Stone Soup

What better way to spend a snow day than cooking? It doesn't take much effort, in my opinion, to make a fantastic soup. The most important ingredient is time. Bones and/or stock are a close second. Having a meaty ham bone leftover from our Christmas feast I decided to start up the slow cooker yesterday. Here's what transpired....

Ingredients:
1 Ham bone

4 Cups Black Eyed Peas & Yellow Split Peas
1 Large Sweet Onion
2 Cups Carrots
6 Cups Water
Salt & Pepper
1.5 Cups Cooked Brown Rice

Directions:
Combine Peas, after you have picked them over, chopped onions and carrots. Add ham bone, salt and pepper and enough water to cover the peas. Cook in a slow cooker on high. After about 2 hours remove ham bone and add 2 more cups of water. Cook for another 2-3 hours and then add cooked rice. Cook for another half an hour. Serve with crackers and hot sauce.
Enjoy!

This recipe yields roughly 10 cups of soup.

Scrumptious Scallops

Ingredients:

12oz Wild Sea Scallops (fresh or frozen/thawed)
1 Cup Peas
1 Cup Diced Pancetta
Butter
1 Package Gnocchi
Spices: Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Ground Ginger and White Pepper

Directions:

-Boil salted water in a large pot (5 Quart)
-Brown the Pancetta in a skillet (I use cast iron) with 1tbs Butter
-Place Scallops in a bowl and coat them well with the above spices, be especially generous with the Ginger
-Once the pancetta is brown add the Scallops and cover
-When the water comes to a boil add the Gnocchi and Peas, when the gnocchi start to float cook for two more minutes, drain and return to pot
-Turn the Scallops after about 5 minutes and cook covered over medium heat for 5 more minutes
-The Scallops are done when they look white instead of translucent
-Add the Scallops and Pancetta to the Gnocchi and Peas
-Enjoy!

Jewel toned dinner this evening!

Chicken thighs braised in cabernet sauvignon along with cous cous, peas and one of the best salads I have ever made. Arugula, pumpkin seeds, raisins and goat cheese topped with cracked pepper, olive oil and aged balsamic.
...It was truly a thing of beauty.
Alas,the batteries in my camera died.