I have had this recipe bookmarked since last January. I honestly have no idea how I made it through the last three winter months without making this, but it’s a damn shame.
The weather for this weekend was forecasted to be pretty cool, so I thought–what better soup to kick off soup/stew/chowder season? Plus, it’s super easy, so it was perfect to make on a Friday night after work. The whole thing literally came together in 10 minutes. Can’t beat that.
(Source: On My Mind, Adapted from Everyday Food Magazine)
Ingredients:
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 4 garlic cloves, minced
– 1 teaspoon chili powder (or more to taste)
– 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes in juice
– 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) tomato sauce (I used low sodium)
– 2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained
– 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
– 1 package (10 ounces) frozen corn kernels (I used a 15 oz. can of corn, also low sodium)
– 1 cup water (I accidentally omitted this with no ill effects)
– Coarse salt and ground pepper
– 1 cup crushed tortilla chips, plus more for serving (optional)
– 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving
– Mexican cheese, for sprinkling on top
– Dried or fresh cilantro, also for topping
Directions:
1. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium. Cook garlic and chili powder until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes (with juice), tomato sauce, beans, broth, corn, and 1 cup water; season with salt and pepper.
2. Bring soup to a boil; reduce to a simmer. Add tortilla chips; cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in lime juice, and season with salt and pepper. Serve soup with lime wedges and, if desired, more chips. Sprinkle with cheese and cilantro.
Now that we are 3+ weeks into September, I am completely and totally immersed in FALL. I want apples and pumpkin and spice. I want jeans and boots and jackets and hoodies.
Last week, I was perusing food blogs looking for a nice autumnal recipe to make as a dessert for a get-together with my girlfriends from college this weekend. I came across these pumpkin cookies, and I was intrigued by the addition of butterscotch chips. I quickly decided to give them a go.
Mine didn’t come out as pretty as Joy’s, as my butterscotch chips were all mixed into the middle of the cookies instead of sitting exposed on top. Also, I had a few problems with some of the chips falling out of the bottom of the cookies, but that wasn’t really a problem, per se (more chips for me). :) These cookies come out quite large (again, not a problem for me!), so reduce the amount of batter used for each cookie if you’d like smaller ones–and don’t forget to reduce baking time.
I made a few changes to this recipe, as I wanted more cookies (I also sent some with Michael to give to his family), and made some additions (nutmeg and cloves), and substitutions (applesauce for some of the oil). Click through to Joy’s blog for the original recipe.
Now… off to girls’ night!
Pumpkin Butterscotch Cookies
(Source: Adapted from Joy the Baker)
Ingredients:
– 3 cups all-purpose flour
– 2 1/4 tsp. baking powder
– 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
– 3/4 tsp. salt
– 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
– 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
– pinch of ground cloves
– 3 eggs
– 1 1/2 cups sugar
– 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (I used homemade, but store-bought is fine)
– 1/4 cup canola or corn oil
– 1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin
– 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
– 1 1/2 cups butterscotch chips
Directions:
1. Position a rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray two cookie sheets with cooking spray.
2. Stir the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves together in a medium bowl and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the eggs and sugar until smooth and lightened in color, about 1 minute. Stop the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed during mixing.
4. On low speed, mix the applesauce, oil, pumpkin, and vanilla until blended. Mix in the flour mixture to incorporate it. Mix in the chips.
5. Using an ice cream scoop with a 1/4-cup capacity, scoop mounds of the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing the cookies at least 2 1/2-inches apart. You could also simply use a 1/4-cup measuring cup if you don’t have a scoop. Use a thin metal spatula to smooth and flatten the rounds.
6. Bake the cookies one sheet at a time until the tops feel firm and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry, about 12-16 minutes. Cool them on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then use a wide metal spatula to transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
Makes approximately 30 cookies.
