Lately I have been into making some ethnic dishes. First, Butter Chicken, and now this Thai Sweet Potato Soup with Shrimp. In addition to these two exotic dishes, I have been into whipping up some curried soups and stir fries in my everyday cooking. Maybe it's that I am trying to summon the warm tropical weathers to our part of the cold world. Whatever the reason, Paul's not complaining, and neither am I. You guys, spring isn't too far off; I see the light at the end of the … [Read more...]
Healthier Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Hi, Friends. On this happy Friday I give to you my Healthier Loaded Baked Potato Soup! Don't you just love ordering a piping hot bowl of loaded baked potato soup at your favorite restaurant? It's like a baked potato that has been made into soup form, two wonderful things have been combined to create one magical dish! You scarf down the creamy, cheesy, starchy magical loaded baked potato soup enjoying every single bite. And then you sit there feeling too full, too bloated, and like you need to … [Read more...]
Lentil Turkey Chili
Friends, I think I have literally turned into an ice cube! The past few days have been really, really cold. To be honest, once Christmas and New Years have come and gone I am officially over winter. The magic feelings that were surrounding us in anticipation of Christmas are now gone. We are left with some dirty, matted down snow and below-freezing temps. Now you're thinking, "Bah hum bug!" Come on, I know I'm not the only Midwest dweller who feels this way! To top off this entire freezing … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Smoky Pork Chili
If there is only one recipe that you will make from Robust Recipes during the month of October it should be this Slow Cooker Smoky Pork Chili! Well okay, you should also make Coconut Pumpkin Spice Latte because pumpkin spice + coconut! Enough said. Here’s the thing: I am not a very skilled slow cooker user. Growing up my mom never used one, so I never really learned the art of cooking with a slow cooker. The ironic thing is slow cookers are supposed to be one of the easiest ways to cook, … [Read more...]
Roasted Sweet Potato Fig Soup with Crunchy Chickpeas
As a food blogger I get inspiration and ideas for recipes from all sorts of places, but eating out at restaurants is a huge one. If I order something I really enjoy I immediately begin to think of how I can re-create it at home. It’s a blessing and a curse, because I have to resist the work-mode-trance when it’s a Saturday and we’re supposed to be relaxing. This is when my trusty phone comes in handy. I make a note of my ideas and then it’s out of my head, but the recipe idea is there on my … [Read more...]
Corn and Zucchini Chowder
With Iowa’s bountiful supply of corn I have been wanting to make a corn chowder all summer long. There was one tiny problem. With the heat in my no-central-air-heat-trap of a kitchen my desire to make or eat soup was pretty much non-existent. As the temperatures have dropped slightly and the humidity isn’t as thick as butter, I knew it was the perfect time to make my Corn Zucchini Chowder. We are nearing the end of our sweet corn season here in Iowa. The time for soup making is now! Corn … [Read more...]
Creamy Asparagus Soup
Hey, friends, hopefully by this point in April you are starting to enjoy some warmer weather where you live. Trees are starting to bud; grass is getting greener. And the produce in your stores is beginning to expand with colors and flavors. Fresh fruit is returning! One of my favorite vegetables that I look forward to in the spring is asparagus. My mom is going to flip bananas when she reads that statement. The thing is, until a few years ago I absolutely hated asparagus. I loathed the … [Read more...]
Creamy Mushroom Soup (GF)
As I am writing this blog two weeks ahead of its post date (because, I am a blog writing machine) our weather is abnormally warm for this time of year in Iowa. This past weekend we had highs of 8 degrees, and then the temperature leaped into highs in the 50s and 60s. Mother Nature is being extra generous this week. The snow is melting, the sun is shining, and the promise of spring has arrived. I am absolutely loving the spring-like weather! My mind has turned to spring-time recipes bursting … [Read more...]
Leek, Potato, and Blue Cheese Soup (GF)
Happy Friday, Friends! On Monday I shared a recipe for Irish Brown Bread. Yum! I also shared with you a little piece of my adventures from when I studied abroad in Ireland during college. Since St. Paddy’s day is on Tuesday I am keeping the Irish theme going. We are not talking about leprechauns and four-leaf clovers here. We are talking about some good ol’ traditional hearty food, and maybe a little bit about my time in Ireland. Because I am obsessed, okay! As I mentioned in Monday’s … [Read more...]
Carrot Soup
I originally created this soup out of desperation. It was a cold fall day a couple weeks ago. My stomach began to rumble so I went to the refrigerator to look for food. It was pretty much bare bones in there. I know what you’re thinking: is it even possible for a food blogger to run out of food? The answer is a big fat YES! It happens quite often. I spend so much time planning and cooking recipes for the blog. Although they are all delicious, some are not always a meal. Some are dessert … [Read more...]