White Bean and Bacon Stew

We've had a mostly mild winter here in the great PNW, but something about the grey always makes me crave hearty soups and comfort foods. I stumbled upon this yummy one, as I do most of my recipes, on Pinterest and had to try it out. The original post and recipe can be found here http://thecozyapron.com/a-cozy-stew-creamy-white-bean-stew-with-smokey-bacon-my-companion-on-a-grey-day/

Ingredients:

12 oz. bacon, chopped into small pieces

1 Tbsp. EVOO

1 Tbsp butter

1 onion

2 carrots

3 celery stalks

2 white potatoes

4 cloves of garlic

2 tsp Italian seasoning

Salt and pepper

6 (15 oz.) cans white beans

4 cups chicken stock

Juice of a small lemon

Start by chopping your raw bacon. 

Since my soup pot is REALLY big, I cooked my bacon in a regular pan to start with. I really need to invest in a more medium sized Dutch oven!  Drizzle a small amount of EVOO into the pan and add your chopped bacon, cooking until crisp and brown. 

Then remove them from the pan and place on a paper towel covered plate. Save about 1 Tbsp of the bacon fat for your stew. 

Add into your pot the reserved fat, EVOO and butter allowing them to melt together. 

As that was heating I rinsed and diced my veggies. 

And I always find it easiest to dump them into a measuring glass so they can more easily be poured into my pot. 

Pour them into your pot allowing to sauté for about 5 minutes or so, until softened. 

While these were heating I opened my canned beans. 

And rinsed them thoroughly. 

Once your veggies are fully heated you can add in your trusty garlic until it becomes aromatic. 

Then add about 2/3 of the bacon, your Italian seasoning, salt and pepper, and your rinsed beans. 

Heat your chicken stock until hot, I just did this in the microwave. 

Add it to your pot and allow it all to simmer for about 20-25 minutes partially covered. 

Open up your lid and with a potato masher mash your beans slightly to break them up and thicken your stew. 

Return lid to partially covered, and cook for another 20 minutes. 

Finish the stew by adding in your lemon juice. 

Serve in bowls with crisp bacon garnishing the top, and crusty bread on the side. 

The great thing about stews and soups is you can really use up any veggies you've got in your fridge or pantry. Feel free to experiment and sneak in those vitamins for your family. 

Let me know what you add in, and how your family likes this stew. 

Spinach Lasagna Rolls Anyone?

I am a huge fan of meal planning! I find that when I know, and am prepared, in advance what I'm going to be cooking I not only am excited for dinner time to come, but also avoid takeout and Taco Bell. (Although I firmly believe a little Taco Bell never hurt anyone.). The majority if my meals are found via Pinterest, and these spinach lasagna rolls with roasted red pepper alfredo were no exception. The original recipe can be found at http://www.pomanmeals.com/spinach-lasagna-rolls-with-roasted-red-bell-pepper-alfredo-sauce/

Let's get started!

Cut two red bell peppers into good sized strips. 

I love bell peppers with almost anything, so I was super excited to use them for a sauce!

After cutting them, place them on a foil lined pan and drizzle with oil. The recipe called for canola, but it used EVOO. 

Then sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. How cute are these shakers I got when my Granny (great-grandma) passed? I love having them sit on my counter, and think they're the most fun addition to my kitchen so far. 

Put those in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until caramelized, and then pull out to cool. 

While those were in the oven I got the rest of my sauce ingredients ready. 

I'm a huge fan of easy, so I always use pre-minced garlic and just keep it in my fridge. 

In a sauce pan heat 1/4 stick of butter with the equivalent of 2 cloves of garlic. 

Heat until you can smell the garlic warming then pour in your 1 1/2 cups heavy cream. If you're looking for this at the store, and are unsure of what to buy it may be labeled Heavy Whipping Cream, totally the same thing. You can also add some more salt and pepper as well. 

Then pour in your cup of Parmesan cheese, and stir until the cheese is melted. Let this simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens. 

While simmering I put the peppers into my cute little pink food processor (because cute appliances a re the best kinds) and ground away until they were a saucy consistency. 

You then add that into your sauce. 

I left this (stirred of course) on the stove on low while I finished the rest, and just made sure to keep an eye on it and stir it occasionally. 

Boil a large pot of water, and then add 1 Tbsp oil and some salt and it's ready to pour your package of lasagna noodles in. 

Since those required 6-8 minutes of cook time I got the filling ready. I didn't have enough Parmesan cheese on hand, so I just used more mozzarella. 

Combine your package of spinach, container of ricotta cheese, 2 cups of shredded cheese and your egg. I found it easiest to just mix with my hands. 

Set this to the side so you can drain your noodles, I also rinsed with cool water so they'd be easier to handle. 

Next, in a large casserole dish, spoon enough sauce to cover the bottom of your pan. 

Then lay your noodle out, spoon some mixture into the end and roll. 

Aren't they so easy? Lay them in your pan until it's full, and your filling is used up. I had a few extra noodles at the end that didn't get used. 

Top it off with the remaining sauce, and enough mozzarella to fully cover the noodles. 

Lower the oven to 400 degrees, cover your pan with foil, and cook for 20 minutes. Then uncover and cook for between 15-20 more until the cheese is good and melted. 

And there you have it. Simply delicious spinach lasagna rolls with easily the yummiest pasta sauce I've ever had. 

I will say there are definitely a couple things I'd do differently next time. 

First, I LOVED the sauce, and think the recipe could some more so I'd do at least 1/2 a batch more sauce. 

Next, my husband is a huge texture person so I would throw the spinach through the food processor first. (Plus I may have accidentally used 2 packages. Whoops!)

Finally, I haven't decided quite what it could use, but I'm thinking I would add some tapatio, or other form of hot sauce, into the filling to give it a little kick. It wasn't bad, but slightly bland. 

Let me know when you make these, and what tips or tricks you find. Would love to have some more ideas!

Nothing Feels Quite as Nice as Productive

It's no secret that housework and organization are not typically at the top of my priority list. I would much rather snuggle up with little man and a movie than fold laundry, but with baby girl on the way I'm learning how to play both roles. (And fill my acts of service husband's love tank in the process.) I've realized that the first step I require to kick start my day is spend some time with my main man Jesus. This morning that meant making J some "daddy toast" (toast with peanut butter) and get him snuggled back down to watch a show while I sipped coffee and got in the Word. 

While catching up on some blog reading, and stalking everyone else on Facebook may be more fun, there's nothing quite as motivating and refreshing as being reminded of who I am and whose I am. 

Next on my goal list for the year is to make sure I'm all the way ready at least 2 non-working days a week. I want my husband to know that he's worth my best. I want my son to grow up knowing that women are worth the effort, and that we are beautiful. And most importantly, let's be real, I'm far more motivated to get going when I've taken the time to put a little bit of makeup on and clothing other than just switching from one pair of sweats to another. 

Then, it was off to an ever so successful day. My sister fish came over for some resume updating assistance, which meant I got a free peach Arnold Palmer from the coffee stand she works at. How can you turn down sister time and a free tea?!? She always does such a good job of helping me get in gear when it comes to decorating and making my house a home, so candles were definitely burning and making me all comfy by the time she left. She also sent me a cleaning list she found on Pinterest that we both have been working to implement into our regular routines. While I'm still working on the once a week tasks, the daily ones definitely help me organize myself. 

  

And while J was napping I got a full order of burpies cut and pinned for a beautiful momma who just welcomed her little boy into the world this week. 

Gotta love all that chevron minky goodness. 

And while laundry was running through little man and I got dinner going. He loves to be a big helper, so I have learned to find ways to incorporate him in cooking and cleaning tasks. He asked me to take a picture of us while he stirred dry ingredients.

 

And we made up non gluten free Parmesan chicken tenders that we found on Pinterest, French fries and salad.

