Monday, February 22, 2010

sunday soup

Soup is always always a good place to start. Soup is wonderful because it is satisfying but unfussy. I hope that this blog, and the recipes and ideas in it, will be the same way.

This past fall, I tried to make a batch of soup every Sunday, because it was a relaxing thing to do on a cold afternoon, and so I could have leftovers all week. I can't tell you how grateful I was to my Sunday-self when my Monday-self had hunger pangs and only ten minutes between classes. I tried to make a different kind of soup every weekend, but after I found this apple sage squash soup in November, it was difficult to make anything else. The good thing is, you can make endless variations of this soup and never get tired of it. Here I've called it Fall Harvest soup because it takes advantage of some great fall produce, but feel free to substitute different vegetables to make it more appropriate to the season. Leeks are a beautiful addition, if you have them.

  Fall harvest soup

1 small butternut squash (acorn also works)
1 apple (granny smith is nice)
2 carrots
1 sweet potato
3 cloves garlic
1 small onion
6 cups mild vegetable or chicken broth
1 Tbsp. dried sage leaves
or, 1 tsp. fresh sage leaves
salt and pepper to taste

Peel and dice onions, garlic, carrots, sweet potato, apple, and squash.

Sautee the onions, garlic, carrots and dried or fresh sage in a small amount of vegetable oil at the bottom of a large pot until onions start to become transparent. Add apple and squash, then liquid.

Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer. Simmer for half an hour, or until squash and sweet potatoes are tender.

At this point, turn off the burner and let the soup cool. When cool, blend in small batches until smooth and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Serve warm.

Keeps well in the refrigerator for one week, and thaws well if frozen.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

In the beginning

I want a delicious life, and this is me trying to live one in every way I know how. Start here- with a photo of one of my most delicious moments- me and my brother eating kebabs and thyme salad in Aleppo this past January.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

In the kitchen


All the best things in the world happen in the kitchen. I've cried in the kitchen more than one time, I laugh in my kitchen as often as possible, I've been angry and hungry and excited in the kitchen, I've had sex in the kitchen (sorry Mom!).

Let's just say there's a reason why the kitchen is always in the center of the house. Magic happens there- food turns into meals turns into family.

No need to be overly corny or sentimental, but I love spending time in the kitchen, and if the Crying Kitchen gives me an excuse to do so more, then I'll take it.

So welcome to the beginning. This is the moment when you're standing at the edge of the cold lake waiting to jump in. Sometimes when I'm about to jump I imagine myself diving through the water then coming up as a completely different person.

Welcome to the Crying Kitchen!