Losing My Mind

There are days that I think I am undeniably losing my mind.

If I don't add it to a list, I will not make the purchase at the store. If I have to walk into another room or up and down the stairs, I probably won't remember what I wanted to do when I get there. If I start cooking something that needs to simmer, I had better set the timer to check on it later, or it will probably boil dry from neglect. I had to turn the alerts on my washer and dryer back on because even though I seem to constantly be doing laundry, without a reminder, the last load of the day will sit in the machine until it stinks with gross dampness. I probably won't remember your name when I see you; so if I seem stuck up or aloof, I am sorry. In the middle of conversation, a word will leave me completely and totally and I will stammer like an idiot. And, to top it all off, one day not that long ago, I couldn't figure out how to shut off the water in our basement shower. I swear that it took me five minutes of frantically cranking the handles one way or another with the water changing from hot to cold, but never stopping.

The recent push for public awareness of Alzheimer's and other dementia does raise my level of hypochondria. There is a history of some issues on one side of my family, and my husband's family is living with the heartbreaking challenge of a member's diagnosis. I worry that my slips could be some early onset warning signs.

And then, there are times when my forgetfulness is delicious.

While vacationing, one of our lunches was at a bistro with Golden Beet Borscht as the soup of the day. Served with a simple quiche and a fresh tossed salad, that soup was light and delicate, but still flavorful. I knew it was something that I wanted to recreate when I returned home, and after finding a recipe to play with, I began cooking.

I sauteed onions and garlic, added potatoes, beets, cabbage, and zucchini, and simmered all the vegetables in stock. Turmeric boosted the color while dill and lemon brought a brightness. A dollop of sour cream on top was a departure from the bistro's borscht, but was a great contrast for the rich, earthy vegetables. My pot of soup was exquisite, and I proudly thought that I had nailed it.

Then, I looked back at the photos snapped during that trip and see that the bistro's golden beet borscht was creamy. It was still a brothy and light soup, not thick like a chowder, but absolutely creamy. Perhaps instead of that dollop of sour cream on the finished soup, a splash of heavy cream was swirled through the entire pot? It was decidedly not like mine. I had not nailed it.

My soup isn't, after all, a recreation of what we savored on vacation. My memory has, yet again, failed me. However, it failed me in a very delicious way.

Golden Beet Borscht

(Adapted from Blue Apron)

1-2 tablespoons olive oil

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon turmeric

2 medium golden beets, peeled and cubed

1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed

1/4 head of cabbage, thinly sliced

6 cups vegetable stock

1 small zucchini, cubed 

juice of one lemon

1-2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (plus more for garnish)

1 1/2 tablespoons honey

4 tablespoons sour cream

Heat olive oil in a large pot.
Add the onion and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until softened.
Add the garlic and heat just until fragrant.
Add the turmeric and cook, stirring, until toasted.
Add the beets and, again, season with salt and pepper. (May need to add a little more oil at the point to keep ingredients from burning.)
Cook, covered, but stirring often, until slightly softened.
Remove the lid and add the vegetable stock, potatoes, and cabbage. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally for about 10-15 minutes, until potatoes are tender.
Add the zucchini, lemon juice, dill, and honey and simmer a few minutes more until zucchini is slightly softened.
Remove from heat and serve each bowl topped with a dollop of sour cream and additional dill for garnish. (Serves 4)

South Dakota Magazine Recap

It is that time of year when things start to get a little cray-cray. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and then there is no stopping Christmas and all of the many holiday events. Throw in a little year-end business and a few bouts of bad weather, and before we know it 2014 will be done.

Before I get caught up in that whirlwind, maybe I should do another South Dakota Magazine Recap. I have shared several recipes (and a few stories) online with South Dakota Magazine since my last update in early April.

For Easter, I considered a new tradition of layering asparagus, ham, and pasta with cheese and a creamy sauce. Ham and Asparagus Lasagna is a perfectly elegant comfort food worthy of a Spring holiday table.

Cinco de Mayo was observed with simple Sausage and Feta Tacos. The day is a celebration of a Mexican military victory and more than just party with "2 for 1" margarita deals.

My husband was fearful that I would give up his prime asparagus hunting ground when I shared some of his wild asparagus secrets. If you are lucky enough to receive a bouquet of freshly cut wild asparagus, I recommend trying Asparagus Ravioli in Parmesan Broth.

I am happy to report that as summer dawned, the snakes in my backyard seemed to move on. Harvest of strawberries and rhubarb for Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Bars was uneventful...and the bars were delicious.

Nilla is still living in town with us, and before the snow, I noticed a new hole in my cleared-for-fall garden. She must still be digging for worms. I should have taken her fishing for some walleye to make Lemon Butter Fish.

Avocado Toast with Radish Salad pulls from produce both local, and not. Sourcing my food from whatever origins are available for the tastiest options is my "diet" plan.

I didn't get a great spinach harvest from the garden this year, but did manage enough for a few Spinach and Garlic Vinaigrette Salads.

