Wednesday, July 31, 2013
TexMex Style Soup
Ingredients
1 head of cauliflower, cut up in large chunks
3.5 cups low sodium broth (i used vegetable)
1 medium onion
2/3 cup fat free Greek yogurt
1/2 cup low fat shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 cloves fresh garlic
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp black pepper
2 tsp salt
2 tsp dried oregano
2 large bay leaves
Sriracha-optional
Avocado- optional
Salsa- optional
Olive oil
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2) Place cauliflower on an non-greased baking sheet with a silpat. Back for 30 minutes.
3) While cauliflower bakes, slice onion into and caramelized with a 1-2 tsp olive oil. The edges should become slightly browned.
4) Once cauliflower and onions are done, add to a pot with low sodium broth. Allow to simmer for about 10 minutes on medium/low.
5) To blend the vegetables you can either use an immersion blender (which I don't have) or pour the soup into a blender and blend until smooth. Return to pot and turn to medium heat.
6) Add black pepper, paprika, oregano, salt and bay leaves. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
7) Grate garlic cloves into soup and add Greek yogurt. Stir until smooth.
8) Add cheddar and mozzarella cheese and cook another 5-6 minutes until melted and mixed thoroughly.
9) Serve with optional toppings such as sliced avocado, sriracha for heat or your favorite salsa ( I use Trader Joe's Corn & Black Bean Salsa). Enjoy!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Day 1: West Coast Trip
The first non-travel day of our trip was yesterday. We went to my friends wedding which was beautiful. The ceremony was held outside at the Rockin J Ranch. The reception was great with dancing and even a pinata! So to the food: the ranch catered with beef and chicken, baked potato, biscuits and salad. My friend and his new wife (being as fabulous as they are) provided an outstanding meatless chili. It was made by the brides mother for the vegetarians at the wedding. The chili was hearty, smooth and spicy as hell! I ate my biscuit and my boyfriends biscuit(it was an emergency).
The wedding cake was made by a local brewery and was their classic tiramisu made with oatmeal stout beer. Superb! Mosit but it had a good consistency and didn't fall apart on the plate.
They offered smores kits as their gift to all guests. The kit was for the afterparty that was held at a very cool restaurant that had firepits for roasting marshmallows called San Tan Flats. We waited in line for what seemed an eternity which allowed is to get nice and loose (thanks to the beer). I got a salmon dish that was chargrilled to perfection. On the side potato pancakes and the worlds greatest creamed corn.
We danced under the moonlight to a local country band, ate, drank and chatted with our wonderful company. All in all: day 1 was great! I didn't take any pics but I will from here out.
See ya!
