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Easy Recipe

LEMON DELIGHT

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When I look back on memories of visiting my grandparents, one thing that stands out to me is simplicity. I recall finding joy in very simple activities such as exploring the vegetable garden, playing dominos, or stomping on the bubble wrap Grandpa had saved for us. While some states are a bit more open, Texas is still a hotbed for this COVID19 so my family and I are still staying home as much as possible. We are relearning to embrace simple activities with our little girl. We love splashing in puddles after the occasional rain we get. We planted our own vegetable garden. We play with building blocks and read books. Yes, we still watch TV on the weekends but we are really making memories through these simple activities.

Our kitchen has also become a place of simplicity and family time lately. This recipe came from my grandmother’s recipe box and is perfect for letting the kids help. Three ingredients and, as suggested by the name, this treat is absolutely delightful. Pull out your blender, pour all the ingredients in, mix it up and enjoy! I made this recipe with pink lemonade but the original version used regular lemonade. Take your pick, change it up based on you mood. Either way, this is a fast and fun recipe to indulge in this summer.

Lemon Delight

Sweet and slightly tart, this frozen treat is perfect for summer.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Blender

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pint vanilla ice cream
  • 1.5 cups milk
  • 12 oz frozen lemonade (regular or pink)

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!
Keyword Ice Cream, Lemon, Lemonade

Looking for additional frozen treats? I’ve got you covered! Click on the links below to help keep cool this summer.

CHERRY LIMEADE POPSICLES

NO CHURN BOURBON PECAN ICE CREAM WITH CHOCOLATE SWIRLS

CREAMY CHAI SPICED POPSICLES

BLACKBERRY CHEESECAKE NO CHURN ICE CREAM

NO CHURN CHOCOLATE CHUNK COFFEE ICE CREAM

EASY SKILLET STYLE STREET CORN

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It has been a month since my last blog post. A full month. My brain has been overwhelmed lately. I know I’m not alone in that. When there is so much going on in our world, it can be difficult to focus on the lighter things in life.

COVID19

As COVID19 shut things down and people started losing their jobs, I felt like food just wasn’t important enough to explore or share. Even when creativity did hit, I had a hard time getting ingredients I wanted.

Black Lives Matter

After the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, my focus shifted to my own friends and neighbors of the Black community. Free time became researching Black history, signing petitions and educating myself on how to raise an anti-racist child. I did not have the capacity to also think about food in creative ways for this platform.

Food

A lot of thought and re-evaluation has gone into this blog and what I want it to provide for others. As budgets have become tighter for a lot of folks, affordable food is more important than ever. Not only that, but sharing recipes brings people together – something we desperately need right now. You can learn so much about a person by exploring the foods they grew up with, who they ate with and what went into creating those meals. Our country needs so much healing right now, so much change. We can’t gather around tables to get to know one another right now but we can still share recipes.

I’m sharing my version of street corn on this post. A recipe I never would have created without the cultural (Mexican) influence within my city of San Antonio. Ingredients required for this recipe are affordable and you likely have most of them on hand already (seriously). Use it as a side dish as you’re grilling out or add it to your #TacoTuesday meal. I know you’re going to love this one!

Easy Skillet Style Street Corn

Sarah Baade
All the flavor you love from street corn, no grill required.
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Course Side Dish
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups frozen corn
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • cayenne pepper to taste (optional)
  • 1/4 cup queso fresco
  • garnish with cilantro (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Add corn to a large dry skillet over medium heat. Cook corn until it starts to char, stir frequently as it cooks.
  • Once corn is cooked, remove from heat and add mayonnaise, lime juice, and spices. Stir until evenly distributed.
  • Top corn with queso fresco and cilantro (if desired).

Notes

  • I used 1/4 teaspoon cayenne but this might be too much heat for those sensitive to spice.
  • This dish can be enjoyed hot or cold.
Keyword Corn, Mexican Street Corn, Skillet Street Corn, Street Corn

If you are able to make financial contributions to positively impact your community, I highly encourage you to do so. Here are some links to causes I donate to: NAACP Legal Defense Fund , San Antonio Food Bank , Snack Pak 4 Kids SA

SWEET VANILLA SNACK MIX

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COVID quarantine has me craving all the snacks! I’m not the only one, right?! I’ve realized that when I’m working from my office, there are multiple factors that keep me from thinking about food all day. As an audiologist, I’m obviously not going to be snacking while seeing a patient. Can you imagine your doctor doing something like that? No way! The second biggest reason I don’t snack at work is that I simply don’t have access to snacks. We don’t even have a vending machine at our office, let alone a cafeteria. Sure, I could keep a box of snacks in the break room but if that doesn’t exist, I don’t even think twice. Working from home is strange in general but my biggest struggle has proven to be full kitchen access just 20′ from my desk.

