Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Home for the Holiday Hop - Natalie Gibson




Autumn is my favorite time of the year.  The falling leaves, the cooler temperatures, and a warm kitchen put me in the mood for soups.  I am a sucker for soups of all kinds: thick bubbly pureed ones, thin savory broth ones, chunky ones with lots of texture variety.  My mom is the same way.  Here are the recipies for my two newest soup discoveries and my current favorites.

African Yam and Peanut Soup

Bubbly, warm and satisfying, this soup has one of the most unique flavors I've ever tasted.  Made with almost entirely tubers and seasoned wtih exotic spices, it has a markedly African character.  It can be made vegetarian, if that's your thing, even qualifying as vegan, without losing anything that makes this great.

Ingredients:
1 Tbs olive oil
medium yellow onion, chopped
3 yams, peeled and cubed (I use sweet potoatoes)
2 cloves garlic, minced (I used 2 Tbs from a jar of preminced garlic)
can diced tomatoes
1tsp Cinnamon, ground
2 tsp Cumin, ground
1/2 tsp Turmeric, ground
few dashes black pepper
1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
4-5 cups stock (vegetable or chicken)
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter (use natural, no sugar, so the soup isn't sweet)
green onion tops, chopped

Instructions:
Heat oil in large stew pot on medium heat.  Add onion and saute until onion is getting translucent (about 3-5 minutes).  Add garlic and saute for another few minutes.  Add yams (or sweet potatoes), tomatoes, cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, and pepper.  Give it all a quick stir to combine.
Add stock and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, simmer for 40-45 minutes, or until yams are very tender.
Add peanut butter and stir well.  Using an immersion blender, blend soup until it is mostly pureed.  It should appear creamy but have small chunks.
Serve topped with a sprinkle of green onion.

Zuppa Toscana

After falling in love with this soup at Olive Garden, I came up with my own way to have it at home.  It is way lower in calories and fat than the one from the restaurant but just as tasty.  The biggest selling point is that it is impressive enough for company but 30 minutes, start to finish, makes it perfect for last minute guests or just a weekday when you forgot to make dinner plans.

Ingredients:
1 lb bulk turkey breakfast type sausage
package onion soup mix
3 cups broth (I use chicken)
2 cups water
2 cans potatoes - drained
bundle of fresh kale, cut off of stems and chopped
1 1/2 cup milk

Instructions:
Brown sausage in a large stew pot, chopping with the spatuala as it cooks.  Use some of the water to keep the sausage from burning and sticking while you do this.  When the pink is all gone and the chunks are in smaller than bitesized pieces, add the onion soup mix, broth, water, and potatoes.  Bring to light boil and turn off the heat.  Add kale and milk.  Mix, let kale warm up (it won't wilt much) and serve.  Enjoy the soup and the praise, all the while knowing it was easy peasy.


Hateful Burden (Book 1 of the Carrier Trilogy)

One reviewer says, "A dark, moody look into both the fantasy world of paranormal and early attempts at treating psychological disorders... Yet it also has romantic love, familial love and friendship bonding that are portrayed with sensitivity and finesse."

If you are looking for something a bit darker than the usual paranormal romance, give this a try..."Hateful Burden is unlike anything I've ever read before. Its shocking and thought-provoking. The characters are both likeable as well as easy to hate."

Get lost in this twisted world..."You want a thrill ride , you want to not be able to move , until you are done with a book. You want a " OOOOOOOOOO" moments?? Then you need to go pick up Author Natalie Gibson book Hateful Burden!!!! OMG I was into it so much , I didn't realize it was 4am before I finished it. And I was only going to start with a chapter or two ..... Trust me this is one of those books that will have you biting your lips , wanting more!"



Available in ebook and paperback on Amazon.  Grab your copy today and be ready for Wretched Blood (Book 2 of the Carrier Trilogy) coming soon.

Thanks for visiting my stop on the hop.  Be sure to leave a comment with your email  address below for an entry into the grand prize drawings.  Each hop visited is an entry opportunity.  These prizes are not small potatoes! 

Grand Prize Shopping Spree: $450+ Gift Card or

 Paypal Cash

Second Place Grand Prize: (1) E-Book from every

 participating Author - that is 75 EBOOKS!

Winners will be determined via random.org



Go to our event page http://www.theromancetroupe.com/p/home-for-holidays-blog-hop.html for a complete list of links and chances to win.  Good Luck to you all! 