Keeping cool was easy this summer with the Asian influenced Peanut and Cucumber Salad.

If I want to kiss my husband, I need keep my toothbrush handy whenever Bleu Cheese and Bacon Potato Salad is on the menu.

Scrambled Eggs with Pesto and White Beans is a powerhouse for breakfast and an excellent place to start while working toward those big dreams for the day.

In September, I guided Laura from the South Dakota Magazine offices through a south-central South Dakota adventure and made time for some Pho-ish Soup.

Homecoming revealed a little background of a long ago spontaneous pancake party in Colome, and I shared the story with the puffed pancake of a Dutch Baby with Caramel Sauce and Bananas.

As the winter allows Hubs more time at home in the evenings, I can't wait for movie night and Pomegranate and Popcorn.

Pumpkin Black Bean Soup is a perfect fall bowl of comfort. Topping this rich, savory soup with crumbled queso and sliced green onions enhance the earthy flavors.

And, finally, I have the tart jewel of your Thanksgiving table: Homemade Cranberry Sauce, even though I kinda miss the nostalgia of those perfect rings on the log of sauce from the can.

Whew. What a list of amazing recipes! I hope you have had the opportunity to enjoy a few, and I can't wait to share more On My Plate and with South Dakota Magazine.

Be Thankful

I used to complain about zucchini. I used to sigh exasperatedly when one plant overflowed my crisper drawer with the garden's bounty. I used to whine about shredding the monsters and bagging them for baking all winter long. I used to try to ignore Hubs' rolling eyes when zucchini was, yet again, the side dish for dinner. I happily played along with National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Front Porch Day. I wasn't thankful. 

I wasn't thankful, and it came back to spite me. It seems that my little growing plot has become incapable of nurturing zucchini. In the past, I had great volumes for slicing, shredding, frying, sauteing, baking, grilling, and even preserving, but the last two gardens have left me squashless.

I don't know if it is the soil, a fungus, a bug, or something as simple as my watering plan that is torturing my vines. The cucumber plants are also kind of lifeless and barren. It seems that all the viney garden plant are challenging me. I should have been more thankful.

If you are lucky enough to have some zucchini and even luckier to have some incredible fresh sweet corn, I recommend this soup. Summer isn't traditionally soup weather, but we have had some cool, rainy days recently that really called for a bowl of comfort. Pair this fresh Zucchini Corn Chowder with some corn chips and salsa for a bright flavor contrast to the rich creaminess. And, most of all, always be thankful for your zukes.

Zucchini Corn Chowder

(adapted from Cooking Light)

4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

3/4 cups chopped onions

1/4 cup chopped celery

2-3 small zucchini, sliced

3 ears fresh sweet corn, divided

2 cups milk, divided

1 cup heavy cream (use all milk, if you want a lighter soup)

1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese

green onions, sliced as garnish

Cut corn from the cobs; reserve the corn from 2 ears.
Cook bacon in a large, heavy pot until crisp.
Remove bacon from pan and set aside, reserving 2 teaspoons drippings in pan.
Add onions and celery to the drippings; cook until onions are translucent.
Add squash to the drippings and saute until tender.
Place corn from 1 ear and 1 cup milk in a blender; process until smooth.
Add pureed mixture and reserved corn and cream to the pan.
Add bacon and thyme; season with salt and pepper.
Cook 5 minutes or until heated through, stirring constantly.
To serve, top each bowl with green onions and cheese. (Serves 4.)

The Odd Couple

I like grape jelly and bacon sandwiches. My husband likes saltines along side a bowl of ice cream. Chocolatey hot cocoa is perfect with a hint of the heat of cayenne added to the mug. A friend lists a bacon cheeseburger with peanut butter, grapes tossed in dry jello, and apple pie with cheddar cheese among his favorites. Another food blogger mentions pizza and mashed potatoes as her odd couple of food.

It seems that everyone has their own peculiar food pairings. Pickles and ice cream are not just for pregnant ladies. However, when I noticed a simple soup recipe that contained both cauliflower and potatoes, it seemed odd to me. I had never considered pairing these two white vegetables as the backbone of a soup, but it works.

Onions, garlic, and roasted red peppers flavor the broth along with woody rosemary. Kale ups the earthy factor and makes this a hearty, filling soup. Cauliflower and Potato Soup is finished with the tang of a grating of Parmesan as this odd couple of food warms you from the inside out.

Cauliflower and Potato Soup

(adapted from Rachael Ray)

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 cups potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice

1 large onion, chopped

5 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

1 head cauliflower, cut into florets

2 jarred roasted red peppers, chopped

6 cups chicken broth

1 small bunch kale, leaves cut from stems and chopped

freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Heat the oil in a soup pot over medium-heat. 
Add potatoes, onion, garlic, and rosemary to the pan.
Season with salt and pepper.
Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are translucent and potatoes are softened slightly.
Add the cauliflower and toss to coat with seasonings.
Cook for a few minutes.
Stir in the peppers and broth; bring to a boil.
Add the kale a bit at a time, letting each portion wilt before adding the next.
Simmer about 5-10 more minutes.
Serve soup topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
Serves 4.

