Arctic Freeze

When you wake up to temperatures like this it can only mean one thing ... break out the brand new handed down Le Creuset Dutch Oven and get to cooking!  I should readily admit that while what we are facing here in Baltimore is no where near the low, low, low temperatures in the Midwest, I am still not a happy camper.  Seriously, it is warmer in my freezer than it is outside.

Can't remember the last time you were so cold?  Well that would make sense as the US has not seen temps like these in 20 years.  Turns out we can blame something called a polar vortex which is a strong, counterclockwise wind which is usually found at the north pole.  Every once and a while the winds move further south and make winter in the US feel like winter in Siberia.

Feeling a little broke after the holidays, what could be better than making a big pot of pasta e fagioli AKA Italian bean and pasta soup.  You render some bacon, caramelize some onions, throw in the beans and cook low and slow in the oven.  Here is an obligatory before picture.  As this is not a food blog, I do the minimal photography thing, but remembered to snag one before I put on the lid.

This time I attempted to follow the recipe found on The Kitchen, but I ended up making a few tweaks along the way (mainly because I thought I knew what I was doing and misread part of the directions).  I also swapped out the white wine for some red because that is what I had on hand and it was a good life decision!

This simple peasant soup (read cheap) will keep me going for days to come.