Tuscan Sausage and Bean Soup

1 ¼ cups dried great northern beans4 cups cold water1 can (14 ½ ounces) whole Italian style peeled tomatoes1 can (14 ½ ounces) beef broth2 cups sliced zucchini (approximately 1 medium)¾ pound Italian sausage, sliced in ½" slices1 medium onion, chopped1/3 cup dry red wine (or water)1 clove garlic, minced½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning½ of… Continue reading Tuscan Sausage and Bean Soup

Mother Rabbit’s Get Well Soup (from “The Bunnies’ Get Well Soup”, by Joan Elizabeth Goodman)

I just loved reading this storybook to my kids. It reminds me of the book, “Stone Soup”, but in a good way. On a bitterly cold and icy morning, Mother Rabbit attempts to go out to the market to get some vegetables. She must make soup for her bunnies, all down with a cold. Before… Continue reading Mother Rabbit’s Get Well Soup (from “The Bunnies’ Get Well Soup”, by Joan Elizabeth Goodman)

Aminah’s Crockpot Salmon

This is a really good, really simple recipe. Thanks to Aminah, who feared we did not eat enough fish in this household. She was right, and it’s partly because when it comes to cooking fish, we’re kind of… at sea. 1 package (12 ounces) baby spinach1 – 2 pounds of salmon fillet½ teaspoon ground black… Continue reading Aminah’s Crockpot Salmon

Macaroni Salad with Green Beans and Spinach

(Goes great with Pulled Pork and Peaches) 8 ounces elbow macaroni (2 cups)½ pound green beans, trimmed and cut in 1 inch lengths (2 cups)¼ cup lemon juice1 tablespoon Dijon style mustard1 teaspoon kosher salt¼ teaspoon ground black pepper1/3 cup olive oil1/3 cup plain yogurt5 ounces cheddar cheese, (1 ¼ cups)1 cups fresh spinach leaves1… Continue reading Macaroni Salad with Green Beans and Spinach

North African Lamb Stew

In this household, no one but me likes the taste of lamb very much. It hardly makes sense to spend the time on a dish that only I will eat, so this recipe, Southern Lamb Stew, and Moroccan Style Chops rarely see the light of day. But if you, the reader, do like the taste… Continue reading North African Lamb Stew

Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes with Spinach and Fennel (or Celery)

A meatless version of a Chilean dish, charquicán. Just like the other meatless charquicán recipe on my blog, the fennel and spinach do not mash up with the potatoes, but retain their separate textures. Also, the potato skins, though thin, are a significant presence in the mash. To make it again, I’m going to have… Continue reading Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes with Spinach and Fennel (or Celery)

Meatless Charquicán

A Chilean-inspired combination of vegetables, cooked and mashed. It comes from the following website: As you might expect, the potatoes and squash mash together very nicely, while the celery and spinach each retain their shape and texture. I like it, but I think I would like it better if it had a more consistent texture.… Continue reading Meatless Charquicán

Spicy Chickpea and Spinach Curry (Epicurious)

1 pound dried chickpeas, picked over8 cups baby spinach leaves2 cans diced tomatoes (15 ounces each)2 teaspoons ground coriander2 teaspoons ground cumin1 teaspoon garam masala½ teaspoon ground turmeric1 teaspoon kosher salt½ teaspoon ground black pepper2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 1. Soak chickpeas in water eight hours or overnight. Drain, then combine them crockpot with water… Continue reading Spicy Chickpea and Spinach Curry (Epicurious)

Extremely Green Soup (Broccoli-Spinach Soup)

It used to simply be called “Broccoli-Spinach Soup”. I find it a tasty soup, but my family, looking at it in dismay, remarked that it was really, really green. (You can imagine, it being made of mostly broccoli and spinach!) They might eat it when freshly made, but the leftovers belong entirely to me! 6… Continue reading Extremely Green Soup (Broccoli-Spinach Soup)

Hot Cheese and Spinach Dip

This is another appetizer that would go perfectly with toasted pita bread triangles. 2 tablespoons butter¼ cup chopped onion2 cloves garlic, minced1 tablespoon flour1 ¾ cup half-and-half2 packages (9 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained1 cup shredded cheddar cheese1 ounce package dried vegetable soup mix¼ cup shredded… Continue reading Hot Cheese and Spinach Dip