Bohemian Bold thinking.fooding.living.®
An entire meal in a bowl. Yep, this lentil soup, or better yet, spiced lentils and sausage soup will be all you need on any day to fill your belly with goodliness! Lentils are so exceptionally healthy for you. Ever wonder why? If you Google ‘healthy benefits of lentils’ you’ll […]
Really? Is chicken soup immune boosting? Does it have these properties? Read on and I’ll give you some reasons is is or you can Google that question, and, you’re gonna get information overload! Why Chicken Soup is Immune Boosting? According to stack.com, “It’s not just an old wives’ tale. Research […]
There’s a beautiful story behind this Indonesian Soto Ayam with Sambal Sauce. A couple of years ago I went to China, Hong Kong and Singapore. In Singapore, I met Candice who’s known as ‘The Gluttonous Temptress’. OMG, she showed us the most amazing food in Singapore over several days including […]
When I want to go semi vegetarian, then my go to meal is usually beans and greens. Of course, beans have lots of nutrition and offer protein. So, they’re a good substitute for meat. Now, I love my meat and seafood, but sometimes, I just want beans and greens. Or […]
Hey, don’t think that this Italian Sausage Lentil Chili is just for chilly night like in Fall and Winter. No, this is a chili that you can eat year round! It’s not only full of flavor and interesting textures, but it’s using the beautiful French lentil that cooks so much […]
Slow cooking the old fashioned way. I used to spend a lot of time in my grandma and mama’s kitchens as a child. And, I really don’t recall one convenience appliance they had for cooking. Most everything was done the old school way. On the stove top or in the […]
You’re gonna not believe that this slow cooker lamb chili stew has an ingredient in it that you’d probably never thinking of adding! But, what this one little ingredient does is round out the entire flavor profile of this chili! Now, this lamb chili stew is probably award-winning, at least […]
Black eyed peas. Oh, boy, there’s some history and symbolism behind these healthy little critters! Their claim to fame is usually around New Years. Cooking up a big pot of black eyed peas (and collards), especially if you’re Southern, is just what you do on New Years Day. These little […]
Short ribs. Usually you see recipes for this cut of beef for slow cooking or maybe grilling. Short ribs are a popular cut of beef. They’re butchered in several ways. They are boneless or bone in. In Korea you find butterflied short ribs and ribs cut into thin slices. The […]
There’s a reason I call this ‘asian inspired soulful chicken soup’. Because this is not ‘just’ a chicken soup. This is a healing healthy chicken soup that truly penetrates your soul with every bite! Some may think making chicken soup from scratch is time-consuming and complicated. But, I’m here to […]
There is nothing more tasty, filling and inexpensive than navy bean soup. And, this tikka masala navy bean soup has an international flair that will take your dried navy beans to the next culinary level! What is Tikka Masala Good Question! What is tikka masala? Well, it comes from the […]
I’ve always been intrigued by history. In fact, reading historical biographies, watching documentaries on television, and exploring the Internet reading about history is one of my favorite pasttime activities. Well, that is when I have time to have a ‘pasttime’. I think this love affair for history started my second […]
Oh, the inspiration for this ‘indian inspired biryani vegetable soup’ comes from something that Ben and I are doing in a couple of weeks! We’re attending a fund raiser. It’s the annual Vail Valley Foundation ‘Black Diamond Ball’ and the theme this year is ‘Bollywood’! So, I’ve been searching the […]
See that teeny hint of ‘pinkish’ tinge in the soup? Well, that’s because this creamy chicken herb oven soup was garnished with delicious and healthy beet stems. And, the heat of the soup resulted in the stems bleeding out some of their hue. Now, this is a nutritious hue that’s […]
Seems with Netflix and HBO shows, I’m always several years behind getting into some of the hit series. Take ‘Game of Thrones’, HBO’s biggest hit ever series, for example. Yes, when it was in Season 5, Ben and I started watching it, and, as you can imagine, we binged catching […]
This slow cooker caribbean jerk pork and red lentils is one thick rich unbelievably deeelish soup! And, it’s the kind of recipe that you can adjust the liquid and make it into a really thick stew that you could eat with a fork. And, that’s what I did! Using the […]
