Fourth Floor Homestead

The Dilemma: We received a big, beautiful butternut squash in the organics vegetable box we ordered this week. My husband does not like squash but we have one so it must be eaten as organic food is pricey. The Solution: Blend it and add it to a spicy soup. My husband had seconds and my son ate it all so it must have been good. What you need: 1/2 a butternut squash (about 2 cups blended) 1 tbsp olive oil 1/2 yellow pepper, chopped 1 stalk of celery, chopped (I used two ho

This recipe was designed with 3 goals in mind. 1. Use up the veggies I had on hand. 2. Be easy and come together quickly so I can avoid being in the kitchen all night. 3. Taste a bit more flavorful then typical lentil soup but not taste "hot" so my son will actually eat it. If you like more kick in your soups like I do you can add 1/8-1/4 tsp of ground cayenne pepper. I love the flavor cayenne adds to soups. There is some heat to it but it adds more than that. I skipped it he

I got a rather expensive salad at a restaurant. The description was amazing but it turned out to be mostly lettuce and I was starving so I throw together dessert when I got home. This turned out to be really good and also really healthy. It's mostly fruit and fruit is great. Lots of vitamins and antioxidants in them. Chocolate and coconut whipped cream are good for my happiness so that's always helpful. This turned out pretty decadent and it was the result of just adding ever

I needed something easy and healthy that would fill our tummies. This one is a bit soy heavy, there are soy nuggets and tofu involved, but why not load up on protein once in a while. There are lots of veggies to balance it out. My husband really liked the hoisin smothered soy nuggets. It's a great recipe to use up left over rice which we always seem to have kicking around. Soy chunks are cheap and full of protein so I have been looking for a chance to experiment with them. I

This is a great soup for the winter and it has been extra wintery this week with the ice storm and then the snow this week. Both husband and child approved. I don't think it is filling enough to count as an entire meal on it's own but pairs well with a fresh bred or grainy toast. Makes a little more than 2 servings. What You Need: a pack of cremini mushrooms, sliced or chopped 1-2 tbsp olive oil 2 bay leafs 1/2 tsp thyme 1/2 a sweet onion, minced or chopped all small like 1 v

Pico de Gallo is amazing and easy. It is pictured above between the guac and the pita chips. Its not the most direct picture. It is best to make it the night before to let the flavours mingle over night. Leaving the onion in the acidic lime juice will dull it's sharpness. What You Need: 1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes 1/2 a sweet onion, chopped 1 jalapeno, diced really small. If you don't like it hot, remove the seeds. 4 tbsp lime juice (or 2 limes worth of juice) 2 tbsp cilantr