{food} A New Recipe!

I thought I'd use this blog to post updates about the wedding, and also things that I'm doing just day-to-day-- recipes, home repairs, furniture finds-- all sorts of things!

So here is my first food blog:

When I was looking for something to make for supper tonight, I had NO idea what I was going to do. I usually try to at least have some ideas for meals so that I don't get frustrated and have a "let's just eat out" moment. Those evening usually end up with a dinner that is not-so-good for us.

I scrounged around in the cupboard until I found a couple random things that I had picked up at Trader Joes. (side note- If you have not been to Trader Joe's you MUST visit. They have the best deals on foods that are all natural and/or organic, and I don't cringe every time the total is read to me when I have packed my cart out! Hands down the best prices on healthy foods)

This is what came of my finds...

...A wonderful chili/soup concoction served over yellow rice. It was WONDERFUL!

I want to remember this recipe. My fiance said I need to remember it exactly how I made it, down to the fresh cilantro and smoked gouda sprinkled on for garnish. So I plan to try.

Here is the recipe:

I heated about a tablespoon of olive oil in a pot and added

1/2 onion, chopped

1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped

about 1/2 cup shredded carrots (the pre-shredded kind from the store)

a couple cloves of garlic, minced

I let this cook until it was tender, then I added

1 package Trader Joe's Turkey Kielbasa, sliced into pieces

3 small potatoes, cubed

I stirred them around for a bit and when the kielbasa started to warm through, I added

1 can of Trader Joe's Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes with Chilis (do not drain)

1 can of Trader Joe's Black Beans (do not drain)

1 of the empty cans full of water

I seasoned with salt, black pepper, white pepper, and Creole blackened seasoning, to taste (*Remember this is served over yellow rice which has it's own seasoning), and added the juice of a half of a lime, and maybe 1/8 (or less) cup of chopped fresh cilantro. (also to taste)

I let this all cook together for a while, adding water as needed. I didn't want it too "soupy" so I didn't add much more water... maybe another 1-1/2 cups.

While the "chili" was simmering I cooked a package of Mahatma saffron yellow rice.

Once the potatoes were tender in the "chili", I spooned a little yellow rice into a serving bowl and added the soup on top.

I garnished with a little more fresh chopped cilantro, and some shredded smoked gouda cheese.

This was definitely a success in our books!!! I hope that you will try this recipe, and please let me know what you think! Try it, tweak it, add, subtract-- and comment to me about your results!