Creamy Mixed Potato and Cauliflower Soup

Recently we have been getting lots of various potatoes from our wonderful CSA. I was trying to decide what to do with them all when a friend posted a link to a potato soup recipe that she tried and said was wonderful. I used that recipe as a place to start, but I also knew I wanted to add some sweet potatoes to the mix. After pondering that for a while I decided that I wanted to add a little nutritional punch to this soup, and I happened to have some organic cauliflower hanging out in my freezer. I decided to add it just like I did with great success in my Cauliflower, Broccoli and Cheese Soup. I also decided to throw some carrots in there for good measure. The end result is a thick and rich soup with a slightly sweet flavor. I topped mine with chunks of thick cut bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, jalapeño peppers and sour cream. Perfect! This is a slow cooker recipe (and I prefer all of my soups low and slow, they just taste better to me!) so be prepared to cook this all day long for dinner in the evening or you could start the night before if you want it for lunch the next day like I did.

Fajita Style Chicken with Jalapeno Garlic Goat Cheese

I know, I know - where the heck have I been?!? I have been absent from my blog for quite some time. Some of it was due to having a new baby last year and some was just plain apathy.

Last night I went to a "Real Foods" Meeting and we each had to come up with something to work on before we meet again next month. I have been wanting to get back into posting on the blog, and this was just the kick in the pants that I needed. 

Now, on to the show!

This year I made on of the best decisions ever by joining my very first CSA! Before that I would support the local farmers market, and was happy with that decision. This year an acquaintance told me about Bellair Farm CSA. I am so glad she did because this place is amazing! Instead of getting a box full of the harvest, at this CSA you are allowed to choose what goes into your bag each week. Pretty cool, huh? AND not only that but they have amazing fields of pick-your-own in addition to your weekly share. I have been getting beautiful assorted flowers and sunflowers to brighten up my house, several types of tomatoes, fresh herbs and recently some spicy jalapenos - which are the inspiration for this dish. 

This recipe is spicy for certain, if you are spice adverse you could certainly cut down on or eliminate the jalapenos called for in this dish. If you are brave, you will try it as is! This recipe serves 2 adults. 

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Homemade Bloody Mary Mix

Bloody Mary's have always been a favorite drink of mine. Who would not love the option of a cocktail with breakfast?!? While honeymooning in Jamaica they had a make-your-own bloody mary station. While I will not divulge how many bloody mary's I consumed in the course of 10 days, I will tell you how to make your own mix at home. I can not tell you how many mixes I tried over the years looking for the perfect one. I never did find it. It just struck me that I should obviously make my own. I am not quite sure what took me so long to realize that, but the result is fantastic. I should note that I like a very spicy and smooth bloody mary. Some are made with big chunks of horseradish, celery seed, black pepper, etc. and I have never enjoyed that. I ran mine through the blender to eliminate anything of the sort. We will be enjoying these on Thanksgiving morning while we stuff Turkey and prep food for the day. I hope you enjoy these as much as we will! Try garnishing this with the Maple-Chipotle Candied Bacon, you wont be sorry!

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Maple-Chipotle Candied Bacon

I love bacon, thats no secret, so when I was out to brunch and saw "candied bacon" on the bloody mary menu I knew I had to have it. Bacon? Candied? What could be better! Out comes my beautiful bloody mary with a piece of crisp bacon stuck in it. Oh. My. Goodness! The heavens opened, angels sang! I am pretty sure those candied bacon pieces were made with a mixture of brown and white sugar. I knew I wanted to make these for my own homemade bloody mary's, but I also knew white and brown sugar were out since we do not use either routinely. Maple syrup seemed like a better option for us for use on special occasions. I also decided to add a little kick with the chipotle spice. The result is a sweet and savory masterpiece. Use in your own bloody mary, or as a topping for salads or soups!

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No Added Sugar Cranberry Sauce

What is Thanksgiving without the delicious cranberry sauce? I have to admit that I love the cranberry sauce from a can - what can I say, I just do! This year I am trying to avoid said jellied cranberry sauce. It is easy enough to make your own so I thought I would give it a shot this year. I used fruit juice and stevia to sweeten and was very pleased with the results. If you are looking for a cranberry sauce with no refined sugars, this is one to try.

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