Perfect Together - Soup & Bread

Baby, it's cold outside — really, really cold (but this is winter) — perfect time for soup and bread.

How cold?  Single digits to below 0 in many Northeast states after a weekend snow storm; this week some Southern states are covered in snow.

Perfect weather for homemade soup and fresh-baked bread. And, the easier both recipes are to prepare, the better I like them — and if you do too, then you might like this combo as much as we did.

The soup recipe was easy and started with package of Hurst's Beans 15 Bean Soup®. The package has instructions for stove top cooking, but an online search gave instructions for crock pot/slow cooker preparation. 

All that's needed aside from the dried beans package is a 15 oz can of tomatoes, 1 large onion, a garlic glove, chili powder, juice of a lemon (bottled works fine). You can add chicken or ham; my choice was cut-up chunks of ham

Instead of cutting and pasting into this post, just follow this link for the crock pot instructions. FYI, the bean cooking time did take longer than listed on the website. I used the high setting for at least 2 hours. But the results were a delicious soup.

Nothing goes better with a bowl of soup than some fresh-baked bread, but as neither Grenville or I wanted to go out, I searched for an easy recipe online . . . the easier the better, and one that was also a no-knead bread meant I had struck gold!

Yes, I know the bread on the left looks so much nicer than its counterpart on the right. I did not have two 1-quart bowls, so used 1 and 1.5 quart sizes; the larger bowl had the nicer looking bread.

What makes this recipe from Alexandra's Kitchen so special is explained on the website' here's some highlights: the recipe can be started a few hours ahead of when fresh bread is needed, it bakes in buttered Pyerx® glass bowls that don't require preheating, and baking time is under 45 minutes and don't forget, it's a "no-knead" recipe (definitely a "keeper"). 

Here's a cut version of the smaller (less pretty) loaf.

It was delicious with a wonderful crust. It was a perfect accompaniment for the bean soup for last night's meal. 

The Alexandra's Kitchen website has all the information you need: instructions, videos, and the option to print the recipe for My Mother’s Peasant Bread: The Best Easiest Bread You Will Ever Make and you will not be disappointed. As noted in the recipe and I can verify, this is a very wet dough which was somewhat challenging to get into the bowls. 

While you're on her website, check out some of the other recipes. I know that more will find their way to our dinner table.

Hearts Day

Today is Valentine's Day, a day set aside for expressing Love for the special someone(s) in your life — spouse, lover, family, friends. It's a sentiment that we try to celebrate daily. 

Here are some things that work for us — all are inexpensive, and while not appropriate for everyone, they can be for your Special Someone. This modified list is a repeat of a past Hearts Day post, our preferred V-Day term, and gives a few very easy ways to tell someone that you care. 

• Do nice things for no "special" reason
• Start and end each day 3 words: I Love You (works with any family member) 
• Never go to bed angry; I'm sorry goes a long way when you're upset with anyone
• Light candles whenever possible (we do most evenings; always at dinner)
• Sit and talk (works for anyone).

While we don't exchange gifts, there's always a LOT of cards to open. These are some from earlier this morning. Yes,there are more cards openings to come as the envelopes always have handwritten instructions on opening times: early morning, afternoon, evening. Spoiler Alert: we opened these while sipping coffee in bed, which is a morning "tradition."

We're not alone with this tradition. This day is the second most popular card sending holiday (Christmas is first) and more than 150 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually. It's not only celebrated in the U.S. but also in Australia, Canada, France, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. A history of Valentine's Day origins and traditions can be found on the History channel website.

Happy Hearts Day — Please share what you are doing. We would love to know.

Beatrice & Grenville

(Also, thanks for comments on the S(n)o (w) Tired post. We are bracing for another major storm blizzard this weekend, but are safely indoors and so are our cars.)

Another Thought (after the fact sort of)

If you are unfortunate enough to have no one in your life for Valentines Day, why not go out today and

 "Commit Random Acts Of Kindness" . 

