Chickpea Sausage Soup

As a lover of garbanzos (both the word AND the bean), I am constantly on the lookout for recipes that employ this tasty (and cheap) ingredient.

I am also very aware of the fact that the best garbanzo is a shelled garbanzo.  Time-consuming?  Yes.  Worth it?  Absolutely.  When blended, the lack of shells makes them much more creamy.

I used this recipe from The New York Time's Diner's Journal with great success.  I also took the time to grill my sausage, which I think added a nice added flavor.

The final result was creamy, flavorful, and filling.  It didn't look a bit like the NYT photo, but I'm going to go ahead and guess that mine was superior.  Obviously.

The subtle complexity of a chickpea and sausage soup calls for, what else, Valentino.

via Neiman Marcus

I love that, from afar, these Rockstud pumps look like classic snakeskin pumps, but up close the studs really shine.  The PVC "collar" doesn't hurt, either.

French Onion Soup

In the grand scheme of re-blogging recipes that I've blogged before, I bring you French Onion soup.  The previous version was delish, don't get me wrong, but this version was better.  Much better.

Mind you I didn't change the recipe.  No siree, I used the same recipe as my original post.  I just put more love into it.

And more love means better pictures.  Obviously.

I also sprung for really good gruyere this time around, which I believe made a big difference, as well.  The melting, flavor, everything were just . . . better.  Second time's a charm?

The F and I had this on New Year's Day and it was a perfect bonjour to 2013.

Bonjour . . . French onion soup . . . are we sensing a theme?

Saint Laurent via Saks

I am really hoping for a Parisian honeymoon, and I am quite certain that a Parisian honeymoon can't happen unless I own these shoes.  Just think, I can say Bonjour to France while wearing my Saint Laurent's and eating this soup.  Oui?

Quickie Friday: Tortellini Soup

Yes, I have made tortellini soup in the past, and published it on the blog (here).  No, this isn't the same soup, or even a variation of it.  This soup is better.  And easier.

This soup involves nothing more than store-bought tortellini (I went with a chicken and garlic), chicken stock, tomatoes, basil, garlic, and asiago cheese.  Seriously.  I don't even need to tell you how to make it, but I'm sure you can figure it out based on the ingredients, and the (poor-quality) picture above.

And from this photo, I expect you to be able to figure out one more thing:

via

I still want/need a pair of loafers.

Happy Friday!

Crockpot Taco Soup

The title of this post is a lie, as this soup can hardly be called soup . . .

Anything with that much meat is chili . . . amiright?!  Seriously.  This is, by no means, soup.  But when I found the recipe for this "soup" (which was similar, but not identical, to this recipe) I figured I'd give it a whirl.

And it doesn't hurt that one of my regular opinions about food is that "if you can top it with tortilla chips and sour cream, it must be delicious."  The chips and sour cream also cut the spice nicely, and made the "soup" even more filling than it would have been, otherwise!

And speaking of things masquerading as things they are not, let's talk about these:

Brian Atwood via Bergdorf Goodman

Is it a bootie?  Is it a pump?  Is it a sneaker or a ballet slipper?  Or is it some sort of weird feline hybrid snaking its way up your leg to cut off all circulation to the ankle?

Weigh in, peeps.  I need you on this one.

Black Bean Stew with Sherry Creamed Corn

This is one of the most complicated and fancy-sounding recipes I have ever made, but was easily one of the most delicious (not to mention fast and nice to look at)!

I did add an extra cup of chicken stock to mine, I'm not going to lie, but I let it simmer down and thicken up for a longer amount of time than the recipe calls for (and for clarity's sake, I went with a low-fat turkey smoked turkey sausage, yum).

I also simmered my corn in the cream for a lot longer, and substituted white wine vinegar for sherry (because I didn't realize I was out until the last minute, and wasn't about to abandon cream on a stovetop to run to the store)!

Is it just me, or are my pictures getting a MILLION times better, peeps?!  Not to toot my own horn, or anything, but that looks as good in pictures as it did in person, and it tasted even better!  If you're ever intimidated by recipes in Food & Wine or Bon Appetit magazines, this would be a good place to show off your culinary skills . . . without too much skill!

Another illusion that I can totally get behind:

Christian Louboutin via Bergdorf Goodman

These "illusion" pumps are fabulous.  The F would probably argue that nobody should have to see that much of my mangy hooves, but I would counter that the neon yellow would make a tan leg look STUNNING, regardless of how misshapen the foot attached happens to be.  Whose side are you on, peeps?

Grilled Cheese and Bacon Sandwiches

I am of the opinion that sometimes there is no better meal than a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup.  I am also of the (humble as it may be) opinion that I make a mean grilled cheese sandwich, because mine includes bacon.  And cheese with bacon flavor.  I am a grilled cheese and bacon master.

