souper bowl

I'm a big fan of soup.  That is, soup accompanied by some sort of delicious bread.  Must have the bread.  Potato cheese soup and sourdough bread, beef stew and biscuits, chili and cornbread, chicken noodle soup and bran muffins.  If that was my weekly menu, I'd be in heaven.  Problem is, Brett (as most men I'm sure) doesn't really see soup and bread as a meal.  Unless you are in prison that is.  So last night when he was feasting on carne asada burritos with the guys, we girls had soup and bread.  And let me tell you, delish. 

 Chicken Quinoa Soup

I've got on board the quinoa train (or as Brett calls it Joaquin- quinoa backwards get it?).  Great alternative to rice, high in protein, low in carbs.  I was a little intimidated by it at first, but I realized its actually easier to cook than rice (and much faster than brown rice).  There's a ton of stuff you can make with it.  I've made it with chicken stock to add flavor and used it with stir fry, in place of pilaf, and with sauteed vegies.  I will warn you, it has a bit of a weird texture kind of like tiny bubbles, but I actually love it.  I had about a cup left over from dinner the other night and thought I could make chicken noodle soup and use the quinoa in place of the noodles. Worked like a charm.

Chicken Quinoa Soup
Ingredients:
4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup sliced carrots
1/2 cup sliced celery
2 green onions chopped
1 t. garlic
1/2 t. salt
1/2. t pepper
1 cup cooked chicken
1 c. cooked quinoa
Directions:
Bring broth, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, salt and pepper to a boil and boil 10 minutes (or until vegies are soft).  Add cooked chicken and cooked quinoa and cook until heated though. 
There are several similar recipes online that use more broth and uncooked quinoa.  Might be worth a try if you don't already have cooked quinoa on hand.

 Almond Flour Pumpkin Muffins

I've also boarded the almond flour train (thanks to my sister).  I've tried almond flour pancakes and waffles and an amazing chocolate chip cookie recipe, but I think these babies take the cake (or muffin I guess).  My girls gobbled them up, asked for them again for breakfast, and Brett even gave the sign of approval after trying them.  Super moist, great texture, just the right amount of pumpkin flavor.  And low carb- no sugar or four in these guys.  So go get your almond flour/meal  (Trader Joe's has the best price- in the nut section) and make some of your own- you will love.

Almond Flour Pumpkin Muffins

Ingredients:  

2 eggs

1/2 cup pumpkin puree  

1/3 cup honey 

4 Tbsp melted butter 

1 tsp vanilla 

3/4 tsp baking soda 

1/2 tsp salt 

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon 

1/2 tsp nutmeg 

1/4 tsp ground cloves 

1/4 tsp ground ginger 

2 1/2 cups almond flour 

1/2 cup chopped walnuts 

1/2 cup craisins

2 eggs

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325.
2. Line a muffin pan with paper liners (12 muffins).
3. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric beater to thoroughly combine all ingredients EXCEPT almond flour, walnuts, and raisins.
4. Stir in almond flour until well combined.
5. Stir in walnuts and craisins.
6. Spoon batter into muffin cups, using wet fingers to press down any bumps on the tops before baking. Makes 12 muffins.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

 

I had to put this picture in because I am very proud of my clean stove top.  Cleaning that beast is one of my least favorite jobs, and I had been putting it off for waaaay too long. I think there may have been cleaner stove tops in meth lab kitchens in the ghetto.  It was that bad.  But look at her shine now.

My only regret for this meal was the fact that Leighton's muffin crumbs (which she is notorious for leaving- she's a big crumbler) went to waste.  No eating after that little one this week due to... hand, foot, and mouth disease.  Yes, we've been infected.  What I thought was a diaper rash turned into sores on the hands, feet, and mouth and viola- enter hand, foot and mouth disease (virus really, disease makes it sound so serious).  She's handled it like a trooper and aside from the owie on her tongue she hasn't complained a bit.  Now were hoping she keeps her poison saliva to herself and the rest of us avoid it (I've heard Daddies don't handle it as well as babies!)