First things first… notice anything different about my blog? (You better enthusiastically be shouting YES! ;)) The Blog Fairy worked her magic again and gave me a much-needed makeover! I’ll be tweaking and updating some things over the next few days, but overall, I LOVE it!
Now on to something delicious!
The weather here has been strange. Cool enough on certain evenings that I need a coat, and then heating up to 85 degrees the next day. Not only does this make getting dressed difficult for this pregnant lady with a limited wardrobe, but it makes me want to squeeze in any cool-weather recipes before it’s time to switch to grilling for the season.
I found a delicious looking recipe in Williams-Sonoma, and tweaked it to be a bit healthier and better fit the portion size I was after. Check it out:
Slow Cooked Cannellini Beans & (Chicken) Sausages
You can find the original recipe here, or use my modified version. In my version, you’ll need:
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 package spicy chicken sausage (4 links)
- 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1-2 red bell peppers, diced
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 Bay leaf
- Big pinches of thyme, rosemary, sage and parsley
- 2 cans cannellini beans, rinsed
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 2 handfuls of baby spinach
Start by browning your sausages in a pan using 1/2 Tbsp of olive oil.
I used a new chicken sausage- and it was SO good! Flavorful and hearty.
After about 8 minutes of browning the sausage, remove them from the pan and slice them.
Pour the other 1/2 Tbsp of olive oil in the pan and toss in your diced peppers, celery and onion to sauté until slightly soft.
Set your slow cooker on low and add the garlic and tomato paste (plus some red pepper flakes if you like the added heat).
Once your veggies are soft, add them to the slow cooker and mix well. Also add your sausage, beans, chicken broth, water, bay leaf and pinches of rosemary, parsley, thyme and sage.
Let the mixture cook on low for about 3 hours, adding the diced tomatoes for the last 30 minutes.
About 10-15 minutes before serving, fold in the baby spinach and let it wilt.
Serve it up and enjoy!
I was SO impressed with the amazing flavor of this dish! I added a little Texas Pete for heat, but the taste of the meal alone was awesome. Better yet? Hubbs LOVED it. I didn’t tell him until after that the sausage was chicken sausage, and he said he couldn’t even tell. That is a BIG compliment coming from him.
I ate 2 bowls, he ate 4 and we still had about1.5 bowls left over. Perfect portion for us and will definitely be added into our regular cool weather meal rotation.
Have you switched to hot weather meals? Or still trying to squeeze in some cold weather dishes, like me?
blackhuff says
I like the new look of your blog. Very nice 🙂
Karen says
I love the new look!!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
Oh wow, the blog looks AMAZING! I need The Blog Fairy to come visit me…
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
The new look is amazing! I love it! Green is my favorite color too.
I’m kind of cooking half and half. Still some comfort food meals and some spring/summer bbq and salads. The weather here has been super tricky too! Some beautiful days in the 70’s and then torrential downpour the next.
Brittney says
I love your new blog design! Makes me feel like a slacker with mine! That soup looks amazing 🙂
Corey @ the Runner's Cookie says
LOVE the new look!! The header is awesome and I think the green looks great!
Brooke @ Veggie Table says
Saaaaaahhhweet!! Love the new blog design! I need a blog fairy asap! 🙂 Soup looks easy and delish – I could totally substitute in veggie sausage links instead of chicken! Thanks for sharing!
Lisa @ I'm an Okie says
I love it too! She’s great to work with isn’t she?! And the soup looks GREAT1
Caree @ Fit-Mama says
LOVE your new look!!!
your soup looks amazing too!! way to go mama!!
Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good says
That soup looks really good!
I like the new look. The signature line is super cute. 🙂
Maria @ Oh Healthy Day says
I love your blog makeover! I can’t wait to explore some new tabs (Baby D!).
Soup is my favorite way of eating veggies, but I also love when it contains some yummy protein as well. Thanks for the recipes!
Shawnee says
Love the blog. The soup looks delish. I could go for a bowl. right now. 😀
John J. says
Super upgrade to your blog!
Rachel @ Rachel's Recipe Reviews says
Love the new look! This meal looks great, healthy but man-friendly too 🙂
Sarah for Real says
Your blog looks beeeeutiful! So bright and modern. Love it!
Tina says
Everything looks so good!!! It almost makes me want a redesign on my own blog. Even though I just got one. LOL
I am making this next week. I will eat soups even if it is 80 outside. It just looks too good!
Kelly says
The new look is great! I love it. 🙂 And the weather has been super weird. I had to grab a sweater when I went home for lunch today. It’s been looking like rain all day and now the sun is shining bright. I have no idea what to wear hour to hour.
Jess @atasteofconfidence says
I love the new look!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
LOVE the new design! Very pretty! And I am still eating cold-weather food. It’s not warm enough to make the switch in Boston yet…hopefully soon though!
Roz says
Hi Brittany! WOW….LOVE the new blog layout! That blog fairy’s fairy dust is potent. Great looking recipe too. Have a great day.
Autumn @ Good Eats Girl says
Love the new look! It’s too cute!
And this recipe sounds amazing!