What Is It?

Bountiful Baskets have made their way to our area. Yesterday was the first delivery of the fruit and vegetable co-op. Due to a hectic schedule this month, I didn't participate, but did follow along with the group's Facebook page and know several people who received the boxes of fresh, healthy produce.

All seemed please with the quality and variety of the goods, but a question echoed for a couple items.

"What is it?"

One of the images I saw appeared to be red kale, and while I have only cooked with curly kale, I have found it to be very delicious. Kale has taken the food world by storm in recent years. Bloggers have shared countless recipes, and I heard that every notable restaurant in NewYork City has included this nutritious, leafy green in their menus. Kale has come a long way from just being a hearty garnish on the plate beside your steak.

Kale chips have been a popular snack for some time. Tossed with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper, the leaves of the kale are roasted to a crisp and replace high fat potato chips as a snack. We have served the sturdier chips with dip and crumbled some as a salty seasoning over popcorn.

The other night, I adapted a Cooking Light recipe to include kale. I made Sausage and White Bean Soup with Kale using spicy chorizo sausage, but more mild kielbasa or even crumbled Italian or breakfast sausage would work. Chose a meat with seasonings that appeal to you, as it is what flavors the broth with the beans and greens. The soup comes together quickly and makes a simple, healthy weeknight supper paired with dinner rolls or a crusty multi-grain bread.

Sausage and White Bean Soup with Kale

(adapted from Cooking Light)

2-4 ounces Spanish chorizo or kielbasa sausage, sliced (alternatively, Italian or breakfast sausage, crumbled)

1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)

1 cup onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups chicken stock

2 cans white beans (Cannellini, Northern, butter beans, or a combination of your choice), rinsed and drained

4 cups kale, chopped (remove the leaves from the tougher stems)

freshly ground black pepper

kosher salt

Heat a large soup pot over medium heat.
Add sausage to the pan and saute until starting to brown and cooked through.
Add olive oil, if needed, and the onion and garlic; cook until tender.
Add the broth to the pan.
Add the rinsed and drained beans to the soup and bring to a simmer.
Stir in kale; simmer a few more minutes until greens are tender.
Season with salt and pepper, to taste. (Serves 4.)

Smells Like Feet, But Good to Eat

Our 90-degree and above temperatures with humidity that you could cut with a knife probably doesn't leave anyone craving a delicious, steaming bowl of Curried Chicken and Rice Soup. However, I bet you are wearing sandals or flip-flops. Have you tended to your tootsies?

Last month at South Dakota Magazine, I put out a request for all men and women to care for their feet this summer. Can you oblige? (And, do try the soup when the days cool off a little. Curry is distinctive, but heavenly.)

Curried Chicken and Rice Soup - Smells Like Feet, But Good to Eat

The Price of Gas

These days, you can't seem to go a single day without hearing someone cry about the price of gas. Arm and leg photos appear on Facebook with regularity. Political agendas are all about pointing fingers and blaming each other (what else is new?). And, all across the nation there are gasps of shock as the numbers on the pump roll higher and higher when we fill our gas tanks.

I have something that might help you out. Bean and Bacon Soup only requires two cans of beans. I know that prices vary from store to store, but at about $1.50 per can, you should be able to fill up without breaking the bank. It might be the only gas you can afford.

Bean and Bacon Soup

(adapted from Real Simple Magazine)

6 strips bacon, chopped (choose a flavorful brand/cut; this is the smokiness of the soup)

1 large carrot, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 15.5-ounce cans white beans, drained (Great Northern or Navy Beans are a good choice for a creamier soup. I used Cannellini beans because that is what I had on hand; they are firmer.)

2 cups chicken stock

1 cup water

1 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

In a large Dutch oven, fry the bacon until crisp.

Remove and drain on paper towels.

Over medium heat, add the carrot to the bacon drippings and saute for until tender.

Add the celery, onion, and garlic, stirring and cooking until the tender, being careful not to burn the garlic.

Add the (drained) beans, chicken stock, and water.

Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to low.

Allow to simmer for 10 minutes.

Uncover, and with a potato masher, partially mash the beans until the soup thickens slightly.

Stir in the salt, pepper, and bacon. (Serves 6)

Soup for the Soul

Our weather has been so mild this winter. The days of unseasonably warm far outnumber the days of bitter cold. However, I think the weather man is forecasting the possibility of snow tomorrow. Perhaps you might like a bowl of the warm and comforting soup that I shared at South Dakota Magazine this past week.

Vegetable, Lentil, and Barley Soup isn't a pretty soup, but it is hearty and the mix of grains, vegetables and beer (yes, beer!) offers a complex flavor. I recently heard Ina Garten refer to lentils as pleasing peasant food. If this is how peasants eat, sign me up. It is delicious.

Soup for the Soul - Vegetable, Lentil, and Barley Soup

While you are visiting the South Dakota Magazine site, check out the Snowy Owl Photo Gallery. Readers submitted photos of the owls spotted across the state. Gorgeous.