If you put the word ‘beans’ in my search box, you’ll find some great recipes. Go ahead, try it! Once you see some of my bean recipes, you’ll know why I’m an addicted bean lover! Ya know, growing up in Southern West Virginia, coal-mining country, beans were a staple on […]
There’s nothing that stimulates the senses more than walking into a house and wiffing the aroma of good food cooking. And, this chicken fajita slow cooker soup is perfect for achieving that experience. Honestly, there’s absolutely nothing to making this divine comfort food. Just pull out the slow cooker, you […]
Chicken soup. Truly loved by all! Now I’ve made a wonderful Italian dish, chicken piccata, into a chicken piccata soup! Another great chicken soup with an Italian dish twist is Chicken Marsala, and it’s THE most popular post I’ve ever shared on Facebook. Seen by over 160k and shared over 1,300 […]
Chili is certainly a classic soup, and this slow cooker aussie grassfed beef cowboy caviar layered chili tops the charts with great flavor. And, yeah, I know the name of this recipe is a mouthful. I give credit to my grandson, John, who was visiting us in Colorado with his […]
Small red beans are just down right amazingly flavorful. They’re pretty, plus when you season them well and let them cook over several hours you get this rich thick mahogany gravy that’s just lusciously delicious! And, this recipe for red beans and shredded lamb steak is one that will make […]
This artisan beef kale bean stew is the kind of meal that you might get if you can go ‘back to the future’, walk into a diner, sit on the red vinyl covered stool, and order up from the blue plate special. Yep, it’s a comfort food to the nth […]
Sometimes, out of the blue with no expectations at all, you hit a homerun with a recipe creation. And, that’s what this hot italian sausage kale bean paesan soup is. A home run! And, I had no idea when I started fashioning this soup. This assessment is not just from […]
There is nothing more comforting on a chilly Fall or Winter day than soup. And, this beef chorizo potato soup fills that bill gloriously! What makes this potato soup different, even the slight reddish pink hue, is the addition of beef chorizo. It’s an amazing flavor booster, plus it adds […]
Seems there’s a ‘season’ for everything! Wedding season. Holiday season. Tis the season to be jolly! Football season. Basketball season. And, yes, there’s in my world, and probably many others’, ‘soup season’! Soup season usually kicks off when the days start getting shorter and the temperatures start cooling. Soups are […]
Aromas, scents and food are the most provocative memory stimulators for me. When I go out very early in the morning on a warm summer day, the scent of dew, grass, leaves, and nature immediately evoke memories of being at camp as a kid. In the Fall, when I smell […]
If you’ve ever made your own chicken stock with bone in chicken pieces, then you know the difference from the homemade and what you can get in a can or box. I mean there’s just no comparison. The bone stock chicken soup ‘broth’ is so thick that it almost ‘gels’. […]
This is a simple recipe. No doubt you’ll look at the ingredients and directions and think, hummm, that’s really easy. I’m totally in! Actually, French cooking should be easy. Julia taught us that concept. But, I think the key to this french country chicken stock noodle soup is the quality […]
Seasonal cooking is always the smartest and best strategy for the kitchen and feeding your family. Seasonal cooking means using those fruits and vegetables that are ‘in season’. Yes, they’re plentiful, which means they’re usually less expensive and tastier because they’re grown during the peak time of the year for […]
What are the world’s healthiest foods? Well, according to WHFoods one of them is buttery lima beans. And, when you add spinach, you make them even healthier! Besides being a natural cholesterol lowing food, lima beans give you lots of fiber and protein. They’re great for folks with diabetes, insulin […]
I have no idea why I don’t cook lentils more often. I mean I love legumes. And, lentils have all the other wonderful attributes of their bean and pea cousins. Low in fat, no cholesterol, high in folate, potassium, iron and magnesium. They also have the good fats and what […]
Hearty and robust, this farmers market chicken soup can be made year round. In the summer when you have access to all the fresh vegetables, you can load it up with whatever you like, if you like. For me, I love the combination of the lima beans, potatoes, chicken and […]
There’s a little local market I go to when we’re living in Colorado. It’s not part of any chain. Just a mom and pop store where everyone works really hard, takes huge pride in their job and duties, and where there’s always a smiling face. Hang with me because there’s […]
A good rich soup is a meal for us. Making soups with depths of flavor in a short amount of time can be challenging. But, this taco veggie soup defies all odds, and in no time at all you have a fabulous soup that, yes, gets better and better on […]
Peas are a fabulous vegetable. Not only are they healthy, but they’re super versatile for using in recipes like this parmesan pea soup. Served hot, warm, room temperature or cold, I’m really a pea lover! Now when I cook peas, I like to use the petite size rather than the […]
Chicken doodle soup. Yes, it’s my whimsical version of ‘chicken noodle soup’ but with a bohemian flair! I love the rich tomatoeee broth that comes with every bite. Reminiscent of a ‘vegetable’ soup, there’s no mistaking that you’re eating chicken soup. Now, what might the flair be? It’s something subtle. It’s […]
The method of stewing meat is a very old cooking technique. Stewing meat requires patience and time because you want the meat exceptional tender. Traditionally, stews have been made with less expensive, tougher cuts of beef. Hence, time breaks down those fibers becoming tenderized and easier to chew and enjoy. […]
Winter is just made for chili. Now, there are hundreds of kinds of chilis. I mean chili cookoffs are big time popular in the cooking contest circuit. I’m sure many of you’ve been to at least one chili bash where everyone touts their chili as the best. This beef chunk […]
Who says you can’t turn your favorite Italian dishes into soups. Well, in 2015 my ‘chicken marsala soup’ was my #1 searched recipe! Yes, it’s that good. Then I did a ‘chicken piccata soup’ and it rocked my charts. So what soup is debuting now? Chicken cacciatore soup! In Italian […]
This vietnamese bokchoy shrimp soup just makes you feel healthy. I mean take a gander at the ingredients. Nothing in there that’s not good for your digestive system! Now it’s not a big deal to make it. I’ve been adventuring into more Asian foods in the past 18+ months. Trust […]
Hamburgers. Love them. Love them when they’re cooked on an outdoor grill then put on a soft tender bun and topped with good ol’ classic yellow mustard, pickles, lettuce and onions. Nothing fancy for me. Not even cheese. I don’t know about you, but sometimes we have burgers leftover. So […]
I went to the grocery store for whipped cream cheese. That was the onnnnleeee thing I needed. I intentionally didn’t get a cart, not even one of the tiny ones. By the time I reached checkout, and the only reason I did go to the checkout, was because my arms […]
When I think of ‘comfort food’ what comes to mind are images of earthy food. Food that’s still recognizable in its real form. Processed food just doesn’t make the cut for me. I also have subtle, yet noticeable, scents and aromas that I can really conjure up in my mind, […]
Some words simply sound healthy. It’s the way the word rolls off the tip of your tongue…barrrrrleee. Now think of the word ‘candy’…does that sound healthy? (OK, smile & play along with me!). Believe me, you’ll be refilling your bowl with this beef barley mushroom soup, which doesn’t take long […]
Lawsy, I could eat my weight in this smoky clam chowder. First of all, I LOVE corn. Once I had a corn on the cob eating contest with my father-in-law~yes, in the summer and fresh steam silver queen corn was plentiful~and, I ate 11 ears! He won~I think he ate […]
Update: Be sure to follow my camping adventures SEPT 2015 ~ come see what’s gonna be happening! #followthefeasts Camping is always all about the food! Oh, yes, we love the hikes, sitting around the campfire in the early mornings drinking coffee and then late at night sipping on our favorite […]
Cannellini beans~an Italian white kidney bean. So creamy and tasty. I love them best when I cook from scratch. Oh, yes, you can buy them canned, but they’re scrumptuously easy to prepare and just perfect as a side or as the main dish. With the fresh herbs, the flavors just […]
This eastern european chicken cabbage soup is such a festive and colorful dish~~it’ll make it more fun to eat! In Eastern Europe the cuisine varies depending upon the country. But, one food that seems to be prevalent in most of them is cabbage. And, soups are a staple. Since the […]
