stockpile meals
Spicy African Sweet Potato & Peanut Butter Soup {Recipe}
When it comes to soup, I just love unique flavor combinations. I first tried a version of this African sweet potato & peanut soup many, many years ago out of this Vegetarian Times Low Fat & Fast recipe book, which was–back when I still used actual cookbooks instead of the internet–my very favorite cookbook ever. This slightly more dressed-up version uses fresh sweet potatoes and tomatoes instead of canned and also adds the rich flavor of coconut milk and chipotle peppers. The combination of sweet and spicy is so good! (Printable version of this recipe available at the bottom of this post) Ingredients: 2 pounds sweet potatoes 8 plum ... read more
Roasted Veggie “Cupcakes” {Recipe}
I’m better about it than I used to be, but occasionally I find myself buying odd ingredients just because they are on sale and I have a great coupon and it is just such a “good deal” that I can’t pass it up. Does that ever happen to you? Most of the time I try to buy food and pantry staples that I know we will actually use and eat, but a few months ago at Publix I came across a BOGO sale on Progresso Recipe starters that just happened to correspond with a high value $1.00 off coupon (the coupons for new products are always the best), which made ... read more
Simple Vegetable Frittata {Recipe}
I’ve been slightly obsessed with frittatas lately, one of my favorite budget meals. Have you ever made one? They are the perfect last-minute-oh-crap-it-is-5:30-and-I-have-no-idea-what-to-make-for-dinner meal. As long as you’ve got eggs, cheese, and a little milk or cream (or even evaporated milk in a pinch) you can whip one together and throw in whatever items happen to be taking up space in your fridge. With all those Worden Farm veggies we’ve been getting lately, our fridge is always full of a random assortment and this is my absolute favorite way to use them up. Simple Vegetable Frittata 1 small head broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces 1 small zucchini, cut into bite-sized ... read more
Creamy Dill Vegetable Soup {Recipe}
There is something about soup that is just good for the soul. I made this soup last week Sunday after a very rough mommy day. I don’t even remember now what I was all atwitter about, but I was stressed and crabby, with too much to do and not enough time to get it done, and in-general, not very fun to be around. Husband spent the day playing with the girls and I did my own thing, finally realizing that I had been a jerk. This soup, and a nice family dinner to go with it, was my peace offering. Luckily for me my family is very forgiving. But the ... read more
homemade zucchini bread {stockpile meals}
I am in Nashville this weekend having SO much fun meeting lots of fabulous bloggers at Blissdom, but I wanted to share this recipe that I made last week. I was so excited when I opened my Worden Farm Box last week and discovered 4 delicious looking zucchini way down at the bottom of the box. It was the perfect excuse to make a big batch of homemade zucchini bread, something I’ve wanting to do for months! Homemade Zucchini Bread 4 medium zucchini 4 cups all-purpose flour 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 1 tablespoon baking soda 1 tablespoon baking powder 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon 8 eggs 1 1/2 cups ... read more
Easy Vegetarian Goulash {Recipe}
My wonderful sister gets all the credit for this major family-pleaser! She has been making a meaty version of this recipe for years–it is her family’s absolute favorite meal–and I finally got her to share it with me! My whole family went crazy for it too, so of I’m doing the only logical thing and sharing this vegetarian version with all of you. Thanks Beth! This is one of those go-to recipes that is pretty much impossible to screw up, and you can modify it to fit whatever you happen to have on hand. I happened to have a lot of absolutely gorgeous fresh tomatoes on hand from our Worden ... read more
Cheesy Cream of Broccoli Soup {Recipe}
First of all, I just have to say a huge thank you to all of you for being so incredibly sweet and encouraging and well, just plain wonderful in response to Wedneday’s post. I was overwhelmed and deeply touched by all your kind comments. You guys are the best and after a few days of wallowing, I am feeling much better. So mwah! But now, on to happier things (like soup!) There is nothing better than a big bowl of homemade soup, especially one full of good wholesome ingredients like fresh locally grown organic broccoli from Worden Farm, butter and heavy cream and cheese and….did I mention butter? Lots of ... read more
Roasted Eggplant & Chickpea Dip {Recipe}
