Lemons and Larkspur: nesting mode

I am happily spending my days in full on nesting mode now that our temps have finally taken a dip. There is just something about the cooler and shorter days that makes me want to hunker down and spend time in the kitchen.

I have decided this will be the year of soup and bread making.

I got started on Monday making this knock off of the Olive Garden's pasta e fagioli. I loved it but my husband said it was just okay.

I also made this pizza bianca recipe that I found on Edie's blog, life in grace. Another good one that I will definitely be using as my home made pizza dough recipe from now on. It was quick to put together and makes a good bread for any soup you make.

This week I am going to be making Chicken Tortilla soup. My husband likes to have a bread or sandwich with soup or it really isn't a meal to him, so I'm open for suggestions. What sounds good with chicken tortilla soup? And while your thinking about soups and breads, what are some of your favorite recipes

Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend.

xo, Patty

11 comments

Angela ~ Call Her BlessedNovember 6, 2015 at 9:17 AM
I love bread and soup weather too =) Let's see, I'd maybe serve homemade guacamole with tortilla chips alongside tortilla soup. Quesadillas would be yummy too. {My husband & sons like something additional served with soup too.} Or maybe even loaded nachos. Those are always a hit around our house. My favorite 'cheater' version of white queso is a box cheese from Kroger. Not the healthiest of choices, but great when you are having mexican ;) Here's a link:
http://callherblessed-angela.blogspot.com/2014/06/restaurant-style-white-cheese.html
Kathleen GraceNovember 6, 2015 at 10:56 AM
We eat my honey whole wheat French bread with everything, the recipe is on my blog, along with my home made tomato soup, (3 cheese grilled cheese goes great with that!), and my chicken noodle soup made from rotisserie chicken. I also have a wonderful minestrone recipe here. http://kathyscottage.blogspot.com/2007/09/hot-soup-on-cool-day.html. We usually just crumble tortilla chips in the bottom of the bowl when we have tortilla soup.
SusieNovember 6, 2015 at 11:13 AM
Patty, Your husband is like most...they want meat and potatoes. LOL.. I serve lots of soups with corn muffins..It's better than with just crackers. Some times 1/2 of a grilled cheese or grilled ham& cheese. Hope you are doing well and having good weather. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
elizabeth ann clawsonNovember 6, 2015 at 11:36 AM
I want to make soup and bread too!!! I've been pinning recipes for both. I'm gonna have to make a list and go grocery shopping now.
DebbieNovember 6, 2015 at 12:28 PM
Patty,
How about some homemade quesadillas with your taco soup? You could use flour tortillas with pepper jack for some spice. Yum! sounds good!
Marilyn McLeod @ Pink Paper CottageNovember 6, 2015 at 4:47 PM
I love muffins with any soup... also love garlic toast! yum yum... soup is not a meal without some sort of bread or muffin, etc. A nice big bowl of homemade chili is good on these cooler days.... and top it off with onions, sour cream and shredded cheese! (and muffins of course).
DebbieNovember 7, 2015 at 5:44 AM
I made pasta fagioli this week for the guests at our Catholic Worker house and they loved it. My recipe is slightly different, no tabasco and instead of the jarred spaghetti sauce I used a large can of crushed tomatoes. I love soup suppers at this time of year!
craftylesNovember 7, 2015 at 9:50 AM
What about quesadillas with the tortilla soup? You can make them really hardy by adding lots of stuff-beans, jalapenos, tomatoes, avocado. That's what we do down here in Texas. Enjoy-the soup looks great!
MelanieNovember 7, 2015 at 1:53 PM
Hi Patty - I've tried a knock-off recipe of Olive Garden's Pasta e Fagioli too, and like your husband, didn't like it. If you want to give it another go-around, here's a link to a blog post I did last year with my all-time favorite Pasta e Fagioli recipe (there is no meat in it) and also a Mexican Chicken soup: http://comfyhouse.blogspot.com/2014/10/comfort-in-bowl-soup-recipes-for-those.html
PatNovember 7, 2015 at 7:11 PM
Patty,
I love homemade cream of potato soup!!!
If you're serving a sandwich with it, how about Ham and Swiss cheese on a croissant???
Placed in the oven for a few minutes, just until the cheese melts and the croissant is crisp!!!
I'm not much of a bread maker, unless it's "quick" bread!!!
My favorite. . .Banana Bread!!!
Have an amazing weekend, dear friend!!!
Fondly,
Pat
20 North OraNovember 7, 2015 at 7:51 PM
I like bread sticks with cheese and garlic butter with tortilla soup. Sounds like your home will be warm and cozy this winter with lots of good soup and breads. Have you ever made the Cheeseburger Soup?

Judy