Hi Friends! How has your weekend been so far? Mine has been good and warm. The weather turned warm again. Nothing like a little Indian Summer after I outfit my kid with a new winter coat and boots. But hey, I will take warm all day long. That’s why I live in San Diego, not Minnesota!
In an effort to use up some random ingredients and create some easy meals for Scott and Skylar while I’m at work, I broke out the new crock pot and threw a few things on the counter that I wanted to use and some of them made it into the crockpot and my new recipe. Many of you have told me you use brewed coffee, a square of dark chocolate or cocoa powder, or pumpkin puree in your chili and soups. I need to try that. Maybe not all at once and none of those things made the cut in today’s recipe, but you have me thinking.
Hearty Vegan Southwestern Sweet & Spicy Soup
1 can of beans (I used Amy’s Organic Baked Beans, 15 oz., but use whatever you have)
2/3 c water, adjust to taste and cooking times
1 jar of Pace Picante Sauce (that I received through Food Buzz) or similar
1/2 c diced carrots
1 medium/large potato, diced
1 Tbsp Chili Powder
3/4 Tbsp Mrs Dash Chipotle Blend
1/4 c ketchup
1 Tsp Salt or to taste
1/4 c sugar (omit if you don’t want the sweet in the sweet & spicy)
Toss everything into Crock Pot or on Stove Top, Stir, and Simmer Until Done. I did 4 hours on high in the Crock Pot.
Makes 4 very generous bowls. Or 6 more normal sized bowls.
And the broth has a kick, but is tempered by the tiny addition of sugar. Sweet with heat. My grandma always said to add a pinch of sugar to tomato sauce to bring out the flavor. She was right!
Scott is over his “I hate beans” thoughts. Well, mostly. He’s not racing out for them but he has already asked me to make more of this soup. Good, because I have another jar of Pace to use!
For recent Bean Recipes See:
My first ever Vegan Chili attempt.
From yesterday’s post about my new Jeans and Makeup and my trip, yes, I am so excited! No one guessed where I am going and soon, I promise, I will fill you in on all the trip details.
I got my new issue of Yoga Journal in the mail on Friday
Dessert/Snack: No-Bake Vegan Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Toss everything in a bowl, stir, press into a pan and freeze. Voila, bars. Done. So much better, cheaper, and you’re in control of the ingredients, compared to store-bought bars.
Questions
1. Best Thing You’ve Ate or Done This Weekend?
Time with my family, outside, walking, talking, laughing. It’s been lovely!
2. Have you ever made homemade tomato sauce, red sauce, marinara sauce, chili, soup, etc. that was tomato based and added sugar to it? Or heard that a pinch of sugar brings out the flavors better?
I have made my own Raw Vegan 30 Second Red Marina Sauce for my Raw Pasta & Raw Marinara Sauce, and yes, a pinch of sugar works well in that too.
How close or distant we are with friends, family, relatives, neighbors, strangers, etc.
How much of the world’s resources we use and consume
And certain things, people, outcomes that we can’t change.
The quote/Serenity Prayer comes to mind (and although I am spiritual, I don’t consider myself “religious” but I like this one): “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
For example, if I want greater harmony with dining companions about my plant-based food choices, I neither shout from the heavens the virtues of a plant-based or vegan diet, nor do I tear into them about the evils of the food they are eating, nor do I even suggest they eat differently. I simply eat my food, live my life by example that I can accomplish everything I want in my life and have tons of energy living this way, and that it works for me. If they wish to change their dietary path one day; lovely. If they don’t, that’s fine too.
I don’t have all the answers and often times thinking about global change or change with others seems paradoxical to me. It sounds easy to Be The Change, and change the world one small step at a time, but then, I wonder, does the world want to change and what, if any, is my role in it?
What are you working to Change? What or Whom have you learned that you Can’t Change?
Enjoy the deep thoughts. I actually thought writing this was going to be a quickie question but have been pondering this for a longgggg time. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
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