Yes, fat’s gotten a bad wrap over the years. My thinking is that in moderation (and healthy lifestyle habits like regular exercising and getting that heart rate pumping) there’s nothing wrong with fat and using it as a fabulous seasoning ingredient is a way to elevate your foods to another level […]
If you work, you’ll probably want to make these beans on the weekend. Believe me, they keep in the refrig a few days, and you can freeze them. I’d say put the coal miner’s pinto and navy beans in smaller containers, freeze and then use for so many things from […]
This sour cream mashed potato soup is one of my many cook once, eat twice recipes. Now I love mashed potatoes. I mean real mashed potatoes~~the kind you peel, stew, then season and ‘smash’, yes, leaving lumps, love my lumps, and serve with your dinner. So, when I’m peeling those […]
There’s a popular eating movement called ‘farm to table’…love this concept, and I add to that my concept of ‘eating close to the earth,’ which means when you look at ingredients you’re using, ask yourself, ‘Does this look like it just came from the earth?’ If so, then you’re probably […]
A pale lager adds some unique dimension to this chili~~the spices, chorizo, cilantro, lime~~yes, all make you realize you are south of the border as you savor each bite. Now if you want to ‘err’ on the side of less spicy, then just omit the chili powder and smoked hot […]
Inspiration for new recipes~~where does it come from? For me, it’s various venues~~but, first and foremost, I’m thinking healthy. Putting ‘junk’~things like empty calories, highly processed ingredients~into my body or that of anyone who pulls up a seat in my kitchen or at my table, isn’t my idea of love. […]
Oh, if you love cauliflower, you’ll adore this soup. And, if you don’t like cauliflower, watch out, you may not even know that’s what’s in this soup–yes, it’s that good! And, that’s exactly what happened when I served it to my main squeeze, my big cheese taste tester, my #1 […]
When I haven’t seen good friends for a while, and we make special plans to meet for lunch, I like to make them a basket of love goodies from my kitchen. So, I’m meeting Brent and Barbara for lunch at The Bookworm~~they’re such great people, devoted yogis, and we’ve done […]
It’s simple little things that are EZ and basic that can take your dishes to the next level. There’s just no need to buy croutons~~I mean how many times have you had stale bread~~and, why wait until the holidays to use it for dressing! These olive oil cilantro croutons are […]
One spoonful of these beans and you’ll think you’ve hit pay dirt! I mean I totally amaze myself sometimes with the depths of flavor that are created when I start experimenting with spices and ingredients. I really think what sends these black beans over the top is the Dole Garden […]
My foodie friend, Nancy, who’s host of Empower Radio’s ‘The Dish’ has a motto~~’cook once, eat twice’~~that’s how this recipe came about. I’d done a pork shoulder roast and had plenty of it to go from dinner to sandwiches and now to this chili. That’s the great thing about roasts~~buy one a good size then after you cook it, if it’s all not eaten then you have endless possibilities for other dishes~~yes, total reinvention. So just put the leftover roasted meat in freezer bags, label them, and then when you’re ready to re-invent, your meat awaits you!
Soups~~the quintessential comfort food~~what you kind of gravitate to when you’re in the mood to warm your tummy with not only good eats but memories. Soups in my world are complete meals~~all I need to do is add a salad, and that salad can be anything from chopped tomatoes with […]
Whether you cook this on the stovetop, in a slow cooker/crockpot or in the oven~~you’re in for a comfort food experience that will make you want to curl up in your snuggle jammies on the sofa, turn on your fave TV show or movie, pour a glass of wine or […]
Making your own tomato soup is simple, plus if you make a lot of it, and freeze, then you have a great base for so many other dishes. From pastas to soups to stews, the possibilities are endless! If you’ve never ‘roasted’ peppers, either on an open gas stove blaze, […]
Most of ya’ll know that one of my favorite foods is beans. Most any kind of bean out there. Well, there is one bean that I just don’t care for and that’s black eyed peas. Go figure, it’s so Southern, and being a Southern belle, I should think these things […]
One of my most favorite Italian dishes is chicken marsala~~I mean when I go to a really authentic Italian restaurant, that’s what I oftentimes order, and even when I go to a great chain like Carabbas, yep, it’s chicken marsala for me!
