I'll Have The Soup and Sandwich

I've definitely settled into more fall like cooking as of late.  Now that the temperatures in Charlotte are finally dipping down (we're getting lows in the 40's at night here now!), I am craving more comfort food like the other night's shepherds pie, baked pasta, and soup.

After taking Clyde for a brisk walk Tuesday night in the fall air (I was actually kind of cold with shorts and a fleece jacket on!), I wanted some soup!

I made a white bean and spinach soup for dinner.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon of olive oil

1 onion, chopped

1 1/2 clove garlic, minced

1 can white beans, rinsed and drained

1 1/2 cups of stock

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon dried thyme

1 1/2 cups water

1/2 cup whole wheat pasta (optional)

1 bunch fresh spinach, rinsed and chopped

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/3 cup Parmesan cheese

Saute your onion and garlic in olive oil on medium heat til tender.  Add white beans, stock, pepper, thyme, water, and pasta and bring to a boil then lower and simmer for about 10 minutes.  Add the spinach and continue to simmer til it's wilted (a couple minutes).  Finish with lemon and Parmesan cheese.

I also added a grilled Havarti cheese on Ezekiel bread to make it the ultimate comfort meal.

 In my opinion, the Parmesan really makes this soup, so I don't recommend leaving it out.  The soup is a little bland without it ;)

It was really yummy though :)  

I see a fall soup kick happening in my life.  

What's your favorite soup?

Later, I broke into my fudge stash from Sunday's apple picking adventure and cut myself a hunk of pumpkin pie fudge.

MMMM...

Then more time cozy in pajamas under my furry blanket!