Sickies

I am hearing about a lot of icky germs floating around out there. 

Take care of yourselves. 

Have some soup.

Even if you aren't sick. 

Swim in a bowl of chicken broth accentuated with ribbons of velvety, beaten egg and shreds of spinach. 

Let the bright green onions make your taste buds sing.

Be well.

Spinach Egg Drop Soup

(adapted from Food and Wine)

5 cups chicken stock

1-inch piece of ginger, peeled

2 tablespoons cold water

1 tablespoon corn starch

2 eggs, beaten

2 cups baby spinach, chopped

2 scallions, chopped

In a medium saucepan, bring the stock and ginger to a boil.
Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
Remove the ginger and discard.
Combine cold water and corn starch in a small bowl to form slurry.
Stir into the simmering chicken stock.
Allow to simmer for 2-3 more minutes.
Reduce heat and with a wooden spoon stir around the pot to form a "cyclone" in the broth.
While continuing to stir the broth, slowly stream the beaten eggs into the pot. (This should form ribbons of egg instead of a nasty glob.)
Cook for about 30-45 seconds.
Add the chopped spinach to the broth.
Cover and cook about 1 minute to wilt the spinach.
Season with salt and pepper, as desired. (I don't.)
Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped scallions. Serves 4

Fee Fi PHO Fun

Disclosure: I know that I didn't use "PHO" correctly in the title. The pronunciation is not with a long o sound, but rather with a short u/dipthong uh. So...my title says "Fee Fi FUH Fun." Not nearly as clever, huh? Oh well. Pardon me and my fun. Let's just get on with the blog post...

I met a friend for lunch the other day, and imagine my surprise at discovering that the same area steak house (The Homesteader) where the Vietnamese owner has delicious Kung Pao on the dinner menu also offers Pho for lunch. Pho! Available right in my back yard! It isn't actually listed on the menu, and when ordering, you just ask for the "Vietnamese soup," but it is Pho, and it is heaven in a bowl for me.

When first introduced to Pho by another sassy and beautiful friend in Forth Worth, TX, I was plopped down in front of a steaming bowl of brothy noodles, a plate of delicate, thin slices of raw beef, a platter of herbs, and a big bottle of fiery Sriracha Sauce. I carefully sprinkled the herbs into the fragrant soup, squirted with hot sauce, dunked the slices of beef into rich and flavorful broth, and was soon slurping those noodles like there was no tomorrow. It was divine.

Since that Texas visit, I have searched out a place in my area "big city" that specializes in this delectable soup, and visit it often. However, to find Pho just a few miles down the highway from my home is incredible. It seems like the food heavens opened up for me...if only we also had local sushi.

I should learn to make Pho at home, but haven't yet tackled that challenge. I don't think the slow simmered broth would be difficult to make, I just tend to lack patience...and have to remember to add the rice noodles to my grocery list one of these days. In the mean time, how about a switch in cultures to try a soup with Mexican flavors?

Like Pho, Chicken and Hominy Soup is brothy and topped with fresh herbs. This simple Mexican soup, takes a short cut by using prepared stock (that is infused with onions, garlic, jalapenos and just a hint of cumin), and hominy replaces the noodles of its Asian friend. Just like Pho, a squeeze of lime over the bowl just before eating brightens it up so well. Chicken and Hominy Soup isn't Pho at all, but it isn't meant to be. It is simply an effortless soup that I loved On My Plate.

 

Chicken and Hominy Soup

(adapted from Cooking Light)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 3/4 cups chopped onion (about 1 medium)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely diced

2 cups shredded chicken (I rubbed a large chicken breast with olive oil & steak seasoning and roasted, but rotisserie chicken or any leftovers would be good.)

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1 (14-ounce) cans chicken broth

1 (15.5-ounce) can hominy, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup thinly sliced radishes

2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves

4 lime wedges

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. 

Add onion to pan; saute until translucent.

Stir in garlic and jalapeno; cook just until tender.

Add chicken, pepper, cumin, and broth; bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.

Stir in hominy; bring back to a boil.

Cook 5 more minutes.

Ladle into 4 bowls; top each with sliced radishes and fresh cilantro.

Serve with lime wedges. (4 servings)

Fridge Friday: Episode 20

It may be 7:44 P.M., but it is still Friday, Fridge Friday. Want to see what is in my fridge?

Do you see that sweet corn over on the left side of the fridge? I had grand plans to grill it and serve it up beside some steaks with chili-lime butter, but that isn't going to work this week. Hubs had some dental work done yesterday and really isn't up to corn on the cob...or steaks. Thankfully, the weather is cool. *rant*Really? Did I just say THANKFULLY the weather is cool IN JUNE? Where IS summer?*end rant* Anyway, with these cooler temps comes the opportunity to extend soup season for the tender mouth of my Hubs.

