hello winter.

So, winter finally showed up here in Utah. oh joy.

but no worries,
we had the BEST tomato bisque soup today for lunch.
thanks to our "produce in the pantry."
(aka. THRIVE)
Tomato Bisque

by Chef Todd Leonard

1/2 c. THRIVE chopped onions
2/3 c. THRIVE carrot dices
1/2 c. THRIVE celery
2 qts. water
1/2 c. THRIVE tomato powder
1/2 c. THRIVE tomato dices
1/2 tbsp. Italian Seasoning
1/2 tbsp seasoned salt
3/4 tbsp THRIVE iodized salt
1/2 tbsp Cholula hot sauce (the secret ingredient :)
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 c. heavy cream
1/2 c. parmesan cheese

directions: in a 6-quart stock pot, combine the onions, carrots, celery, water, tomato powder, diced tomatoes, italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and spice blend and bring to a simmer, stirring to blend well. Let soup simmer for about 20 minutes covered, until all items become tender. Add the hot sauce, vinegar, cream, and parmesan and stir well to blend. (for thicker soup, reduce more before cream is added). Place soup in a blender or use a handleld blender and puree soup to a silky smooth consistency. Pour soup back into pot, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.

top with some THRIVE sour cream.
chopped herbs or balsamic reduction are also nice accompaniments.

bon appetit!

the snow won't stop me....

i took a vacation to Nevada with my family this week.

(it was SO fun!)

but guess what was waiting for me when i got home??

The new THRIVE foods!

remember these.?

well, they are Just as YUMMY as i thought they would be!

and since snow was also waiting for me,

i'm excited that i can have tomatoes in the winter!

the next several months of winter will fly by with some homemade salsa in the fridge!

who doesn't LOVE new stuff??

Thrive just came out with NEW foods!

Freeze-dried Applesauce

(can i get a woo woo!)

Freeze-dried Red seedless Grapes

(heaven!)

Freeze-dried Green Bell Peppers!!

(it keeps getting better...)

Freeze-dried Tomatoes

(oh baby!)

and

Freeze-dried Zucchini Chunks!

take a minute and just think about how much easier cooking could be.

{silence}

wouldn't that be amazing??