Happy New Year!

Traditionally, people eat Hoppin' John for good luck and prosperity for the new year. I have made a slight adjustment and used lentils instead of black eye peas. So delicious...try it!

Happy New Year!

Put the following ingredients in a slow cooker set on 10 hours. I did this before we went out for New Years Eve.
1 (16 ounce) package dry lentils
1 (16 ounce) can diced tomatoes
32 ounces beef broth
2 carrot, chopped
2 stalk celery, chopped
1/3 large sweet onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tsp. sage, finely chopped
1 tsp. thyme, finely chopped

The next day, the lentils are perfect! Next step...

1 pound Basque chorizo

1 bunch rainbow chard, chopped

Now all you need to do is slice the chorizo, saute in a lightly oiled pan. Take the chorizo out when it is heated through, then saute the chopped chard in the same pan until it is wilted.

Serve over white rice. MMMMM!

Soup for Dinner: Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Basque Chorizo and Spinach

Around my house if I make soup for dinner, the question after the soup is served is, "So, what's for dinner?" Seriously people!!! I recently saw an episode of Sara's Weeknight Meals on PBS and Sara Moulton was making Soups for Dinner. I am a HUGE fan of soup, so I was excited to watch. OK, cauliflower, chorizo and greens...so good! I figured if anyone around here complains about a yummy Basque Chorizo then STARVE.

Well, after following the recipe exactly, the soup was a big hit. Delicious, creamy, flavorful and besides the chorizo, pretty healthy.

Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Chorizo and Greens

from Sara Moulton's "Sara's Weeknight Meals"

Makes 6 servings

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
10 ounces chorizo or andouille sausage, sliced
1 medium onion, sliced (about 1 cup)
1 medium head cauliflower (about 2 pounds)
1 small Yukon gold potato (about 4 ounces), peeled and coarsely chopped
4 cups canned chicken broth or Chicken Stock (recipe follows)
1 bunch mustard greens, kale, or spinach, or a mixture, tough stems discarded, rinsed, dried, and thinly sliced
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt and freshly milled black pepper
Paprika, preferably smoked, for garnish
Grilled or broiled slices of homemade-style bread, rubbed with a cut garlic clove, optional

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over high heat until hot.
Reduce the heat to medium, add the chorizo, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pieces are lightly browned on both sides, about 5 minutes.
Transfer the chorizo with a slotted spoon to a plate.
Add the onion to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, cut 2 cups of small florets from the cauliflower and chop the rest.
Peel and thinly slice the potato.
When the onion has softened, add the chicken broth, chopped cauliflower, and potato to the saucepan; bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 8 minutes or until the cauliflower and potato are very tender.
Transfer to a blender in three or four small batches and puree until very smooth.
Measure the pureed soup and return it to the saucepan.
Add water, if necessary, to make 7 cups.
Stir in the reserved cauliflower florets and simmer for 4 minutes or until they are almost tender. If you are using mustard greens or kale, add them to the soup with the flowerets.
When the flowerets are just tender, stir in the chorizo and lemon juice; add salt and pepper to taste. If using spinach, stir it in with the chorizo.
Ladle the soup into bowls; sprinkle each with some paprika and serve with garlic bread, if desired.