Food

Potato, Sausage, and Leek Soup

Potato, Sausage, and Leek Soup-- Recipe at: stephanie-spring.comPotato, Sausage, and Leek Soup-- Recipe at: stephanie-spring.comPotato, Sausage, and Leek Soup-- Recipe at: stephanie-spring.comPotato, Sausage, and Leek Soup-- Recipe at: stephanie-spring.comPotato, Sausage, and Leek Soup-- Recipe at: stephanie-spring.com Potato, Sausage, and Leek Soup-- Recipe at: stephanie-spring.comPotato, Sausage, and Leek Soup-- Recipe at: stephanie-spring.comA few simple ingredients can create the most delectable soup. The combination of flavors never cease to smell delicious and warm me that it was worth sharing for you to experience the same sensations. Going back for seconds was a sure sign that Eric liked it and the fact that soup has never really been my thing but I ended up following suit, made me know that the soup was a keeper. It’s a clean-eating soup for a blustery cold night but hearty one in the same. Not big meat-eaters? No worries! Leave out the sausage, add one less cup of chicken stock and you’re set! My favorite part either way? The parsley! Make sure it’s added to your grocery list to ensure the perfect topping for dinner this week!
Potato, Sausage, and Leek Soup-- Recipe at: stephanie-spring.com Potato, Sausage, and Leek Soup-- Recipe at: stephanie-spring.comPotato, Sausage, and Leek Soup-- Recipe at: stephanie-spring.comPotato, Sausage, and Leek Soup-- Recipe at: stephanie-spring.com


Ingredients:

  • 5 russet potatoes (peeled and cubed)
  • 2 leeks
  • 1/2 pound sausage
  • 6 cups chicken stock
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 Tbsp EVOO
  • salt to taste
  • parsley for garnish


What to do:

Cook sausage by itself until browned. Cool and cut into quarter inch rounds. Cut the leeks into rings and place in a bowl of water to clean thoroughly. Drain and set aside. Pour EVOO into a large pot (I used this and LOVE it!)  on medium to medium-high heat. Combine potatoes and leeks into the pot for 8 to 10 minutes or until softened. Stir occasionally. Add 6 cups of chicken stock and the sausage to the pot and bring to a boil. Once it comes to a boil, reduce heat to low and cover for 30-40 minutes. Stir occasionally. After 30-40 minutes, add 1 cup of whole milk and about a teaspoon of salt. Stir and cook for another five minutes. Take about four cups from the soup and puree in a blender until smooth. Add back to the soup and continue cooking on medium heat for about ten minutes. Ladle into bowls and top with parsley.


 

Friday Favorites + Homemade Croutons

We made it to Friday only because I’ve been drinking A LOT of this lately. 😉

One.

Banana Republic earrings are a favorite and something I went shopping for this week.

Two.On Monday it was extremely cold all day so we had my Easy Tomato Soup for dinner. Except this time, I made some homemade croutons to pair with it. I debated about sharing this because it’s nothing fancy or mind-blowing. But I will tell you, it added just the perfect amount of crunch and topping to an already tasty soup.Homemade Croutons--Recipe at: Stephanie-spring.com Homemade Croutons--Recipe at: Stephanie-spring.com

Homemade Croutons


 Ingredients: 

  • One baguette
  • EVOO (enough to coat the bottom of a pan)


What to do: 

In a large pan, lightly coat the bottom with EVOO on medium to medium-low heat. Cut the baguette into one inch pieces. Stir occasionally to avoid burning. Remove from heat and place desired amount on top of soup! 🙂


Three.On Wednesday, I mentioned how one of my New Years Goals is for some, “me” time and I want books as a part of that time. I need some recommendations though! I’ve talked about some of my favorite books here and here. I also mentioned a modge-podge here. Leave a comment and fill me in on your favorites! 🙂

Four.

Did someone say three day weekend? Thank you, Martin Luther King Jr. 🙂

Five.

You can find the winner of the $25 gift card to JORD watches, here!

Happy Friday everyone! I hope your weekend is relaxing and cozy!

