Deborah and I are so happy to see you at the February Ultimate Coffee Date! I’ve been trying new recipes I want to tell you about, and have other big news I finally can share. Please make sure you comment on other coffee date posts. It’s your participation that makes it enjoyable and worthwhile. We will keep the link up open all weekend, so there’s plenty of time to enjoy our virtual get-together and catch up on what’s going on in each other’s lives.
Facebook recently reminded me of the fantastic business trip I took to Switzerland five years ago. When I wasn’t meeting with clients, I was visiting fine chocolatiers. I need to make that happen again.
New Year, New Recipes
If we were having coffee,I would ask if you’ve tried any new recipes this year–or recommend any new cookbooks? My secret Santa granted my wish and got me Run Fast. Cook Fast Eat Slow. Looking over the recipes, I think I would enjoy eating all of them, but even with the “cook fast” promise some recipes are intimidating–or based on ingredients my husband wouldn’t touch–like quinoa (which I love).
(click the image to view on Amazon)
I did make the Chicken Cannellini Soup, and it was good with my modifications. I had a whole bunch of celery to use up, so I basically doubled the recipe except the amount of chicken, and also added a can of diced fire roasted tomatoes. The only seasoning the recipe called for was salt, so I added black pepper and Penzey’s “Mural of Flavor” salt-free blend.
I also tried Chrissy’s Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala which I also modified to suit our tastes (using boneless, skinless chicken thighs and shredding the chicken before adding the coconut milk, and adding a can of chickpeas). My husband liked it so much he went back for seconds, which rarely happens. I thought it was delicious too, so I’ll definitely be making it again.
For days I can’t cook, I ordered a batch of soups from Soupergirl, a local company founded by a woman and her mom to offer ready-to-eat meal options that are healthful and planet-friendly. The soups are vegan and are made with organic ingredients that you would use in your own homemade recipes. They come frozen in 12 oz. containers and can be thawed/heated on the stove top or in the microwave. The current menu includes delicious flavors like Ginger Sweet Potato and Lentil and Greens –save 20% with Coupon Code REFVWBUO0LOI2 if you want to give them a try.
If we were having coffee, I would finally be able to tell you the big news. My son proposed to his girlfriend–and she said yes! It happened over Christmas, but I wanted to be sure nobody who knows them hears it here first. 😉
Thanks to her sister, we have the moment on video.
I think he picked the perfect setting-don’t you?
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Awww! Congrats to your son! What exciting news!
My husband always says that a recipe is just the starter. He modifies everything and he’s such a good cook!
That’s about how I feel about recipes — they are inspiration, not instructions!
Awwww how beautiful! Congrats to the happy couple! I still only have the first RFES cookbook and since I’ve only made one thing from it, I won’t allow myself to get the new one. The Caveman is super picky but he likes quinoa, so there’s that. His soup repertoire is very limited though. 🙁
I got the e-version of the first RFES and learned that I need a paper cookbook to ever use it, which is odd since I will google recipes …. My husband is happiest with unhealthy kid food. 😛
I’m definitely going to have to try that soup recipe. We eat a lot of soup here in the winter.
Congrats to your son and his fiance! How awesome!
Soup hits the spot in weather like this!
Best wishes to your son and his fiancée!
I think all recipes are meant to be modified 😉 Thankfully my husband has expanded his tastes over the years, but quinoa would be a non-starter for him too!
LOL. Maybe it’s the q foods. Quiche, Quinoa ….
Oh huge congratulations to all of you! How fun and exciting! I have tasted the soupergirl soups before they are pretty good. I always change around recipes that is the fun of cooking. I have to find something that your husband will eat of mine!
He’s so picky — or unadventurous? It’s a challenge.
WOWWWW! Congrats to the son (and the entire family)! That’s exciting 😉 Although I will never, ever, boast about my cooking/baking skills, I always modify (most) recipes to my taste. I think it’s the artsy brain of mine LOL
Some recipes beg for modifications, some come after trial and error.
Congrats to your son. And I see all recipes as a suggestion.
