Get your hoard on

Fall makes me hoard food. I think subconsciously I'm prepping for hibernation and making sure I have enough for the spring, when I emerge from my den, the epitome of hangry (Mom, this mean hungry and angry). 
But I'm not a bear. 
I don't sleep through childbirth, nom on passing tourists or provide a marketing mascot for Coke. 
Instead I overcook and stock the hell out of my freezer. If the world does end, you'll want to be with me. 
But only if there is power. 
Or else we'll eat everything really fast and then hibernate and live off our fat stores. 
Problem solved. 




Minestrone Soup 


1 white onion- minced
1 zucchini- chopped
1/2 c fresh green beans, chopped 
1/4 c celery- chopped
4 cloves garlic- minced
4 c vegetable broth
1 can red kidney beans- drained
1 can small white beans- drained
2 medium tomatoes- diced
1/2 c carrot- shredded
2 tbsp fresh parsley- chopped
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
2 Tbsp fresh basil- chopped
1/4 tsp dried thyme
3 c hot water
1/2 c red wine (never optional)
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
4 c fresh baby spinach
2 c small shell pasta (use brown rice or other GF pasta to make this gluten free)

-Saute onion, celery, garlic, green beans, and zucchini over medium heat for 5 minutes or until onions begin to turn translucent.
-Add vegetable broth to pot, plus tomatoes, beans, carrot, hot water, wine, and herbs and spices. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.
-Add spinach leaves and pasta and cook for an additional 20 minutes or until desired consistency

If you're going to freeze this, put it in gallon ziplock bags and lay flat in the freezer until it's solid. That way you have more room. 
And everything is better with siracha. 




Monagle (see Fig Newton's post) will hold this over my head for years. He knew about this artist before I did...I was just as surprised as you all are. 
While prepping for the long sleep, I was listening to My Brightest Diamond-  "All Things Will Unwind" 
Shara Worden is an operatically trained version of Joanna Newsom, really similar to Jeseca Hoop.
It's surprisingly beautiful, upbeat and pop-ish, but with really strong lyrics about being a new mother and the global financial meltdown. 
I dig it. 
You win Monagle.