Posts tagged “soup”

Winter is rolling in quickly which means it’s time to roundup a long list of your favorite soup recipes to keep you warm and cozy this cold season. Nothing beats a hot bowl of your favorite soup when the weather is cold and grey, especially in the Pacific Northwest! What better way than to plan ahead for the new season with fresh winter produce and the ultimate winter soup recipe lineup?!

Tacoma Boys’ Favorite Soup

Okay, to be honest, Tacoma Boys doesn’t have a favorite soup – it’s too difficult to decide on just one! What we do know is that your local Tacoma Boys is stocked with every soup essential you can think of. From canned goods to broth, produce, and even bacon, you’re sure to be covered this winter season to whip up some of your favorite soup! 

Beans

Beans are a popular soup ingredient in various recipes – and for good reason! Legumes are packed with fiber, protein, and provide a hearty component to lighter soups. Some of Tacoma Boys’ favorite legumes for soups include black beans, kidney beans, lentils, and garbanzo beans.

Brands

Field Day Organic

• Black beans, pinto beans, ranchero chili beans, cannellini beans, kidney, and garbanzo beans.

Eden Organic

• Great northern beans, kidney beans, aduki beans, pinto beans, and black beans.

Pepper Creek Farms

• A great choice for dried beans vs canned. Offers more unique beans such as canary and black calypso beans!

Broth

Broth or stock is the base of most, if not all soups! Depending on what type of broth is chosen, it can add a great deal of flavor and richness to your soup. Beef broth works great for rich chili while seafood stock works great for creamy soups such as clam chowder. No matter the soup you have on your list, Tacoma Boys’ broth selection is stocked, pun intended.

Pacific Foods

• Organic Vegetable
  Broth
• Beef Bone Broth
• Chicken Bone Broth
• Turkey Broth
• Chicken & Beef Broth

Epic Artisanal

• Bison Apple Cider Bone Broth
• Turkey Cranberry Sage Bone Broth
• Homestyle Savory Chicken Bone Broth

Ocean’s Halo

• No Chicken Vegan Broth
• Ramen Broth

Other Soup Essentials

Depending on the type of soup you’re making, there are many different options for add-ins. Hempler’s Original Center Cut Bacon works great for potato soup while Smith Brother’s Whole Milk is a high quality option for a creamy based chowder. The possibilities are endless for winter soups!

• Follow Your Heart Dairy-Free Sour Cream to top a vegan chili
• Niman Ranch Applewood Smoked Uncured Ham for a ham & potato soup
• Tacoma Boys Carolina Reaper Salsa for a spicy tortilla soup
• Thai Kitchen Coconut Milk for a creamy curry soup
• Manischewitz Medium Egg Noodles for classic chicken noodle soup
• Muir Glen Organic Diced Tomatoes for a hearty lasagna soup

Winter Produce

As always, produce is a must for any dish, including soup! Using produce in soup is a great way to hide leafy greens that may tend to scare some away when found in its purest form. Adding loads of fresh produce to soup recipes is a sure way to get nutrients that are needed for everyday life. Afterall, keeping your immune system in check during the cold season is essential. Some of Tacoma Boys’ favorite winter produce includes: Kabocha squash, carrots, pumpkin, parsnips, brussels sprouts, and swiss chard!

Winter Soup Recipes 

What’s on the menu for your winter soup recipe list?! If you don’t have any, Tacoma Boys has you covered, as always. We’ve gathered a list of soup recipes that are guaranteed to be soup-er.

• Immune Boosting Feel Good Veggie Soup from Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
• Thai Red Curry Noodle Soup from Food Menu
• Creamy White Bean & Pumpkin Chili from Family Style Food
• Spicy Parsnip & Sweet Potato Soup from Kitchen Sanctuary 

Quick & Easy Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

This tomato soup uses Tacoma Boys’ delicious fresh grape tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, herbs, and sweet onion for the ultimate comfort food dish. 

Ingredients

• 1 sweet onion, roughly chopped
• 2 cups fresh grape tomatoes
• 8 garlic cloves
• 10 fresh basil leaves
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 cups Pacific Foods vegetable broth

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit while you prep. 
2. Place the onion on the bottom of a 9×9 baking dish. Add the tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, salt, oregano, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
3. Bake for 30 minutes until the tomatoes are blistered and the onions are cooked through.
4. Pour everything into a high speed blender and blend until completely smooth.
5. Pour back into a saucepan and add the vegetable broth. Cook over medium heat for about 5-10 minutes until hot. Season with more salt and pepper as needed.

Pre-Made Soup from Tacoma Boys

If making soup from scratch isn’t your thing, Tacoma Boys carries pre-made soup options ranging from mixes to canned soup. This is a great option to have on hand when you’re in need of throwing together something quick and easy for dinner! 

• Rao’s Sausage & Potato Soup
• Namaste Gluten Free Hearty Vegetable Soup
• Bar Harbor Clam Chowder
• Safe Harvest Dairy Free Shrimp Bisque
• Bear Creek Vegetable Beef Soup Mix
• Rill Foods Tekoa Split Pea Soup Mix
• Anderson House Chicken Noodle Soup Mix

Swing By! 

Hop into the Tacoma Boys closest to you to grab all of the ingredients to satisfy your soup needs! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to grab one of Tacoma Boys’ very own to guide you through the store to find what you’re looking for. 

Don’t forget to shop early this season for Christmas Trees! TREES ARE SELLING FAST. Click here for more info on Tacoma Boys’ Christmas Trees this year! 

“Hygge” is not a new concept to appear in 2021. In fact, the word “hygge” has been used so frequently in recent years that it made it onto the Oxford Dictionaries’ “word of the year” list four years ago. Generally, hygge means an intentional effort at comfort and coziness that leads to well-being and contentment.  After a year like 2020, I think we can all agree that it’s time to revive hygge in 2021 for your well-being. Tacoma Boys is here to help you. 

Hygge (pronounced “hoo-guh”) is a Danish concept that is fairly tricky to define. In fact, I think those of us who are outside Danish culture might never fully grasp it’s meaning. If you want to do a deep dive into this idea, check out this informative article in the New Yorker. Most of us don’t need persuading that an atmosphere of comfort and health is something we long for, especially as we reset at the beginning of a new year. The good news is that it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg to achieve a sense of this well-being that the Danes call hygge.

Creating a Cozy Atmosphere

A good question to ask yourself as you work towards creating a space that is a comfort to you is: What causes me to take a deep breath and slow down? Again, this isn’t about getting an expensive sofa or a new area rug. Picking up fresh herbs and making your favorite soup is “hygge.” Pouring a cup of tea with an aroma that makes you savor each sip is also hygge. Inviting a close friend to share life stories with you over a glass of wine and a simple spread of fresh fruit and cheese can also be hygge. To make things simple for you, we’ve come up with three simple ways to hygge-intentional.

3 Simple Ways to Be Intentional

1. Add a Houseplant (or several)

Caring for a live plant can be an enjoyable endeavor or a stressful one, but you won’t know which it is for you unless you give it a shot. For many, the weekly rhythm of watering a plant and checking on it’s growth is a grounding experience. Not only that, indoor plants are natural air purifiers. NASA studies show that houseplants can remove up to 87% or toxins in the air within a 24hr period. Clean air sounds good to us!

Succulents

Succulents require very little maintenance, which makes them one of the easiest plants to add to your home. The main concern a succulent has is getting ample light. They grow best placed in South-facing windows. If you’re not lucky enough to have a South-facing window, try a succulent with more flexible light needs like an aloe vera. We have a large variety of succulents here at Tacoma Boys, perhaps you’ll find a variety that speaks to you.

