It's a Blizzard - cold weather cooking!

Let's see there are two four-letter words I can think of for describing today. S-N-O-W and S-O-U-P!  I looked in the fridge and cabinets to take inventory and this is what I found:

• Leftover cabbage, potatoes, and carrots
• Stew meat
• Rutabaga
• Celery
• Onions
• Green bell pepper
• Cannellini (white Italian kidney beans)
• Beef broth (low sodium)
• Stewed tomatoes (low sodium)
• Small amount of leftover spinach
• Bay leaves
• Thyme

Sound like the making for a yummy soup or stew.  Have you looked around your kitchen yet?  Let's get started.

1. Brown the stew meat in a bit of oil (I'll use olive oil).
2. Chop and add onion and celery (chunky or small, however you prefer)
3. Peel and chop the rutabaga (brings great flavor to soups and stews)
4. Slice bell pepper into strips and add (I use for flavor and will remove when done cooking)
5. Add the stewed tomatoes
6. Add the beef broth
7. Add the bay leaf
8. After bringing to a boil, reduce to a simmer until beef is fork tender, keeping an eye on the liquid level and adding additional broth, water, or other liqud as needed to ensure having enough broth
9. After the beef has cooked, I will add my leftover veggies (adding earlier would have rendered them mush).
10. Drain and rinse the Cannellini and the spinach then add to the soup or stew (whatever you have ended up with).  Continue to cook for about another 30-60 minutes depending on how much time you have.
11. Season with the thyme, salt, pepper, or other seasonings of your choice.
12. If going with a stew, you might want to add a bit of dry red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir are examples). When flavoring with wine, I add at the end and cook for about 5 more minutes to make sure the flavor has time to blend.

Well, I think that's it for the soup. Topped with freshly shredded parmesan cheese and a warm crusty bread, Larry will have a delicious and hearty meal after all of the snow removal he will be taking care of today.  I'm sure it will be soup and a nap! 

Just remember you too can make wonderful soups and stews with leftovers, fresh vegies on hand, and other items found in your pantry. Until the next meal - enjoy your day - and Happy Cooking!