The perfect grilled cheese sandwich begins with sourdough bread (thinly sliced) and a layer of sharp, yellow cheddar cheese, followed by a thinly sliced layer of hickory smoked gruyere cheese (which tastes like a heavenly cheese and bacon hybrid), then another layer of cheddar, and then a slice or two of crispy, delicious bacon.  Then more cheese (of course), then another slice of sourdough.  And toasted to perfection.

Also important to this, the most divine of simplistic meals:  jazzed up soup.  Shock of all shocks, this soup is canned, BUT I added some things to it.  Campbell's tomato soup + sauteed, minced garlic + canellini beans + parmesan cheese and fresh cracked black pepper = THE PERFECT ACCOMPANIMENT TO THE SOUP.

As I said, I'm a master (even if part of my mastery involves canned foods).

And speaking of masters . . .

Christian Louboutin via Barneys

That is one helluva shoe.  I believe, of course, that you can never go wrong with Loubs.  So much so that I'm debating ordering a pair to wear in my engagement pictures.  If only it could be these . . .

Creamy Tortellini Soup

A few weeks back, we experienced a "cold spell" where the evenings were getting down into the 40s and I was both going to bed and waking up FREEZING.  Those who have met me know that FREEZING makes me irritable, and the best cure is more cowbell a hot bowl of soup.

This creamy tortellini soup is made in the crock pot (there I go again with slow-cooker recipes!  Sheesh!) and easy as can be.  I freely admit that I added well over the 6 cups of spinach, which changed the flavor of the soup in a not-altogether-pleasant way, but when I removed some of the spinach it was FABULOUS.

I feel like, with these shoes, one thing could've stood to be removed, as well:

Proenza Schouler via Barneys

From the front, and even from this point of view, I love this shoe; but then I see it from the side, and the weird little kitten-heel-that-wants-to-be-part-of-the-wedge-but-isn't gets me.  And loses me completely.

Valentine's Menu (Part One)

I made a rather extensive Valentine's meal for the BF and I, which included this and this, as well as this french onion soup.  Having never made french onion soup before, I was a little bit worried about how it would turn out, but it turned out AWESOME.

Soup bubbling in the front, toasty croutons in the back, messy stove-top ALL over.

I've had some great french onion soups in my day (the best EVER at Junior's in Times Square) but I was happy that mine almost measured up to the greats.

The (blurry) finished product.  Just enough crouton, just enough cheese, and plenty 'o' onion!  Loved it!  And so did the BF.  THAT is a Valentine's success, in my book.

Last Friday, my sister and her fiance decided to get married in The Vegas.  (Anybody who loves Sandy Cohen as much as I do can refer to it in no other way).  A wedding in The Vegas requires some SERIOUS foot fashion.

Christian Louboutin via Bergdorf Goodman

On any normal day of the week, these shoes would so NOT be my style . . . but for a wedding in The Vegas they're pretty much required.

Brrrrrr . . . It's Cold in Here

I feel funny writing this post as I got a text from my pal Sarah last night, telling me that she needed new boots because it's cold outside (and she lives in Boston).  It is so cold here in Florida (68 degrees yesterday!  brr!)  that Arnie had to get herself a new fleece hoodie:

The BF is thrilled with her new purchase, as she looks like an Oakland Raiders fan (even if she is a hard core lover of the CHICAGO BEARS!).

The cold snap inspired me to make one of my favorite things:  chicken tortilla soup.  This soup has evolved, from a recipe that my mom used to make when I was little, to include LOTS of vegetables and spices.

The recipe:

• 1 (28 oz) can red enchilada sauce
• 2 cans cream of mushroom soup
• 2 cans cheddar cheese soup
• 2 cans milk (I use the cheddar cheese soup cans to measure, and to make sure no soup is left behind)
• 5 chicken breasts, boiled and shredded (or 1 store-bought rotisserie chicken)
• 1 each red, green, and yellow pepper
• 3 medium tomatoes
• 2 cans whole kernel corn
• 2 jalapenos (optional)
• 1 and 1/2 tsp. white pepper
• 1 and 1/2 tsp. chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. cumin
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• all spices can be adjusted, to taste
• tortilla chips and shredded cheese, for topping (also great toppings:  avocado and sour cream)

Combine the enchilada sauce, soups, and milk with spices in a large pot.   Heat through slowly, at a low heat, and whisk, until the lumps from the soups disappear (I boil my chicken breasts while this is happening).  While your soup base and chicken breasts are heating up and cooking, chop your veggies.  I like my peppers and tomatoes in 1/4 to 1/2 inch pieces, and I chop my jalapenos quite fine because, as much as I like jalapenos, I don't like to bite into them in my soup.

When your chicken is boiled and shredded and your veggies are chopped, throw it all into the soup base and heat through.  Top with a crushed tortilla chips and shredded cheese!

This soup has SO MUCH STUFF in it that it's really more of a stew.  But it is SO tasty.  And with all the veggies, it isn't too terrible for ya, either!

I am really lovin' these (the style AND the price):

Via Forever 21.

They would be perfect for the Florida heat OR cold, since I know they'll look super cute with tights.  Definitely another addition to my "must have" list!