Cheaters Curried Butternut Soup

It’s November and cold outside, despite the clear-skied New Mexico sun, and that means it’s time for soup. But because I’ve spent the last few weeks sick in bed with a cold, I haven’t been very inspired to actually cook. Thankfully there are tidily box-packed, Imagine brand organic soups of which I have a consistent stash on my upper shelf. As I’m sure you can imagine, this is a godsend when you’re sick, except that after two weeks alternating free-range chicken broth with creamy butternut, I find myself longing for something different. Lucky a quick review of pantry contents revealed yet one more single serving cheaters recipe perfect for combatting the cold that just won’t quit.

Cheaters Curried Butternut Soup

1/3 box Imagine Organic Creamy Butternut Squash soup

1/3 can Eden Organic garbanzo beans

1/3 cup organic frozen peas

1 tablespoon Morton & Bassett organic Curry Powder (or whatever curry powder you have on hand)

1/3 to 1/2 tin Trader Joe’s skinless & boneless sardines in olive oil (or whatever sardines you have on hand) — optional

Combine all ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and cook until very hot. Meanwhile, crush the desired quantity of sardines with a fork until it flakes and soaks up the oil. When soup is cooked, stir in crushed sardines. Eat.

NOTE: You could probably substitute tuna or chicken for the sardines, but there’s something really tasty about the fish/oil combo when mixed with the squash. You might also experiment with curry quantity. Frozen green beans, cauliflower, or other veggies instead of or in addition to the peas might also be awesome.

Cheater’s Cashew Chicken Curry

I hate to cook. I know there are a ton of people out there who find chopping and stirring a form of relaxation, but I am just not that girl. Add to that a ton of food allergies and sensitivities and you have a recipe for avoiding recipes at all costs. Still, a girl has to eat, and although I preach a good game of “fresh, local, organic” sometimes I just need something quick, easy, and tasty made from ingredients that won’t rot in my fridge when my schedule gets busy. This is one of those, made entirely from canned, jarred, and frozen foods. (Thank you Trader Joe’s.)

Cheater’s Cashew Chicken Curry

1 bag Trader Joe’s frozen Organic Jasmine Rice

1 can Trader Joe’s canned Premium Chunk Chicken

1/4 cup chopped cashews

1 cup Trader Joe’s frozen Organic Peas

1 tablespoon Morton & Bassett organic Curry Powder (or whatever curry powder you have on hand)

1 tablespoon Artisana 100% organic Coconut Butter, broken into small pieces; add more or less to taste (coconut milk would probably be better, but the butter was all I had on hand, if using coconut milk, I’d double or triple the amount)

Cook rice according to instructions on package. Put into bowl with rest of ingredients. Stir. Cook on high setting in microwave for 2-3 minutes. Serves two.

Enjoy.