Hi Everyone 😊
How are things by you? It's another cold winter day here in the mountains. I'm settling into my winter routine, hibernation basically! We're still eating from the freezer and pantry though I found some really nice asparagus on sale at the market last week, so I made the best Asparagus Soup I've ever made, honestly. It was flavourful, rich and creamy (without having to add dairy), and SO easy to make. We ate the entire pot in one sitting!
I had some leftover asparagus, so I used it in a basic pasta dish - nothing special, just some cooked pasta, lemon, olive oil, Parm and breadcrumbs. It was just so-so! Needed some jazzing up!
Another recipe that could use some jazzing up: Taste of Home's Crispy Fried Onion Rings. I'm sharing the recipe that I tried, but it needs some kind of spice to it. The onion rings were fabulous and crispy. I used Vidalia onions - the flavours of the sweet onion with the salty batter were great, but a bit bland. Do you make onion rings, and if so, what spices do you use? We thought maybe Old Bay Seasoning next time.
I served the onion rings with my Mushroom Burgers. These are great with a little melted Cheddar, some tomatoes and a light scrape of mayo!
A lot of the meals I'm making lately are simple proteins with a veg on the side. I bake my fish in foil at 450 F for about 10 minutes, with a little olive oil and Balsamic vinegar and it's a treat every time! Christmas is coming up and there will be some heavy eating so I'm taking the opportunity to try to eat cleaner for a little while!
Having said that...I couldn't help myself! I made Cinnamon Crunch Knots yesterday!! They're so yummy and make the house smell so good while they're baking!
Another delicious soup night! I made a Tomato Basil Ravioli Soup last night and it was really nice. I guess traditionally one would use tortellini in soups, but we had ravioli and it worked well! This was another "empty the freezer/pantry" soup!
Another delicious soup night! I made a Tomato Basil Ravioli Soup last night and it was really nice. I guess traditionally one would use tortellini in soups, but we had ravioli and it worked well! This was another "empty the freezer/pantry" soup!
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| Charlie, Baby Oscar and Big-Nose Marlene |
The most comfortable place in my home - our bed! Alex and I rarely use the living room. The pets basically took over the couches so when we relax and watch movies, we are usually in bed. Of course, the pets hang out with us too; and they are always generous enough to leave us a wee bit of space!
With temperatures dipping to the minus 20's Celsius, Jack is in his full winter gear every time he goes outside. I think he'd rather be snuggled in bed under the covers! (Here's my post from 2018 showing how I make these $4 dog boots)
Thanks for visiting! 😊 See you on Thursday for our art date, the theme is CHILLING - very appropriate for this cold November!!
With temperatures dipping to the minus 20's Celsius, Jack is in his full winter gear every time he goes outside. I think he'd rather be snuggled in bed under the covers! (Here's my post from 2018 showing how I make these $4 dog boots)
Thanks for visiting! 😊 See you on Thursday for our art date, the theme is CHILLING - very appropriate for this cold November!!
OH! Ok, I have never thought of putting winter gear and footies on a doggie for going outside! What a WONDERFUL idea. ❤️ I bet he really appreciates that. How sweet! (Maybe he doesn't know he appreciates it, but he does!)
ReplyDeleteI haven't made fish like that in forever. That's a good idea!
Jack is looking very dapper in his winter coat and booties!
ReplyDeleteAmazing comforting food for the winter. Jack is looking dapper!
ReplyDeleteOh Rain, those little boots...so cute, although the dog looks like"why?" LOL My goodness girl, you must cook all the time. :) The fish looked delicious. Blessings, stay warm. xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeletewhat delicious dishes you cooked! Great
ReplyDeleteso much snow and the dog has at least warm feet!!!
greetings Elke
Love the photos of your furry kids on your bed, they know where it's good! And your food, oh my. If that's simple I want to live like that, too, I think I've sampled a portion of each in my imagination and enjoyed every bite - thanks! Have a great, new week! Hugs to you and all your 4 legged companions! Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteI use yellow onions from the local grocery store but I don't know what kind they are. When I make my onion rings I use a 1/2 teaspoon of Season All depending on how much spice I need for the batter. It seasons the onion rings nicely. I've been emptying my freezer too by making veggie soups and beef soup. David never liked soup before because I'm guessing it wasn't made like I make them. Now he's a fan of them.
ReplyDeleteAwwww. The fur babies look so comfy on the bed. Lucy is like that too. SHe loves the waterbed because it has a heater and it keeps the bed a warm and toasty 78F degrees(25C).
jack should be a model! as usual, your food looks scrumptious! when i make onion rings, i like to shake either cajun or old bay over them right out of the fryer. it gives them better flavor than adding it to the batter. sometimes i just use popcorn salt. they are also really good with come back sauce!
