well look at who still has a blog

Its been so long since I have even tried to blog, I had trouble remembering my password!

Things are good around here. Fall is trying to peek its little head out (though not successfully, we've had record highs all week), but the nights are very cool and its time to have blankets on the bed and soup in the belly.

Last week, I made a really good one. And it was super fast and easy. Pete took it to work a couple of nights and I enjoyed a bowl as well. Soup is nice because its CHEAP, easy, tasty, comforting, and can be super healthy (unless a main ingredient is heavy whipping cream, then... not so much). Anyway, here is the recipe:

Chickpea and Sausage Stew
serves: 4

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 large onion chopped
12 ounces italian sausage, casing removed
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1/2 c flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped
1/2 c cilantro, roughly chopped
2 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup water
1 15 ounce cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 cups fresh leaf spinach
kosher salt and pepper
8 slices sourdough bread, (optional)

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft: 5-7 minutes. Add the sausage and cook, crumbling it with a wooden spoon, until browned: about 8 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, for two minutes. Stir in the parsley and cilantro and cook for one minute more. Add the broth and chickpeas and bring to a boil. Add the spinach and simmer, partially covered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally with a fork to seperate the leaves. Stir in 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Serve over two slices of toasted bread.

a serving boasts: 935 calories, 22.7 g dietary fiber, and 48.4 g protien along with 154% daily value for vitamin A, 72% of your iron needs, 24% calcium, and 65% of vitamin c. Its a little high with fat, sodium, and cholesterol, but nothing that a healthy, balanced diet can't tolerate.

We discussed that it needs a little more going on in the veggie department, so I think next time, I'll try adding a few more things for some variety. But its tasty as is!

Well there you have it friends, go out and enjoy this new season with some new recipes!

CHEERS! LiA

sources:
real simple magazine february 2008
caloriecount.about.com