I’ve only recently started listening to podcasts. It’s in direct correlation with taking better care of myself this year—both my mind and my body. Running again has carved out time for podcasts. It’s making me smarter. And more fit too. (I hope.) I oscillate between listening to The Splendid Table, A Couple Cooks, and Food Blogger Pro. I’m certain there are extra calories associated with food podcasts. Read more
I ditched my afternoon work plans and downloaded the new Bon Appétit after hearing it was shot entirely with an iPhone (!!). I’ve dreamt of this day. The DLSR has always felt too heavy and intimidating in my hands. Last summer I attended a photography workshop put on by Muir Glen with House of Brinson. I timidly rose my hand and jumbled my words to eventually ask if they thought the iPhone would be considered a professional tool for photographers. As soon as the technology improves, yes, they said. I sighed a huge sigh of relief, knowing that one day shooting recipes might not make me sweat so much. I love the simplicity of shooting with my phone. I can see the composition on the screen and quickly adjust if it’s off. It’s quick and efficient. It absolutely suits me. As does this one pot butternut squash soup. Because two pots would be too many, too heavy. I might not even make it. Read more
On the nights my mom made chili, I was in charge of mixing up that iconic blue Jiffy Cornbread box, whisking together the egg, and the milk, and the mix in the speckle green melamine bowl. Ever since, I’ve liked my cornbread sweet and served from a muffin tin. With an extra pat of butter if you really want to know. Now, on the nights I make chili, I make it from scratch, because I love to, and I make sure they taste exactly like the ones I grew up with. With that, I give you this Jiffy Cornbread copycat recipe. Read more
It’s that time of year when people gather in droves. Sweaters, Bing Crosby, bubbly drinks, and twinkly lights fill center stage. In the background, the haggard hostess dances around the kitchen for hours, prepping a meal for many—the ones she loves most. Near meal time, it’s inevitable. She questions the depth of her love due to the stress, sweat, and need for another shower. Read more
Did you watch the show Dinosaurs back in the day? We did. Every last episode. I watched it again on Netflix just before having Hal. It kept me occupied during my many craft projects for her room. I’m pretty sure she’d recognize the theme song if I played it for her now. In one episode Robbie looks at his dad, Earl Sinclair, and explains he’s a herbivore. Earl was a carnivore. You can imagine how that went over. Earl took Robbie out back to catch dinner. Robbie befriended his “dinner” and made a salad. Read more
Start a freezer bag or container to keep leftover/overripe/extra veggies in your freezer. When the container gets full, fill a soup pot full of water, add the veggies, some fresh herbs and seasoning. Boil for about 1.5 hours, strain and you have homemade vegetable stock. Freeze or use within a week in your favorite soups and winter stews.
—Alison, This Homemade Life
After-Thanksgiving-detox, this one’s for you. There’s not a bad thing about this soup. I didn’t even slip in half and half like I usually do. It’s vegan and vegetarian friendly to boot. Besides chopping up some veggies, this soup is simply effortless. Dump the ingredients in a dutch oven and step back. Fit in a quick workout. Pack a lunch for tomorrow. Pluck your eyebrows. Throw in a load of laundry. Or bake healthy chocolate chip cookies. Just let it be. It’s that kind of soup. Read more
Fall has definitely settled in to Chicago. There’s a chill in the air. At least enough of one to make soup. I love soup. Wait, I should take that back. I love hearty chunky soups. Pureed soups are OK. But hearty chunky soups—they make my fall and winter go round.
We have a couple soups up our sleeve, but taco soup is one of our faves. Typically, because we have everything on hand to make it. It’s time you know—I’m not much of a meal planner. A couple posts ago, I told you that I love routine, which I do. But I also love organized spontaneity. Oxymoron, I know. Here’s how it works—I love routine, but I hate meal planning. It’s a little too planned for me. Make sense? I didn’t think so. But somehow it works for us. So, everyday I come home from work to scavenge the fridge and cupboards (such an old school term, but we don’t have a pantry) in hopes that an idea for dinner will pop into my head. Read more