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C’s picks – week of December 6th.

December 6, 2015 / By Courtney / 2 Comments

It’s Sunday morning, one of my favorite parts of the week! I love sitting with a (sometimes) warm cup of coffee in a (sometimes) quiet home while working on my grocery list and planner for the week ahead. Just a mere 20 minutes or so changes the game completely. Makes me oh so happy and ready to take on Monday! Alright, time for a brand new kitchen line up. Let’s do this.

I first made this beef stew when B was only 15 months and he gobbled. it. up. So comforting, hearty, and tummy pleasing! Can’t wait to make this one Sunday night. Crusty bread on the side, obviously.

A few weeks ago one of my super authentic Italian friends gifted us with a whole super authentic italian dinner – stuffed artichokes and pasta oili. YOU GUYS. It was out of this world. I don’t think M or I uttered a word as we inhaled plate after plate. Learning how to make it all together this Monday night. Stay tuned…..

That brings us to Tuesday and to one of the most basic, simple, delicious, and incredibly healthy soups currently in our rotation. Obsessed with this one. Take that, cold season.

Just a few simple ingredients go into this crock pot salsa chicken. Can’t wait to try it out – ole!

That brings us to Thursday and to one of my (ok my favorite) night of every other month – cooking club! I’m in charge of the table and a festive drink per usual, and this one looks so ridiculously pretty, refreshing, and delicious. Can’t wait.

And let’s end the week with a bang, shall we? Tis the season for festive get togethers and I can not wait for my girls night out. We’ve been friends since L was a mere three years old walking into St. Marks preschool. A glass of bubbly with these ladies is such a treat for me. Not to mention a night off from dishes.

And that wraps up my meal plan for the week. Anything sound good? I’d so love to hear what you are making! Let me know in a comment below, should you want to share.
C

Lasagna soup.

December 4, 2015 / By Courtney / 5 Comments

I’m pretty spoiled when we’re down in Florida. We really enjoy eating out at the local joints so I get a break from the never ending job of grocery shopping, unloading, cooking, and dishes. As much as I actually like all those things (aside from the unloading and dishes, obviously) to say that I would pick them over sitting in flip flops being served an icy margarita and fish tacos would just not be honest.

Give me all the flip flops and fish tacos baby. Summer forever, am I right?

Yet the reality sets in the night before the painfully early flight. You can literally feel yourself trying to soak it all in. Just one more jump in the pool, one more swing of the golf club, one last breath of hot humid air. The fun in the sun seemed to end quicker than the sun seems to set in Chicago. Boo. It was time to go home. Home to dark and cold and black leggings and winter gear.

Sigh. But hey, at least we have Christmas! And I do get to get back to working away in my kitchen. Always a good thing.

That first meal back is always so fun for me. I literally start thinking about what I will make days before. Flipping through the latest edition of Bon Appétit on the beach or scanning Food Network online. Day dreaming about food and cooking is about as good as it gets for me.

I knew this meal had to be comforting. Hello, we were leaving Florida. Thought it might be a fun twist to keep it a little festive too as it was December 1st. The official count down to Christmas has begun! The boys can finally open those advent calendars an amazing thirteen year old neighborhood boy (AKA their version of the coolest person, ever) dropped off for them.

And we can eat red and green soup.

Lasagna soup is more like it. Sounds a bit more appealing that way.

A big comforting bowl filled with fire roasted tomatoes, garlic, fresh green herbs, italian sausage and noodles topped off with a three cheese bubbly mess. It was exactly what the doctor ordered for the West Palm to O’Hare jolt, as we like to call it.

Homemade garlic bread dunked right in the bowl? Hey, home sweet home isn’t all that bad at all.

Lasagna Soup

2015-12-02 15:14:01

Serves 8

Hearty, healthy, and festive soup!

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Prep Time

20 min

Cook Time

30 min

Total Time

50 min

Prep Time

20 min

Cook Time

30 min

Total Time

50 min

For the soup

2 tsp olive oil
1 1/2 lbs. Italian sausage, crumbled up
1 c. chopped onions
1 zucchini, chopped up
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp fresh oregano
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
2 T. tomato paste
1 14 oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
2 fresh bay leaves
6 c. chicken stock
8 oz. broken up lasagna noodles or fusilli pasta
1/2 c. finely chopped fresh basil leaves
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the cheesy topping

8 oz. ricotta cheese
1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese
1/4 t. salt
freshly ground black pepper
handful shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.
Add in the sausage and cook until browned, roughly 10 minutes or so.
Add in the onions and zucchini and cook another 5 minutes.
Stir in the garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes and cook an additional minute. Season with salt & pepper. Stir in the tomato paste and cook another minute or so.
In goes the diced tomatoes, chicken stock, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the cheese topping by mixing ingredients together. Make the pasta according to package directions and add to the soup along with the basil.
Ladle soup into deep bowls, (slice of garlic bread optional), top with ricotta cheese mixture and sprinkle mozzarella on top. Enjoy!