Wow, it has been forever since I’ve shared a book with you all. Earlier in the summer, I didn’t have (or didn’t make) all that much time to read. But on my 101 in 1001 list, I set a goal to read at least one book a month. I’ve been putting more effort into setting aside time for reading, and it certainly helps when I’ve got a great book! In fact, I’m actually a bit behind, as this was my August read, and I’ve already finished my September one as well!
Anyway…
Moloka’i by Alan Brennert first caught my interest simply because of its subject matter. After spending our honeymoon in Hawaii, I would do just about anything to be “taken back” there, whether it’s through watching movies or reading books. Much of the history that is discussed in the book, we learned about during our time on the islands, and it was wonderful to read a book that incorporates the fascinating history of Hawaii, starting back in the late 1800s and taking the reader through 1970.
Moloka’i is the story of Rachel Kalama, who, at the age of 7, is diagnosed with leprosy and taken from her family. Within a year, she ends up at Kalaupapa, a leprosy colony founded by Father Damien. At the time, people who had leprosy were sent to Kalaupapa on Moloka’i to essentially quarantine them, separating people from their families indefinitely.
On Moloka’i, the only person Rachel knows is her Uncle Pono, who was also diagnosed with leprosy. Unfortunately, she is not allowed to live with him, and is basically forced to live in an orphanage run by Catholic nuns.
The people on Moloka’i have been sent there to die, but so many of them live instead. Their lives are not only filled with pain, separation and heartache… but also with love, fun, laughter and most of all, hope. The residents of Kalaupapa know that they are there to stay, so they make the best of it and live their lives–no matter how short or how long those lives turn out to be–the only way they can.
As a 7-year-old girl, Rachel feels abandoned and alone on Moloka’i. But over time, through the people she meets and the life that she builds for herself, she comes to view the island as home.
In Moloka’i, we’re taken on this journey with Rachel.
I REALLY enjoyed this book. I loved the characters, the setting, and the story. Don’t get me wrong; there are many parts of this book that aren’t pleasant–the way the leprosy victims were treated, the progression of the disease, and the inevitable deaths.
Still, it was pretty inspirational to read about these outcasts from society, all doing the only thing they could do–keep living life. While reading, I kept thinking about the silly phrase, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” Because as dumb as it sometimes sounds, it’s actually pretty sound advice. Reading about all of these people who put that advice into practice was uplifting. As ugly as the circumstances were, Rachel’s life was beautiful.
Although this is a work of fiction, Brennert completed a lot of research before and while writing this book. Many of the characters are based on actual Kalaupapa residents, and Brennert does a great job of working in historical facts. Readers are also treated to a bit of Hawaiian culture, which I absolutely love.
In short, I thought this was a beautiful story and I highly recommend.
As always, the comments are open for any and all discussion about the book, if you so choose. Warning to those who haven’t read it–be careful in the comments, as spoilers are not off limits!
As I mentioned last week, we are trying to plan our next vacation. We’re thinking about going at the end of January or beginning/middle of February (to beat the spring break rush and price gouging).
We’d like to go someplace warm… at least warmer than here. By mid-winter, we really need a break from the cold. I’d love beach time, but it seems like that might not really be possible unless we go REALLY far away. So we’d be happy just going to a fun city, with mild weather, with a lot to do. We’re thinking we’ll have about 7-8 days. And we don’t want to spend a ton of money.
Here are the current front-runners:
1. South Florida
We’re thinking about flying into Miami (or Fort Lauderdale), spending a few days there, and then driving down to Key West and spending the rest of the time there. From my internet research, sounds like the average high temperature for this time of year is 75 degrees. Not exactly beach weather, but a hell of a lot warmer than it’ll be here. And even though I know there are other things to do, we keep asking ourselves… is it really worth going to Florida if you can’t go to the beach??
