Easy Dinner Recipes March 24, 2008

One of my favorite easy dinner recipes is this Chicken Moroccan Soup by chef Sam Gugino from his book, Cooking to Beat the Clock.

This soup is quick and easy, and is a great ethnic dish and is a favorite of ours and guests.

2 tbsp olive oil
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 medium onion, about 8 oz.
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 tsp hot paprika or 3/4 tsp sweet paprika and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
5 C chicken stock
2 medium zucchini
1/2 cup instant couscous
1 16-oz can chickpeas
salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 sprigs cilantro (optional)

1. Put the oil in a deep, pan over medium-high heat. Cut the chicken into 1/2″ cubes. Add to the pan, raise heat to high, stir.
2. While the chicken browns, peel and quarter the onion & put in a food processor. Pulse until just chopped. Add the onion, cumin, ginger and paprika to the pan. Stir and cook for 1 min. Add the stock to the pan and stir with a wide wooden spoon, scraping any bits from the bottom. Cover and bring to a boil, about 2 min.
3. Meanwhile, trim the zucchini and slice in half lengthwise. Then cut crosswise into 1/4″ half moons. When the soup comes to a boil, add the zucchini and the couscous to the pan, stir and cover.
4. Open the can of chickpeas into a small colander, rinse and drain briefly. Add to the pan. Cover and let the soup return to a boil, then lower the heat slightly so the soup simmers briskly for 4 min. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Chop the leaves from the cilantro sprigs. Stir into the soup, cook for 1 min, and serve in soup plates.

Feel free to share some of your favorite easy dinner recipes! I’m always on the look out 🙂

nothing like homemade cream of broccoli soup February 28, 2008

On the way home today, I stopped by Flour Girls and Dough Boys in American Fork for a visit and walked out with good, hearty bread bowls. These things have a good weight to them, not like the air-filled things you find in most bakeries. What else to put in a bread bowl than cream of broccoli soup?

Delightful Tina from Flour Girls suggested to put the bread bowls in the oven to warm them up and make them soft again before serving. Tim made the incision and carved out the insides like pumpkins before filling them with thick, hearty soup.

The All Recipes cream of broccoli recipe we made got a whopping five stars on all the reviews I read, so naturally, I had to try it. (click here for the recipe!) The aroma itself is delicious and I am anxiously awaiting to consume it. Signing off!

Addendum: The Review

I am extremely full and completely satisfied. Next time you’re in the mood for a heartwarming winter meal, I highly recommend this simple and delicious recipe. Women, your boyfriend/partner/husband will praise you for it.

Though it’s only Wednesday, I feel in desperate need for a weekend, to turn off my mind and escape. It’s time to curl up in the living room with soft light, the fire place and Tim.