Adapted from Two Dogs in the Kitchen

A Life From Scratch. https://a-life-from-scratch.com/

Holiday gift guide: for the guy who has everything.

December 2, 2015 / By Courtney / Leave a Comment

I mean, it’s really kind of annoying right? What do you buy the guy that has it all? Here’s what I’m banking on this year.

Because it’s his favorite drink. This glass breaks it down and will sit perfectly on the bar cart.
Let’s be honest, I basically buy this for M but it’s for me. Obsessed with these types of smells and we both prefer them over the floral ones.
To make the kids smile. I can picture it now….M chasing them around the living room wearing these.
Ha. This made me laugh and is perfect for the guy that always seems to be traveling around.
For some reason I have been designated the official sunglass holder for M. Hoping this case changes that.
Ah, these pens are so cool! We got one for M for Father’s Day and he loved it and uses it constantly.
A toy for his desk.
A classic! J Crew Mcalisters have got it going on. And never go out of style.
A major upgrade from his usual St. Ives.

Hoping you’ve found something helpful! Any ideas to add? Be sure to check out all 2015 holiday gift guides, here!

Ho ho ho!
C

*The fine print: this post contains affiliate links which means that if you use these links to make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. Of course, you are not obligated to use these links to make your purchase but please know that when you do, it supports my blog and for that I thank you.

Lindsay Letters Holiday Giveaway…!

November 30, 2015 / By Courtney / 11 Comments

Tis the season of giving, right? Let’s kick off another giveaway – yippee!

Oh my goodness, I think by now you all know how much I heart Christmas so I’m sure you could understand how utterly excited I was to pair up with the darling Lindsay Letters Shop for this amazing print giveaway.

Seriously, how freaking adorable is her work. You can view her full holiday collection here. Sigh. I kind of want it all, don’t you?

But back to the giveaway. This 8X10 ‘night before Christmas’ print will be hanging in my home all season long and it can be in yours too! It will arrive framed in a white 11×14 Ikea Ribba frame ready to be decked in your halls.

To enter, simply follow the instructions below. As a bonus, tell me where in your home you’d feature it. Just leave a comment, it’s that easy.

The giveaway runs through December 6th at midnight and is open to US residents only. Winner will be announced Monday, December 7th on my Facebook Page so be sure you’re following me along there so you don’t miss out on all the fun.

Good luck to you all and thank you so much, Lindsay Letters, for partnering up! Your work is beautiful.

Giveaway rules: No purchase necessary. Must be 18 years old to enter. Giveaway is open to US residents only, except where prohibited by law. Giveaway will run from November 30th through December 6th, 2015 at 11:59 pm EST. A single winner will be randomly selected by Woobox and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize; failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the prize. Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest do not sponsor, administer, or endorse this promotion. Participants must read and agree to Woobox Privacy Policy before entering and participating in this promotion. By entering this giveaway, entrants give their consent for their email address to be added to the ALFS newsletter list.

C’s picks – week of November 29th.

November 29, 2015 / By Courtney / 1 Comment

Oh I hope everyone has had a lovely holiday weekend! With December being right around the corner (eek!) there is no better time to plan. Let’s start off in the kitchen. I’m down in balmy Florida catching some rays but I’m still putting together a little line up for you. I hope it helps and I’d love to hear what you are making!

Sunday night I hope I’m munching on fish tacos. And a margarita. A really good one.

Monday night is our last night down here so that means we are headed to our favorite joint, Manatee Island.

Going from 80 degrees to 20 degrees can always be sort of a shock to the system so we’ll be dining on deep bowls of my winter sausage stew.

That brings us to Wednesday and to a soup Biz raves about (she has made it forty one times!). Lasagna soup it is.

Mexican for Thursday? Chicken tostadas are always a hit in my home. Ole!

And that brings us to Friday and to a night in with some friends! Not positive what I’m making just quite yet, but, this company sauce with fresh pasta and sausage is always a top contender.

Have a great week everyone! Happy cooking.
C