I love snack mix! Yes, it satisfies my snacking urges but it is also so versatile! You can change up the flavor based on your cravings – sweet vs salty, etc. But you can also change it up based on what you already happen to have in your pantry. Currently, my daughter has been on a kick of mixing Cheerios and Crispix into one bowl for breakfast. Since that’s what we have on hand right now, both of those went into this new recipe. I happen to keep pecans on hand for baking so I tossed those in as well. You see what I’m getting at here? My general process for snack mix includes two cereal varieties, a cracker, some sort of nut and something salty. On occasion, I also add something sweet. To help get you inspired to create your own mix, I’ve created a list of possible ingredients for you.

Snack Mix Ingredient Ideas:

  • Rice, corn, wheat or oat based cereals that have a crunch
  • Peanuts, cashews, walnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans
  • Sunflower seeds, pumpkins seeds
  • Pretzels, bagel chips, rye chips, oyster crackers, cheese based cracker such as cheez-its or goldfish
  • Candy coated chocolates such as m&m’s, chocolate chips, dried cranberries, banana chips, dried mango – note, these sweet ingredients are best added after the rest of the mix has baked and cooled completely.

SEET VANILLA SNACK MIX

Sarah Baade
This sweet vanilla snack mix has a crunch and light sweetness that will keep you coming back for more.
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Course Snack
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups Crispix cereal
  • 2 cups cheerios (plain)
  • 2 cups pretzel sticks
  • 1 cup oyster crackers
  • 1 cup pecan halves
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup candy coated chocolates (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 250°F.
  • In a large bowl, mix together Crispix, Cheerios, oyster crackers, pretzels and pecans.
  • In a medium, microwave safe bowl, melt butter in the microwave. Then, with butter still hot, whisk in brown sugar, vanilla and salt.
  • Pour butter mixture over cereal mix and stir until cereal mix is evenly coated.
  • Transfer mix onto a parchment lined baking sheet and and bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
  • Let snack mix cool completely before stirring in candy coated chocolates.
Keyword Snack, Snack Mix, Sweet Snack, Sweet Vanilla Snack Mix, Vanilla

*If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like my Honey Sriracha Snack Mix.

Easy Pasta Salad

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At the beginning of the year, I set three food goals for myself. 1)Cook a meal for another family once each month. 2)Buy from my local farmers market at least once per month. 3)Bake a bread recipe of one sort or another each month. Friends, COVID-19 has seriously interrupted these plans! Social distancing, businesses (and the farmers markets) closed, and difficulty finding flour in the stores. I will revisit these goals when I am able to but in the mean time, I have been focusing on simple recipes.

Fancy ingredients and complicated cooking techniques are not prerequisites to a good meal. In fact, some of my favorite dishes are made quickly with just a handful of ingredients. With this in mind, along with my yearning for farmers market produce, I’ve created my easy pasta salad. There is also some versatility in this recipe. You can use whatever small pasta you can get your hands on. Eat it as a side dish, or add your favorite protein to make it your entree. And once you can go to your farmers market again, be sure to show your support and buy your ingredients for this one from your local farmers.

Easy Pasta Salad

Sarah Baade
An easy to make pasta salad that can be used as a side dish or an entree.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Dinner, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb small pasta such as orecchiette, shells or elbow noodles
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons (divided) olive oil
  • 15 oz canned chickpeas
  • 12 oz small tomatoes – mixed variety, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, cut into 1/4″ slices then quartered
  • 1/2 small red onion, diced
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Optional: protein such as tofu, grilled bratwurst, or grilled chicken

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta to al dente according to package directions. Drain pasta then rinse with cold water until cooled.
  • Transfer pasta to a large bowl and stir together with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
  • Add the chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumber and red onion then toss to combine.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, Italian herb seasoning and salt. Pour over pasta and gently stir until pasta is evenly coated. Top with protein of choice if desired.
Keyword Easy Pasta Salad, Easy Recipe, Pasta, Pasta Salad