Yes, I do realize that my last submission to this much neglected blog was also a Fridge Friday post featuring a soup with corn as a star ingredient. I am sorry for the repetition. Rest assured that Potato-Corn Crab Chowder is an entirely different soup from Corn and Bean Soup. Both are hearty and benefit greatly from the pop of sweetness of freshly-cut-from-the-cob corn. However, the similarities end there. Creamy, rich, bursting with new potatoes and delightful lumps of crab, Potato-Corn Crab Chowder is really one of my favorite soups. I must warn you not to skimp on the crab; use only the real deal. (I know. In the Midwest, it isn't always easy to get the real thing for seafood, but DO IT. You won't regret it.)

Potato-Corn Crab Chowder

4 tablespoons butter

1 cup onion, chopped

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

3 cups potatoes, cubed

1-2 cups corn kernels (cut from 2-3 ears of fresh corn, or use frozen)

3 tablespoons flour

2 cups chicken broth

2 cups milk (I often substitute half-and-half, or part heavy cream for some of the milk.)

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1 (14 ounce) can creamed corn

1-2 cups lump crab meat

cayenne pepper (to taste...some like it with a kick, other do not)

2-4 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Melt butter in a large, heavy pot.
Saute onion in melted butter until tender.
Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
Add potatoes and corn kernels; stir to combine.
Sprinkle in flour, cook for 1 minute stirring constantly.
Add broth, milk, and creamed corn; season with pepper and nutmeg.
Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently.
Cover and reduce heat to low to simmer for about 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
Stir in crab meat and parsley, cook 5 minutes to heat through. (Serves 6-8)

Fridge Friday: Episode 19

Is anyone else freezing to death? Seriously. It is May 13th (Friday the 13th for those superstitious ones), and the temp is hovering in the mid-40s? Brrrr. I guess, looking on the bright side, these gray, cool, rainy days make great soup weather. I do love me some soup. 

The other day, Hubs and I grabbed some sweet corn at an area SuperCenter even though it just seems too early for good fresh corn. (Bottom right crisper drawer.) Honestly, maybe it it is just my winter palate craving something fresh, but it wasn't bad...not fresh from the field Peaches & Cream Sweet Corn, but it was reasonably good. It is perfect in a supposedly "summer recipe" pulled from Cooking Light. The sweet crispness of the corn balances well with the warm heat of the green chiles (I used some roasted from last year's garden which also had a few red chiles in the mix.) and the smokiness of diced ham. The original recipe called for navy beans, but I had a couple of cans of purple hull peas lurking in the pantry and used those instead. Toast up a cheese quesadilla on the side, and Corn and Bean Soup is a great way to warm up On My Plate.

Corn and Bean Soup

(adapted from Cooking Light)

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup onions, chopped
3/4 cup dice cooked ham 

3 cups fresh corn kernels 

2 (15-ounce) cans purple hull peas, rinsed and drained
2 (14-ounce) cans chicken broth
2 (4.5-ounce) cans chopped green chiles, undrained (I used 2 frozen cubes of my the green chiles from my garden that had been roasted and diced.)

Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add onions and cook until translucent, stirring frequently.
Add ham, corn and remaining ingredients.
Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. (Serves 6)

Happy New Year!

Hubs had seriously set his hopes on Kung Pao for New Year's Eve. I had suggested keeping it low-key and inviting a few friends over to play board games (and sip a few cocktails) and to keep it super easy by picking up take-out. That was the plan, but someone...Mother Nature? Old Man Winter? the meteorologist at the local television station?...had other plans. Snow blew and temperatures dropped. The wind was icy with chills well below zero. As I repeatedly shoveled the ever drifting snow on the patio so the pups could find their way outside, I knew that all plans for the evening were off.

At that point, I should have defrosted some shrimp and made Kung Pao Shrimp for our quiet night at home alone, but I didn't. I had been clearing FoodNetwork programming off of my DVR and had just seen Anne Burrell make a lamb stew. That was seriously tempting me, and a blizzardy, cold day seemed perfect for it.

I browned the cubes of lamb and sauteed the onion, celery, carrots, and turnips. Added a mixture of stout and broth to the pot and simmered it all slowly with some tomato paste and herbs. The house felt warm, and comfy, and safe, as the aromas wafted from the kitchen and the snow drifted outside. But, ladling the stew over plates of egg noodles and dipping crusty bread into the sauce wasn't as satisfying as I had hoped. Hubs' craving for Chinese food had left us unsettled and even the Pear and Pecan Tart that I served drizzled with caramel sauce and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream didn't really please us...although it is very good and I wish that someone would take the leftovers away. NOW. Please. Thank you.

So...tonight I made Steamed Dumplings...and Egg Rolls...and Crab Rangoon. I hadn't intended to make the egg rolls and crab rangoon, but was trying to ease Hubs' sad, puppy dog face because he still wasn't getting Kung Pao. (We will have to go out for that soon...probably the first night that he doesn't have a meeting which requires him to rush home from the farm with just enough time to shower, gobble dinner in one gulp, and leave again....maybe Wednesday?) Of course, we both love.love.love egg rolls and the sweetness of cream cheese and crab fried inside crisp wontons. Tonight's dinner additions were not a chore.