Potted Herbs

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme… or lemon balm, mint, oregano, tarragon, lavender. Why stick with the mainstream varieties? Potted herbs are a great addition to your space. Their aroma can be uplifting, energizing, relaxing, and even inspiring. Herbs are the type of houseplants that beg for you to touch and interact with them, because they engage multiple senses at once. Keep them as permanent residents in your home or just as semi-temporary additions that inspire you to take the time to cook something from scratch. Tacoma Boys can get you set up with soil, plants, pots, and growing advice.

Fresh Cut Flowers

Granted, these aren’t going to purify the air like a potted plant would, but cut flowers can do plenty for lifting your mood. Add a bouquet to your dining table, or get a single bouquet to divide into mini bouquets for multiple areas in your house. Tacoma Boys Markets have beautiful cut flower bouquets at the ready and we won’t be insulted if their beauty inspires you to divide them into mini bouquets. We also have colorful hanging baskets and pouches grown by our dedicated, local partners like the DeGoede Brothers in Sumner, Washington.

2. Add Light & Aroma

Light a Candle

Though winter solstice is behind us and we are gaining a few minutes of light every day, the sun is still setting before 5pm. That means that it’s prime candle lighting season. Beyond adding a feeling of warmth, scented candles can have the same effect as potted herbs in your home: uplifting, energizing, relaxing, and even inspiring.

Stovetop Potpourri

Don’t toss those orange peels after you’ve devoured the oranges, add them to a stovetop potpourri. Filling your house with aroma can be as simple as adding a few fresh herbs and spices to a pot of water on your stovetop. Want the cozy reminder of Christmastime, add cinnamon sticks, orange peels, and cranberries to the pot. Believe it or not, scent can encourage our well-being. Enjoy blending spices to create your own aromas or check out this blog post to discover some great combinations, then stop by the Tacoma Boys spice section for more inspiration.

3. Warm up from the inside out

As it turns out, the scientific research behind drinking warm beverages doesn’t actually confirm that drinking hot coffee will raise your body temperature, but it does show that it affects our emotions. Unless you’re stuck in the cold and in danger of hypothermia, the main reason you crave a warm beverage is for the warming feeling that it creates.  Brewing yourself a cup of hot tea, with the intention of sipping it slowly falls clearly in the category of hygge activities. Take some time to hold a mug full of aromatic tea or coffee and we’re sure you won’t be sorry.

Tea

Not all tea drinkers are identical. Some fall firmly into the green tea camp, while others stand by herbal tea. That’s why we have a huge and varied selection of signature tea blends that you won’t find anywhere else. Northwest Rose Garden, Chocolate Macaroon, and Shiro Plum Black, are just a few of the unique teas in our selection. A warm mug of tea is good for your well-being and may be just the thing you need to help you slow down. Enjoy a cup fireside with a good book.

Coffee

Just like those tea drinkers, coffee lovers have just as varied opinions on the perfect roast. Thankfully, we carry all of your favorite local roasters: Bluebeard Coffee Roasters, Valhalla Coffee Co., Vashon Island Roasterie, Manifesto Coffee, and many others. Come in to pick up your old standby or discover a new favorite.

Slowing Down is the Key

There is no magic formula for creating hygge. The thread that connects all of these “hygge-esque” activities, is the act of slowing down and being deliberate. We can’t think of a better activity for this than making a meal with fresh ingredients and sitting down to share it with someone you love. At the heart of what we do here at Tacoma Boys, is the joy of providing the quality ingredients to allow you to do this. Whether you light a candle, make a meal, or cradle a warm cup of tea in your hands, know that it is our pleasure to serve you as you take steps toward your well-being in 2021.

We get it. The sun is setting at an atrociously early hour, the weather is inclement, and all of the holiday movies are streaming. These are nights for staying in, kicking back and donning your favorite flannel jammies. But you might also be exhausted from the holiday baking and want someone else to make your dinner. Thankfully, ordering off a restaurant menu is not the only way to enjoy a meal without cooking. A quick stop at Tacoma Boys and you can have a delicious, nourishing meal on the table with little to no prep. It’s basically a way to dine out in pajamas!