SHEET PAN VEGGIE TACOS

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My first year of graduate school, I was blessed with a roommate who also loved spending time in the kitchen. We often weren’t home at the same time which left little room for cooking together. Instead, I might come home from class and find his homemade bread sitting on the counter. Or, he would come home to a slice of homemade cheesecake. Baking was truly the passion of the household. However, we also had a routine of taco night once a week. This was our favorite meal to share with friends and we had an entire speech that we would serve up with the food. The ingredients were routine but ample – ground beef, shredded cheese, avocado, tomatoes, sour cream, etc… The speech we gave encouraged our friends to make their taco experience their own. Add what you want, skip the toppings that aren’t your favorite. Taco night never disappointed.

Fast forward a few years and taco night has become a national trend. Hello, #tacotuesday! Over the years, I have also expanded on my taco repertoire. In particular, I love changing up the fillings. Lately, I’ve been making lots of veggie tacos. This is basically a sheet pan dinner – who doesn’t love an easy sheet pan dinner?! You’ll get your veggies plus protein from chickpeas all flavored in what you’ll recognize as classic taco seasoning.

Sheet Pan Veggie Tacos

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Course Dinner, Main Course
Servings 12 Tacos

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups butternut squash, cut into 1/2″ cubes
  • 2 cups red cabbage, chopped into 1″ pieces
  • 1/2 lb Brussels sprouts, ends trimmed, then cut in half length wise
  • 15oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 medium jalapeno, stemmed, seeded and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 12 flour or corn tortillas
  • Optional toppings: avocado, salsa, hot sauce

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 420°F.
  • Place squash, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, chickpeas, and jalapeno in a large bowl. Stir in olive oil and all spices until vegetables are evenly coated.
  • Spread vegetable mixture out on a sheet pan and bake for 20minutes, stirring halfway through.
  • While vegetables are cooking, wrap tortillas in foil then place in oven for the last 10 minutes of vegetable cook time.
  • Fill tortillas with vegetable mixture and toppings as desired.

Notes

Alternative methods for warming tortillas:
  • Heat tortillas, one at a time, in a skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds then flip and heat for another 30 seconds. Repeat this for each tortilla.
  • If you have a gas stovetop, you can heat tortillas, one at a time, directly over the flame, flip with tongs after 15 seconds. You might need to flip them a few times in order to get them slightly toasted. ***Keep flame low and watch the tortillas closely so you don’t catch them on fire.***
Keyword Sheet Pan Dinner, Veggie Taco Recipe, Veggie Tacos

SEMI HOMEMADE POT PIE (TWO WAYS)

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Let’s talk comfort food. When I think about some of my favorite comfort foods, the recipes are often involved. These are perfect for special occasions, holiday meals, celebration meals of one sort or another. They are worth the effort when you have the time but a lot of us don’t have an extra few hours to spend on a single dish. But what do you do when you want, no, NEED comfort food but don’t have the time or energy for one of those special, hours to prepare dishes? I’ve got you covered.

I’ve been making the original version of this chicken pot pie for about 15 years and, to be forthcoming, it is not my recipe. I got it from a collaborative recipe book put together by employees from some random company. In other words, I don’t know the exact source but wish I did so that I could give the person full credit on this one. When I started eating a more plant based diet, I created a vegetarian version of this pot pie. Both versions are semi homemade which means you can put them together in about five minutes and then relax while they bake into sheer comfort food. My best advice on these pot pies? Go ahead and make more than one. You’re going to want second helpings and they make fantastic leftover.

Vegetable Pot Pie (Semi Homemade)

This pot pie comes together quickly and serves up pure comfort food.
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Course Dinner
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 2 9″ unbaked pie crusts
  • 16 oz frozen mixed vegetables (blend of carrots, corn, peas & green beans)
  • 1 cup frozen diced potatoes
  • 10.5 oz can cream of celery condensed soup

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425°F.
  • Unroll one unbaked pie crust and place in a 9” pie dish.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together frozen vegetables, potatoes and condensed soup.
  • Spread mixture into pie crust and top with remaining unbaked pie crust.
  • Pinch edges of crusts together to create a seal.
  • Cut several slits into top pie crust.
  • Bake 45 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
Keyword Easy Pot Pie, Pot Pie, Semi Homemade Pot Pie, Vegetarian Pot Pie

Chicken Pot Pie (Semi Homemade)