Chocolate Chai Tea Smoothie

Chocolate Chai Tea Smoothie-- Recipe at: stephanie-spring.comChocolate Chai Tea Smoothie-- Recipe at: stephanie-spring.comChocolate Chai Tea Smoothie-- Recipe at: stephanie-spring.comChocolate Chai Tea Smoothie-- Recipe at: stephanie-spring.comThe weekend consisted of temps in the twenties, and lows in the teens. Yikes!  Friday night I snuggled up with a ton of blankets, fell asleep at 8:00 and woke up to a backdrop of flurries on Saturday morning. Chai tea has been my drink of choice, my go-to, my “stress-relief” after a not-so-easy-day with the kiddos. It really is a beautiful thing. A calming drink.

I remember my senior year of college I went through a little coffee/latte craze after studying abroad. After visiting the campus coffee shop at least twice a day, I asked the barista to make whatever she thought I may like on days I couldn’t decide. She handed me a genius drink, just to my liking: A chocolate chai tea latte.

Saturday morning, all of these memories came flooding back as I sipped my morning tea and opened another box to brew some more. I felt like a smoothie would at least switch it up a little bit for my indulgence in this new favorite. Wink, wink. Low and behold, a chocolate chai tea smoothie is what was created!
Chocolate Chai Tea Smoothie-- Recipe at: stephanie-spring.comChocolate Chai Tea Smoothie-- Recipe at: stephanie-spring.com Chocolate Chai Tea Smoothie-- Recipe at: stephanie-spring.comChocolate Chai Tea Smoothie-- Recipe at: stephanie-spring.com


Ingredients:

  • 3 bags Spiced Dragon Red Chai Tea
  • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Hershey’s Special Dark chocolate cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp local honey
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 frozen banana
  • about 7 ice cubes
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 3 pitted dates (chopped)


What to do:

Boil half a cup water and steep all three tea bags for five minutes. Remove tea bags and chill the tea in the refrigerator. Once chilled, combine all ingredients into blender and blend until smooth. Snuggle and sip.


 

Bacon Chocolate Chip Pancakes

With snow flurries constantly on the horizon, comfort food is constantly on my mind. Am I the only one? The frigid temperatures make me crave all things warm and filling. However, trying to find the balance between hearty and lean isn’t always the easiest. Therefore, this twist on pancakes is the perfect solution! They are filling but healthy and sweet with a side of savory. With the blustery chill outside, these will be sure to warm up your home in no time and may just become a staple for breakfast. 😉 


Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Stonyfield Organic Greek Vanilla Bean Yogurt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup oats
  • 2 pieces of bacon (or more if desired)
  • 1/3 cup chocolate chips (or more if desired)
  • Maple syrup (for topping)

What to do:

In a pan, cook the bacon. When it is finished, cut into bite-sized pieces. Combine yogurt, eggs, and oats into a blender. Blend until smooth. In a greased (I used butter) pan, pour batter to desired pancake size at medium heat. Immediately crumble bacon and chocolate chips onto each pancake. Flip the pancake when the edges start to bubble (about one and a half minutes). Cook for about another minute. Top with maple syrup and enjoy! 🙂


 

Smoothie Sailing into 2017

Blueberry Banana Protein SmoothieStrawberry Banana Smoothie-- Recipe at: stephanie-spring.comGreen Smoothie-- Recipe at: stephanie-spring.comThe holidays consisted of so much food. I love this with all of my heart but sometimes, you just need a day or two (or a week) to detox from what your body has gotten used to. A smoothie is an easy way to incorporate fruits and veggies without a lot of prep. I truly feel more energized and fit when I have one of these on days or weeks where I just feel like I haven’t eaten the best. Here’s a jumpstart to the year because you got this. 😉 May you always appreciate the renewal each day brings. May you always remember the sweetness each year holds. May you throw away anything that hinders you and focus on what He has you reaching for.

Green Smoothie smoothie recipe, here.

Strawberry Banana smoothie recipe, here.

Blueberry Banana Protein smoothie recipe, here.