Beer Split Pea & Ham Soup

 Sometimes our kitchen longs for a little something different.

Something crazy out of the norm.

Let me tell you how this craving came about.

My mother's husband was rooting through their fridge like he always

does when we visit.

He searches for food to send home with us.

While his head is buried deep in the fridge he yells,

"Oh my gosh Ang, you should see what I found".

He backs out of the fridge with a deli meat package in his hand.

 "I got these ham pieces for 1.25 a pound".

Then he goes into explaining how they sell them so cheap.

I looked at the package label and said,

"But Bob, that says doggy treats".

"Yeah, yeah I know. But there is enough ham on those shavings

that you could chop them up and use them for beans or something".

"But Bob, it says doggy treats".

I just couldn't get the "doggy treats" out of my head.

What this meat market does is, they trim the hams and put the scraps

in bags FOR DOGGY TREATS.

But I kindly took the bag of doggy treats and headed home.

That is where this craving came from.

I will share the link for the recipe I followed.

I made a few changes of my own.

I found the recipe at Pig and Paint.

As far as the changes:

I chopped up my doggy treats and browned them in about 2 TBS of bacon grease.

I added onion and garlic powder. I didn't have any fresh garlic.

I also added some great northern beans that I had blanched and froze. 

About a cup and a half worth.

Just follow the recipe as printed, or make the changes I did.

Whichever way you choose to make this soup is up to you.

But you have to make it.

It is one amazing soup.

See Ya'all Soon!

Some Italian Flare

 We could not come up with a name for this.

So we will just call it an Italian Flare.

(The fish is Schwans Potato Encrusted Cod)

Which is very good, by the way.

Someone in this blog area.....I won't mention any names Johnie.

I promise!

Is having issues with headaches and leg cramps.

Well the leg cramps are obvious.....

Low potassium.

So since this person that I promised not to mention.

See Johnie, I didn't say any names.....

Refuses to go to the doctor.

So Angie has taken a stand, and is looking into changing the diet.

A person's body issues usually relate to diet.

Notice I said usually?

We are going to give this a try for a while to see how the leg cramps go.

Which more potassium means:

Fish

Avocado

Dark leafy greens

Bananas (of course)

Yogurt

Dried Apricots 

White beans

Mushrooms

Baked potatoes

Acorn Squash 

(but we will leave this one out. johnie doesn't like the squishy stuff)

 We informed you in our introduction that this blog would be a place for product reviews.

Here is our first product:

Happy Harvest Diced Tomatoes.

These are found at the Aldi Supermarket.

We have been doing a lot of shopping there and their products are pretty amazing.

These tomatoes are just as good, if not better than, Hunts.

I like the diced tomatoes with herbs.

This one is basil, garlic, and oregano.

We keep our pantry stocked with these.

A can of these are very good served over pasta, veggies, or for creating your own Italian dish.

Just like we did.

 One thing about Angie in the kitchen, she is always planning ahead.

She soaked one whole bag of great northern beans and divided them into

2 c. freezer bag portions.

That way they are soaked and ready to go.

All you have to do is simmer them for 45 minutes to an hour in salted water.

Using fresh dried beans is so much better for you than the 

overloaded preservative packed cans.

This is what we did to create this awesome potassium filled dish:

Italian Flare

The (2 c.) soaked, frozen great northern beans have to be simmered for 45 minutes to an hour. So you will have to plan ahead if using them. Just cover the beans with salted water, bring to a boil, and turn down to a simmer covered for 45 min. to an hour. You want them firm tender, so don't over-cook them.

1 can diced seasoned tomatoes

1 jar marinara sauce

1 TBS dried oregano

1 TBS dried Italian seasoning

Place these ingredients in a large skillet and simmer covered for 10 minutes.

Add the beans, and a 16 oz. bag of fresh spinach. Allow the spinach to wilt. 

Cook your pasta to desired taste. Top the pasta with sauce and parm cheese.

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See ya'all soon