This pot pie comes together quickly and serves up pure comfort food.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Dinner
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 2 9″ unbaked pie crusts
  • 16 oz frozen mixed vegetables (blend of carrots, corn, peas & green beans)
  • 12 oz canned premium white chicken
  • 10.5 oz can cream of chicken condensed soup

Instructions
 

  • Heat oven to 425°F.
  • Unroll one unbaked pie crust and place in a 9” pie dish.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together vegetables, chicken and condensed soup.
  • Spread mixture into pie crust and top with remaining unbaked pie crust.
  • Pinch edges of crusts together to create a seal.
  • Cut several slits into top pie crust.
  • Bake 45 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
Keyword Chicken Pot Pie, Easy Chicken Pot Pie, Pot Pie, Semi Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE BARS

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A friend of mine was commenting on my Peanut Butter Cut-Out Cookie recipe the other day and said she plans to make those for her kid’s class party this week. First and foremost, I was thrilled that she wanted to use my recipe. However, my second thought was complete shock. I was shocked that any kind of peanut product was allowed in her daughter’s classroom. I was also shocked that homemade treats were allowed. Here in San Antonio, I don’t know of any schools that allow nut products of homemade treats in the classrooms. This is true even at the daycare level. I understand the risks to those with nut allergies, and I’m not necessarily complaining here. I think it just makes me realize how much things have changed since I was a kid. Most people brought homemade cupcakes or cookies to class when we had parties back in the day. There is a part of me that is sad I’ll never be able to bring my daughter’s favorite homemade treat to her class. But you know what? Part of me is also relieved. There will never be that pressure to create some fancy homemade treat at the 11th hour the night before a class party.

When my daughter’s current classroom has parties, they ask us to sign up to bring something off of a premade list of foods. This week, our contribution is Valentine colored m&m’s. Perfect. Easy. Done. But for home, I still wanted my daughter to have a fun treat made by mom. Inspired by pink m&m’s, and my daughter’s love for chocolate chip cookies, I’ve created these chocolate chip cookie bars. Mixing up the dough is easy and adding m&m’s along with sprinkles adds a festive flare. I also love that you end up with two dozen servings all done at once. No scooping. No swapping out baking sheets. It is all in one pan and then you simply cut it as you’re ready to serve.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Sarah Baade
The all-American classic chocolate chip cookie turned into a bar.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 35 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips (whichever you prefer – you just want variety from the semisweet you’ll be adding in)
  • 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • Optional toppings: 1/4 cup candy coated chocolates such as m&m’s, 1 Tablespoon jimmie sprinkles

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease or line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt and baking soda. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, beat brown sugar and granulated sugar with butter.
  • Add eggs and vanilla.
  • Mix in dry ingredients 1 cup at a time, until all ingredients are fully combined.
  • Stir in chocolate chips.
  • Press cookie dough into pan. If adding candies and sprinkles, spread them evenly and press into the top of cookie dough.
  • Bake 35-38 minutes or until a test toothpick comes out clean.
  • Let cool completely before cutting.
Keyword Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cookies, Dessert Recipe, Easy Cookies, Easy Recipe, Homemade Cookies, Valentine’s Treat

EASY BUFFALO DIP

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I can remember when Buffalo Wild Wings opened in Manhattan, Kansas. I was in my final year of school at Kansas State University and everyone was so excited to eat there. Everyone… except me. I understood the price point was spot on for a college student’s budget. I think they offered 10c wings on Tuesdays or something like that. I tried them. I tried them several times. Those wings just never hit the spot for me. (No offense to BWW or anyone who loves them.) Fast forward to grad school in Buffalo, NY – home of the original buffalo wings. I very quickly became a convert. I had wings at more restaurants than I can count and loved them! When you live in Buffalo, you eventually claim one of two places as the best in town for wings. Anchor Bar or Duff’s. To be clear, I am a Duff’s girl.  The wings are crispy, the fries are crispy, the sauce is incredible. If you’re ever in Buffalo, you’ve got to stop by and have an authentic wing experience.

These days, I don’t eat much fried food and I lean toward a vegetarian diet. In other words, I can’t even remember the last time I had wings. However, I’m still a fan of buffalo sauce and enjoy incorporating it into other foods. Here, I’ve created an easy buffalo dip recipe. This is perfect for game day parties or even just to have on hand for a snack. Serve it up with a variety of vegetables and chips or spread it onto a sandwich. Eat it warm or cold, either way it is delicious!

