Winter

Sunday, January 13, 2013
I'm starting to feel like Rip Van Winkle.  Have I slept through three months and awakened in the spring?  The weather is so unseasonably warm that I've been outside without a coat both yesterday and today.  Because of the NHL strike there's no professional hockey.  That may not be a big deal in some places, but in Canada it's unthinkable.  If it wasn't for the Oscar nominations earlier this week, I'd check to see if I was sitting under a tree somewhere in the Catskill Mountains.

I know this won't last.  There's lots of time left for winter weather and, with the strike settled, the NHL players will be back in the rinks next Saturday.

In the meantime, regardless of what it feels like, the calendar says it's January.  And that means I'm making soup.  This Chicken, White Bean and Brown Rice soup is full of delicious and healthy ingredients.   It'll fill you up whether you're shovelling snow or mowing your lawn.  I think even Rip Van Winkle would approve.

Chicken, White Bean and Brown Rice Soup
(adapted from The Brick Kitchen)

1/2 cup brown and wild rice blend
1 1/2 cups water
2 tsp olive oil
1 large red pepper, chopped
1/2 large green pepper, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 lb ground chicken
1 1/2 cups canned tomatoes
1 cup frozen corn
1 can (15 ounces) white beans, drained and rinsed
2 1/2 cups vegetable or chicken stock
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt

Bring rice and water to boil in a small saucepan.  Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 55 minutes (or follow package directions).  Remove from heat and set aside.

Heat oil in a large stock pot over medium heat.  Add peppers and onion and cook for 5 minutes.  Add celery and chicken, and continue cooking until chicken is no longer pink, using a wooden spoon to break up meat.  Drain any fat off.

Add tomatoes, corn, beans, stock and spices.  Season with salt.  Stir in cooked rice and simmer until heated through.  Adjust seasonings to taste and serve.

31 comments:

Valerie Gamine said...

We had some unseasonable warm temps. yesterday too! It was kind of lovely except for the flying bugs that awaken as soon as it gets above 50 F. :D

Sorry about the NHL strike, luckily you have the Oscars and this wonderful soup to brighten the mood! It looks cosy and hearty!

Elaine said...

How nice for you that it has been warm! We have had freezing temps here this past week and your soup would be perfect. It looks colorful and hearty. Have a great week, Beth!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Wow Beth, this sounds delicious. I don't eat meat so might modify it without the chicken (I cook with chicken stock.)

Belinda said...

This "winter" is definitely strange!!

Angie's Recipes said...

It finally snows today...this is a perfectly warming and soothing soup.

Joanne said...

I've been loving this unseasonably warm weather, but you're right...it makes cooking soup kinda weird. This looks perfect though no matter the temps!

Jess said...

Yum! This sounds perfect for the snowy weather we're getting in Colorado :)

Anonymous said...

Soup is good food! I'l substitute turkey for chicken as we still have some frozen leftovers from the holidays.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

I don't know why I never add rice to my soup! And the wild and brown rice combo sounds the best! Soup weather has returned here in the Midwest...hope to try yours soon :)

Vi said...

It was 70 F here yesterday which was crazy! Still, I love a cozy soup, this looks really good with the veggies and chicken.

Claudia said...

We were warm. "Were" being the operative word. It is not inching above zero F. MN is also bereft at the loss of hockey. And it's coming back - but wondering who wins after so much time away. We do console ourselves with college and high school hockey. The soup - now that is a grand soup for our current weather. Hearty, comforting and packed with flavor.

Unknown said...

Sorry about the NHL strike!!!
I like the idea of ground chicken in the soup-it looks so good with all the veggies. We have blue skies here but the temps are a little cool for us-I'm sure it's way colder up your way;-) Have a great week ;-)

Jemi Fraser said...

This is right up my alley! I love soup - although I usually don't follow recipes - just add in what we have :) Definitely going to try this one though :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Forgot to add... YAY!!! HOCKEY'S BACK!!! :)

Hannah said...

This past weekend was amazing in Toronto; it gave me great glee to not wear a beanie or scarf for the first time since (I think) mid-November. I'm definitely craving soup on the colder days. Yours looks lovely!

Anonymous said...

This sounds delicious and perfect for winter! We had some spring-like temps, but now it's back to cold winter weather.

nancy at good food matters said...

Brrrrr. I'd welcome a bowl of this soup right now. We had similar, exceedingly warm temperatures too, which plummeted to icy chill yesterday. Winter is here.

Anonymous said...

What a delicious looking bowl of soup!

Tasha said...

So glad you tried this and enjoyed it! It used to be a family favorite back in our meat eating days. My husband actually just asked me about it this morning, so I will definitely have to try a vegetarian version soon!

Tasha said...

So glad you tried this and enjoyed it! It used to be a family favorite back in our meat eating days. My husband actually just asked me about it this morning, so I will definitely have to try a vegetarian version soon!

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

What a delicious eatery, I simply love it :D

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru

Anonymous said...

That bowl of soup looks inviting.

It feels like I slept the winter away, but only because I had a two week vacation with many naps. I'm now in the daily rush of things.

Food Gal said...

We've had just the opposite -- unseasonably COLD weather. Brrr. A big bowl of this hot soup is just what I need.

Needful Things said...

We've had a cold spell here this week & it finally feels cold enough for me to want to make soup like this. I'd love a warm bowl of this just about now.

Katerina said...

It is quite well here too and I love that! I am not a friend of winter so I prefer it to be mild instead of cold and snowy! Nevertheless, I wouldn't say no to this soup which looks absolutely hearty and comforting!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Great looking soup! We've been making a ton of them this month - but it's been on the cold side here (although we've had some balmy days, too). But we like soup, and the cold weather always makes it seems even tastier.

Anonymous said...

I find the absence of (real) winter disconcerting at times too... But soup is warming and wonderful in any case!

lisa is cooking said...

The weather seems to be confused in lots of places. It's been far too cold here! So, soup is just what I need. Love this mix of vegetables and brown rice.

Anonymous said...

Well,u've just remind me with 3 cans of white bean in my kitchen spacer....
i bought it years before and 6 months remind to expired date...
i'm gonna try out your recipes...
thanx for sharing then....

Andrea_TheKitchenLioness said...

Beth, what a lovely winter soup - a bowl full of this soup would be just perfect right now, there is so much snow on the ground and it is so cold here, soup seems to be just what we need these days. Very nice recipe, healthy and full of wonderful flavors!
Have a great weekend!

grace said...

i was thinking the same thing about the mild winter...and then the snow clouds dumped on us. if nothing else, it's a fine excuse to eat soup. :)

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