In addition: I am offering a $20 Starbucks gift card for one lucky reader out of visitors to my stop.  That's YOU!  There are numerous chances to win.  Friend me or fan me on facebook, follow me on twitter, visit my website, sign up for my monthly newsletter, tweet or post about me or my books and leave a comment including the list of things you did.


email me at ishtarbooks@gmail.com
Facebook Friend or Fan pages Author Natalie Gibson
Twitter @AuthorNatGibson

34 comments:

  1. I friended you, liked your FB page, followed on twitter @carpediem5366, added you to Google Plus , follow newletter

    carpediem5366 @ yahoo . com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've been looking over all the recipes on the hop, and this peanut soup really caught my eye. I'll be trying it as I've been trying to incorporate more nutritious/yummy soups into my diet; thanks for posting! (And that book sounds a lot scarier than most books I'd consider reading. I got chills just reading the description.) Ah, what the heck: CStrickl (at) PHEInc.com

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    1. It is really SO good. It is very filling while being healthy. You'll love it. As to Hateful Burden - it isn't for everyone but it is something nice if you're looking for a change.

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  3. fb Friend - Missie Jones
    Goodreand fan - Melissa Jones
    Twitter - @MissieJones1
    Google+ - Missie Jones
    newletter - missie25524 (at) netzero (dot) com

    Your recipes sound delish & I cant wait to try them ... Hugs

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    Replies
    1. Well, thank you ma'am for all the adds. The soups are scrumptious. Enjoy.

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  4. Thank you so much for sharing your recipes and joining this giveaway!
    melaniemcclure@knology.net

    ReplyDelete
  5. The peanut soup recipe looks yummy, always looking for soup recipes.
    FB Fan JeanPatton
    Twitter @jeanniemp
    Google+ JeanMP
    skpetal at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yam and peanut soup?? Very interesting! I can honestly say I have never heard of this one! Thanks for sharing!

    Happy Holidays!
    Stephanie
    Stephanie's Book Shelf
    stephaniesbookshelf.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Happy Holidays. Thank you for the amazing giveaway. esseboo@yahoo.com I followed by email and bloglovin, & like facebook page.

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  8. Thanks for participating in the blog hop!
    eliseandtegan@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for the giveaway! I've made Zuppa Toscana and it is delicious!

    I friended you via FB: Meghan Stith
    I am your fan via FB: Meghan Stith
    I follow you via twitter: megestith
    I tweeted about you and your giveaway: https://twitter.com/MeghanStith/status/400835452644499456

    Thanks again!

    Mestith at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I friended and fanned you @ Nikki McCarver
    Followed you on twitter @ Mc_Carver

    viajeradelmar@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. added you on facebook liked your page and added to google+ all under the name Kera montgomery following you on twitter @Lovey229 bbyg612@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Friended you on FB, liked your FB page, followed you on Twitter. Marie.mattingly88@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. i love that soup at Olive Garden... Thanks for the recipe I am going to totally make it. Also thank you for being part of the hop.

    j.m.platt83@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Looks yummy. Thanks for a great post and awesome giveaway!!!!!
    kac_030@yahoo.com
    FB -kimmie lange
    twitter-@kimyl

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have never had this soup before. Sounds good. delphinareadstoomuch at yahoo.com

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  16. This is something new for me. I have never heard of this but the recipe has got me salivating ! Yummy ! Definitely will be making this in the next few days! I am also on the lookout for a new recipe! I read your book review and I must say that it has my curiosity pique . Very tantalizing and I like the paranormal aspect. Going to add to my tbr list. Thanks and have a Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for sharing your recipe!

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  17. What a unique recipe, thank you! I liked you on Facebook, am excited to see your posts! Caraolson24@yahoo.com

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  18. Thank you for posting the soup recipe. I get it every time I go to Olive Garden.
    Fanned you on FB and Follow on Twitter.

    koonie2888 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Soups are my favorite in the fall. Recipes look yummy
    Robin
    lovbooks641@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love your recipe for Zuppa Toscana. Thanks for the hop and giveaway, hope you have a wonderful holiday season. koala571 (at) msn (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Sounds good. Thanks for shraing the hop and giveaways. Wishing everyone a wonderful and magical holiday season. evamillien at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
    elizabeth @ bookattict . com (subscribed)
    Bloglovin': BookAttict
    Twitter: @BookAttict
    Facebook: Elizabeth Hyatt

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks for the awesome hop.
    magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Sounds like an interesting recipe

    smurfettev AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks for the recipes! Both sound delicious, and I love making soups this time of year.

    dancingcelt at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks for the chance to win!
    natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Yay! A new way to use yams. I will make this on those really grey, cold days.

    blueshedevil32 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thank you for sharing your recipes. Good luck to everyone.
    Angela
    angie1977t@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thank you for sharing such interesting recipes, and for being part of this great hop!

    Karen(dot)arrowood(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi! What an interesting soup. Cant say that ive ever heard of it. Its something ill have to try. My family is really big on the soups. Living in Michigan, gotta get warm and filling suppers! Thank you for sharing and for the giveaway!! Happy Thanksgiving!
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I like the sound of the soup. :)
    Thank you for sharing. Have a happy holiday!
    trb0917 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete