Even here in sunny California, it’s winter! So much so that my windows had frost on them yesterday and a few of my potato plants actually froze and I lost them because I forgot to cover them up. Rookie mistake. Darn that cold! Andy and I took a ride through the neighborhood this weekend to look at all the lit houses because we’re dorks. God are there some tacky people/houses out there! And how about those people who dress up their dogs?! HA!
It was so cold this weekend that we had to hold our book club inside of my small shack, sans insulation. Not to worry! Andy picked up a new space heater that afternoon so the girls and I would stay warm while we sipped wine and chatted about Where’d You Go Bernadette? by Maria Semple. We all agreed it was a laugh-out-loud kind of book even though the main character was very kooky and the ending was so abrupt. It made for some fun discussion that’s for sure! Our February book selection is going to be The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri, who also wrote the Namesake which you MUST read! It’s an amazing story and for once the movie was just as good as the book… that like never happens if you ask me.
Check it out!
I also went to the first of many holiday parties that I’ve been invited to this season, lucky me! I love a good party. My friends Lori and Allan never cease to amaze me. Not only do they decorate their house to the nines each year, they always invite a fun crowd, who bring really great food and there is always lots of Cakebread Chardonnay on hand so this girl stays happy! I’m planning on making some peppermint bark this week for a party I have to go to on Saturday and some gluten-free Christmas cookies for another party on Sunday… recipes to be posted soon.
Lori’s house all aglow!
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We’re staying warm today with some yummy Italian Minestrone Soup that I currently have on the burner and some Kynsi Pinot Nior that we’ll have with dinner tonight. If you haven’t heard of Kynsi wine, you’re missing out. I’m not a huge red wine drinker but if there’s one winery that hooked me on Pinots, it’s Kynsi for sure. And plus it has a cool name! Kynsi is Finnish for a talon, or a sharp, hooked claw of bird of prey and their label reflects it.
Back to the soup though… it may look like a lot of work went into making this soup but the prep work took me less than 10 minutes and I am not a fast chopper at all. Traditionally, Minestrone soup is made with cannellini or white beans and small pasta like ditalini or tubettini but I used elbows since it was the only whole wheat pasta choice there. Oh! And I got everything for this recipe at Von’s today for under 19 bucks!! I made it in bulk so I’ll have plenty to freeze and eat for dinner this winter. Streeeeeetching the budget!!
Niccola’s Italian Minestrone Soup- makes 3 gallons worth
Ingredients:
-2 cans cannellini beans
-13.25 oz box of whole wheat elbow pasta
-32 oz chicken broth
-3 heirloom tomatoes
-1 zucchini
-1 red onion
-1 sweet potato
-8 oz white mushrooms
-1 lb carrots
-1 bunch celery
-1 lb fresh green beans
-8 cloves of garlic
-4 oz can of green chiles
-2 bay leaves
-1 buch parsley
-1 bunch basil
-1 T Italian seasoning
-3 tsp salt
-3 tsp pepper
Directions:
1. Chop up all of the vegetables, herbs and rinse and drain the beans.
2. Add them to a large pot with the uncooked pasta and the spices too.
3. Add the chicken broth and then add enough water so that all of the ingredients are submersed. The more water, the more soup you’ll have to store and freeze. Cover the pot.
4. Bring the soup to a boil and then turn all the way down to low for another hour or until the pasta is soft! Mangia!
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Check out where Buddy the elf has been “shelving” it up these past nights!