Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

"I have nothing to put in my stew, you see,

Not a bone or a bean or a black-eyed pea,

So I'll just climb in the pot to see

If I can make a stew out of me.

I'll put in some pepper and salt and I'll sit

In the bubbling water--I won't scream a bit.

I'll sing while I simmer, I'll smile while I'm stewing,

I'll taste myself often to see how I'm doing.

I'll stir me around with this big wooden spoon

And serve myself up at a quarter to noon.

So bring out your stew bowls,

You gobblers and snackers.

Farewell--and I hope you enjoy me with crackers!"

-Shel Silverstein

Ingredient:

• 16 oz split peas
• 1/4 lb chopped ham
• 1 half yellow onion diced
• 3 carrots peeled and diced
• 4 small stalks of celery chopped
• 2 cups freshly chopped parsley
• 6 cups of chicken broth (After I cooked it was way too thick, I stirred in another 2 and half cups of broth to it and it fixed it right away)
• 1 bay leaf
• salt and pepper to taste

Sip your soup and sink into this sweet melody:

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in your slow cooker and stir well.
2. Cook on high for 7-8 hours. Remove bay leaf when finished.
3. Serve!

Waffle Iron Monte Cristo

There is absolutely nothing in the world that beats the quiet of the first morning of the weekend, a black and white movie playing, coffee brewing and a breakfast on the menu. There's a light fog over the fields this morning, everything is damp and cool, and the wind is a gentle whisper. I'm done being poetic, the fall season just brings out a kind of romance in  me, it's not just harvest season and sweater weather, it's the feeling of the warmth of your hot apple cider reaching your nose and the smell of something savory in the slow cooker. No other season compares, anyway here's a delicious breakfast recipe to chomp on.

Ingredients (1 sandwich):

• 2 slices white bread
• Dijon mustard
• Mayo
• 2 slices ham (I used thick from a left over ham)
• 2 slices swiss cheese
• Blackberry jam for dipping
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp half and half

This song just sounds how everything looks, if that makes any sense. Stardust is a classic song and I've listened to a lot of different versions, so here's one of my favorite renditions:

Directions:

1. Preheat your waffle iron.
2. In a bowl whisk together your half and half and egg to make an egg wash.
3. On one slice of bread spread your mustard, then on the other slice spread your mayo. Then take each slice and on the side without condiments quickly dip it in your egg wash.
4. Place your ham and cheese over your condiment side of your bread then combine the two pieces of bread. 
5. Place your sandwich in the waffle iron and cook it until it turns bread.
6. While the sandwich cooks place about two tbsp of jam in a separate small bowl.
7. When your sandwich is cooked dip and serve!

Happy Eatings Everyone!

Baked Plums Stuffed with Goat Cheese

It's been a hot minute since I posted last, but I've been busy ok? Blogging can get away from me sometimes and becomes lower on the priority list than I would like but alas life is happening around us and we get swept up in all of the chaos. Between reading about Jefferson's views on the role of education in our nation, to trying to problem solve at work, to wanting to go out to two comedy shows in one weekend, it's all stuff I can't skip out on. This past weekend was the husband's birthday weekend and the mother and I decided to make yums for the tums, let's just say his tum was very satisfied. Here's the recipe I took under my wing:

Ingredients:

• 6 plums, halved and pitted
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 1 tbsp dried basil
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
• balsamic vinaigrette  (for drizzling)
• 10 oz goat cheese

It's fall time! Yeah, I am one of those crazy, boot loving, apple cider sipping, pumpkin eating freaks and I don't care who knows it. The other things synonymous with Fall, at least for me, is jazz. So hears a little crisp and frosty air music to listen to while you say goodbye to sweaty summer!

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Line a baking pan with aluminum foil and place your plums fruit side up inside. Drizzle your olive oil and honey over the top of your plums and then evenly distribute your basil over the top. Top with salt and pepper. Bake for 15 minutes.
3. When the plums are done in the oven, remove them and let them cool.
4. Next spoon your goat cheese over each plum evenly, top with your chopped pistachios, then drizzle a little balsamic onto each plum.
5. Serve!

Happy Eatings Everyone!