Luna's Chorizo Soup

I love soup. I mean, I really, really love soup. To me, there is nothing quite like a bowl of warm broth filled with goodness to make the world a better place. I love vegetable soup, potato, noodle, ramen, seafood, beef, you name it, I have had it or made it. Because soup is good for what ails you.

This is a really delicious and warming soup perfect for winter. I love this with crusty bread or crunchy rice chips.This serves four with salad or two really hungry people. Or two people and lunch the next day!

Luna's Chorizo Soup

2 c chicken stock

water to fill rest of pan

2 chorizo sausage, cooked, cut and drained

6 red potatoes, cleaned and quartered

1/3 c diced tomato

1/2-1 tsp sea salt (or to taste)

1/2 decent size red pepper, cut into small pieces

Snap Peas or green Beans, ends removed

1 loaf of crusty bread

Start water/stock to a simmer and add potatoes and your favorite seasonings along with the salt.

Once they are softened, add tomatoes.

Now is a good time to prep your bread, slice and drizzle with olive oil or make a quick garlic spread and pop in the oven.

Add your remaining ingredients so the flavors meld and serve when your bread is ready.

Lemon and Ricotta Ziti

 When I made this, I honestly felt that it really needed more lemon, but I am a lemon freak. Taste the ricotta and lemon before adding it to the pasta, that way you can adjust as you need to it. What I love about this dish it that it is quick and that you could easily add a little more or vegetables for something that is nutritious and palate pleasing.

For four servings, you will need:

Coarse salt
1 lb ziti
1 lb ricotta
3 tbsp butter
Freshly grated pepper
Zest and juice of 2 lemons
Fresh chopped herbs (I like thyme or rosemary, but its up to you)

Boil water and salt it. Cook pasta until al dente.

Stir lemon zest, juice and herbs into ricotta. Save 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

 Return pasta to pot, stir in butter and then add ricotta. Season to taste with pepper. If you need to thin the cheese out, add some of your pasta water.

Add a salad and you have dinner in no time!