Hello lovelies!
We just wrapped up two (now onto day three) painful days with no diapers,only for nap and bedtime! She was actually really good (minus a few, uhhhh gross, accidents) but I am the first to admit that potty training is officially HARDER than sleep training.
Maybe I am only saying that because sleep training seems oh so long ago... Only thing similar is I have the same cravings for huge glasses of vino and well that left over Halloween candy has been on an hourly rotation...
Now what do you feed your achy running to the potty screaming "yayyyyy peepee" all day body? Well you feed it comforting, wake up your tastebuds, spicy chicken, spinach and white bean soup.
I made it for the first time a few fridays ago with organic chicken sausage and I was told it was even better heated up days later. Which I think is the best part of any soup. I honestly think that the thighs render such an incredible flavor that I didn't miss the sausage.
My fall and winter meal planning always includes a big batch of soup for lunches and dinners (think soup and salads or with a big ol' grilled cheese or toss in a little pre-cooked brown rice or big garlicy croutons like we did this weekend!).
I let this simmer for a lonngggg time on Saturday afternoon (while we zipped around to whatever toilet Z demanded to go in at that moment....) which tells me it is the perfect crock pot meal. So brown that chicken and toss it all in (with the juices from the pan) and the rest of the ingredients into the crock pot for 6 hours on low.
Ingedients
3 pounds of skinless boneless chicken thighs
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp Rosemary Powder
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp dried sage
2 tsp ground cayene
2 tbsp siracha
2 tbsp agave
salt & pepper on each side (about 2 tsp of each on each side)
1 tbsp chili powder (this is for an extra kick but you can skip)
For the Soup
1 tbsp rosemary powder
1 tbsp sage
1 tsp garlic powder (I may have added a little extra because I eyed it.)
1 tsp dried thyme or a couple fresh sprigs (I did both because I am a fan)
2 small bay leaves
1 tbsp spanish paprika
1 tbsp coriander
1 tbsp white pepper
salt to taste
two 15 oz cans of organic cannellini beans
14 ounces of crushed tomatoes
32 ounces of low sodium organic chicken stock (I was out of my homemade stuff but always keep my pantry stocked with a couple containers)
2 cups of hot water
Recipe
1. I heat up olive oil in a heavy bottomed pot medium heat (same one I'll be making my soup in for less dishes later...)
2. While that heats up, sprinkle salt and pepper on each side of the thighs.
3. In a small bowl, mix all of the herbs, garlic, cayenne, chili powder, siracha and agave into a paste.
4. Rub generously onto each thigh and brown evenly. (you could do this step ahead and toss into the crock pot in the AM )
*Don't worry about completely cooking the chicken, the soup will take care of that.
5. Put chicken aside to cool before chopping it.
6. If you are crock pott'in it, toss the chicken and juices in the crock pot with the rest of the ingredients, set it and forget it... But don't really forget it... Eat it. preferably with crusty delicous bread.
7. And if you are stove top'in it toss the beans into the meat juices until they are bubblin.
8. Add crushed tomatoes and bring to a bubble.
9. Add all spices (minus the bay leaves).
10. Add broth + 2 cups of water and bring to a boil.
11. Add bay leaves.
12. Let simmer for an hour +
Enjoy with bread, brown rice, a big handful of extra spinach and crusty croutons like we did! (I made ours with week old whole wheat ciabatta tossed in olive oil and garlic powder, black pepper and a little salt on a baking sheet at 350 for 10 minutes).
Next time I make it I am doubling the recipe and freezing in mason jars for future use because (as my mom would say) esta sopa levante muerto or this soup would wake the dead.... Ha!! That sounds a whole lot better in spanish.
My bestie tried it while she visited last week and loved the kick as much as I did but if you're not a fan of extra spice then take it down a notch and cut in half or more. I honestly hope you try this and love as much as we did!
Happy Monday and may it be a productive week for all of you while we stay cooped up and pray to the potty training Gods!
xo
Natalie
Plaid Dish Towel // Bowl // Herb Planter // Salt & Pepper Wood Dishes //
Le Creuset // Cute toddler not for sale!