This is a perfect meal for the current state of our new kitchen. I want to tell you about our new kitchen in our new house, which I feel like I should mention is a foreclosure. So give her some extra compassion, okay?

It’s, um, how do I say this? Small.
Small = less stuff = maybe even a little bit freeing.
Small = less distance to walk to get to things and fewer places to clean. Just saying.
It has a real live window and I have my photography table set up in the kitchen. Never before, guys. THIS IS AMAZING.
It has a jumbo, awkward, 1980’s fridge and I bump into it at least eighty times a day.
The stove is gas. It says the word CALORIC on the panel. So thanks for that.
It has a window. Actually, two. Did I already say that? Hiphiphooray!
It has a big sink that holds lots of dirty dishes and keeps them out of sight.
It has a non-functional garbage disposal. Oh well?
It is begging for a remodel. We are in the fun planning phase where we make 3D blueprints to see what it will look like when we knock the ol’ kitchen wall down and make it my small dream kitchen.

INGREDIENTS
Wild Rice* and Toppings

2 cups wild rice, rinsed
4 ounces kale, ribs removed and chopped small (preferably the Tuscan variety, about ½ bunch or 2 cups)
¾ cup chopped green onion (from 1 large or 2 medium bunches), divided
4 ounces goat cheese (about ⅔ cup crumbled)
Arils from 1 medium pomegranate, or ½ cup chopped dried cranberries
½ cup raw pepitas (green pumpkin seeds)
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

MAKE IT QUICK: Instead of preparing the butternut squash and pomegranate yourself, buy pre-cut options instead. Use two 12-ounce bags of pre-sliced butternut and 1 cup pomegranate arils. Or, use dried cranberries instead of pomegranate. You can cook the wild rice more quickly if you have an Instant Pot (see below).

WILD RICE NOTE: You’ll see a wild rice blend in my photos, but after further testing I recommend using regular wild rice instead. If you would like to go ahead and use wild rice blend anyway, cook it according to the package directions.

This Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup is so darn simple to make and goes perfectly with a piece of crusty bread on a cold winter night.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup uncooked wild rice
1 pound chicken breasts
2 cups mirepoix (chopped celery, carrots, and onions)
6 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup flour
2 cups whole milk
a few tablespoons white wine (optional)
up to 2 cups additional milk or water
I was saying that this is perfect for the current state of our small kitchen because we don’t have everything all in order just yet. For example, I burned the Thanksgiving corn pudding because my oven was playing tricks on me, and no, it had nothing to do with Bjork hearing 475 instead of 425. And for another example, I keep forgetting boxes of kitchen stuff at our other house so I made frosting yesterday with a whisk attached to a drill. A DRILL. oh my gosh, I mean, really. What are we coming to?

But when everything else is chaotic, my steady and true Crockpot friend gives some stability and cooks us the most cozy, comforting dinner while I’m at work and making yet another run to the old house for the box with the hand mixer in it.

Crusty bread, this piping hot soup in a large bowl, and extra time on your hands. TIS THE SEASON FOR THAT.

This is a perfect meal for the current state of our new kitchen. I want to tell you about our new kitchen in our new house, which I feel like I should mention is a foreclosure. So give her some extra compassion, okay?

It’s, um, how do I say this? Small.
Small = less stuff = maybe even a little bit freeing.
Small = less distance to walk to get to things and fewer places to clean. Just saying.
It has a real live window and I have my photography table set up in the kitchen. Never before, guys. THIS IS AMAZING.
It has a jumbo, awkward, 1980’s fridge and I bump into it at least eighty times a day.
The stove is gas. It says the word CALORIC on the panel. So thanks for that.
It has a window. Actually, two. Did I already say that? Hiphiphooray!
It has a big sink that holds lots of dirty dishes and keeps them out of sight.
It has a non-functional garbage disposal. Oh well?
It is begging for a remodel. We are in the fun planning phase where we make 3D blueprints to see what it will look like when we knock the ol’ kitchen wall down and make it my small dream kitchen.