Food

Kale Sausage Soup

thestlouiscooks

Kale Sausage Soup

I know Spring is not soup season, but I love soup year round.  After spending some time on Pinterest I was in the mood for a Kale Sausage Soup, preferably with beans. I found a few recipes,  but most of them lacked the spice so I came up with my own version of Kale Sausage Soup. It’s similar to many that I found, however I added the carrots and the extra seasoning for a little spicy Kale Sausage Soup.

At least once a week, we have soup for dinner.  I’m a huge fan of broth soups.  While I still love cream soups, the broth soups are much healthier. Plus, if they have any kick to them I will love it!  Anything with a little spice is right up my alley.

The Kale Sausage Soup was a hit at this house.  It combines some of our favorite foods of sausage, beans, and spices.  It’s the perfect combination while also being light.  Please check it out.

Kale Sausage Soup

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Print

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. of Andouille Sausage (chopped and quartered)
  • 3-4 Medium Carrots (chopped thin)
  • 3 Cups of low sodium Chicken Broth
  • 1 Can of Diced Tomatoes (undrained)
  • 6 cups of coarsely chopped Kale (about 8 ounces)
  • Jalapeno Salt (as needed but not necessary)
  • 1 Teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper or more as needed
  • Salt and Pepper to Taste

Directions:

  1. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add the sausage and carrots. Cook for 4-6 minutes, stirring frequently. Add chicken broth, tomatoes undrained, seasonings, and bring to boil over high heat.
  2. Stir in kale. Reduce heat and simmer until kale is tender.
  3. Stir in beans and cook for 8-10 minutes or until soup is cooked through.

I doubled this recipe so we could have left overs. My kids enjoyed this soup with some of their favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, and tortilla chips.  There is a ton of options with this one. Enjoy!

Life in General, St. Louis Small Businesses

Made better by our Story

thestlouiscooks

Prim Goods logo

Prim Goods are products made with faith, love, and hope.  Prim Goods are products that are made with a Mother’s special touch.  Prim Goods are products that offer a future and a new beginning. They are products that are “Made better by our Story”.

Prim Goods are handmade products made right here in this beautiful state of Missouri. Prim Goods are handmade soaps, lotions, and balms that are made at Primrose Hill which is a faith-based drug and alcohol residential recovery center for women and their children also affiliated with Teen Challenge USA. In fact, it is one of the few centers in the US that allows women to bring their children to live with them during their 12 month rehabilitation.

When I had the opportunity to research this organization and it’s products, I became so very touched by their story.  Each and every product made at Prim Goods is signed by the woman who made it.  Each and every product helps to fund this non-for-profit organization. The cost is approximately $2,000 a month for a woman, and $100 a month for a child.  Mothers and their children usually come to Primrose Hill unable to pay for the cost so they rely solely on donations.Freedom Soap

Prim Goods provides a healthy work life that assists these women in discovering their new beginning and hope for a good future.  Soap making in detox may sound a bit strange until you hear their story – A Day in the Life of Making Prim Goods. Plus, the soaps and lotions are pretty awesome.  Both my daughter and I have two favorites.  We love the hand and body lotion – honey bunch.  We apply it after every shower. However, our favorite scent is Freedom which we have used in a bar of soap.  It smells so good!Made better by our Story

The St. Louis Cooks love to support local businesses and organizations.  Prim Goods is one organization with a true cause and purpose.  Every purchase made will help these women find their true purpose and calling in life.  The next time you are shopping for soaps or lotions, please consider supporting Prim Goods and these wonderful women that have been given a second chance at Primrose Hill.

Prim Goods are made with love and hope. They are “Made better by our Story”.

Prim Goods

Food

Bacon Cabbage Delight

thestlouiscooks

Bacon Cabbage 2

What happens when you combine cabbage, that not so popular vegetable, with bacon? You end up with a pretty amazing result called Bacon Cabbage Delight. As a kid, I ate cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day, and only on St. Patrick’s Day.  As an adult, I’ve grown quite fond of cabbage.  I love cabbage mixed with other vegetables and in soups. Most recently, my husband made this wonderful cabbage dish with bacon, hence the name Bacon Cabbage Delight.  It is so good, but anything with bacon is good in my opinion. This dish does not disappoint.  I could eat this Bacon Cabbage Delight every night and with every meal. Whether or not you are a fan of cabbage, this side dish is a must try. With St. Patrick’s Day upon us, I thought it would be a great idea to share this recipe.  Bacon Cabbage Delight is guaranteed to keep your Irish eyes smiling. Not only is it good, but it is super easy too. Check it out!

Bacon Cabbage Delight

  • Servings: 6-8
  • Difficulty: easy
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INGREDIENTS:

  • 8 slices of Bacon, chopped (we use the Costco Kirkland think cut)
  • 1 large Onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves of Garlic, minced
  • 1 large head of Cabbage, cored and sliced
  • 1 Teaspoon ground Black Pepper
  • 1/2 Teaspoon of paprika
  • Dash of ground Cayenne Pepper for a little kick
  • Salt if you wish but we did not need it

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Place the bacon in a large pan and cook over medium-high heat until crispy, about 10-12 minutes.  I like my bacon cooked well.
  2. Add the onions and garlic.  Cook for about 5 minutes
  3. Next, add the cabbage and stir for 10 minutes.  Season with black pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper.  Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer about 15 minutes while stirring occasionally.