They don't have to be spectacular. They don't have to be expensive. Just a smile, holding a door, a thank you, a hello how ya doing???
Or a bold approach,,,,,, Tell someone they look lovely, even if they don't.

Who knows?????? You may end up with someone to celebrate Hearts Day with after all😍

Grenville, Just waitin' for the Blizzard

S(n)O(w) Tired . . .

That describes the feelings of many folks this week — after 3 weeks of non-stop winter weather and all that its brought — shoveling, digging out, delays — to many parts of the Northeast, especially New England.

In Nashua, NH, there are many who want winter snow to go One Way — AWAY

Finding a place to sit is not easy unless you have a shovel along.

Even crossing the street is an adventure in getting access to the "walk" button . . .

Ice sculptures are nice, EXCEPT when hanging from building gutters . . .

Everywhere are mounds (and mounds) of snow in so many places and no place to put it.

We're getting out by "foot power" most days, which is challenging too. Many side-street walkways are narrow and/or snow-packed; street walking has become a common sight. 

YIKES this Valentine's Day weekend, forecasters are predicting a(nother) snowstorm for parts of the Northeast, and especially hard-hit New England.

GOOD NEWS — Spring arrives Friday, March 20, perhaps not soon enough for snow-weary folks. Here's a spring countdown if you're anxiously awaiting its arrival.

As for Grenville and I, we're enjoying this winter as it's reminiscent of growing up and living in our home state of NJ. (And, yes we are keeping safe.)

Soup for Snow Day(s)

Soup — it's comfort food.

Especially when the weather outside is cold and/or snowy. And, I like making it. This is an easy recipe. Best of all, aside from the butternut squash, I had the other ingredients in the fridge and pantry. 

Another plus, it's also a healthy recipe.

While this isn't the first time, I've made butternut squash soup, it was the first time I tried a crockpot version that included apples and onions. Also, it was the first time, I roasted the squash instead of peeling and cutting it into pieces.

Let me tell you (if you don't already know) peeling any really hard squash like butternut squash is always difficult challenging. So, I followed an online tip and roasted it first, which seemed to give the soup a richer flavor. 

Cut butternut squash and scoop out seeds and stringy pulp. Brush olive oil on the inside of the squash and roast in a 400-degree oven for 15-20 minutes until you can peel the skin away from the flesh or the pulp is soft when you stick a fork in it. 


Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup
This full-flavored soup is rich and flavorful and contains no butter or cream despite its creamy texture. You'll need at least a 5 quart crockpot for the ingredients.

• 1 large butternut squash
• 2 TBSP olive oil
• 1 medium onion, peeled and diced
• 4 C chicken or vegetable broth (low-sodium)
• 1 medium apple, peeled and cubed
• 1-1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 1/4 tsp allspice
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1. When the roasting is done, scoop out the flesh and put in the crock pot. Add chicken broth, onion and apple, then stir in the spices. 
2. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 4 hours. 
   
3. Blend in small batches with a stand blender, better yet use an immersion blender and blend right in the crockpot. Add more chicken broth, as needed to thin out the soup while blending.
4. Serve with a dollop (or more) of sour cream or plain yogurt.

This soup was part a weekend evening meal that was served with a side salad and a glass of wine — an easy and relaxing dinner for any evening.

Limited Unlimited

Keep 'Em Coming . . .

Those were the key words at IHOP® restaurants the past few weeks.

WHY?

IHOP brought back its now annual All You Can Eat pancake promotion — just in time to sideline some weight-loss resolutions (ours included).

Under the promotion, you choose either a stack of five of the chain's signature buttermilk pancakes or a short stack of two pancakes with a combo plate of eggs, hash browns, and choice of breakfast meats. After you polish off the pancakes, you can keep getting two more until you've had your fill — however many it takes. Don't worry IF you didn't want to fall for this temptation, the promo ends today, Feb 8.

Grenville and I managed to get in on it (just in time) this past Friday.

HOW many pancakes did we collectively down?

