Super Simple Carrot Soup

This post is going to have to be short and sweet. You see, I'm going away for the weekend. Flying away to be exact. To Colorado for a long weekend of skiing with family and friends. I've been skiing since I was very little, but my last ski trip (to Vermont) was more than memorable. It involved a family road trip, a lost driver's license, and three days of skiing with four Floridians (my sisters, step-mom, and dad) - two of which hadn't ever seen snow before the trip.

I spent a lot of time skiing alone. Which is why I'm so excited to get to Colorado for some great skiing with some even better people.

But you're here for the food, not my family vacation stories. So.....

Do not, for one second, think that I can't see the irony in following up a sinfully-rich chocolate tart with a bowl of carrot soup. But people, myself included, seem increasingly concerned with balance, which for me means I can fill your minds with sugar-coma-inducing desserts as long as I intersperse a few vegetables in between posts, right?

I have made this carrot soup for more events than I can even name, most recently for the first course of my extended family Thanksgiving. It's so easy, and it never ceases to amaze me how many people ask me for the recipe. The carrots give great texture to the soup, and the spices and bacon bring plenty of salty, savory goodness. A few months back, I posted this recipe on my website. And now I'm bringing it to Espresso and Cream. For the 'Super Easy Carrot Soup' recipe, click here.


Enjoy your weekend!

Madison

Spiced Black Bean and Turkey Soup

Winter is here in, in a BIG way, and based on the weather forecast for the rest of the country, chances are temperatures have been lingering well below average no mater where you are. It's so terribly cold here that even making a trip to the grocery store (which for me is less than a half a mile) takes an extra kick in the pants, usually from my stomach growling 'feed me!'

Not all too long ago, I used to be intimidated by the idea of making soup. Something about soup, in all its deliciousness, seemed intimidating. But truth be told, soup is one of the easiest meals to make. Of course I'm going to give you the recipe of this Spiced Black Bean and Turkey Soup, but don't get frustrated thinking you need all the ingredients listed; make do with ingredients in your pantry.


This soup recipe makes enough for 4-6 people. Since there's no way I will be able to eat that much soup before it goes bad, I'm freezing half in case friends drop by and I need a homemade meal quick. Anyone else out there have a great soup recipe or family favorite they go to when the temperatures drop?

Ingredients:

*1 (32 oz.) container reduced-sodium chicken broth
*1 can white beans or butter beans
*1 cup milk
*1/2 tsp. ground marjoram or oregano
*1 tsp. salt
*1/2 tsp. cracked black pepper
*1/2 tsp. paprika
*1/2 tsp. rubbed sage
*1/2 tsp. dried thyme
*1 tsp. dried parsley
*1 lb. ground turkey or ground chicken, browned
*1 can black beans
*1/2 cup sliced black olives
Extra parsley and paprika for garnishing (optional)

Instructions:

*In a blender, combine half of the broth and the white beans. Blend until smooth. In large pot, combine broth/bean mixture, remaining broth, milk, and spices. Whisk until well-combined.
*Heat mixture over medium-high heat until hot but not boiling. Add in ground turkey, black beans, and olives.
*Garnish with additional parsley and paprika, if desired.

Enjoy!

Madison