ReplyDeleteAsparagus soup … lovely.
ReplyDeleteAsparagus with fish … delicious
Great food on your post.
Lovely photographs of the pets :)
All the best Jan
I love your "simple" foods in this post, Rain. I checked to tomato soup recipe and it's very close to one I use. I would have never thought of putting something in it like ravioli. Inspired! I suspect you made your own, but I think I'm going to have to buy some to put in my freezer so I can pull them out for adding to tomato soup during a "clean out the freezer and pantry week". You give me such great ideas!
ReplyDeleteOh, Jack, don't you look charming! What a sweetie. I think it's those soulful eyes that get to me :)
ReplyDeleteAnd the food? What can I say that I haven't said so many times? ADOPT ME! HAHA
Poor Jack! What a face, lol
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to bookmark that asparagus soup recipe, since my poor asparagus seems to be making a come-back. Of course, everything you cook looks mouthwatering! Ravioli in soup is another good idea. I think tortellini would be a good addition too!
The winter look is too cute.
ReplyDeleteI have done air dry onion strings.
I got the idea from a friend.
Super fun but I don't recall the spices.
Had a lovely winter weekend.
Here's to a new yummy week.
Oh Rain, I love this post! You are an amazing cook. I've never made food dishes that look so delicious. and your dogs and and Baby Oscar are adorable. All of them are such sweetie pies. I mean, home just wouldn't be home without a few warm and cuddly dogs and cats.
ReplyDeleteI would love to hibernate at your house. You make amazing food!!!
ReplyDeleteRain,
ReplyDeleteThe onion rings look yummy. I've never tried making them and we rarely get them when we dine out. I'd like to have some good ones about now... but I won't let myself have them just yet. I'm still in diet mode sorta but I stay in it with frequent bumps in my eating routine. I need to figure out a way of not liking food so much and then I'd be good. :) Jack really doesn't want to go outside. I can see it in his eyes. But, being the loyal pup that he is, he'll go out with his human just to make her happy. lol Marlene looks sleepy. That's where I'd stay if I lived in snow country like you. Keep warm and have a good week, my friend!
It is on my list to make a menu today including Thanksgiving (here is the US)...you had yours already didn't you? Anyway, looking at all your good food I think I will make my menu from yours! LOL! I especially like the mushroom burger and the asparagus soup and the fish and the cinnamon crunch knots....yum! I am starving now! LOL!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing all your good eats! As for the onion rings maybe some ground cayenne pepper? Not too much but just a little kick? Or you could make that dipping sauce that they make for the blooming onion at Outback Steakhouse. I know the recipe for that is on the web somewhere. I have to go eat now!
Hi, Rain! I've been putting one foot in front of another trying to get through a jam-packed couple of weeks of must-dos. I've enjoyed your posts, but I'm commenting on this one because of the photos of your pet-crowded bed and wonderful Jack in his awesome boots. Oh spare me from minus 20 on either scale! Take care, my friend!
ReplyDeleteoh the food! i would love to live next door and have you invite me in for dinner every night, lol. And that dessert looks good. Asparagus soup - have never had that but I would try it if it was placed in front of me. Love the photos of the dogs (cat)...adorable. We haven't got our cold weather yet but it is coming.
ReplyDeleteYum! Yum! Yummy!! Reaching through this screen again, to no avail! ...lol... ! I don’t know if you have fried Pork rinds in Canada, but we smash them and use the crumbles as a coating on a lot of things. I’ve never tried them on onion rings, but we might just do that. I’ll let you know how that turns out. Our little Milo (Jack Russell), is having front legs trouble, so l think I’m going to try and make him some boots. He is bundled in his winter jacket, but it’s just too cold for his feet I think. Anyway, thanks for the boot reminder! Great post, Rain!
ReplyDeleteI love asparagus Rain, but usually only have it as broiled. Soup is an interesting idea.
ReplyDeleteHibernation at your home does look tasty, Rain. We have made asparagus soup from all the stems that would normally be cut off and discarded. This week I made chicken vegetable soup but your tomato soup looks comforting and what a great idea to add ravioli. No clue on what spices to add to the onion rings as never done them at home...but always my favorite appetizer, and often disappointed. I have been known to complain if they were not crispy enough. The cats and dogs look nice and comfy and Jack has all the right gear for outdoors, but I suspect he would rather stay indoors.
ReplyDeletewhat a relaxing post Rain
ReplyDeleteyour food does gives glimpse of coziness and warmth during minus 20 oh my i would have never survived
how amazingly you share the various ideas using simple veggies available in home ,wow i am so impress believe me :)
each image in this page is compelling and provoking to learn better living and with so deep peace and gratitude my friend !
haha the jack's attitude is not diferent than mine for such harsh cold weather
sending you much warmth of prays and love :) stay blessed Rain!
