of 5
  153. The PMS Murder (Jaine Austen Mystery, 5) - Laura Levine - 4 out of 5
  154. The Proof is in the Pudding (Della Cooks Mystery, 3) - Melinda Wells - 4 out of 5
  155. The Purrfect Murder (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 16) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
  156. The Tail of the Tip Off (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 11) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
  157. The Ten Best Days of My Life - Adena Halpern - 4 out of 5
  158. The Trouble with Magic (Bewitching Mystery, 1) - Madelyn Alt - 3 out of 5
  159. The World According to Bertie (44 Scotland Street, 4) - Alexander McCall Smith - 5 out of 5
  160. The Unbearable Lightness of Scones (44 Scotland Street, 5) - Alexander McCall Smith - 5 out of 5
  161. This Pen for Hire (Jaine Austen Mystery, 1) - Laura Levine - 4 out of 5
  162. To Love and To Perish (Annabelle Archer Mystery, 3) - Laura Durham - 3 out of 5
  163. Through the Grinder (Coffeehouse Mystery, 2) - Cleo Coyle - 3 out of 5
  164. Tough Cookie (Goldy Schulz Catering, 9) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
  165. Trophies - Heather Thomas - 4 out of 5
  166. Trouble in Bloom (A Nina Quinn Mystery, 2) - Heather Webber - 3 out of 5
  167. Trouble in Spades (A Nina Quinn Mystery, 4) - Heather Webber - 3 out of 5
  168. Undead and Unappreciated (Queen Betsy, 3) - MaryJanice Davidson - 3 out of 5
  169. Undead and Uneasy (Queen Betsy, 6) - MaryJanice Davidson - 3 out of 5
  170. Undead and Unemployed (Queen Betsy, 2) - MaryJanice Davidson - 3 out of 5
  171. Undead and Unfinished (Queen Betsy, 9) - MaryJanice Davidson - 4.5 out of 5
  172. Undead and Unpopular (Queen Betsy, 5) - MaryJanice Davidson - 3 out of 5
  173. Undead and Unreturnable (Queen Betsy, 4) - MaryJanice Davidson - 3 out of 5
  174. Undead and Unwed (Queen Betsy, 1) - MaryJanice Davidson - 4 out of 5
  175. Undead and Unwelcome (Queen Betsy, 8) - MaryJanice Davidson - 3 out of 5
  176. Undead and Unworthy (Queen Betsy, 7) - MaryJanice Davidson - 3 out of 5
  177. Veiled Threats (Carnegie Kincaid, 1) - Deborah Donnelly - 3 out of 5
  178. Weeding out Trouble (A Nina Quinn Mystery, 5) - Heather Webber - 3 out of 5
  179. Where There's a Witch (Bewitching Mystery, 5) - Madelyn Alt - 3 out of 5
  180. Whisker of Evil (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 12) - Rita Mae Brown - 3 out of 5
  181. Who's Kitten Who (Reigning Cats and Dogs, 6) - Cynthia Baxter - 3.5 out of 5
  182. Wish You Were Here (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 1) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
  183. You May Now Kill the Bride (Carnegie Kincaid, 5) - Deborah Donnelly - 3.5 out of 5

Monday, November 9, 2009

J's Onion Soup

Well not only have I been a bit obsessed with soup lately, Brett and I have both been fighting a nasty cold that doesn't seem to want to go away. So soup has been an even bigger part of our lives lately.

Nothing feels better on a sore throat than a flavorful, brothy soup. At least that is how I feel.

I wanted something simple, tasty, and that would also do the trick. I've never been much of a chicken noodle girl (or a "No Chicken Noodle" girl as it now stands), and I really love the taste of caramelized onions, so I thought I'd give this a shot.

It turned out good - darn good, and it was easy to make, and that is the only tolerable cooking that can be done when sick. Not that I don't like quick and easy meals on a good day though either...

Anyways, check it out.


















The local booty legend (aka revealing my sources):
no asterisk = grocery store
+ = local produce from The Root Cellar
++ = The Peace Nook (will denote whether product is local or just from the Nook)
* = farmer's market
** = CSA
*** = Container or Community Garden
**** = the non-profit buying club, Blue Planet or Purcell Mountain Farms

J's Onion Soup

Mushroom Broth:
1 package portobello mushrooms
1 yellow onion, halved
5 cloves of garlic, crushed
2-3 tbsp Earth Balance or butter
6 cups water

Melt EB or butter in pot over medium-high heat.

Add the mushrooms and onion and cook until they begin to caramelize, about 15 minutes. Add the garlic and cook an additional 10 minutes.

Add the water and simmer over low heat for about an hour.

Strain broth with a wire mesh strainer. Reserve at least 3 cups.

Rest of the Soup:
2 tbsp safflower oil
2 red onions, peeled and sliced
2 yellow onions, peeled and sliced
6 cloves of garlic, peeled
salt
pepper

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook until they begin to soften and caramelize, about 15-20 minutes. Add the garlic and cook an additional 5 minutes.

Transfer to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Add the mushroom broth in batches until it is at your desired consistency.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Very simple, very good.

J's Songs of the Day:
Japura River - Philip Glass
Paru River - Philip Glass

'Til next time.