Chicken, Leek, and Rice Soup

Another cozy looking recipe I had to try as soon as I saw it.

Notes:

• Jasmine rice is my favorite kind to use in this soup.
• I've come to use a little more rice than the recipe calls for (2/3 cup instead of 1/2 cup).
• I've used chicken breast instead of thighs in the soup and it still tastes great.
  

Verdict: Comforting and delicious. I've made it multiple times already and will keep this around for when we want a variation on our regular chicken soup.

------------------

RECIPE: Chicken, Leek, and Rice Soup (Smitten Kitchen)

Chocolate Cherry Cake

I had wanted to make this for Valentine's Day but didn't get to it until March. Oops. But it was no less welcome!

Notes:

• I baked the cake in an 8x8 inch square pan, cut it in half, then split each half to get the four layers of cake. This was a really nice size for two people.
  
• I filled the split layers with sour cherry jam, then stacked the sandwiches together and stuck them together with the chocolate frosting. There was *just* enough frosting to cover the entire cake. I would make more frosting next time if I knew I were going to do anything other than a single sheet of cake.
  

Verdict: I thoroughly enjoyed this cake and was sad when it was gone. This is officially my new favorite chocolate frosting. The melted unsweetened chocolate gives it a very rich, intense chocolate flavor that we absolutely loved.

------------

RECIPE: The 'I Want Chocolate Cake' Cake (Smitten Kitchen)

Baked Feta with Tomatoes and Chickpeas

This looked really comforting and delicious when it scrolled by recently, so I gave it a try.

Notes:

• I used Korean red pepper flakes instead of a fresh chili pepper because it's what I had on hand.
  

Verdict: We really liked it! (My partner actually asked to have the leftovers -- that's how you know he *really* likes something.) We have made it again since this first time and had it with pasta instead of chickpeas, which was also good. I will be keeping this recipe around for a good, quick vegetarian meal.

----------------

RECIPE: Baked Feta with Tomatoes and Chickpeas (Smitten Kitchen)