Spinach soup

I needed to use some fair food veggies yesterday and I made this soup. It is great for a cold day, or St.Patrick's day since it is so green :)

Spinach Garlic Soup

1 (10 oz). package of spinach
5 small red potatoes diced
2 carrots diced
4 cups chicken broth
1 chopped onion
3 cloves garlic
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp black pepper
dash nutmeg
3/4 cup half and half

1. In a stockpot heat 1 tbsp butter and saute onion, adding garlic and red pepper flakes. (note: red pepper flakes need direct heat in order to release their oils, like garlic) Add carrots and cook 3 min. Add potatoes and broth. Season with pepper. Bring to a boil and cook covered 10 min.  Add spinach and stir. When the spinach is wilted puree with an immersion blender and add half and half and nutmeg.

Finally Fish!!!

To preface...I have not been able to stomach cooking, eating or smelling fish since I got pregnant with Aaron. For some reason this week I decided to try the fish thing again, but I was looking for a mild fish with a recipe that would help make it bearable. Last night I made Thai-Style Tilapia, and it was awesome! I liked it, and Keith and the kids liked it too. (Joseph ate 3 servings, I was impressed) So here is the recipe that helped bring fish back to the Riddles.

I also would like to say that I am glad I like Tilapia. It is a great fish that can be farmed pretty much anywhere. WorldFish, and organization that sets up Grand-families in Africa with sustaining fish ponds, uses Tilapia in their ponds. It is also grown in some urban farms where the water from the fish tanks is filtered through flats of plants to help fertilize the plants and clean the water in one cycle. (BP community fish/garden anyone?)

Thai-Style Tilapia

1/2 cp Coconut milk
6 whole almonds
2 tbsp chopped onion
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp fresh lemongrass
1/4 tsp salt
4 tilapia fillets
salt and pepper to tasts

1. In a food processor or blender combine coconut milk, almonds, onion, ginger, turmeric, lemongrass and salt. Process until smooth.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium high. Season the fish with salt and pepper and place in skillet. Pour the pureed sauce over the fish. Cover and cook until the fish is white and flaky. (15-20 min) serve with rice.
*I also added some frozen peas after the fish had cooked for about 10 min

Too much baking

Recently I have had to do a lot of baking which is really fun, but not so good for anyone. I think that everyone still expects to have baked goods from me this Christmas, but I have found a cure, I think...SPICE RUBS!!! I made five different kinds of rubs for veggies or meats today. They smell awesome. I am going to try them and if they are good I will post the recipes.

good soup for a rainy December day

I made a really good soup today. I started with a broth made with Chinese 5 spice, garlic, pepper and ginger. i then added cabbage, shredded carrots, celery, scallions, and pot sticker dumplings. I finished it all off with cilantro and some sesame oil. It was super good.