Good Mooooorning! Did everyone have a fantastic weekend? I know I sure did…here’s what was going on around here:
Much to my surprise, after a very busy weekend, I didn’t think I’d be in much of a mood to do any sort of cooking last night when it came to dinner for me and the man. I was *this close* to suggesting takeout, but after a weekend full of treats, wine, and Dunkin Donuts breakfasts two mornings in a row, a nice home-cooked meal actually sounded like perfection.
So I headed out to the kitchen…and wound up not only making homemade soup, but I ALSO cranked out a fresh loaf of bread, too.
Who knew?!
My bread of choice was my Hearty Oat Loaf, which I hadn’t had in forever. (Holly, I always think of you when I make this for some reason!). This bread is fantastic because it doesn’t require any yeast and is done in less than an hour. It’s perfect…
…especially when topped with some homemade honey butter, which I most definitely did. (I literally just whip up butter and honey to taste…SO good).
The soup actually came together as I went, since I wasn’t really sure when I wanted to make. I started by looking at a recipe but realized I didn’t have about half of the ingredients that it called for, so I just sort of kept adding things to the pot.
I felt all professional and stuff. 
And since it turned out great and got four thumbs up between me and the hubs, I was very grateful for the fact that I kept track of my measurements for a recipe…which you can check out right at the bottom of this post. WOOT!
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It was a pretty early night to bed last night, so I was up ‘n at em at a pretty decent hour this morning. I got my workout in right away (my sweaty mess walking workout plus a few upper body exercises) and then came back upstairs to make some breakfast.
Today’s deliciousness included some simple scrambled eggs (1 egg + 1 egg white, a little milk, some dried basil, topped with ketchup) which just totally hit the spot. As much as I love adding lots of fresh veggies to my scrambles, sometimes the simple stuff is just where it’s at.
I also lightly toasted another slice of my hearty oat loaf and topped it with some peanut butter and strawberry jam.
Another reason I love this bread – it’s great for dinner AND for breakfast…and most likely a mid-morning snack, too.
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And now, just in case you felt like making some soup this week…
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Veggies & Noodles Soup
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Servings: 4-6
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 3 cloves chopped garlic
- 1-2 celery stalks, chopped
- 8-10 baby carrots, chopped
- 1 small red pepper, chopped
- 1 zucchini, thinly sliced
- 6-8 medium tomatoes, peeled and pureed* (or a 15oz. can of tomato sauce)
- 1 large bay leaf
- 1 tbsp basil
- 1 tbsp parsley
- 1 tsp oregano
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 (14oz) cans vegetable broth
- 2-3 cups water**
- 2 cups dry whole wheat fusili (or any pasta)
*For an easy way to peel tomatoes, see this post
**I almost always end up adding more water after it has cooked and cooled
Directions:
Place a large pot over medium heat; add olive oil and onions and cook until translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add chopped garlic and cook an additional minute.
Add all remaining ingredients except for pasta. Bring to a slow boil and let simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally (the spices will probably look like a lot at the top, but they will settle!). Add pasta and cook, uncovered, until pasta is al dente.
Serve with a fresh loaf of homemade bread, such as my Hearty Oat Loaf and enjoy!
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I’m thinking this is going to be great leftovers for tonight’s dinner, since we all know that soup always tastes better the next day.
Question for the Morning:
With fall weather approaching, I’m suddenly craving soups and stews…what are some of your favorite soup, stew, and chili recipes? Feel free to link up and share! I’m looking for some new ideas this season. 
With the cool weather rolling in, lately all I’ve wanted is some hot cocoa and hot soup! I love this time of year :)
Hahaha, I just saw your tweet about the wind blowing and loving fall! ;)
I love soup! It’s not quite cold enough for me to start making them in Florida but I’m saving this to make in bulk and freeze once the temps drop!
That hearty oat loaf bread looks delicious AND easy. It’s always a plus when you find a recipe that doesn’t call for yeast. And the squash and carrot soup recipe you have on the same post looks amazing. It has fall written all over it :)
I suddenly want this bread and soup NOW! :) I can’t wait to make a bunch of soups and stews. It’s still pretty warm here, but it’s slowly but surely cooling off, so I know soup season is right around the corner!
Looks delicious! Both the soup and the bread! :)
I made soup last night too! Very similar to yours. The only real difference is that I put some shredded chicken in mine and used orzo for the pasta. YUM! The best part is that I made enough to have for lunch all week. Bonus!
Courtneyyyyy!! Haha, hubby would have liked some chicken too but we didn’t have any ready to go.
Hope all is going well for you!! ;)
It is absolutely FREEZING in my house right now, and that soup looks delicious. Never mind that it’s 9 a.m…. :)
It’d probably take me long than 40 minutes to make, though. I’m a painfully slow veggie chopper!
Where did you buy the adorable soup bowl and plate? I would love something like this for serving soup and bread or salad. Going to make this meal tonight, thanks!
I actually got them from QVC! I absolutely love them!! :)
I’m so glad that you kept of with your measurments! The soup sounds fabulous and with cooler weather moving in; I’ve been craving a yummy soup. I think I’ll try adding a little ground turkey to mine.
I love soup, I usually only get it at restaurants because I don’t like canned soup, but I want to start making my own! One of my favorites is split pea.. I found this recipe that I want to try soon…
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2008/03/split-peas-soup-with-ham-2-points.html
That soup sounds great! The bread looks really good too. I love having soup for dinner in the fall and winter :)
As much as I love veggies and always throw them into my meals, my scrambled eggs are always plain…don’t want to distract from the yolk flavor haha!
I totally know what you’re saying with craving soup… I’ve been dying to make my butternut squash soup, but just haven’t gotten around to getting a squash :p
I have been on the soup/chili kick for over a month now & we just had our first “cool front” of the year. The high was 95– haha!