After my boys snuck themselves upstairs to watch some shows I finished up the dishes, wiped down the counters, swept the floor and made lunch for the hubster. Went up to hang out with them and folded the 4 load of laundry awaiting me, and actually put them away, and was still able to get in bed before 8:30. 

Never did I imagine I'd be this woman, but I've learned that I am happiest when my family is well taken care of. I have no desire to be a full on Miss Independent, I'd much rather work away at home and spend time with my guys. And while financially we're not fully there yet, I am believing this year will be the year as I  faithful in even the small tasks, like picking up those DVD cases for the tenth time of the day.

Be encouraged, and know that all things are possible through Him who gives you the strength!

Soar

As I sat around New Year's morning, deciding how to best focus my year and keep myself on track, I bypassed resolutions and let the Lord speak a word to me instead.  In 2014 my goal is to SOAR.

Image via Pinterest 

 Isaiah 40:31 says, "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

2013 was such a rewarding, yet heartbreaking year, for my family.  We walked through many decisions out of obedience and necessity, but not at all out of what our hearts wanted to do.  Yet in the midst of those hard decisions we grew stronger, closer, and more focused than ever before.  What we surrendered and sacrificed holds no comparison to all we gained, and this year I intend to set loose absolute freedom as I soar and show my family what it looks like to do the same.

This year I will live free from worry, doubt and fear as I look to the One who has surely provided in abundance for my every need.  I will transition from a mommy of a wild hearted boy, and gain the blessing of a firecracker baby girl.  I will face debt and finances in the face as we take the steps necessary to become debt-free and buy our first home.  I will pour more effort into Style me Baby and watch in amazement as my creations bring beauty to mommas all over the country in their efforts to care well for their littles.

What about you?  What would you like your family, your relationships, your future to look like?  What word will keep you on course this year?  Let me know what your word is, and let me partner with you in believing for the impossible.  The best is yet to come my friends!

If You Want My 2 Cents

As some of you may know, my sister Nicole recently got married, and I had the wonderful privilege to host her bridal shower. The world of Pinterest has really required that we step up our game to be the hostess with the mostest, and I was definitely up for the challenge. The most important thing to me was not however all of the food (breakfast casseroles, sangria and yogurt parfaits), but rather creating something she could carry into her marriage as a reminder of those who love and cherish her.

So as a shower activity (Lord knows there are far too many cheesy ones of those) I hand stamped card stock tags laced with twine to read ALWAYS on one side and NEVER on the other, allowing guests to dispense all of their words of wisdom for the bride-to-be. Nothing gets women talking like asking them what they think after all. These were then hung from a "tree" in the corner of my living room, on display for all to see. 

I had already purchased this fabu feline for the project, and pulled it out at her shower letting her know it would be going on display in her new home. She, of course, refused, but little did she know I was right. 

Nothing quite like popping tags to get my creative juices flowing. I obvi removed the cat painting from the inside of the frame, and have actually repurposed it underneath my cutting mat in my sewing station. 

Removing the paper, painting and glass was the easy part, but pulling the staples out that held it all together took a little bit more wiggling. 

Then I chose a nice black to paint the front of the frame, acrylic paint works wonders and dries super quickly, cause "Ain't nobody got time for that!"

There was no need to sand, just slop the paint on with a sponge brush and call it a day. 

Then I flipped the frame back over and nailed two lengths of twine across the long diameters of the long side of the frame. 

Make sure you use short nails so they don't pierce through the front. 

After that was done I cut a piece of burlap to fit the frame, laid it across, and nailed it from the back as well. 

Once that was finished I simply hung the tags (that were mostly appropriate) from the twine with bamboo clothes pins (which she of course switched out with silver glittery pins.) I tried to keep it neutral for her husband, but of course the Wifey's always right. 

It's home is now on her mantle, and I am proud to say I have seen some words of wisdom popping up on her husband's Facebook page. 

Congratulations sissy!!! To many many years of happiness and prosperity for you both!!!