Too many. Our total fell short of the 15 pancakes our server told us that a college student had recently downed. Between us, we managed to consume 13 pancakes, which served as breakfast and lunch. Not the healthiest of choices, we know, but it's only once a year (thankfully) and the first time we visited an IHOP in over 5 months, so no excuses needed (or made).

They tasted g-o-o-d and admittedly we were gluttons for this visit.

IF you missed this event and would like to get in on a free pancake offer, you're in luck as there's another IHOP tradition coming up on Tuesday, March 3, for National Pancake Day. During this one-day event, over 1,500 IHOP restaurants country-wide will invite folks to enjoy a complimentary stack of their signature buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. It's also the company's largest annual philanthropic event.

While the pancakes are free, pancake eaters will be invited encouraged to make a voluntary suggested contribution of $5 to their local Children's Miracle Hospital.

Those who make a donation in this amount receive a coupon for a $5 discount on a future IHOP visit.

So, not only will the pancakes be free, but funds raised will go to a good cause too.

Phriday Phunnies

As some of you may have heard, New England has gotten a little extra snow this year. In fact one Southern New Hampshire city, Nashua, has been dubbed the "Snow Capital of New England". Unfortunately Nashua is not near any of the ski areas. This means that the 48+ inches they have already, needs to be dealt with. Being conservative thrifty New Enlanders they have decided to SELL it to those unfortunates that have none.

The ever clever staff of the Frog & Pennguinn has jumped in to help with some marketing slogans.

Got Need Snow???

We Deliver!!!


One scoop or two??
Will this be a delivery or pick up???

Birthday Time

It's THAT day again — my Birthday.

Two years ago, I recalled reaching a milestone as popularized in When I'm Sixty-Four by The Beatles.

Last year, I marked another milestone by attaining the start age for Medicare.

This year, there's nothing special planned, except to spend the day with my best friend, Pat (aka Grenville). A planned trip to visit friends in Canada has been postponed due to snow. (Perhaps going north in winter wasn't the best idea?)

Friends have sent cards, which are on display in our home. It's nice to know they remember. I'm grateful and thankful for their continued friendship as we live states (and countries) apart.

And, this birthday will be sadder as there will be no chat with my mother who died in December. Yet, I know, she will be sending her best wishes regardless. 

As noted in last year's b-day post . . .
Memories are more precious than things — I have so many and more to come.

Dorothy (aka Beatrice)

Groundhog Day & Snow (Again)

It's unlikely that any groundhog in the northeast saw its shadow today. That's especially true in Nashua, NH, where there's nearly 4 feet of snow.

Not only would a groundhog NOT see its shadow, it would have to dig itself out first!

Total snow amount from last Tuesday's storm was 33.5 inches with an added 10-14 inches from today's snowstorm.

BUT, even though the groundhog failed to see its shadow, this robin was seen over the weekend, digging in a snowbank?

Grenville and I are staying indoors today . He makes (and enjoys) pancakes on snowy days  and so do I.

Later tonight, we're continuing our annual tradition of watching this film (again).

How about you — any Groundhog Day plans?

Christmas Late

'Tis true, that the Christmas season has been over for several weeks now (yikes, it's really been that long ago). But, holiday gift giving isn't just limited to a single day, is it?

That's what grand kids found out when we visited for the weekend and brought their delayed gifts. Our get-together was late this year with the passing of Dorothy's mother in NJ before the Christmas holiday. (Thanks to all who sent condolences.)

Granddaughter is very adept at unwrapping tearing off wrapping paper and she happily looks at each gift before going to the next one. 

Her brother  was adept at gift opening too as Grandpa  watched. Of course, the wrapping paper featured penguins, but frogs are harder to find (especially in winter).

After the gifts were opened, there was lots of playtime and Grandpa joined in too — he's a big kid at heart. Grandson set up his microscope; granddaughter "doctored" Grandpa.

It rained part of the weekend and on Sunday, staying indoors  and PJs were definitely the best attire on a dreary day.

Ah, it's great to be a kid and have Christmas last a little longer, don't you think?
There's nothing like a pile or Legos® for fun, but glad we didn't have to pick them all up.