Spring is almost here, but winter still has us in its grip. Get through these last few cold night by warming up with this white bean and bacon soup! It’s easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner, and would make a great frozen make-ahead meal. Make a big batch and bring some to work, or pack it in a thermos for lunch for the kids! This soup is delicious and is made from white beans, parmesan cheese, bacon, celery, garlic, chicken stock, and sage. Throw on that apron and let’s get cookin’!

White Bean Soup Recipe With Parmesan Cheese, Bacon, and Sage

Looking for some healthy comfort food? Try this white bean soup with bacon, garlic, parmesan cheese, celery, and sage!

Serve it up with crusty bread for dipping!

 Photos: The Clever Carrot.

We love seafood, and now that the weather is getting chilly, making seafood stew is a great idea. Serve this tasty stew with crusty bread to warm yourself up this fall! In this recipe, crabs, clams, white fish, and shrimp infused with herbs were used, blending the flavors that will have your guests wanting more than one bowl!

Cioppino Stew

Seafood stew you can make on weeknights if you want a quick and healthy dinner!

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 1/2 tsp fresh thyme
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp crushed red-pepper flakes
• 1 dried bay leaf
• 1 can whole peeled tomatoes with juice, crushed
• 1 1/4 cups dry white wine
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1 cup bottled clam juice
• 2 pounds shell-on king crab legs, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 24 littleneck clams, scrubbed well
• 1 pound firm, skinless white fish fillets (such as red snapper, sea bass, or halibut), cut into bite-size pieces
• salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 1/4 pounds large shrimp (about 30), peeled and deveined, tails left on if desired
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic until onion is translucent. Add in thyme, oregano, red-pepper flakes, and bay leaf.
2. Add tomatoes and their juice, white wine, water, and clam juice. Bring to a simmer.
3. Add crab and clams. Simmer covered, until crab shells turn bright pink and clam shells open, about 10 minutes. Season fish with salt and pepper. Add fish and shrimp to stockpot. Simmer, covered, until fish is opaque and shrimp are pink, 2 to 3 minutes. Discard bay leaf and any unopened clams.
4. Remove pot from heat and stir in parsley. Season with salt and pepper.

Photos: Taste Food Blog, This Mama Cooks. Recipe: Martha Stewart.

We love using spices and herbs! From simple oregano and basil to nutmeg and saffron, there are many to choose from. There are spices and herbs that are common in every day dishes that we use almost every day. If you’re wondering which to stock up on, read our list!

1. Oregano

Oregano is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine, and it’s mostly used on pizza, as well as tomato sauce. Due to its strong flavor, oregano is best paired with other bold flavors to keep it from dominating the dish.

2. Basil

Just like oregano, basil is a staple spice that’s added to sauces and topped on pizza. Basil goes best with tomato dishes. Basil can also be paired with meats, fish, and salads.

3. Rosemary

Just as you would with oregano, rosemary is best paired with bold flavors since it has a bold flavor itself. You can remove the leaves from the stems and just add them like that to your dish, or you can chop them up to release the oils and thus more flavor.

4. Cinnamon

Cinnamon can be used as a natural food preservative due to its ability to stop mold from growing. It can be used in savoy and sweet dishes like chili, beef brisket, or pumpkin pie.

5. Black Pepper

Black pepper is the most widely used spice in the world. Dishes with a cream sauce may require white pepper, which is a milder version than black pepper. Black pepper is usually added after the dish has been cooked.

6. Sage

Because of its minty taste, sage is often used in sauces for meant entrees like pork chops, chicken breasts, and turkey. It also goes well with squash and pumpkin.

7. Bay Leaves

Bay leaves were used by the ancient Greeks, and it’s commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine. Bay leaves can be used in soups, meat stews, seafood dishes, and vegetable dishes.

8. Paprika

Paprika is a common spice used in the Balkans, Morocco, and even South Africa. It can be used in stews such as goulash, and it is also used in preparation of sausages. Paprika also goes well with tomato dishes, and in chili.

9. Onion Powder

Onion powder is simply ground onion with salt. You can use it in pasta dishes, pizza, and on grilled chicken.

10. Nutmeg

Nutmeg goes great in stuffings and sausages. It also pairs well with lamb, veal, and pumpkin.

