Soups of the Season

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January 2, 2024

VEGETABLE SOUP

4 cups chicken or veggie broth
6 cups of water
3 celery stalks, cut in half
3 carrot stalks, peeled and cut in half
6 garlic cloves, whole • 1 whole onion, yellow or white
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp chicken bouillon (optional)
Pasta of your choice
Sprinkle with parmesan

Directions : In a large pot combine water and chicken broth. Add all vegetables and bring to a boil on medium/high heat. Once boiling, bring the heat to low and cover partially and cook for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, remove veggies from broth and place in a blender with 2 full ladles of broth and chicken bouillon. Blend and add black to broth. Cook your favorite pasta and pour broth mix over. Sprinkle with cheese and enjoy!

BLACK BEAN SOUP

1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 stalk of celery, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp black pepper
4 cups vegetable broth
4 (15 ounce) cans of black beans, undrained
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn
1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

Directions : Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Saute onions, celery, carrots, and garlic in hot oil for 5 minutes. Season with chili powder, cumin, black pepper and cook for another minute. Stir in vegetable broth, 2 cans of beans, and corn. Bring to a boil.

Take the other 2 cans of beans and the tomatoes and put into a food processor or blender until smooth. Stir into the blended beans and tomatoes into the boiling soup and reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes.

SPLIT PEA SOUP

1 pound (about 2 cups) dried split peas, rinsed and drained
1 ham hock or ham bone with some meat on it
1 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1 tsp dried thyme
6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup diced ham for added texture and flavor (optional)
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Directions: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables are softened. Add the rinsed split peas to the pot and stir to combine with the vegetables. Place the ham hock or ham bone in the pot. Add the bay leaf, dried thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth. If you have diced ham, add it to the pot. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the peas are tender and the soup has thickened. Once the soup is cooked, remove the ham hock or bone from the pot. Discard any bones and shred the meat, adding it back into the soup. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot.

Orange Cranberry Scones

By

Lisa Basini

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January 2, 2024

Prep Time: 20 min. ~ Servings: 8

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED :

3 cups all-purpose flour + plus extra for kneading
1/2 cup sugar
5 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
1 egg
1/2 cup milk an additional 1 to 3 tablespoons more (add one at a time as needed)
1 ½ teaspoon ORANGE extract
1/2 cup dried cranberries – chopped slightly
Garnish: 2 tablespoons milk and 1 tablespoon sugar

HERE IS HOW YOU DO IT :

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cover with parchment or lightly grease a baking sheet.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter with finger tips or a pastry cutter.

Make a well in the center and add in egg, 1/2 cup milk and extract. Pour into the center and whisk with a fork in the center pulling in flour to create a dough. Once the fork becomes no longer useful, use both hands to work the dough adding in 1 tablespoon of milk at a time to incorporate all of the flour.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead briefly. Add in dried cranberries to the dough.

Roll dough out into a 1-inch-thick round shape. Cut into 8 wedges and place in a circle on prepared baking sheet about 1 ½ inches apart.

Brush or pat the tops of the scones with milk and sprinkle extra granulated sugar on top as a garnish.

Bake 15 – 18 minutes or until golden brown.

Winter Fashion ‘24 Trend Alert

By

Tammy Severino

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January 2, 2024

Winter Fashion 2024 : Not for the Faint of Heart

Winter 2024 is upon us and fashion trends for the season are as bold and noteworthy as the weather. Let’s take a stroll through some of the styles that went from the runway to racks for this winter.

Princess Diana was, in her lifetime, a fashion icon with her style and taste in clothing. This season is a veritable homage to the ‘People’s Princess’, with modern updates for her many looks. Her sophisticated styles from dresses with drop-waists to evening wear with clean form-fitting lines and off the shoulder tailoring is a staple for the season. Pair your ensemble with a classic high-heeled pump to complete the look. Day wear and office looks with clean, classic design also reflect the nod to the princess.

Monochromatic style is a very hot trend for the season. Whether a chunky sweater paired with a miniskirt or a blazer dress and a great pair of boots, you will be spot on once you’ve added matching color tights. The look can be done with ivory, black, and brown, but stands out in a bold and vibrant color (think hot pink or bright yellow). If you’re opting for one of the season’s extra mini mini-skirts, complete the look with above the knee stockings, a popular trend for the season.