Jack looks so cute and cozy.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE asparagus soup. I need to make some soon !!!
Your fish looks yummy !!! And so do the onion rings. I have never made onions rings myself vut I should cause G loves them.
I am sick right now caring for 4 sick kids and a sick hubby ... questions ?? Lol
Thanks Sandi :) I think that Jack does appreciate when I dress him warm. Some nights it's very harsh out there and I really feel for those dogs who are shivering and having trouble walking because their feet are freezing! The fish is delish! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Debra, he does! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine :) I think that look suits him :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Susie :) The fish is really good baked that way! So tender. Lol..I'm sure Jack wonders about half the things I do ha ha!
ReplyDeleteThanks Elke :) If I didn't put the boots on the dogs, they would probably not want to go out some winter days!
ReplyDeleteThanks Valerie :) Oh yeah, the furballs know where the comfort is! I'm glad you enjoyed my food photos! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Leanna :) I actually never heard of Season All, had to look it up. I honestly was never a soup fan myself until I started to read more recipes about how to make them flavourful, now I can't get enough. It's perfect soup weather too! I used to have a waterbed, I loved it. I think the fur kids would love it too! :)
ReplyDeleteHa! Thanks Joyce :) I think Jack is just tolerating me taking photos of him! Old Bay sounds like it would go nice on the onion rings. Popcorn salt, not a bad idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jan :) Whenever I can get asparagus I try to use it up in everything. We love it! One day I will plant my own and hopefully we'll have a nice harvest every year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Becki :) Actually this time I didn't make the ravioli. I usually try to make my own pasta, but ravioli has been a challenge for me. It never stays together when I boil it. I got myself a ravioli crimper and one day I'll try again, but for now it's store bought organic stuff which is okay.
ReplyDeleteHA! Lol Martha, I told you, you are officially adopted if you clean up after yourself lol! Jack gets me with his eyes too, he knows how to use 'em! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Leigh :) I hope you get a great asparagus come back! What a treat to have that veggie in your garden! The pastas in the soup make them really nice and filling, good idea when you're trying to be frugal! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Ivy :) Here's to a yummy month I hope!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Henny Penny :) I agree about the cuddly dogs and cats making this house a home. I couldn't imagine it without them! Good comfort food too! :)
ReplyDeleteLol, thanks Jenn :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy :) I haven't figured out a way to not like food so much either...so I just force myself to LOVE daily exercise lol...works so far! I think it's really hard to find a good onion ring. I hope to perfect it at some point. I don't like to deep fry that much, it stinks for days from the oil, but baked onion rings just don't cut it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sam :) Yes! Our Thanksgiving was last month. I kind of like that because I think yours is too close to Christmas! Makes for lots of planning all at once! I'm thinking a little spice for a kick will work for the onion rings too. A dipping sauce is a great idea! Better than just plain ketchup!
ReplyDeleteHi Louise :) Oh yeah, spare me that weather too. It's too cold for this time of year, I'm just not ready. I hope you have some time for yourself to relax!!
ReplyDeleteLol Sandy :) Thank you! The asparagus goes so well in the soup, it's so good. I don't know what made it so yummy this time around, but that's the recipe I'm keeping at hand from now on!
ReplyDeleteHi Dino :) Our Marlene has weak back legs so this year I actually sewed on some "treads" for the boots for her. I used old dish gloves. I just cut out a circle and sewed them by hand to the foot of the boot. That way she doesn't slip and she can wear them all day indoors. Sorry about Milo, poor thing. Cold is hard for some of them. I don't know that I've ever seen pork rinds, I've heard of them though!
ReplyDeleteIt's really good TB, a great way to use it up if you have a lot too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dorothy :) The soups are really very good! And I agree with you about onion rings. I think that A&W is the only restaurant that we really thought the onion rings were good. That's why I was trying at home. These are pretty good and crispy and they don't slip out of the fried batter like a lot of rings do, I hate when the do that!! I think you're right about Jack, he'd much rather be indoors in the winter!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Baili :) LOL I have the same attitude as you and Jack when it comes to winter! I'm really happy I could find a good use for all of the freezer veggies too. This is the first year I've been able to use pretty much all of them up!
ReplyDeleteHi Sis :) I hope you all feel better soon! You needs LOTS of soup! :) The onion rings are good, but definitely need spice or something. The only thing I hate about frying is the smell after!
ReplyDeleteLOL, Marlene is so cute upfront. So cute to see Jack with all of his winter gear on. I want your onion rings!!! You have me craving hamburgers too.
ReplyDeleteHi Stefanie :) Oh now you have me craving hamburgers lol...with lots of cheese on top!!
ReplyDelete