3 Simple Recipes For A Cozy Night In

To me there is nothing better then staying in and cooking up a simple yet delicious meal for a cozy night in. Today I wanted to share with you 3 simple recipes that I myself cook for cozy nights in for Chris and I.

Spinach Orzo Pasta

Ingredients

• 500 grams Italian Sausage
• 1 cup Orzo Pasta
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1/2 Onion
• 1 tbsp Garlic
• 28 Oz  Canned Diced Tomato
• 1 tspn Dried Oregano
• 2 tspn Dried Basil
• 1 tspn red chili Flakes
• 4 cups Chicken Broth
• 2 cups Spinach (Tightly Packed)
• 1/4 cup Half and Half
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese

Instructions

• Heat Oil in a heavy bottom pan. Once Warm add chopped onion and garlic. Saute until the onion has softened and raw garlic smell is gone.
• Roughly break sausages to small chunks.  Add to the pot. Saute for 5-6 minutes until they are browned 

• Deglaze the pot by adding stocks. Scarp the bottom of the pan to remove any brown bits.  Stir in the tomatoes.
• When the stock comes to a boil stir in Orzo Pasta, oregano, basil, Red chilli flakes, salt and pepper.
• Cover and let it cook for 10-12 minutes in the medium-low heat until Orzo is almost cooked.
• Stir in Spinach to the pot and let it cook for 2 minutes. Switch off the flame.
• Stir in half and half, grated parmesan cheese.

 Red Beans and Rice

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 medium onion diced
• 1 bell pepper diced
• 3 celery stalks chopped
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 pound ¼ chicken andouille sausage cut into thin slices
• 1 pound dry red kidney beans
• 1 tsp salt or more to taste
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp Knorr Granulated Bouillon, Tomato Chicken
• 1 tsp hot sauce I used Franks Red Hot
• 1 tsp fresh thyme
• 2 leaves bay
• 5 cups water
• 2-4 cups of cooked rice

INSTSTRUCTIONS

• Rinse the kidney beans and drain.
• Add all the ingredients (except the rice) to the crockpot.
• Set the slow cooker to low and cook for  6 hours on high
• Cook the rice in a separate pot, according to package directions. I used white jasmine rice
• Serve with 1 cup rice in each serving.

3 Bean Winter Chili

•  1 tablespoon vegetable oil
•  1 pound ground turkey
•  1 can tomato soup
•  1 cup of chicken broth
•  1 can diced tomatoes with green chilis
•  2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained
•  1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained
•  1/2 medium red onion, chopped
•  2 tablespoons chili powder
•  1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
•  1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
•  1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
•  1 pinch ground black pepper
•  Salt to taste
•  Sour Cream (for topping)
•  Shredded Cheddar cheese (for topping)