And, it won't be a chore tomorrow when I drop a few of the extra dumplings into steaming broth with some fresh, green veggies and make a dumpling soup to savor for lunch. I am hoping that it will be as good as the Samurai Soup that I made last winter. That recipe was from Rachael Ray and was so super easy that it couldn't be considered a chore, either. The hardest part for me was forming the wonton wrappers around the meatballs. Mine weren't the half-moons that the recipe suggested, but were instead little bundles. Aesthetics aside, the soup was delicious. I may not have Kung Pao On My Plate, but I would love some Samurai Soup in my bowl.

Samurai Soup

(adapted from Everyday with Rachael Ray)

1/2 pound baby bok choy

1/2 pound ground pork (I used a pork sausage blend because that is what I had on hand.)

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 1/2 tablespoons oyster sauce

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (BEST TIP EVER: Keep your ginger root in the freezer; pull out & grate with microplane as you need it; no need to peel and it keeps almost forever.)

2 teaspoons honey

1 teaspoon sesame oil

40 wonton wrappers

4 cups chicken broth

1 cup water

1/4 pound snow peas, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Halve the bok choy lengthwise and then again crosswise. Separate the white and green portions.
In a saucepan of boiling water, cook the white bok choy portions for 1 minute; add the green portions and cook until wilted.
Drain; rinse with cold water; squeeze dry with some (sturdy) paper toweling or a clean dish towel.
Finely chop the bok choy and place in a mixing bowl.
Stir in the pork, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, oyster sauce, ginger, honey, and sesame oil.
Mix well to combine.
Arrange 10 wonton wrappers on a work surface and top each with a teaspoon of the pork mixture.
Moisten the edges and pull the wrappers up over the pork mixture.
Make half-moon, if you can; otherwise, just pull the wrappers into a bundle and press to seal the edges.
Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken broth, water, and remaining soy sauce to a boil.
Cover and lower heat to keep warm.
In a large pot of boiling water, cook the dumplings, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes.
Transfer to bowls.
Add the snow peas to the hot broth; cook for 1 minute.
Ladle over the dumplings.
Drizzle with a few drops of sesame oil or add garlic chili paste, if desired. (Serves 8)

Soup of the Day

Today is snow and blowy outside, and I feel it begging for a pot of soup. Slow simmered, filling the whole house with heady aromas and the kitchen with warmth, soup is good for the soul. I love to wrap my hands around a mug of tomato soup as I dip my grilled cheese, crush corn chips into my chili soup, and slurp my noodle soups hungrily. Soup is good food.

I really love simple soups with ingredients usually on hand. They don't require real planning and seem to almost throw themselves into the pot to simmer. Sausage and Leek Soup is one of those simple soups. If you don't have leeks, sweet onion will work, but do try the leeks some time. The mild, garlicky flavor is amazing. Combined with the smokey kielbasa, and a few other vegetables, this soup really doesn't need much to become a comforting bowl of goodness. So simple. Sausage and Leek Soup is the soup to melt away the chill of the day. 

Sausage and Leek Soup

(adapted from Gourmet)

4 medium leeks, halved lengthwise and then chopped

1 large carrot, chopped

1 celery rib, chopped

1/2 cup butter

8 cups chicken broth

2 medium potatoes

5 tablespoons flour

1 cup sliced kielbasa

2 teaspoons fresh marjoram, chopped

fresh cracked pepper, to taste

Wash leeks in a large bowl of cold water, lift out and drain well in a colander.
Cook carrot and celery in 1/4 cup of the butter in a large, heavy pot, stirring occasionally, until softened.
Add the leeks and cook, stirring, until softened.
Add the broth and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
While stock simmers, peel potatoes and cube.
Melt remaining 1/4 cup butter in small heavy saucepan over low heat.
Add flour and whisk to form roux.
Remove from heat and add 2 cups of simmering broth, whisking vigorously.
Stir flour mixture into remaining broth and return to a simmer.
Add potatoes, kielbasa, and marjoram.
Simmer soup until potatoes are tender, about 10-15 minutes.
Season with pepper to taste. (Serves 6)

Fridge Friday: Episode 11

Is it Friday? Yes, by golly, it is. Maybe it is time to roll out another Fridge Friday post. It seems my last contribution to this feature was back in August, but I am not going to apologize for the neglect. I have a life that I live. I love blogging, but it doesn't always fit in that life. 

But, sometimes, like today, it fits. It might be late in the evening, but I have some time and some energy and throwing a few more photos and a recipe up on the blog seems like the thing to do. So...check out my fridge...

What do you see? Brussels sprouts, spinach, eggplant, bacon, yogurt, butter, milk, wine, pickles, peppers, Pumpkin Spice creamer? Can you tell that there are green beans in the bottom right produce drawer?

