Easy Meatless Soup

Soup is an easy way to make a quick, meatless meal.

Last night Mom and I made Chipotle Pumpkin Black Bean Soup.

With its beans and veggies, and served with yogurt, a sweet relish, and some crusty multi grain bread, this soup was a complete meal. 

Since this was a Rachael Ray recipe, it was super fast to put together.

Saute garlic and onions.
Add chipotles and beer. (We used a Post Road Pumpkin)
Add pumpkin and vegetable stock.
Season with salt, pepper, and cumin.
Add black beans, puree slightly.
Simmer 10 minutes.
Done!

We garnished the top with a relish of chopped apple, red onion, dried cranberries, and lemon juice.
Along with a big dollop of Greek yogurt.
The crusty chewy multi grain bread was the perfect dipper.

I have made this soup before, and Jerry was never a fan.
But yesterday both he and my brother gobbled it up.
I think it was because we pureed the black beans a little. Beans are usually Jerry's least favorite part of any meal. Using the immersion blender meant less whole beans and a nice thick soup.

Low in calories, high in fiber, and big on taste!
This is one of my go-to winter soups. 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread is one of those recipes that reminds me of my childhood.

I don't remember a Thanksgiving when this wasn't on the table.
For the last three years I have been bringing it to my in-law's Thanksgiving dinner.
Because it should be on their table, too.

I thought about modifying the recipe to make it a little healthier, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it.
Who am I to change my Nan's recipe when it is perfect, just the way it is?

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
makes 2 loaves (or 7 mini loaves)

• 2/3 cup shortening or butter
• 2 2/3 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 16 oz pumpkin 
• 2/3 cup water
• 3 1/3 cup flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 12 oz bag chocolate chips
• 2/3 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Cream together sugar and shortening, then add eggs, pumpkin, and water.
Mix dry ingredients in separate bowl, and add to wet ingredients.
Stir in chips and nuts.
Butter and flour two loaf pans and fill halfway.
Bake at 350 for 55-60 minutes.


This recipe makes a LOT of batter.

 

One of my loaf pans was a little small. I ended up making two loaves of bread and 9 muffins.

I baked the muffins for about 20ish minutes, until light brown on top.

This bread is sweet, dense and moist. Perfect with a cup of coffee. Or Thanksgiving dinner.

If you want, you could halve the recipe and just make one loaf.

But then you couldn't bring one to your office where your coworkers will devour it in 15 minutes.
And your husband couldn't bring 9 muffins to work and hide them in his desk.
And then eat the two slices in the photo before dinner last night.

Definitely, make two loaves.

Feels Like Fall

Well the weather certainly feels like October!

Jerry and I spent a very cold and wet morning timing the Cazenovia Homecoming Invitational on Saturday.
Perfect weather for running; 45 degrees and drizzling.
Freezing weather for standing still with a stopwatch in your hand.
If my fingers could have functioned properly, I would have taken some pictures. The Equine Center at Cazenovia College is a beautiful setting for a cross country meet.

After foolishly wearing sneakers to the meet, I promptly went out and bought a pair of rubber boots.

I'm going to be the cutest girl standing in 3 inches of mud you ever saw.

On Sunday Jerry and I relaxed, ate donuts, and drank pumpkin lattes.

Does anyone else love the last few sips when the pumpkin settles to the bottom? Delish.

After spending some time up at farm with Jerry's family, we ended the weekend with some leftovers and pumpkin beer (what else?).

Jess and Jeremy came over for dinner Friday and we ordered Greek food from Symeon's. It is always so good.

Jerry and I shared this plate of leftover appetizers for dinner. Calamari, roasted red peppers, kasseri and feta cheese, kalamata olives, peperoncinis, bread, and grape leaves. I added big dollops of Greek yogurt and Sabra Roasted Garlic hummus.

Washed down with Dogfish Head Punkin Ale.

I've been working on my first round  of pumpkin beer reviews. And Punkin Ale is still the clear leader.
The spice, pumpkin, and subtle sweetness of this seasonal beer is my favorite. It pairs nicely with the "full bodied" brown ale, and isn't too high in alcohol.

Happy October!

Pumpkin Latte

My obsession with pumpkin is growing.
I have been drinking pumpkin lattes like it is my job.

I know many people who wait anxiously for their favorite coffee shops to bring out the pumpkin flavored coffees and lattes in the fall. I was never a huge fan, since cinnamon is not my favorite flavor. I wait for the Peppermint Mocha during the holidays.

My brother in law mentioned a few weeks ago that he tried a pumpkin coffee at a very popular coffee chain. He said it was gross.
So I did some sleuthing and found out why.

America runs on coffee +  Pumpkin Spice Syrup.

A syrup that has artificial flavors, preservatives and 34 grams of sugar! (in a medium coffee).
(I apologize if I just ruined your favorite morning beverage)

I like to think my pumpkin latte is just as delicious, and a whole lot healthier. 

Pumpkin Latte

• prepare one shot of espresso or 2 oz of very strong coffee
• mix 1/3 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of pumpkin puree
• heat milk/pumpkin and add to coffee
• stir in 1-2 teaspoons of maple syrup
• garnish with cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice

Since the cinnamon is not my favorite I add 1/2-1 teaspoon to my espresso (or coffee) grounds, so I just get a hint of spice.
I also use the frothing attachment on my espresso maker to steam my milk.

Its not a big deal if you don't have one, but they make a nice, inexpensive milk frother at IKEA.

The maple syrup in this is wonderful!
You may want to make a double.

Caffeine and Beer

Is there a better way to spend a lazy Sunday morning than drinking one of these?

When I got up this morning, I decided to (literally) dust off our espresso maker. We don't use it very often in the summer, but I was in the mood for a cappuccino.
My first attempt resulted in me making an Americano. I hit the hot water button instead of the frothed milk button. (Our machine will also steam milk for a latte). I will just let the Americano cool to make an iced coffee with later today.
My second attempt was a success.

 I made a double (two shots of espresso) cappuccino and added a tiny bit of sugar. Ahh, caffeinated perfection.

A big thunderstorm rolled through right after I took these photos. Which resulted in a coonhound becoming plastered to my leg for the next 15 minutes.

Scared Sadie

Half Marathon Training
Yesterday's long run was great! Although it was insanely humid, it was also overcast. When it comes to running, I will take humid over sunny any day.
I met my cousins Tracy and Michele for a 9 mile run on the canal path in the morning. It is so much fun having two new running partners. We ran an easy 10:22 pace, and chatted non-stop. The time and miles seemed to fly by! It was my most enjoyable run of the summer, by far. Thanks, Ladies!

I ended up doing 4 workouts this week for a total of 18.5 miles.
Next week I am planning four runs: 5, 3, 3, and 11 for a total of 22 miles. The race is only 3 weeks away!

After my run I helped Jerry time a local college cross country meet. Aside from running a million miles, he also has a race timing company as a side project.
It was HOT, but the race went smoothly.

Women's race at the 5th Annual SUNY IT Cross Country Invitational

I finished off my Saturday with a Dogfish Head Punkin Ale.

My parents spent last week visiting my aunt and uncle in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Dogfish had just released their Punkin, and Mom and Dad brought some home for us. It is one of my most favorite beers.

One of my favorite things about fall is all the pumpkin flavored goodies you can find. Coffee, baked goods, soups, etc. And pumpkin beer is one of my favorites.

I challenged Jerry to a taste test experiment this fall. We are going to taste and review every pumpkin beer we can find. I will review them all here on the blog. I am so excited for this experiment!

Do like pumpkin beer? What are your favorites?