I love all things Mediterranean, especially hummus, but I have always been slightly nervous to make my own. A few of my friends assured me that it was super easy but for some reason it always just seemed so complicated. Well, now that I have made it I can honestly tell you that it is NOT complicated at all. It is so easy. So cheap. So yummy! All you really need to make hummus is a can of chickpeas, some garlic, salt, & some olive oil–the rest of the ingredients are completely optional. I personally think adding the roasted eggplant adds a great texture and depth of flavor, but you ... read more
Easy Corn Flake Chicken {Recipe}
If you are looking for a quick and super easy chicken recipe that your family will LOVE, then look no further! I whipped this up last night and even though I had planned to share a different recipe, it was such a hit I decided to share it with you today! As a vegetarian I don’t cook chicken that often. It’s not because it bothers me, but mostly because I don’t eat it, I have a hard time knowing whether it is done, and out of a desire not to poison my family, I end up overcooking it. It turns out dry and then no one eats it and I ... read more
Winter Diet Soup {Recipe}
Am I the only one that ate a few too many goodies during the holidays? This week I finally admitted to myself that the 7 or so pounds I put on during the month of December isn’t going to just melt away on it’s own like it did when I was in my 20′s and decided it was time to whip up a batch of my famous Winter Diet Soup. I’m not normally one for dieting but this week I was definitely looking for something to help me drop a few holiday pounds relatively quickly. The great thing about this soup–besides the fact that it is super yummy–is that it makes ... read more
Grilled Salad with Homemade Honey-Dijon Dressing {Recipe}
Mmmmm….doesn’t this look good? My fall-back method of cooking vegetables always seems to be roasting–I just love the depth of flavor it brings–but I don’t usually think about grilling them. However, my Facebook friend Valerie (of the fabulous fashion blog Charmed Valerie) posted something on her status last week about grilling radishes–something I have never heard of before. It suddenly made me realize I not only had radishes in the fridge, but a lot of other Worden Farm vegetables we could grill as well. I threw in some chicken for the rest of the family and we had ourselves a feast! It was SO yummy! All you need for a ... read more
Roasted Tomato & Root Vegetable Cream Sauce over Farfalle {Recipe}
We are in Veggie Heaven! Granted some smaller members of my family aren’t quite as thrilled with all the garden-fresh meals we’ve been enjoying lately, but as a vegetarian I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so well. Every week we pick up a new very full box of vegetables from Worden Farm & I spend the week trying to think of new ways to use them. It is definitely a challenge, but I love it. It has inspired me to be far more creative in my cooking–I’ve cooked more new things in the past 3 weeks than in the 3 years–and I feel so much better about quality of the ... read more
Pumpkin Coconut Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Muffins {Recipe}
Sometime last winter I found canned pumpkin on clearance at Walgreeens. It made the perfect “filler” item to complete my multiple transactions, so I stocked up and bought all the cans they had left. I’m so happy fall is finally here so I can start to use it! (I am incapable of eating pumpkin anything at any other time of the year. Is that just me?) These muffins were a breeze to whip up and soooo yummy! If you’re not into coconut or chocolate, you could easily omit one or both and have them taste just as good. Pumpkin Coconut Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Muffins Muffins 1 c. sugar 1 ... read more
Black & White Chili with Roasted Butternut Squash {Recipe}
Remember that butternut squash I bought on a whim last week? Well, I have a teeny tiny confession to make: I have never actually cooked a butternut squash before, at least not one that wasn’t already peeled, mushed, then frozen. I had no idea what I was supposed to do with it. So it just sat there on my counter for a week or so, taunting me. And then a few days ago I opened up my pantry, saw the cans of beans that have also been mocking me and had an epiphany: White & Black Bean Chili with Roasted Butternut Squash Ingredients: 1 bag vegetarian protein crumbles 2 small onions, ... read more
How To Make a Perfect Pie Crust {Tutorial}
Fall is practically upon us, which means pie season is also here (at least for me!) There nothing in the world that can compare to homemade pie crust. Yes, it is a little bit more effort than say, buying a pre-formed pie crust or even one of those handy refrigerated roll-out crusts, but believe me when I tell you it is totally worth it. a.) it is much cheaper than all of the pre-made options and b.) the taste is divine. I use an awesome Pate Brisee recipe given to me by my very close friend Martha Stewart. (wink) Her recipes–labor intensive as they may be–are always divine. Her Cookies ... read more
