Weekly Menu 12/15 - 12/20

We spent last week in San Francisco & now were back home in Minneapolis where the high today is supposed to be -2 F! We have a wind chill alert warning of windchills between -25 & -35 F. I love the fact that the National Weather Service cations in their alert that if you must go out wear a hat & gloves. Luckily we don't have to leave the house today & have plenty of warm satisfying meals on the menu for the rest of the week.

I seem to have caught a bug while in traveling but luckily Matt made me a big pot of homemade vegetable soup last night. Just the thing with a few crackers & some ginger ale.

Matt's Vegetable Rice Soup

1 T olive oil

1 c diced onion

20 oz whole canned tomatoes, drained

3 c vegetable stock

1 turnip, peeled & diced

2 medium yukon gold potatoes, peeled & diced

4 medium carrots, peeled & sliced

1 c cabbage, chopped

2/3 c rice

1 bay leaf

1/8 t dried thyme

salt & pepper

In a large soup pot heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions & sauté for about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes & smash a little with your spoon then cook for 5 more minutes. Add the vegetable stock & use immersion blender to process until smooth. Add remaining ingredients & bring to a boil. Cover & turn heat to low. Simmer for 45 - 60 minutes until rice is cooked & vegetables are tender.

Serves 4

On to Menu Planning Monday....

Mac & Cheese with Butternut Squash

Chile - Always a spur of the moment creation by Matt & always good

Roast Pork Tenderloin & Vegetables

Meatball Sandwiches

Twice Baked & Stuffed Potatoes

Thai Coconut Curry Chicken Soup - We've made this soup from from Culinary Adventures of a New Wife before & its so good!