I can make that...

Ryan and I found ourselves in many restaurants during our Thanksgiving trip, and on a few occasions I was heard saying, "I can make that..."  The words were spoken by me, and the next culinary challenges were issued.  

While dining in an Italian restaurant, Ryan and I both found ourselves ordering the same item, Italian Wedding Soup.  It was a cold November evening, and we both wanted something lighter than heavy lasagna, or a pasta dish.  The soup was delicious.  I knew what I was ordering, but Ryan was not sure he had ever tasted a soup like this before.  Ryan asked, "Do you think you could make this at home?" my response, "I can make that...."

I consider this a "super" scratch recipe.  I browsed many Italian Wedding Soup recipes, but was not inspired by any.  I set about creating my own recipe, I give you....Lots of Love Soup.  

Lots of veggies

Lots of meatballs

The executive chef waiting for a sample.  She got lots of carrots.

"Did you just take my picture?"

Lots of love pasta

Lots of flavors simmering

Lots of yumminess!

The second challenge came about during a dinner in Madison, WI.  As we were trying to decide what to order, Ryan asked the waiter about the restaurant's peanut stew(we all know how much Ryan loves anything with peanut butter).  The waiter said the peanut stew was very good, but there was no meat in it(we all know how much Ryan loves meals with meat).  I leaned over to Ryan and said, "Honey, order something else, I can make that."  Decision was made, Ryan ordered something else, and I was going to make peanut stew with meat.

I browsed many recipes and was alarmed at the amount of oils and fats that were involved with peanut stew.  No thank you, ma'am I needed to find something "healthier."  I finally stumbled upon a lightened recipe and gave it a go.  Did you know, peanut stew is very popular in West Africa? I didn't.

Fresh ginger, onions, and jalapeños, adding a lil zing to this stew. 

Incredibly easy to make, chop a few things, mix in the sauce ingredients and let it simmer.   This was a great coincidence, considering how much Ryan loved this meal, I have a feeling I will be making it many more times. 

Baked the chicken separately, then added to the sauce.  

Bed of brown rice, topped with scallions.  Yummy! 

I still have a couple challenges remaining, but for now, I consider my "I can make that" challenges a success.  On that note, this will most likely be my last post for 2012.  What a great way to end the year, with a food post!  Ironically, my first post for this year was about Macy's mystery.  If you can't remember that post, click HERE.

This year brought many great experiences and memories, and I look forward to many more in 2013.  We are kicking off 2013 with a snowy start, in Switzerland!!  Ryan is already in Moscow for work, I will be joining him tomorrow, and on Monday we fly to the land of snow, chocolate, and mountains!  Ryan is more excited about the snow, and snowboarding.  I am more excited for chocolate, hot chocolate, and viewing the snow from the warm indoors.  Even though I hate cold weather, I will not pass up the opportunity to try some snow sports while in Switzerland.  See you in the New Year....

Happy New Year!

Completely random picture, but I found this while looking for my other food pictures.  I guess you consider it is appropriate with all my chocolate talk and Switzerland, my chocolate, peppermint bark.  

So festive and delicious.