This fall has been unseasonably warm with temperatures in the 70s and 80s, but the recent dip back to the more normal 40s has me craving soups. One of the soups that I have made basically since I was first married is a Potato, Bacon, and Green Bean Chowder. Forgive me, for does include a can of creamed soup. I have considered altering the recipe to eliminate what is a culinary no-no for some, but why? I don't cook with cream soups often. A can now and then isn't going to be the death of me (or anyone). Most importantly, it tastes good. Really. The soup is rich, hearty, and comforting. It is the perfect thing to warm up a damp, cold, November Friday.

(And, if you really miss me when I don't make it to the blog, become a fan of On My Plate on Facebook. Just "like" the page and you can have (almost) daily little bits of my babbling in your news feed.)

Potato, Bacon, and Green Bean Chowder

10 slices bacon, chopped

1 cup onion, chopped

2 cups potatoes, cubed (I use baby reds and leave the skins on.)

3 cups water

1 1/2 cups fresh green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

1 3/4 cups milk

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons parsley, chopped

In a large dutch oven or stock pot, fry bacon until crisp.
Add onion and saute until translucent.
Pour off fat (sometimes, I don't do this...yes I KNOW how bad for me that is, but there is so much FLAVOR in bacon fat.)
Add potatoes and water.
Bring to a boil; cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Add the green beans and simmer for about 5 more minutes until the beans are tender-crisp and the potatoes are fork tender.
Stir in soup and sour cream. (I once used French Onion chip dip when I didn't have sour cream...divine, if slightly scary substitution.)
Gradually add the milk. (If you poured off the bacon fat, you might consider subbing cream for a portion of the milk...or not.)
Season with pepper (and salt, if you feel the need. I think the canned soup has enough salt.)
Add parsley.
Heat to serving temperature.
Do no boil. (Serves 6)

¡Ay, caramba!

"Hay Grinder on fire. Got it out." That was the text message that Hubs sent to me this afternoon. ¡Ay, caramba! We have had a few awful hay fires in the past, and my mind immediately raced to the memories of those blazes. Tons and tons of hay were lost then. Thankfully, today's sparks caused minimal damage and hay loss. Hubs' quick action and the help of the fire department prevented a huge catastrophe. 

Tonight, as my exhausted Hubs naps in his chair in front of the TV, the only heat is my laptop charring my legs as I menu plan for the rest of the week. ¡Ay, caramba! Lately, I have gotten so lazy about planning our meals. Usually, I just open the fridge or freezer and hope that something jumps out at me. It is a hit or miss way to get a meal On My Plate, and I just hope that whatever jumps hasn't been in the fridge long enough to actually (and not pretend) be coming to life again and really jumping.

One recipe that a friend recently shared with me easily fits heated last minute planning. Taco Soup uses basic pantry items and can even be heated in the crockpot, if time is short. I adjusted the original recipe to suit what I have on hand most of the time, and you could alter it to suit your own tastes. Add a can of black beans to stretch the servings further; change out the diced tomatoes to plain or those with jalapenos; brown diced green peppers with the onions and ground beef. (My friend makes a veg version by using meat substitutes instead of the ground beef. She also recommended ground turkey as an alternative.) Serve it up as a soup, or use it as a topping for baked potatoes. Garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, black olives, even shredded lettuce, diced onion, and tomato. My choice was with Deluxe Corn Muffins (with a can of green chiles added to the mix) on the side and crushed corn chips, shredded cheese, and freshly chopped cilantro on top. It's not On My Plate, but rather, in my bowl, and nobody will be shouting "¡Ay, caramba!" when you ladle up Taco Soup.

Taco Soup 

1 pound ground beef 

1 cup chopped onion 

1  15 oz. can kidney beans, undrained

1  15 oz. can chili beans, undrained

1  15 oz. can fat-free refried beans

2 cups frozen corn

1  15 oz. can tomato sauce

1  15 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles

1 1/2 cup water (If you want it more like a chili consistency, reduce or leave out the water.)

1 package taco seasoning

1 package Hidden Valley dressing mix(not buttermilk)

Brown the ground beef with the onion in a soup pot.

Combine the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. 

Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. (Serves 6-8)

M'm! M'm! Good!

My fall has been blessed with a bountiful harvest of tomatoes. Last year, I had jalapeno peppers coming out my ears and ventured into the world of Candied Jalapenos. This year I am searching out canning and preserving recipes for tomatoes. I have canned salsa, spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, plain sauce, and juice. Quarts, pints, and half-pint jars filled with liquids in various shades of red line my basement pantry shelves. And now, I am adding more with some M'm! M'm! Good! Tomato Soup.

Hubs isn't a fan of tomato soup, but I love a grilled cheese sandwich dipped into a steaming bowl of tomatoey goodness. Those commercials with the snowmen defrosting into little kids are spot on. Nothing warms you more completely from the inside out than a warm bowl of soup. It will be so nice this winter when I can toast up some bread and melty cheese On My Plate and fill my bowl with M'm! M'M! Good! Tomato Soup.

M'm! M'm! Good! Tomato Soup

10-12 pounds tomatoes, chopped (I just chopped enough to fill my 7 1/4 quart dutch oven...seeds, skins and all.)