The “Take Out” Menu at Tacoma Boys

We know a little wander around our store will convince you that we care deeply about carrying the freshest local ingredients for all your culinary needs. Did you know we’ve put the same care into selecting the prepared and prepped foods we choose to carry? We’ve gathered a few of our favorite ready-made foods into a menu for you. Grab some of these menu items for a relaxing night, void of dinner prep.

Tacoma Boys House-Made Pizzas

Oven ready pizzas with a delectably thin crust are here at the ready. While you’re in the store grab your favorite beer and a bag of popcorn and you are all set for a movie night at home. Pop the pizza in the oven and cue up the movie!

Pesto Chicken with Sun-dried Tomatoes & Artichoke Hearts – Pepperoni – Combo

Patty’s Tamales

Made in the South Sound on Vashon Island, these Tamales are a perfect choice when you’re in the mood for Mexican food and want to support local. Grab some refried beans, corn tortilla chips, and salsa and you’ve got a complete meal that’s gluten free!

Beef – Chicken – Chorizo – Roasted Pepper & Cheese – Bean & Cheese – Vegan

Alaskan Grill & Dumplings

International comfort food at its finest, these authentic Russian dumplings, made locally in Auburn WA, are sure to hit the spot on a cold evening. Dumplings take very little time to cook. Simply boil gently for approximately 8 minutes, toss with melted butter, and season to taste. 

Beef – Beef and Pork – Potato & Cheese with Bacon

Beecher’s Mac & Cheese

The iconic cheesemaker Kurt Beecher first opened shop in Pike Place Market in Seattle and ever since, people have been craving that unmistakably creamy, Beecher’s Flagship Mac & Cheese. When the craving hits, you don’t need to hit I-5 and travel north, just hop into Tacoma Boys and pick up some Beecher’s from the freezer section.

Mac & Cheese – Smoked Flagship Mac & Cheese – World’s Best Mac & Cheese – Mariachi Mac & Cheese – Cheese Curd Lasagna

Rill Foods Dehydrated Soups

These robust, dehydrated soups made in Central Washington are a snap to put together and need very few extra ingredients. They do have a longer cooking time, but since prep is a cinch, you can get this going in the late afternoon, or early evening, and have a bowl of soup in your hands at dinner time. Check the back of the soup mix for any extra ingredients you need to pick up, and grab a loaf of sourdough or dinner rolls by Kalama Sourdough Bakery to complete the meal.

Manini’s Ravioli – Gluten Free

When Italian food is on the menu and you want something with a bit more flair than traditional spaghetti, this gluten free pasta option is a great fit. To make a simple sauce for pasta, toss with salted butter and season to taste. Or to kick it up a notch, saute mushrooms in butter and garlic, toss with the ravioli, and add a sprinkle of fresh parmesan. 

Portobello & Cheese – Spinach & Cheese 

Don’t Forget Dessert

Of course, to dine out in pajamas, you must include dessert! We’ve got quite a selection of desserts available, but you really can’t go wrong with a little pie and ice cream. Come check out the huge selection of frozen pies.

Local Ready-Made Pies

Cyrus Pies
Remlinger Farms Pies
Willamette Valley Pies
Raised Gluten Free Pies

Happy Pajama Dinner Time!

We hope you take us up on the chance to put those jammies on early and cue up a movie. With the dinner prep out of the way, you can nourish your body with a good meal, truly relax, and dine out in pajamas. For extra relaxation points (don’t worry, we really aren’t keeping score), pour yourself a glass of one of our favorite Rare Red Blend wine.

There’s still time to add some cheer to your holidays, but SHOP EARLY THIS SEASON – TREES ARE SELLING FAST!