Cute Picture of the Year

Leila on her new bike

Pantry List (Whole and Natural)

This is for my best friend Kristen who recently asked me how to stock her pantry. She is finally a grown up (with a master's degree, congratulations) and wants to start cooking. Here are the things I can't live without to get you started:

Non-perishables

• Canned or dried beans (black, pinto, white, garbanzo). Making dried beans is actually really easy and if bought in bulk can be extremely inexpensive.
  
• Oils (Extra Virgin, Olive Oil, Toasted Sesame Seed, Walnut, Grape seed)
• Canned tomatoes
• Soy sauce (Shoyu)
• Vinegar (Balsamic, Brown Rice, Apple Cider)
• Tahini
• Pasta (it's great to have this on hand!)
• Nuts and seeds (Walnuts, Almonds, Pepitas)
• Canned Roasted Peppers (good in most soups)
• Vegetable stock (always keep 2 on hand)
• Grains (brown rice, white rice, wild rice, polenta, quinoa, bulgur, oats, barley). Buy in the bulk section and it's also fairly inexpensive.
• Pasta Sauce
• Agave nectar
• Cane Juice Sugar
• Flour (white all purpose, whole wheat wheat, bread flour)
• Tea (black, green, herbal)
• Yeast (making a loaf of bread or some quick rolls is easier than you think)
• Baking powder and baking soda
• Unsweetened Cocoanut Milk (for soups, curries etc.)

Spices

• Bay Leaf
• Cardamom
  
• Cumin
• Cinnamon
• Coriander
• Ginger (fresh ginger can be stored in the freezer)
• Nutmeg
• Oregano
  
• Black pepper
• Sea Salt
• Thyme
• Sage
• Rosemary
  
• Curry
  
• Garam Masala
• Chili Powder
• Smoked Paprika

Perishables

• Lemons
• Garlic
• Eggs
• Milk (we drink rice milk, its nonperishable until opened)
• Parmigiano-Reggiano
• Onions (red, white, yellow, shallots)
• Butter
• Mustard
• Frozen Peas
• Frozen Peppers
• Seasonal Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (I've done some homework for you, Kristen)

There you have it, my pantry. It's good to try to buy a few staples each week until the entire pantry is built. With these ingredients, the possibilities are endless and you will never have to go to Carl's Junior again. You're my best friend, Merry Christmas!

Chard and White Bean Soup

I finally finished my BTSA portfolio and now I can officially start my vacation. To kick it off I made an "end of the month" soup that was absolutely wonderful! End of the month soup consists of whatever you find in your pantry or fridge, and this one was especially delicious!

End of the month soup: White Bean and Chard

3 Large Chard Leaves with Stems (ribboned)

1 Can of White Beans

1 Package of Vegetable Broth

1 Large Leek (sliced)

3 Potatoes (peeled and chopped)

1/2 Yellow Onion (chopped)

1 Tablespoon Chopped Thyme

Sea Salt

Olive Oil

Pepper

Place broth and potatoes and a pinch of salt in a large stock pot and bring to a boil. While you wait for the potatoes to cook, brown the onions and leek in a small frying pan with a bit of olive oil and salt. Once potatoes are boiling add the leek, onions, beans and thyme to the pot. Reduce to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes. Once potatoes begin to soften add the chard and continue to cook until chard is wilted and potatoes are soft. Serve with toasted almonds or parmesan cheese on top! 

I hope you try this recipe because it was so delicious! I'll post photos my next big endeavor: vegan christmas dinner! 

Planned Menu:

Roasted Butternut Squash with Wild Rice Stuffing

Vanilla Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Roasted Winter Root Vegetables

Yeast Rolls

Mixed Greens 

Butternut Squash and Honey Pie

It's the end of the semester...

and I am brain dead. enjoy this wonderful song.

My House is Cold, VERY COLD!!