Homemade Ready

I’m very big on any kind of soup, stew or chili, especially in the fall. Nothing says home and hearth to me more than a big, steamy pot of goodness. Rich broth and slow-cooked vegetables are comfort in a bowl and perfect to warm you right up on a cool autumn day.  When it comes to chili, I usually like to make it very thick and hearty. This turkey chili, however, is a little lighter and a little bit like a soup. It has some extra vegetables, too, in case you have have any late zucchini or peppers you’re currently harvesting from your summer garden. In this recipe, I've used canned beans, but you can substitute 3 cups of your own home-cooked or home-canned beans. Turkey Chili Soup with Garden Vegetables 4-6 Servings Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound lean ground turkey 1 onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 bell peppers (any color), diced 1 jalapeno, finely diced 1 large zucchini, diced 2 tablespoons chili powder ½ teaspoon ground cum...

"Beautiful Soup! Who cares for fish, Game, or any other dish? Who would not give all else for two Pennyworth only of Beautiful Soup? Pennyworth only of Beautiful Soup?" -Lewis Carroll A steamy bowl of soup for supper on a cold winter evening is truly a beautiful thing. When it's made in a slow cooker, with only minimal effort, it's even better. This time of year is the worst for me - the short, chilly days, and long, dark nights. Even in the deep south, we get more cold weather than suits my taste. Plus, let's be honest here, as much as I love the holidays, they can be exhausting. There is the cooking, the shopping, parties, visiting with family and friends. I'm really just now starting to recover. My energy is low and something easy, homey and comforting is exactly what I crave. This French onion soup recipe totally fits the bill. It's rich and velvety, and so simple to prepare - throw it all in the slow cooker, and let it simmer away all day. Th...

Earlier this week, on our first chilly fall afternoon of the season, I whipped-up this easy beef and macaroni skillet supper.  Not for the first time, I appreciated that this dish is almost magical, with the ability to transport me back to my childhood, and a far simpler time. Back then, we called it goulash (I know, it’s not authentic goulash), or on the days  it was served in our school cafeteria, we called it beef-a-roni. I loved this meal as a kid, but now as an adult, I still love this little one-pan recipe - it is so darn simple to prepare, but still just so comforting and delicious. OK, maybe this dish seems a little old-fashioned, but it can’t be beat on a crisp fall day, when you want to get a hot, comforting meal on the table fast.   Let’s talk about dollars here, too - this recipe is not only simple, but totally easy on the wallet, too. Ground beef, noodles, canned tomatoes, a few vegetables and some spices – what could be simpler? When you look ...

Here is a recipe for an easy one-pot meal that my family just loves. Tender chunks of chicken in seasoned yellow rice, all cooked in one pot – so easy and delicious. The added bites of spring-green asparagus give this dish a dash of crispness and color. I like to serve this along with a simple green salad. For the yellow color and a punch of flavor, I use sazón, a Latin spice blend. It contains annatto, a spice that gives a beautiful yellow color, plus some other spices like oregano and cumin. You can buy it in little packets in many supermarkets, or you can just substitute a little bit of turmeric. (The turmeric won’t give it much added flavor, but it will give the dish the yellow color.) Recipe Serves 4-6 Ingredients: 3 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil, divided 2 tablespoons butter 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, chopped into bite-size pieces 1 small onion, diced 2 carrots, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 cups long grain ...

Kielbasa has always been a favorite around our house. My husband is of Polish heritage, so he is a fan. Although I am not Polish, I was raised in an area of Western Pennsylvania that has a huge Eastern European population, and kielbasa (or kolbassy as I knew it as a kid) was common fare. These days, it is easily found at any market, and makes for a quick, affordable meal. Although we often have it paired with some type of cabbage and/or noodles, tonight I decided to change it up a bit and pair it with some kale and potatoes for an easy fall supper.