Farmhouse Kitchen, January/February 2024
Now that the busyness of the holidays and new year are behind us, I love settling into the slower pace of winter with foods that fit the cozy mood. There is nothing better than coming home to a house filled with the smell of a rich soup or stew. Nestled away from the cold weather, meals like these are one of my favorite ways to relax and unwind with my family at the end of a long day. With that in mind, this month, I want to share a few go-to recipes for ladling up comfort.
First up is Cheese Tortellini Soup. This soup has all the flavor of chicken noodle but with the bonus of bursts of cheese tortellini. The best part is you can get it done in about 30 minutes! Sometimes I make it a little heartier by simply adding two cups of cooked, shredded chicken. Leftover rotisserie chicken works beautifully.
While Cheese Tortellini Soup is a favorite of my whole household, Stuffed Cabbage Soup will always have a special place in my heart. I created this recipe by adapting my mom’s recipe for stuffed cabbage. My mother has always been a wonderful cook, and just one taste of this soup takes me back to my childhood.
Last but certainly not least, I am honored to share a recipe from Alabama Farmers Federation family member Glenda Cardwell of Coosa County. Glenda has been cooking meals since she was 12 years old and, after decades of marriage, surely knows her way around the kitchen. Her delicious Southwestern Stew, originally shared in the August 2012 issue of Neighbors, is a timesaving meal that will taste like it’s simmered all day.
I hope you, like me, are looking forward to all the possibilities in the year ahead. It is my prayer that we each will take time to live in the moment, focus on the people we love and store up treasures of memories that will warm us for years to come.
Until next time,
Stacey Little