COZY WINTER HOMEMAKING 🎄🥧❄️ | Apple Crisp, Nourishing Soup & Decorating the Tree
Hello friends! Here's a snapshot of a cozy post-work homemaking day in my life. Enjoy! (also, sorry I didn't get a shot of the black bean soup! I thought I was recording at one point when in fact..I wasn't.)
Black Bean Soup Recipe:
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 bell pepper (any color), diced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional for heat)
3 cups (2 cans) black beans, drained and rinsed
3 cups vegetable broth (or water)
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
Salt and pepper, to taste
Juice of 1 lime
Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Sauté the Aromatics:
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add Spices:
Sprinkle in the cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder (if using). Stir to coat the vegetables in the spices.
Add Beans and Liquid:
Add the black beans, vegetable broth, and diced tomatoes (including their juice). Stir to combine.
Simmer:
Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Blend (Optional):
For a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to blend a portion of the soup. Alternatively, transfer about 1-2 cups of the soup to a blender, puree, and stir it back into the pot.
Season and Serve:
Stir in the lime juice, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, if desired.
Apple Crisp Recipe:
Ingredients:
For the Filling:
5–6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji work well), peeled, cored, and sliced
2 tbsp maple syrup or sugar (adjust to taste)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder (optional, for thicker filling)
Juice of 1/2 lemon
For the Crumble Topping:
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup all-purpose or almond flour
1/3 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup olive oil or 1/3 cup melted vegan butter
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
Prepare the filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla extract, cornstarch (if using), and lemon juice. Mix until the apples are evenly coated. Spread the apple mixture evenly in the baking dish.
Make the crumble topping: In another bowl, mix the oats, flour, sugar, and salt. Drizzle in the olive oil or melted vegan butter and mix until crumbly.
Assemble: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples.
Bake: Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
Cool slightly: Let the crumble cool for 5–10 minutes before serving.
