I do not like cold weather. I do not like being cold. I do not like my hands feeling like blocks of ice. I do not like Old Man Winter.
It snowed the other day and not all the leaves here have turned and fallen off the trees/bushes. It was an odd sight to see snow blanketing red and green leaves on the trees. A much different sight from snow on pine needles. I could not tell what season it was. The temperature told me one thing while my eyes were just confused.
The only upside to cold weather is being in the mood for foods that really warm me from the inside, which I need in order to stay warm. Layers of clothes do not help much when my hands are still exposed. Wearing gloves while working around the house is not feasible. I even tried getting a pair of cheap gloves and cutting the fingertips off. Just my fingertips being exposed kept my hands and the rest of me cold.
Portuguese Bean Soup is a comfort food from back home. I had some Portuguese sausage in the freezer and I was trying to figure out what to make to use it up. Soup! Duh!
I realize Portuguese sausage may not be available in your area. I was thrilled to find it in Jungle Jim’s, but they do not always have it in stock. You can use chorizo or andouille in its place. I also use dried beans and I do not soak them. Boil them for about an hour before using them in the soup and they will be done by the time the soup is done. If you want to use canned beans, you can.
This filled up my dutch oven and I had lots of leftovers.
Portuguese Bean Soup
20-24 ounces Portuguese Sausage (or chorizo or andouille), sliced (or halved/quartered and sliced)
1 onion, chopped
1 head cabbage, chopped
1 cup dried kidney beans, boiled for 1 and drained
28 ounce can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
water
chili flakes
salt
Heat a large dutch oven or soup pot on medium. Add sausage and onion. Cook until both are sweating. Add cabbage, kidney beans, canned tomatoes, and salt and chili flakes to taste. Stir well then add water just until ingredients are covered. Lower the heat then cover and simmer for at least an hour.
I always have mixed feelings when cold weather arrives. I like getting cozy at home, having the woodstove going, and enjoying baking and comfort food among other things, but my hands and feet definitely are too chilly at times. I saw some beautiful gloves with the finger tips cut out. They looked like they’d have to help some because the body of them looked thick and warm, but they were too pricey to buy. I’m still thinking about them though! This soup sounds great, Debi. Headed off to get a mug of tea to warm up my hands now. 😉
I’d be cozy if I turned the thermostat up. I have it set at 69 right now. I’ll probably turn it up a couple of degrees. Being cold is too stressful on my body! 😀
That sounds very good and sounds like it would warm me from the inside out! I’m with you I hate the winter, and cold and ice, the snow is pretty when it is falling but then when it is on the ground and don’t like it. We have had some really scary icey roads the past few years and it scares me to death! I always wish I could go to sleep and wake up and winter would be over, I must be part Bear! LOL! Thanks for sharing that recipe. I wonder if Trader Joes would have the Portuguese sausage? I’ll have to check it out:) Julie Frey
Date: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 08:01:12 +0000 To: jjdmfrey@hotmail.com
Julie, send me to the tropics for Winter! 😉 I’m not sure about Trader Joe’s. We don’t have one here anymore and when we did, I only went once.