2 yellow onions, chopped

1 head garlic, minced

1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped

1-2 tablespoons kosher salt

fresh cracked black pepper

2-4 tablespoons sugar (optional)

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup flour

plus 3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped finely

Chop tomatoes and place in a large, heavy pot over medium heat.
Add the onions, garlic, and 1/2 cup of chopped fresh basil.
Season with salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until tomatoes have cooked down and flesh has released from the skins.
Remove from heat.
Process tomatoes through a food mill/cone colander with pestle/sieve/or similar utensil to strain the seeds and skin.
Return pulpy juice to heavy pot and bring to a simmer.
Add sugar, if desired.
With mixer, cream together the room temperature butter and the flour.
With mixer running, slowly add a ladle of warm tomato juice to the flour mixture.
Repeat with 4 or 5 more ladles of soup until the flour mixture is warm and thoroughly combined with a good portion of the juice.
Add the warm flour mixture to the pot of simmering juice, stirring constantly to combine.
Add the 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil.
Heat thoroughly.
Ladle into prepared jars (I use pints) and secure lids.
Process in hot water bath for 20-30 minutes. (Yield: 6-8 pints tomato soup concentrate)
TO PREPARE SOUP: Mix one part jarred soup mixture with equal part of milk and heat thoroughly.

Fridge Friday, episode 1

Remember how I said that I had an idea in the works to try to keep up my momentum with blog posting? Well, here it is. Awhile back, I stumbled upon the concept of Fridge Fridays through Twitter. At that time, we were just snapping quick phone pics of our fridges and posting for others to see and discuss. Most of us had a more than passing interest in food and cooking and liked to see what ingredients each had on hand. Later, a blogger (Maggie) took the idea and created a separate site just for Fridge Friday posts.

I have decided to add my own spin to Fridge Fridays and introduce it as a theme here On My Plate. I will snap a photo of my fridge, zero in on one ingredient, and share a recipe that includes it. There are no promises that this will be an every Friday occurrence, but I would like to try. This could be a fun addition to the blog.

Your input is very welcome. If you check out the fridge photo and see something in there that sparks your interest, let me know. Comment away. Ask questions. Tell me that you also have a love for Laughing Cow Cheese, or ask me what in the heck I am doing with that HUGE jar of marinated artichokes (and if you really must know, please see my confession at Enough to (Arti-)Choke a Horse). Play along with me. Let me know that I am not just talking to myself when I peck out these posts (although, truth be told, I do talk to myself ALL THE TIME).

So...did you check out the pic above? Did you see an ingredient that you thought deserved some time in the spotlight? This week, I have asparagus, salad greens, herbs, zucchini, mushrooms, strawberries, Greek yogurt, bacon, hot dogs, pickles, take-and-bake bread, and even crab meat in the fridge. However, it is the lowly tube of  refrigerator biscuits that gets to come out and play. I found something in the No Recipe Zone of Everyday with Rachael Ray that I knew Hubs would love, French Onion Soup Cups.

Hubs LOVES French Onion Soup; begs for it; orders it every time he has the opportunity. The only other soup that I have ever seen him eat more of is Clam Chowder...and that is an ugly story that I won't be repeating. French Onion Soup Cups bakes up refrigerator biscuits on the underside of greased muffin tins to create little "cups." Filled with caramelized onions and topped with a cheese sauce and more melted cheese, they are so simple and satisfying. I tossed together a salad with baby greens and a fresh vinaigrette as a side, and our meal was complete in no time. I don't need anything special in my fridge to put French Onion Soup Cups On My Plate.

 French Onion Soup Cups

2 tablespoons olive oil

One can refrigerator biscuits

8 cups thinly sliced onions

kosher salt

fresh ground black pepper

2 tablespoons butter

1 1/2 tablespoons flour

3/4 cup heavy cream

1 cup grated Gruyere cheese

1 teaspoon fresh thyme

Preheat to 400°.
Invert a muffin pan and lightly grease the back side of ten muffin cups. 
Pat a biscuit flat, place over a greased muffin cup and stretch the dough to cover the cup. 
Repeat with the remaining nine biscuits. 
(With the bigger Grands biscuits, I had to use every other muffin cup to keep from baking together. Regular sized biscuits could use all the muffin cups without problem.)
Bake until golden-brown, 7 minutes.
Allow to cool slightly, then remove the biscuit cups from the pan and place cup side up onto a baking sheet to cool completely.
Meanwhile, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a skillet and add the onions, salt, and pepper. 
Cook until the onions are softened and browned, about 15 minutes.
Divide the onion mixture among the biscuit cups.
In a small saucepan, melt the butter. 
Whisk in the flour until smooth. 
Whisk in the heavy cream and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 3 minutes. 
Remove from heat and stir in half of the cheese; season with salt and pepper. 
Spoon the cheese sauce over the onions.
Sprinkle the thyme and remaining cheese and on top and bake until the cheese is melted, 5 to 7 minutes. (Serves 6-8)