Foodie Fridays: Italian Turkey Sausage, Black Bean, and Butternut Squash Chili

My husband's birthday was last week, and one of my gifts to him was two home-cooked meals, with chili for lunch and salmon for dinner.  I found the chili recipe on the Home Is Where the Boat Is blog.  This site is mostly a tablescape blog, but there are often recipes included as well which are always excellent.  As soon as I saw the recipe for Chilly Weather Black Bean, Sausage and Butternut Squash Chili, I knew my husband would love it, and he did!  I made a few minor changes to suit our needs, and this dish was so good that I know I will have to make it often for as long as we have cool weather!

Italian Turkey Sausage, Black Bean, and Butternut Squash Chili

2 T. olive oil
1 pkg. (20 oz.) mild Italian turkey sausage, casings removed (I used the Publix brand)
1 medium onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 T. chili powder
1 T. cumin
2 tsp. coriander
1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
1 tsp. salt
1 bag (16 oz.) microwaveable cubed butternut squash
2 cans (14.5 oz. each) diced tomatoes (I used unsalted)
2 cans (15 oz. each) black beans, drained and rinsed
4 C. chicken stock (I used unsalted)
1/4 C. chia seeds
1-2 T. apple cider vinegar

Heat 1 T. oil over medium heat in a large Dutch oven.  Add the sausage and cook, breaking up chunks with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes.  Push the sausage to the edges of the pan, leaving the middle clear.  Reduce the heat to medium and pour in the remaining oil, then add the onion and bell pepper to the center of the pan.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften, about 3 minutes.  Add the garlic and cook 1 minute longer.

Stir in the chili powder, cumin, and coriander, and cook for about 30 seconds.  Add the tomato paste and salt and stir until the paste begins to darken in color, about 30 seconds.  Add the squash, tomatoes, and chicken stock, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any stuck bits.  Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer, uncovered, until the chili has thickened and the squash is tender, about 45 minutes.

Stir the beans and chia seeds into the chili and heat through, about 5 minutes.  Season to taste with salt and/or pepper as needed.  Taste the chili and stir in up to 2 T. vinegar.  Serve the chili with preferred toppings (we used sour cream and shredded cheese).  Like most chilis, this one tastes even better the next day!  Serves 10-12.

Notes: You can use lean ground turkey as a low fat alternative to the sausage (you may need to increase the oil for browning since there is little fat in ground turkey).  I did not have apple cider vinegar, so I used champagne vinegar instead, which was very tasty!
             

This 'n That Thursdays: Haunting, Heart-breaking, Cute as Hell, and Stop-Motion Friends!

From Monroe MusicFest

I've mentioned before that I am not inclined to pay much attention to music, as I merely think of it as background noise most of the time.  Nevertheless, music will occasionally catch my attention, as these selections from NPR's "All Songs TV" did.  I think it was the descriptions of the music videos that drew me in, and those descriptors are quite apt.  If you have a little time, take a look at these four videos from YouTube and see if you agree with the assessments.  Each one is very different from the others, and all are by female artists with whom I am unfamiliar (although I think I may have heard of Miranda Lambert, possibly from one of the TV music competition shows whose names I can never remember?).

1) Haunting - Aldous Harding's 'Horizon'

2) Heartbreaking - Caroline Spence's 'Hotel Amarillo'

3) Cute as Hell - Miranda Lambert's 'We Should Be Friends'

4) Stop-Motion Friends - Gillian Welch's 'Dry Town'

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Even though three of the four music videos feature country-type songs, I think I am most intrigued by the first one, New Zealander Aldous Harding's neo-folk style song which co-stars her mother.  But really, it is the combination of these four very different songs that makes listening to them enjoyable for a non-musical person like me!

                

Wish List Wednesdays: Cute Shoes for Spring

Spring is not so very far off now!
(from Get Wallpapers in HD)

Somehow I've developed a shoe obsession lately, specifically shoes designed with spring in mind.  It all started with a search for all things Dalmatian, believe it or not, but when I found a pair of flats with a Dalmatian theme the search for cute footwear was on!  Here are the shoes that started it all:

1) Kate Spade New York 'Elena' Dalmatian Ballerina Flats ($258) - the price is a bit staggering, I know, but what Dalmatian lover could resist that cute little puppy face?  Certainly not me!

2) Hush Puppies 'Darlene' Flats in Aqua Coromandel ($55) - much more reasonable priced flats with a cherry blossoms and birds print, so appropriate for spring  And in the perfect spring colors as well (although two other colors are also available)!

