So far I've made five soups. I think I'm going to start putting together a cookbook of the recipes I like, with the modifications I've made to the recipes of course. I'm not sure if I'm going to post the actual recipes here or just email them to anyone who wants one.
Anyway, the first two soups I made were cheaters...meaning I made them from pre-packaged mixes. The first was was a corn chowder. Absolutely fabulous so I need to find my own recipe for it. The second was a mushroom and wild rice soup. It was just ok which is disappointing since I love mushrooms and wild rice.
The first soup I made from scratch was a Bean and Barley soup. I used pinto beans and pearl barley. It was fabulous with the exception of it was a bit too salty. Couldn't figure out why until today when I realized I put in too much chicken base in my broth.
The second soup was made yesterday. It was Bean w/ Bacon. I'm considering it largely a fail. It is way to bland for one thing. It also uses potatoes and I've come to realize I don't like potatoes in soup. I don't like the texture or bland taste of them cooked that way. Maybe I need to dice them up into much smaller pieces. I'll have to try that. But, I also need to look for another bean w/ bacon recipe. I do have to say the smell of the onions sauteing in the bacon grease was heavenly!
Today's soup is a Curry Barley and Lentil soup. It is a total win! It was quick and easy to make and has wonderful flavour. I've not actually had a bowl of it yet but I have tasted it.
I've determined I need another stock pot. Only having one is a pain though I suppose I could use my pressure cooker pot. I also need to start replacing my herbs with fresher ones. Don't think I'm ready to start growing my own herbs and drying them and such. The other thing that would be useful is to learn how to use knives to cut up things quicker. I have such envy of chefs when I watch them just chop away so fast you can't even hardly see it.
Monday's cooking adventure is going to be Bean and Cheese Burritos and maybe a German Beef and Barley Bake that sounds yummy.
But right now I hear today's soup calling me.....
Anyway, the first two soups I made were cheaters...meaning I made them from pre-packaged mixes. The first was was a corn chowder. Absolutely fabulous so I need to find my own recipe for it. The second was a mushroom and wild rice soup. It was just ok which is disappointing since I love mushrooms and wild rice.
The first soup I made from scratch was a Bean and Barley soup. I used pinto beans and pearl barley. It was fabulous with the exception of it was a bit too salty. Couldn't figure out why until today when I realized I put in too much chicken base in my broth.
The second soup was made yesterday. It was Bean w/ Bacon. I'm considering it largely a fail. It is way to bland for one thing. It also uses potatoes and I've come to realize I don't like potatoes in soup. I don't like the texture or bland taste of them cooked that way. Maybe I need to dice them up into much smaller pieces. I'll have to try that. But, I also need to look for another bean w/ bacon recipe. I do have to say the smell of the onions sauteing in the bacon grease was heavenly!
Today's soup is a Curry Barley and Lentil soup. It is a total win! It was quick and easy to make and has wonderful flavour. I've not actually had a bowl of it yet but I have tasted it.
I've determined I need another stock pot. Only having one is a pain though I suppose I could use my pressure cooker pot. I also need to start replacing my herbs with fresher ones. Don't think I'm ready to start growing my own herbs and drying them and such. The other thing that would be useful is to learn how to use knives to cut up things quicker. I have such envy of chefs when I watch them just chop away so fast you can't even hardly see it.
Monday's cooking adventure is going to be Bean and Cheese Burritos and maybe a German Beef and Barley Bake that sounds yummy.
But right now I hear today's soup calling me.....
If you have $ to burn, I would highly recommend the LeCreuset pot. I am in love with mine. You could get a different enameled cast iron but Le Creuset has a lifetime guarantee that covers pretty much everything. I swear cooking in this is a dream.