Cherry Almond Beer Bread

Cherry Almond Beer Bread

It's another snowy day here in PA, and what better way to warm up than to bake a loaf of bread!  OK, I know it might be more fun to sit under a blanket with a good book or watch a movie while snuggling someone you love, but honestly, I don't think there is any better smell in the world than bread baking in the oven.  And when it only takes a couple of minutes to mix a dough from scratch, I swear the aroma is even sweeter.  This recipe is a simple twist on my original Beer Bread, with a few extra flavor enhancers added in.  The result is a bread with just enough sweetness to serve as a dessert, but not so much that you think it's a cake. I like using different flavors of beer as the inspiration and with all the varieties available today, the options are honestly endless.  So experiment with your favorite and get baking!

*I know I usually take a photo of the bread after cutting a few slices, but this bread was so delicious that as soon as I cut it and tried a piece, my kids and I devoured it. Sorry!

Exotic Bean and Barley Soup

Exotic Bean and Barley Soup

As I get ready to take the left overs from this meal out of the freezer for dinner tonight, I figure now is as good a time as any to share the recipe for a delicious soup that highlights two ingredients I have honestly never cooked with before.  The only reason I added both mung beans and barley into this dish is that I had bought them after hearing Dr. Oz talk about their numerous health benefits on a couple of different shows and I was tired of seeing them in my pantry staring at me. So I figured, why not cook with them together?  The result is a rich and hearty soup, that although I did add a little chicken sausage to at the end, is a fabulous vegan meal all on it's own.  And since we are having such a ridiculously snowy and cold winter here in PA and I have barely gotten to the gym at all, this high protein dish is a perfect comfort food without extra calories.  And the recipe makes a lot so you will have plenty left over for another cold evening.