3) 'Mimosa' Canvas Shoes (on sale for $34.98) - if you prefer bold hues, these casual and colorful floral sneakers will transition effortlessly from spring into summer!

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I have a feeling you will be seeing even more spring shoes in the near future, as my new obsession is just getting started!
             

On the Homefront: Red Toile Birds Valentine's Day Table

Juliet the Dalmatian loves her gift of a satin heart-shaped candy box,
and gazes adoringly at...

Dalmatian Romeo, who sent the box and now sits at the head of the table,
patiently waiting for dessert to be served!

For Valentine's Day, I decided to use a holiday tablecloth I found at the HomeGoods after-Christmas sale as inspiration!  The tablecloth is from the Well Dressed Home collection, and is a rectangular shape but similar to this round one currently available on Amazon (tablecloths and napkins in this design can also be found on eBay). The pattern of red cardinals, pine branches, and holly on an ivory background set the color scheme.  I also got the chance to use some lovely red and grey scalloped-edge appetizer/dessert plates, also from the HomeGoods sale, on this table:

Red velvet placemat; BHG Amity Dinner Plate in Ivory; red vines napkin; 222 Fifth Andover Appetizer/Dessert Plate; stainless steel flatware; red-stemmed wine glass; Luminarc 14-oz. Storage Jar/Glass; small white candy bowl (from Pier 1 years ago).

A closer look at the appetizer/dessert plate ( I love the cabin with the cute little bunny in front!):

There is a pinecone theme going on here!

My red Le Creuset heart-shaped Dutch oven, a gift from my husband on
Valentine's Day years ago (it is also available in pastel pink).

We always dine at my favorite Indian restaurant for Valentine's Day (I love Indian food!), so I have listed my preferred choices from their menu below.  The links provided will take you to Wikipedia for descriptions of each selection, for those who are unfamiliar with this cuisine.  The No-Bake Chocolate Ganache Tart is a recipe I found in the February issue of Family Circle magazine.  I modified the recipe slightly and made it for my husband, who is a dedicated chocoholic!

Valentine's Day Table Menu:

Vegetable Samosas/Dipping Sauces

Garlic Naan/Cucumber Raita

Kachumber Salad

Tandoori Shrimp

Chicken Tikka Masala

Basmati Rice

No-Bake Chocolate Ganache Tart*

From Family Circle via MasterCook.

*No-Bake Chocolate Ganache Tart

1 package (9 oz.) Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers (see Note)
1/2 C. (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 C. milk chocolate chips
3/4 C. bittersweet chocolate chips
3/4 C. heavy cream
6 strawberries, sliced

Crush the chocolate wafers (or graham crackers) and combine with the melted butter.  Press the mixture into a 5x14-inch rectangular tart pan (I had some left over and made a couple of individual tart shells as well). Chill until firm.

Place the chocolates and cream in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on HIGH for 1 minute.  Stir the mixture and microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds.  Stir again until smooth, microwaving for another 20 seconds if the chocolate is not completely melted.  Cool the mixture slightly (about 5 minutes) and pour into the chilled tart shell(s).  Top with sliced strawberries and chill at least 2 hours or overnight.  Cut into squares or wedges.  Serves 12.

Note: I used two-thirds of a 14.4 oz. box of Nabisco Honey Maid Chocolate Graham Crackers (two of the three sleeve packs, or about 16 full sheets of crackers) because that is what I had on hand.

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Even though I have cut back drastically on sugar consumption, there just has to be chocolate on the table for Valentine's Day!  The little bowls at each place setting contain a foil-wrapped Reese's Peanut Butter-Filled Chocolate Heart, a Milk Chocolate Lindt Lindor Truffle, and the new Strawberries and Cream White Chocolate Lindt Lindor Truffle (which is awesome!):

Red bird candleholders, from Pier 1 ages ago, and a huge bouquet of
red roses from my husband adorn the credenza.

I hope you have a
Happy Valentine’s Day!

             

Weekend Wardrobe: Winter Weekend Getaway Travel Wardrobe

Hermes Silk Scarf Henri de Linares 'Les Plumes' in Pink.