Thanks! Yes, suggestions, inspiration, …. I do follow baking recipes to a T — except on optional add-ins.
Awwe how exciting! Congratulations to your son and his fiance! 🙂
I haven’t tried any new recipes from that cookbook (which was also gifted to me from a secret santa). I need to work on that this month!
Thanks. They are a sweet couple. <3 Maybe we need a new recipe challenge!
Congratulations! So excited. Are they planning a wedding for this year?
I’m embarrassed to report that I have a signed copy of the book from Chicago Marathon weekend and I haven’t made anything yet! Those soups look up my alley though! I love healthy convenience!
Hah! That’s how I was with the first one. The recipes looked good but I never tried them!
Awww, congrats to your son & his fiance!
You know I’m always trying new recipes! That turkey taco soup is actually one of Mr. Judy’s favorites, surprisingly, and I make it often & it’s very simple.
Love Tikka Masala! I have the first RFES book, but not the second (waiting for a sale). I don’t cook from it that often, though. I personally feel the recipes are more for those elites and runners who have great metabolisms — me, not so much. I seem to be in the minority there.
I think some of the snack foods are higher in calories than I need, but some of the main recipes are OK. Many in the first book were too fussy though.
Congratulations to your son and his girlfriend! That’s so special and exciting!
We are doing a lot with new recipes this year. I find myself in such a rut and struggling to make things creative and fun, so we are aiming for one new meal/recipe per week. So far, so good! Even little man is getting in on the action!
Trying a new recipe each week is a great idea. How cool that your son is getting involved too. My son turned into a great cook at college and I love it when he fixes dinner!
Awww, congrats to your son ( and to you for gaining a future daughter)! I agree that was the perfect setting!
Yeah, I guess he tried to plan a ‘grammable moment for her. 😉
Congrats to your son! How exciting. I met Elyse Kopecky at a Nike event before the Chicago Marathon and had a chance to talk with her about the new cookbook. I love how many vegan options are in it!
Yes, it has a lot of great options. The recipes do look delicious — I’d like to find a RFES restaurant. 😉
Awww….congrats to your son and his fiancee. You get to be mother of the groom! I did it 3 times! 🙂 It’s the best. I have the first Run Fast cookbook. I STILL have not tried any of the recipes yet. Your post inspired me to get it out and sit it on my kitchen counter. This weekend, for sure!
Hah! Let me know if you end up trying one.
Aww… congrats to your son! Sounds like you’ll have an exciting year coming up :). I got a couple new Cook books over Christmas so I really need to start trying the recipes.
I really like buying new cookbooks, but usually end up only finding a few recipes I like. ;-/
Congrats to your son, his fiancée, and your entire family. I love having a daughter-in-law!
I still haven’t made anything from the original Eat Slow Run Fast cookbook… 🙁
Thanks for the linkup!
I don’t think I have either …. I do like the Runner’s World cookbooks, but I also just get in a routine — or rut — with my recipes.
Me, too! I feel like I just make the same things over and over. We eat so many arugula salads with our dinners that I’m surprised I’m not starting to look like an arugula leaf!
Love this post! Is your hubby generally a picky eater? I’m lucky that my husband is pretty open to anything, though he doesn’t like peanut butter in warm foods (lol) or eggs besides hardboiled (the worst egg form, lol). We love that Run Fast Eat Slow cookbook!
He mostly doesn’t like vegetables, and he’s like Jack Sprat when it comes to meat. And he likes corn on the cobb, but not mixed in any recipe …. but he’s happy with a peanut butter sandwich or mac & cheese or kabob-style meals ….. Your recipe is a keeper!
Congrats to your son and future DIL!!!!! That does look like a picture perfect proposal. 🙂
Thanks! We like her a lot. 😉
Trying new recipes is always fun! I don’t have the Cook Fast book but I do have the Run Fast Eat Slow. I made the marathon lasagna…definitely needed more spice but at least I have food for days!
Congrats to your son and his new fiance! Such a romantic proposal spot!
Lasagna is one thing I never make but do enjoy eating. It is such a process! The picture of the proposal just makes my heart swell. <3
Congratulations to your son!