Since I’d seen a new Campbell’s product at the store, their packaged marsala sauce, I thought I’d give it a whirl in a new twist~~making a chicken marsala soup~~I mean I could put all the essential things in it and even add more mushrooms since the sauce had only a few, like I could count them on my one hand. Overall, this sauce has nice flavors and made the making of this soup pretty painless and easy~~sometimes life just calls for that, right? Here’s to ~peace and making life easier~ xoxo ally
You know what happens when you go to Costco, you buy, and not just a little bit, a lot! So, this is what happened with these New York strip steaks, I’d bought them, froze four of them, and several months later found them stuffed in the back of the freezer. […]
This recipe is one of several in a series of eats we recently had while wilderness camping in Colorado~~there’s just something about being at nearly 11,000 feet elevation that makes the air crisp, the sleeping hypnotic and the eating intoxicating! This roast was pre-cooked at home just for convenience sake […]
I haven’t met a bean I don’t like! But, there are some that I like, no love, more than others, and one happens to be this cranberry bean, which in Italian is known as the borlotti. But, rather than using that fancy word, I love the cranberry. Now that name […]
The power of seeing something enticing and delicious. Such is the case with creating this recipe, which is super easy. My girlfriend, Helena, whose website is Saucy Girls Kitchen shared her caramelized onions~~well, my mouth started watering! I mean I love onions and looking at those tender strands a light mahogany […]
When we’re in Colorado in the winter, there’s nothing better than chili! The grandkids come off the slopes after a big day of skiing and snowboarding and are ravenously hungry. It’s always good to have something hot on the stove and sweets and fruit on the kitchen counter. I love […]
I like my soup chunky. I like my soup fresh. I like my soup creamy. I like my soup with al dente veggies. I love soup with chicken! This soup is right up my alley (tsk tsk)! There’s something about adding the wine to the soup and infusing hints of […]
When the weather out side is frightful, then homemade soup is so delightful! Let it rain! Let it snow! Let it go! Soups’s on! And, that exactly what’s happening as I make this boholicious ‘Leek Potato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup’! The red peppers give the soup just a tad […]
When my girlfriend, Laura, who’s made several trips to Morocco, brought me some ‘Ras el hanut’ she’d picked up there on one of her trips, I was like giddy happy!! I make my own ras el hanut, and, of course, you can buy it~~but there’s nothing better than having the […]
This Caprese Soup is so stinkin’ good! Thick, rich, creamy and fresh~~yes, fresh heirloom tomatoes, and if you can’t find them, or if they’re way to pricey, then substitute Roma tomatoes. Now my heirlooms were left over from the World Food Championships~~I used them in my third round of competition […]
I’ve never really spent a lot of time cooking with parsnips~~it’s pretty cool that parsnips date back to the Roman times and that they were once used as a sweetner in Europe before cane sugar got there! Parsnips are high in vitamins and potassium, and since I’ve been having some […]
Some dishes don’t need much explanation! This is one of those recipes~~with some leftover grilled chicken breasts, I decided to cut them into chunks, open a few cans of cannellini beans, then start tossing in good fresh tomatoes, diced poblanos and lotsa smoked paprika~~what I got was a deliciously rich […]
We have more crabs than Carter’s got pills in our inlet! Ben will just bait the crab traps, toss ’em out from the floating dock, leave them for about 48 hours or more, and when we pull them in, they’re usually loaded with big fat crabs! Throw ’em in a […]
One of the best things about being a foodie and blogger is the number of talented and generous other foodies you meet via social media. Many of my friends, whom I’ve never met in person but feel like I know as well as real ‘brick and mortar’ friends, have written […]
I made some really wickedly good Anasazi beans, and had about 4 cups left over. This became the reason for this chili! There was the ham hock, too, that the beans had been cooked in, so I shredded the meat off the bone and threw it in this chili. […]