Another key trend for the season is the double denim look. Try pairing a denim jumpsuit with a denim coat or a skirt and top of matching denim for the look. Some will even add footwear in denim for a top to bottom denim ensemble. Denim not your look? How about glittering silver? That is the opposite look that is roaring in like gangbusters. Give a some sparkle a try – either as a principal part of your outfit or added as an accessory in your ensemble – purse, shoe, jewelry or all three. And be sure to look for a long duster-length jacket to stay fashionable. Your options include tried and true looks (leather in black and brown), bright shades and even sheer.

Trying to decide what colors to choose for this winter? Red is, without question, the favorite of designers for winter. Bright pink remains popular, likely in the wake of the success of the Barbie movie. Pastel palettes, usually appearing in spring and summer styles, is quite popular for this winter. Think of Sweet Tart candies…if it is in the candy package, it is on the runway this time around.

Accessories for the season follow along with the looks noted above. The one key addition to note is that of fuzzy accessories. You will find boots, shoes, purses, and totes, as well as hair accessories and more in looks that range from fuzzy to actually [faux-]furry. It is one of the cozy effects you’d likely expect for winter and will, hopefully, help keep you warm as the temperatures drop.

Select one style or select them all. Whatever you choose, enjoy the fun of the fashions and be sure you feel fabulous in what you put on.

A Delicious Way to Support Your Immune System

By

Art Department

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January 2, 2024

Bolstering your immune system during winter, when coughs and colds seem to take control, is a must for the entire family. Supporting your wellness can start in a simple place – with the foods you eat and drink.

Consider an easy choice for any season like Florida Orange Juice, which can help you and your loved ones get the vitamins and minerals you need all winter long. With 100% of the daily recommended value of vitamin C in every 8-ounce serving along with key nutrients like potassium and magnesium, there’s a reason it’s referred to as the “Original Wellness Drink.”

With no added sugar or artificial flavor, it provides the benefits you need without the additives you don’t. It contains natural sugar from the whole fruit for a delicious solution that’s one of nature’s nutrient-rich foods with vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Plus, it’s easy to use as a nutritional ingredient in wintertime favorites like this comforting Orange Juice and Coconut Chickpea Soup or to start your day strong with a Superfruit Breakfast Smoothie.

Paired with a healthy lifestyle, 8 ounces of 100% orange juice may help support a healthy immune system as an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of vitamin D in fortified juices. Vitamin C is commonly associated with helping maintain and strengthen healthy immune systems by protecting cells and promoting the production and function of immune cells. Meanwhile, vitamin D also plays an important role in regulating immune response by helping immune cells fight off bacteria and viruses.

“Safeguarding your health against the spread of illness is important year-round, especially during colder months when reports of cold and flu increase,” said Dr. Rosa Walsh, director of scientific research at the Florida Department of Citrus. “A key step in supporting your immune system is maintaining a well-balanced diet that is high in essential nutrients. Incorporating an 8-ounce glass of 100% orange juice can help you meet the recommended daily value of vitamin C and support your hydration.”

Beneficial plant compounds, like those in Florida Orange Juice, along with flavonoids and colorful carotenoids work to support the immune system by fighting inflammation and helping cells communicate, which can help strengthen immune responses when encountering infections.

Additionally, 100% orange juice is a source of phytonutrients like hesperidin, which has been shown in clinical studies to have antioxidant-like properties, heart health benefits and may help reduce inflammation. Hesperidin has also been linked with benefits related to cognitive function, immune system function and bone health. To find more information and immunity-boosting winter recipes, visit FloridaJuice.com.

Orange Juice & Coconut Chickpea Soup

~ Servings: 8 ~

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup diced yellow onion
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 1/2 cups diced carrots
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
3 cloves garlic, finely grated
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 quart vegetable broth
1 can (14 ounces) light coconut milk
1 can (14 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup Florida Orange juice
chopped cilantro (optional)

In medium saucepan over medium high, heat olive oil until it shimmers. Add onions, bell pepper, carrots and salt; cook until onions are translucent, 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and cardamom; cook 1-2 minutes, or until garlic is fragrant. Do not brown. Add vegetable broth, coconut milk and chickpeas; bring to simmer.

Decrease heat to low and cook until carrots are tender, about 10 minutes. Add orange juice, remove from heat and stir. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Serve garnished with cilantro, if desired.