2. San Diego/Los Angeles, California & San Antonio, Texas
With this trip, we’re thinking about flying out to San Diego or L.A. (whichever is cheapest for airfare), spending 4 days there, then flying to San Antonio to spend 3-4 days there before heading back east. Average temperatures in San Diego/L.A. are only about 65 degrees. Not sure about San Antonio, but since they don’t have beaches, it doesn’t really matter all that much. I’ve been to SoCal (multiple times, actually), but it’s obviously beautiful, and Michael has never been. San Antonio is one of those cities I’ve always wanted to go to. But again, I ask… if you take the beach out of SoCal, is it worth going to? I’ve only ever been in the summertime.
3. Costa Rica
This one is obviously a lot more expensive than our other options. Weather should definitely be warm. Budget plays the biggest role in the decision on this one. Airfare alone is approximately twice as much as the other options. We might have a hook-up for a good deal on accommodations, but we’re really not sure. Anyone ever been? What did you do there? Where did you stay? Do you recommend?
4. Options yet to be discovered
Are there other places we should be considering? Originally, I really wanted to go to the Caribbean, but I researched a few places and they’re either really expensive, or the weather is iffy that time of year (or both). We really don’t want to go on a cruise… I’m not sure why exactly, but the idea of one has never appealed to us. Just not our “thing,” I suppose?
We’re obviously not really set on any one place. We’re open to suggestions and reviews. We’ll appreciate any information that can be provided by people who have actually been to these places. I’ve found this little blog community to be so helpful for past trips, so I figured… who better to ask? :)
Give us your best shot!
Does everybody know what time it is?
Tool Time!
Once again, it’s time for all of you enthusiastic bakers to whip up some treats in support of our troops overseas! It’s Operation Baking Gals, Round 13!
I don’t know about you, but I love to bake… and then quickly get the goodies out of the house. The results are always too good to keep around because I’d eat them all, and then my pants wouldn’t fit. And that makes for an unhappy Heather.
So! Instead of pawning treats off on my family, friends, and coworkers, I’d always like to take the opportunity to do something a bit more meaningful. What better way to get rid of some delicious baked goods than to send them overseas to our most deserving soldiers? They’re undoubtedly missing home, and we can send them little bits of home-baked goodness.
This round, I’ve teamed up with Jen from Beantown Baker. We’re co-leading a team together, so we should hopefully have a record number of participants! It’s made even more special by the fact that we are baking for one of Jen’s friends from high school.
Our soldier’s name is Jonathan, and judging from his list of favorite baked goods (which seems to include everything but the kitchen sink), he’s my kind of guy. As a bonus, Jonathan has essentially challenged us to take the craziest recipes we’ve come across and send them. You see, he’s a foodie and loves trying new things. So if you’re feeling a little adventurous, this is the round for you!
Jonathan doesn’t get to come home until July 2010, so I think he’s going to appreciate the care packages. And his fellow soldiers will reap the benefits as well! Shipping dates for this round are October 1 through October 12. Hmmm… perhaps some autumnal or Halloween-themed treats are in order? ;)
So get on over to www.bakinggals.com and register to participate with Team Heather Drive/Beantown Baker!
If you don’t bake, there are plenty of other store-bought items that you can send if you would still like to participate. Check out the Baking Gals website (FAQ section) for more details.
Questions? Feel free to leave them in the comments. Or you can e-mail me at roadtotheaisle@gmail.com. Participating? Tell us! And thank you!
If you have no idea what Operation Baking Gals is, and would like to find out, check out my Operation Baking Gals label to see past posts about this project. I hope you’ll consider joining us!
About
I'm Heather. I'm 33 and have been married to Michael for seven years. Together, we have two beautiful little girls we love more than anything, and a miniature dachshund who drives us crazy. I'm a full-time working mom who has very little time for my own "stuff" these days, like home improvement, cooking/baking, cake decorating, and photography. Despite the team not making the playoffs since 1999, I'm STILL a Buffalo Bills fan, which I think speaks to my loyalty AND sense of humor. I can't wait to pick up the pace with travel again some day... you know, when we're done being ruled by tiny fists. Welcome to my blog.