Photos: Wikimedia, Evo Marketplace, Gourmandistan, Rhinobutt, Jones Garden, Free Food Photos, Amoils, Gujarat, Cooks.ndtv, Your Med Guide.

The Tim Horton’s bread bowl may be back, which is great news for us! We can’t get enough of the bread bowl, and we’re impatiently waiting for it to come back! If you’re impatient like us, there is a way to make your own! For this bread bowl, a thick, hearty soup works best. We especially love thick chicken noodle or potato soup! We used white flour in this recipe, but you can substitute it for dark for a healthy alternative. You don’t just have to put soup in these! How about cracking an egg inside mini bread bowls and baking it? You can also fill it up with some tasty mac and cheese! The possibilities are endless!

Tim Horton’s Home-Made Italian-Style Bread Bowl

A thick, hearty soup goes best with these bread bowls! Try beef stew or potato soup! These bread bowls can be frozen for up to a month.

Ingredients

• 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 2 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F)
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 7 cups flour
• 1 tbsp cornmeal
• 1 egg white
• 1 tbsp water

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Leave it to sit about 10 minutes until creamy.
2. Add the salt, oil, and 4 cups of flour to the yeast and beat well. Stir in the remaining flour, about a 1/2 at a time, and beat well with an electric mixer after each addition.
3. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it until it’s smooth.
4. Lightly oil a large bowl and place the dough in the bowl. Turn the dough around to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and leave it to rise in a warm spot until it has doubled in size. (About 40 minutes.)
5. When the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8 equal portions. Shape each portion into a 4 inch round loaf. Place the loaves on slightly greased baking sheets that are sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover the loaves and let them rise again in a warm spot until they’ve doubled in size. (About 30-40 minutes.)
6. Preheat your oven to 400 F.
7. In a bowl, beat together the egg white and 1 tbsp of water, and lightly brush the loaves with half of the egg wash.
8. Bake for 15 minutes, then brush with the remaining egg wash. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until golden. Cool on a wire rack.
9. To make the bowls, cut a 1/2 inch thick slice from the top of each loaf and scoop out centers. You should be left with 3/4 inch thick shells.
10. Fill the bread bowls with hot soup and serve immediately.

Photos: The Poch Times, Pillsbury, That Was Vegan.

1. Garlic Lover’s Pot Roast

Bring a bit of rustic charm to your table with this easy-to-make dish! Juicy beef, carrots, and lots of garlic come together in this old-world style meal. Don’t forget the mashed potatoes!

Get the recipe here.

2. Easy Healthier Crockpot Butter Chicken

The ingredients to this butter chicken are super simple to prepare before you head off to work. Pair it with rice and Naan bread for the perfect comfort food.

Get the recipe here.

3. Honey Garlic Chicken

This honey garlic chicken tastes just like Chinese take-out! Serve with steamed carrots, peas or broccoli, and a side of rice. You won’t be disappointed!

Get the recipe here.

4. Olive Garden Minestrone Soup Copycat

Do you ever have cravings for Olive Garden’s minestrone soup? We do! Here’s a simple recipe you can make at home that tastes just as good as the real thing!

Get the recipe here.

5. Apple Cinnamon Slow Cooker Pork Loin

This is definitely a dish you will want to make again and again! Apple and cinnamon are added to pork loin for an amazing blend of flavors that will have your mouth watering! Serve with mashed potatoes to complete this dish.

Get the recipe here.

6. Red Lentil Soup

Perfect for vegans, this red lentil soup doesn’t disappoint! Rich and creamy, this soup is perfect for chilly nights and it’s packed with nutrients, too!

Get the recipe here.

7. Turkey Pesto Meatballs and Marinara

Craving Italian? Look no further! These meatballs and marinara sauce go great over spaghetti. Finish off the dish with a sprinkle of fresh basil.

Get the recipe here.

8. Black Bean Chili

A vegetarian favorite, this black bean chili is packed with protein. Using basic pantry items, it’s a snap to prepare.

Get the recipe here.

9. Clam Chowder

This New England style clam chowder is sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters! This chowder is the perfect comfort food on a rainy day.

Get the recipe here.

10. Moroccan Stew

If you’re into trying something exotic, this Moroccan stew is perfect! Made with bell peppers, zucchini, lentils and squash, this spicy stew is low in fat and high in nutrients.

Get the recipe here.