In one of my favorite frugal books "Miserly Moms" by Jonni McCoy, she explains that one of the things she did to help save money was to institute a soup night. I think that's a great idea especially now that it's getting cooler around here (well, if you can call 70 cool~smile). What I decided to do was to make soup night where I either use veggies from the garden or use leftovers (which I have been very good about wrapping up and sticking in the freezer if I say so myself). I've really been trying to stay on top of the perishables and use them so I don't get to a point where I throw them out and the same with leftovers (that's where menu planning comes in).
So last night I went out and picked some Swiss Chard and we had Swiss Chard and White Bean Soup. It was really good and everyone liked it. Even my daughter who normally doesn't like meals that are meatless! I realized after I made the soup that I had a ham bone from Easter that still had a lot of meat on it in my freezer that I could have put in there!! Going through my freezer and taking an inventory is on my agenda this week! Oh, the soup recipe I used came from "The South Beach Diet Cookbook" and I've gotta say I haven't made one thing from that book that we haven't just loved!
But my really, really exciting news is that I BAKED BREAD for the first time (without a breadmaker)!!
I used this book's master recipe
The good thing is that you can mix and store it all in the same bowl AND it makes several loaves AND the dough can be stored for up to two weeks in the fridge. So you could have fresh baked bread every day!
I've had this book since the beginning of summer and just now tried it and it was easy! If you get the book just be aware that they published it with a few errors and that you need to go to their website to print out the corrections (unless they've had a new printing and fixed it).
It was really good! The outside was crunchy and the inside was moist. I felt that I served my family a really tasty, healthy and frugal meal last night! I have so many things on my "want to do" list and baking bread was one of them, so it feels good to get that done and now I feel more comfortable about trying some of the other recipes in that book.
To change gears here for a moment I want to bring to your attention a post by Rhonda Jean that I found very inspiring. It's about time management and I've really taken her suggestions to heart - I think you'll find it helpful (her whole blog is full of great information) Time Management
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21 comments:
We eat a lot of soups, especially this time of year and throughout the winter and early spring months.
I love this kind of soup. I make mine with ... turnip greens...
One think I like about soups is, I can make a ton and put it in the fridge and not have to cook for a couple of days.
Homemade soup and fresh warm bread...now that is comfort food at it's best!
Yummy tips!
Susie
Yes,sweetie! I have been doing this soup night too! I didn't know it was a trend! I also , will serve soup first and then those stinky boys ...(:...will not eat me out of house and home! I think we should share our soup recipes! Like a recipe swap...Have a awesome day! Meme
I am new to visiting your blog and have thoroughly enjoyed it thankyou.
What a lovely soup in its bowl. I asked hubby is is too late can we plant? I have bread machine made bread for guys on the road, One did not turn out, it went out and so did the mixer paddles. One state we had already left behind. The best bread is home made, I'll take a loaf, please! lol
I absolutely love soups...I for one could eat soup every day of the week!
I'm going to check out Rhonda Jean's blog. I so need help with time management! Maybe if I didn't read so many blogs I'd have more time to manage;)
We just had soup and grilled cheese for lunch. Yum!
your bread looks really good. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a very nice comment.
That is perfect for a day like today over here in Modesto. It is windy and the chimes outside are chiming away. It is fun baking bread on your own. I do from time to time. Have a great week.
We are having French Onion soup tonight. Isn't fresh bread the best? And it really is so much less expensive than the store bought kind! I need to look up that book, I really like the idea of storing the dough inht he fridge and haveing fresh each day. It looked beautiful!
I love soup and I love bean soup so I must get that recipe! When my kids were all at home, every Thursday night was buffet night. We'd eat whatever was left in the fridge. Strange combinations to say the least but the kids thought it was fun and I'd always make some kind of dessert to bribe them with. Then Fri. I'd go get groceries. It worked out pretty well and we didn't throw out much food. Which is a huge money saver. Mimi
There really isn't anything better than homemade soup along with homemade bread..... yummmy
HUgs
Linda
You're a smart cookie Manuela! That bread looks so good :)
I made soup tonight too. Kind of a chicken taco soup and it was so good. I love when the weather changes and we can have soup again. Your soup sounds good. I'll look for that recipe.
How fun...you made bread from dear Zoe's cookbook...Have you been to her blog yet? www.zoebakes.com She is so wonderful. She is always there to answer all your bread baking questions...Isn't the bread wonderful....
Manuela,
Thank you for the helpful suggestion of having a soup and bread night. I need to start doing that again!
I am also proud of you for handmaking some bread. I don't have a bread machine so I always make my bread this way. Boy, it is a learned skill and an art. Took me awhile to master it.
Could you share your recipe?
Take care and have a great day!
Elizabeth
Dear Manuela,
I recently purchased that book too. Clarice highly recommends it as well. I need to give it a try. Thank you for sharing!
Oh, your soup looks so good! We love soup. I look forward to having chard from my garden to use in our soups too. Isn't it wonderful to have chard growing in your own garden? Yours looks beautiful.
Love, Paula
Thank you for posting this! It makes me want to try some of the "firsts" I have been putting off. Have a wonderful week!
Your soup sounds delicious. Mr. Sweet Nothings and I both LOVE veggie soups so we have them at least a couple of times during the week...especially thru the cold months. I, too, save tiny bits of left overs (my mom used to call this type soup REFRIDGERATOR SOUP) adding other things as needed. A big pan of cornbread and a slice of onion and we are HAPPY!
Your bread sounds delicious, too!
bj
I agree with those who asked for the recipe. It looks like a winner!
Oh my goodness...I need to make this bread! What a perfect time of year for this warm treat! Love your blog here! Thanks so much for sharing all these wonderful ideas.
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