I made this hearty soup a few weeks ago on a whim and it turned out extremely delish! http://www.therealpretty.blogspot.com/2012/08/foodie-friday-crab-potato-soup.html
I love love love soup. Too many times during the hot summer I made soup because it’s so delicious. I’m super happy it’s getting colder out so making soup actually makes sense.
I altered a recipe for Southwest Chicken Barley Soup recently that’s really good and wrote about it here if you want to check it out!
…and the “here” was supposed to be http://wp.me/p2EN89-4p. Whoops!
Soup is definitely one of my favorite fall and winter foods! I just made some chicken taco chili last night. No exact recipe, but I threw in some chicken, diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, spices (chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika), and chicken broth. It was great served with some cheesy beer bread!
That soup looks delish! I made my husband go to the store with me this weekend just to buy ingredients so we could eat soup, like, every day this week! My favorites are a homeade Zuppa Toscana (lightenend up, of course), butternut squash soup, roasted tomato soup, chili mac, and cream of mushroom! My mouth is watering now…
The soup and bread look terrific!! Nothing beats homemade bread! Yummy!!!
Totally making that bread soon. We’re all out of fresh baked bread (of any kind) here, so I think that’ll remedy it ;)
Also – sounds like you had a BLAST this weekend! Reminds me of when a group of us went to southern IL for an all-day wine tour for my bday earlier this year. SO much fun :)
that bread looks amazing. i am such a bread girl and have always wanted to make my own, this seems like a simply enough starter bread. wish me luck. haha.
and i wish it still wasnt 100 degrees in arizona or i would totally make some soup too!
That looks so yummy! It isn’t exactly soup weather yet over here but I am storing all these wonderful looking soups for when it starts getting colder here!
I love chicken pot-pie! I just found this recipe and am so excited to try it (once it cools down here in Texas :)
http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/Recipes/Recipe/Individual-Chicken-Pot-Pies.aspx
I’m LOVING this fall weather!! It’s making me so happy that I can’t really concentrate on studying..all cramped up inside. What a rough life;) I love this turkey chili recipe by Jamie Eason. http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jamie-easons-livefit-recipes-3-bean-turkey-chili.html. Instead of making it on the stovetop, I throw everything in the crockpot. It’s so goood, and of course, it makes the house/apt smell amazzzing!
I love to make soups once the temperature drops! My fiancee and I actually do “Sunday Soups” and make a big pot on Sunday and then cuddle up and watch football. Here are a few of my favorites!
http://www.cookincanuck.com/2011/11/hearty-chicken-stew-with-butternut-squash-quinoa-recipe/
http://ohsheglows.com/2010/11/16/holiday-soup-for-the-soul/
http://www.eatliverun.com/crock-pot-chickpea-butternut-squash-and-red-lentil-stew/
I’m down for any soup that can be made in a Crockpot because it’s so easy and it’s ready by the time I’m done with the day. I need to look for a healthy chili recipe (but I think you have a chili recipe, right?).
Sure do! I actually have a few of ’em:
https://www.sweettoothsweetlife.com/recipes/dinners/soupstewchili-recipes/
Oh my goodness, that soup looks so delicious, especially with this sore throat that I am fighting!!
I am looking forward to a pot of chicken and dumplings and some potato soup as the weather gets cooler. Yum!!
http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=1230575
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/delicious-ham-and-potato-soup/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=potato%20soup&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%20Page
Mmmmm oat loaf. Sounds delicious!
Totally pinned that bread for making a vegan friendly version!
WOW! That bread looks amazing and totally sounds reasonable to make! Putting that on the To Do list asap.
I had a hard (cold) reality shock this morning when I opened the window to eat breakfast and actually started shivering. Ugh, fall is here which means soups are definitely in my future. :)
I just posted a pumpkin soup recipe today!! Love soup :)
I need to make that bread, how fun!
I can’t wait to make my own soup, SO excited for fall and making soups, chilis, and pumpkin filled recipes:)
I made soup yesterday too! Pinning this for future reference! Gotta build up a soup recipe arsenal for the colder months!
I love honey butter – so easy and delicious! Perfect with chili and perfect for fall.
I actually have most of the ingredients on hand for that soup (surprisingly). Maybe if I’m feeling ambitious later tonight I’ll give it a try!
That soup looks delicious but even better is the bread!!!
I had my first bowl of pumpkin soup a week ago or so… and it made me so excited for fall! I love pumpkin soup – carrot soup and sweet potato soup the most in fall… see a theme going on here ;) I adore a sweet & creamy soup! My sweet tooth is huge and these veggies satisfy my needs for sweet ;) Love it!!
I love a good chili recipe but besides that, I made a chicken, prosciutto and kale soup this summer. I was inspired by some incredible noodles I found at Trader Joe’s. Here’s the recipe! http://savorlifesflavors.com/2012/06/28/summer-soup-recipe/. Enjoy!
That bread looks delicious…as does your soup :)
For some odd reason, I want me a bowl of soup now ;)
soup sounds amazing to bad its till almost in the 90s here!
The bread and soup look yummo! Soup is sooo good when it is cold and windy (like it is in my town at the mo)
PS your workout plan is kicking my butt :)
It’s been forever since I’ve made bread – this one looks so tasty!
SORRRY I JUST saw this :/ I’m catching up on my blog reading now :) I have missed you- and I love that you think of me when you make that bread….it’s probably because I LOVE it so much! I cannot wait to make it again SOON- although I could honestly consume the whole thing myself in about 2 days…because I will eat it for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Haha! :)
I made your hearty oat loaf and it was a hit…we loved it! I was wondering what you have found to be the best way to store it? thanks!
Awesome! :)
I actually have an old tupperware container that it fits perfectly in to and that seems to work well