Pork "Ropa Vieja"

Picture this: It was a chilly morning, I had defrosted 2 pork loins and had no meal plan for them. I was casually scrolling down my Instagram feed, (Whaaat?!  You don't follow me on Instagram yet? Click here and follow!) and lo and behold, there appeared Clinton Kelly's Ropa Vieja slow cooker recipe. Jackpot. My little guy is allergic to beef, which the recipe calls for, but I was pretty sure I could achieve familial culinary satisfaction by using pork. I was right! As it bubbled away in the slow cooker, children would wander in, drooling, and ask hopefully "Is that dinner?" 

Creamy Spicy Chickpea and Tomato Soup

Soup can be such a hearty meal, full of veggies and nutrition.  It feeds the belly and warms the soul. Perfect for lunch, dinner, and in a mug for a mid-afternoon snack. I love soup. I love soup in all four seasons. I love the love that homemade soup connotes. But enough about my deep affection for soup! 

The original "inspiration" recipe for this allergy friendly version morphed into a four-version-tasting-supper for my family. The recipe in this post is the winning version, which my children have dubbed "Creamy Spicy." (There was also "Creamy Mild," "Broth-y Mild," and "Broth-y Spicy.") My mother wanted me to call it "Chickpea Surprise," because she (as a passionate chickpea hater) was shocked that she loved this soup! The chickpeas simply give the soup a creamy texture without dairy.