mediterranean chicken soup

Let's talk comfort food.  When times are tough, what do you gravitate toward?  Baked potatoes with all the fixings? Lasagna with three different types of cheese? Or, grilled cheese? Really, anything with cheese is a solid choice.

My first pick is and always will be soup. First of all, it's a one pot meal with veggies and meat... That's a big deal.  Comfort food without veggies shouldn't be a habit. Nuff said. Second, it's a one pot meal! So easy, especially in the midst of holiday craziness. Third, soup is warm and toasty and calming, perfect for wintertime. 

This chicken noodle soup has a Mediterranean twist.  Chick peas and kalamata olives change things up in a good way.  But, the best part of this recipe is that the first few steps create the perfect chicken soup base.  You could add tortellini to it or a little cream and frozen corn to make a chowder. The possibilities are truly endless.

This is adapted from Real Simple, but I served it over brown rice rather than couscous to keep things GF.  (If you aren't gluten-free and you are reading this, can you just eat an entire package of couscous for me? I miss it so much.)  And, it's served with a lemon wedge. Whatever you do, don't pass up the lemon wedge.  Adding just a touch of lemon juice makes all the flavors bolder and warmer and some how edgy and comforting. Do it.  

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beef & sweet potato stew

Happy Halloween from Zooey D. and LMFAO (My little bro, Sam)! We hope you have a great time trick or treating or partying or watching super scary movies.  I wish I had a more appropriate recipe to share, but the truth is I have a stew problem. 

This is the third beef stew recipe I've posted and it's equally delicious.  It's a staple in our house cause it is just so easy.  Dump ingredients in crockpot, check. Turn crockpot on, check. Enjoy a bowl of hearty stew when I come home from work, check and check! And, I turn the leftovers into Shepherd's Pie. Glory!

The only problem with stew in fact is that it is just not that pretty.  No matter how I style or snap, it just doesn't look that great.  Tastes amazing, looks eh. It's like those guys with great personality... sorta. Except, this is a recipe.  Way less commitment. 

This stew has big chunks of lean beef, baby carrots, and bright sweet potatoes. The broth is sweetened with apple juice, but I also added Worcestershire and Soy Sauce to enhance the savory side.  Jason and I paired it with crackers and bam! Delicious! 

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slow cooker beef stew

My slow cooker saves my life about once a week.  Pop in the food, turn the crank to low, head to work, and come home to a delicious, warm meal.  And, this stew is perfect for cool nights, sweatpants, and unwinding on your back porch. 

The great thing about this stew is that is is gluten-free and paleo.  Butternut squash replaces potatoes and gives the soup a warm, bread-and-butter flavor.  Chunks of beef make it hardy. Carrots and celery give the soup depth and color while apple juice adds a faint sweetness. 

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