For this weekend before Valentine's Day, I put together a travel wardrobe, suitable for a long weekend getaway, that features a unique color combination based upon the intriguing feather-print scarf shown above.   I was not sure how well the coppery spice color would work with blush pink and taupe, but they seem to play together pretty well.  Take a look and see what you think, starting with the outfit to wear while traveling to your chosen destination:

Clockwise from top left: Hinge Slub Knit Panama Hat in Pink Crystal; Melinda Maria Mini Nina Feather Earrings in Gold; Betty & Co. Long-Sleeved T-Shirt in Roseshell; Coldwater Creek Knit Denim Straight-Leg Jeans in Spice; Steve Madden Ecentercq Slip-On Sneakers in Blush; Avia Metallic Bow Leather Gloves in Pale Pink; 'Leslie' Blush Pink Boyfriend Coat; Hermes Silk Scarf Henri de Linares 'Les Plumes'.

Here is the collection to pack for the trip:

Clockwise from top left: H&M Knit Cardigan in Taupe; Claire Chase Canzater All In One Leather Carrry On Pullman in Saddle; Wallis Pale Pink Zip Blouse; Land's End Women's Short Sleeve Supima Sweater in Sand Blush Heather; T By Alexander Wang Scoop Neck T-Shirt in Blush Pink; Kim Rogers Siena Leather Bucket Crossbody Bag in Taupe Fall; Cole Haan Nantucket Loafers in Desert Taupe; Coldwater Creek Knit Denim Slim-Leg Leggings in Spice; H&M Rib Knit Sweater in Rust; Center, top to bottom: jewelbirdvintage Gold Tone Feather Link Choker Necklace; KaelMijoy Pink and White Feather Polymer Clay Necklace; Melinda Maria Feather Cuff Bracelet in Plain Gold.

In our unpredictable and unusually mild winter here in Georgia this year, the range of top styles is a necessity (our weather has been bouncing around from lows in the mid-20s to highs in the mid-70s, so anything from a sweater to a short-sleeved t-shirt might be required).  This wardrobe would suit all but the fanciest occasions, but if something a bit more elegant is needed, simply add a pair of nice trousers and some pumps to the suitcase:

Top: Whistles Flared Cropped Trousers in Pale Pink;
Bottom: J. Crew Dulci Suede Kitten Heels in Kraft Brown.

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I hope you have a great weekend, whether you get to travel or not!

                

Foodie Fridays: Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cauliflower Soup

I have been obsessed with soups lately, so, not surprisingly, today's recipe is another soup!  Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cauliflower Soup is a creation from the Skinnytaste website, so you know it has to be good for you!  The vegetables are the only thickener in this soup - no flour or dairy of any kind is involved.  I added garlic and a no-salt seasoning blend for additional flavor, but even without these additions the roasting process adds tastiness to the dish.  Try this healthy and satisfying soup on a cold winter's day and you won't be disappointed!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cauliflower Soup

16 oz. Brussels Sprouts, halved
16 oz. cauliflower florets
3 T. olive oil
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. all-purpose seasoning blend (such as Mrs. Dash)
4 C. vegetable stock
salt and pepper to taste

Place the Brussels sprouts and cauliflower florets in a large baking pan.  Toss with 2 T. oil and 1/4 tsp. salt.  Roast in the bottom third of the oven at 425 degrees for 25 minutes, tossing halfway through cooking time, until slightly browned.  Remove from the oven and set aside.

Heat 1 T. oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and add the onion.  Cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.  Add the garlic and cook 1 minute longer.  Stir in the stock and simmer for 5 minutes.

Reserve about one generous cup of the roasted vegetables and keep warm.  Transfer the rest to the pot and simmer for 2 minutes.  Using an immersion blender, blend the soup mixture until smooth.  (If the soup is too thick, thin with additional stock or water.)  Taste for seasoning and add salt and/or pepper as needed.

Spoon into four bowls and top with the reserved roasted vegetables.  Serve immediately.  Serves 4.
             

This 'n That Thursdays: An Awesome Island Lighthouse Home in Michigan

Have you ever wanted your very own private island?  Or perhaps you've always dreamed of living in a lighthouse.  Well, for just under 1.5 million dollars you can have both!  This very special Michigan lighthouse home on its own private island in St. Mary's River is available right now, and is the perfect place for an idyllic waterfront lifestyle.  It even comes with its own caretaker!  Despite the steep asking price, this house is not at all ostentatious.  Instead it is a study in elegantly casual simplicity, which I find admirable.  Just take a look at these images:

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If I were extremely rich and had a hankering for living next to the water, I would certainly consider buying this lovely island lighthouse home!