Easy Buffalo Dip

With just 6 ingredients, this buffalo dip comes together in less than 5 minutes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Snack
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz sour cream
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup buffalo sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles Additional blue cheese crumbles for garnish if desired.

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients in a medium sauce pan and whisk together over medium heat until cheese has melted and all ingredients are fully combined.
  • Serve warm or cold.
  • Enjoy with vegetables, chips, pretzels, or spread it onto a sandwich.
Keyword Buffalo Dip, Buffalo Sauce, Chip Dip, Party Dip, Snack Dip

PUMPKIN BREAD

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There are days when I want to challenge myself in the kitchen. Then, there are days when I just want something easy to make. I’ve been spending a lot of time baking challenging desserts lately. It gives me a great sense of pride to accomplish a recipe from my baking bucket list but it can also take a great deal of time and energy. Life is about balance though and I am thankful for easy recipes! These are my go-to when I want something homemade with limited effort. These are also the recipes that are great for passing along to friends.

When I create recipes, I want them to be achievable, not stressful. My goal is for even a beginner baker to be able to have a successful outcome. Something easy to make that is beautiful on its own and tastes amazing. Quick breads are exactly that. Now that we’re in November, I’m hitting up this pumpkin bread recipe on the regular. It is such a hit with friends and a perfect addition to any get together. Flavorful, moist and easy to make. I’m sure you’ll fall in love with this beautiful pumpkin bread.

PUMPKIN BREAD

Flavorful, moist and easy to make – I’m sure you’ll fall in love with this beautiful pumpkin bread.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 Tablespoon unsalted pepitas (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment paper.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together flour, spices, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar together. Mix in pumpkin puree then add in eggs and vanilla.
  • Stir in half of the dry ingredients. Add milk and stir to combine. Stir in remaining dry ingredients.
  • Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and top with pepitas. Bake 55-60 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.

Notes

  • In a pinch, you can sub the brown sugar for white sugar. The brown sugar brings out the flavors of the spices a bit more but you’ll get a taller rise from the bread with white sugar.
  • You can butter and flour your loaf pans if you don’t have parchment paper.
Keyword Pumpkin, Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Loaf, Pumpkin Spice

BARLEY SOUP

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This has felt like the longest summer I’ve ever experienced. As of a few days ago, we were still hitting temperatures near the 90’s. Did Mother Nature forget to check the calendar? It is already late October?! Truthfully, I love living in a warmer climate. I’ve done my time with cold and snow and I learned it wasn’t for me. That being said, I can’t help but crave a few cooler (not cold) days so I can indulge in winter comfort foods. We are finally cooling off here in Texas and I’m going full out on my comfort food recipes.

I’ve been craving soup lately but my brain has also been wandering back to my recipe for Baby Bella Shepherd’s Pie. The solution? Turn the base of that shepherd’s pie into a soup! The result? Pure satisfaction! This soup is hearty and rich in flavor. Anyone who eats this is going to think you slaved away in the kitchen all day when, in fact, it is simple to make. Bonus? This is one of those recipes that tastes even better as leftovers.

Barley Soup

This hearty soup is rich in flavor yet easy to make – a perfect way to warm up on a cold day.
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Course Dinner, Main Course, Soup
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 4 large carrots, cut into 1/4″ slices
  • 2 large parsnips, cut into 1/4″ slices
  • 2 lb white mushrooms, stemmed and quartered
  • 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup dry red wine
  • 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2/3 cup pearl barley

Instructions
 

  • In a Dutch oven or large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent. Add carrots and parsnips, cook an additional 2-3 minutes. Add mushrooms, garlic, thyme, salt & pepper. Cook until mushrooms start to sweat. Sprinkle flour over vegetable mixture and stir until evenly coated. Pour in diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, vegetable broth and wine. Stir in tomato paste and barley. Increase heat to bring pot to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer 45 minutes or until barely is cooked through.

Notes

  • Having a hard time pulling those thyme leaves off of the stem? Grab a few sprigs and tie them together with kitchen twine. Toss the whole bundle into the soup and simply remove the bundle when soup is fully cooked.
  • This is a thick, hearty soup. If you prefer a thinner soup, you can add water after simmering until you reach the consistency you desire.
Keyword Barley, Barley Soup, Dinner, Easy Recipe, Homemade Soup, Soup, Vegan Recipe, Vegetarian Recipe