Enjoy!

Life in General, St. Louis Small Businesses

Gift Giving Anytime of the Year

thestlouiscooks

During the Christmas holiday season, we hear a ton about gift giving, gift ideas, and nice gestures.  It’s very rare that we talk about it in March.  I know we are gearing up for Spring season, warmer weather, and baseball, but did you know the best time to give a gift is when it is least expected?  That surprise present or gesture goes such a long way.  I love to surprise my corporate clients with a surprise thank you gift. I’m not a big fan of gift cards except for the convenience of them, so I would like to share my top 2 favorite gifting options that I use both personally and professionally.

1)    Harry & David is the king of the gift basket.  You will find anything and everything for that special someone.  Corporate giving with Harry & David is also ideal especially when keeping in mind your budget. There are gifts under $30, $50, and $75. Want to send a healthy gift to a friend or client, Harry & David’s fruit baskets are perfect especially their Classic Comice Pear basket which is what got their early start back in the early 1900’s.  Wine and cheese baskets, chocolate and wine baskets, gift towers, bakery items, special occasion baskets, and even plants are just a few of the options available at Harry & David. It’s my go to company for my work clientele.  I can easily stay within my budget based on the sales of my accounts.  Harry & David’s options are endless and I love it when I can get in on a special sale or offer like this one:

Enjoy 20% Off, No Minimum Purchase with code: SAVINGS (2/17-5/31/16)
Pick Your Occasion Truffle Gift Box
2)   I’m a HUGE fan of personalized gifts.  Anything and everything personalized is very special and usually gives that WOW factor. Monogram Online is your one stop shopping for everything personalized. I’ve used them several times, mostly for friends and family gifts. Their personalized necklaces are beautiful.  I always get compliments when I wear my silver name necklace.  You can find a variety of different jewelry items. Most recently, I purchased a silver name necklace for my daughter…shh….it’s a surprise.  However I must admit my all time favorite product at Monogram Online is their personalized cutting boards.  Considering we are the St. Louis cooks, cutting boards are a favorite item in our kitchen.  Not to mention, they are a very unique gift for that special someone who enjoys to cook!
Personalized Cutting Board

Next time you are pondering what gift to give your colleague, client, friend or family member, look no further then Harry & David and Monogram Online!

Food, Garden

Italian Garden Breakfast Casserole

thestlouiscooks

Italian Garden Casserole (1)

It was a cold Sunday morning in January.  We didn’t have any games. We went to mass the night before, and we were in the mood for a big breakfast, a big Italian Garden Breakfast Casserole. I checked the refrigerator.  I had a ton of eggs and some bulk Italian sausage. Next I found some green and red peppers. I always have cheese in the house…always!  A bag of hash browns were in the freezer so it was then, the making of the Italian Garden Breakfast Casserole came to fruition.

Growing up, I never cared much for breakfast unless it was pancakes, french toast, or cereal.  Of course, I loved the sweeter side of breakfast as a kid.  I didn’t eat eggs…any kind of eggs. My Dad loved eggs…any kind.  He liked them prepared any way.  In fact, everyone in my house liked eggs, but me. Finally in my twenties, I slowly started to try some egg casseroles and omelets. I figured the cheese, veges, and meat must help with the taste. Well, I was right. I liked it. I married my husband, who, by the way, loves eggs…any kind, so I started to cook them.  I still do not eat eggs over easy, scrambled, or poached.  But, I have definitely grown quite fond of omelets and casseroles. On this particular weekend, I decided to make a casserole without the bread and use the hash browns as a base.  It really worked out well.  The Italian Garden Breakfast Casserole was a huge hit.  Plus it can be a Make Ahead Italian Garden Breakfast Casserole. Check it out!

Italian Garden Breakfast Casserole

  • Servings: 10-12
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound of bulk Italian Sausage
  • 1 1/2 cups of chopped Onion
  • 2 cloves of fresh garlic
  • 3-4 cups of Frozen Shredded Hash Browns (country style)
  • 3 cups of Shredded Cheese (I use the Kirkland Costco Mexican blend)
  • 1 cup of diced Green Pepper
  • 1 cup of diced Red Pepper
  • 1/2 cup of diced Green Onions (from about 6-8)
  • 12 Eggs
  • 1 3/4 cup of Nonfat Milk
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons of Dried Parsley
  • 1 teaspoon of Salt
  • Add Pepper and Crushed Red Pepper
  • Bacon Bits (Kirkland Costco brand – best bacon bits around)

Directions:

  1. In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage, onion, and garlic.  Stir the mixture to break up the sausage into smaller pieces.  Cook until sausage is no longer pink about 10-12 minutes. Drain any liquid.
  2. Coat a 9×13 glass pan with cooking spray. Layer potatoes (unthawed), sausage mixture, 1 1/2 cups of cheese, green/red peppers, and green onions.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, parsley, salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture evenly over casserole.  Season with pepper and crushed red pepper if you like. Sprinkle the top with some of Costco’s bacon bits. If you are planning to make this in the morning, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate over night.
  4. Ready to bake casserole immediately or in the morning, preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  5. Bake casserole for 70-80 minutes or until egg mixture is set in the middle and the edges are lightly golden brown.
  6. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before cutting.

Enjoy!