As Simple and Ordinary as That
First things first: thank you so, so much for all of your amazing solo-eating suggestions, and cooking-for-one book suggestions! I’m overwhelmed by your comments and emails…and dinner ideas. Where to begin? Grilled cheese, pasta with bacon, scrambled eggs for dinner…Yes, please. The majority of the advice I’ve gotten from family, friends, and you all here is that time continues on whether you like it or not. It just does. And through that, things get easier. I’m trusting you on this one.
I just finished re-reading The Hours a few nights ago. Have you read it? I think Michael Cunningham captures the intricacies of character, relationships and moments really beautifully. Towards the end of the novel, I found myself rereading this passage over and over:
“We live our lives, do whatever we do, and then we sleep–it’s as simple and ordinary as that. A few jump out of windows or drown themselves or take pills; more die by accident; and most of us, the vast majority, are slowly devoured by some disease, or if we’re fortunate, by time itself. There’s just this for consolation: an hour here or there when our lives seem, against all odds and expectations, to burst open and give us everything we’ve ever imagined, though everyone but children (and perhaps even they) knows these hours will inevitably be followed by others, far darker and more difficult. Still we cherish the city, the morning; we hope, more than anything, for more.”
To me, this paragraph–in so few words–speaks to the human condition more than anything I’ve ever read. It’s hard. We lose friends and relationships and have difficulty finding our calling or our life’s passion. But then there are evenings when you look around the table at friends you haven’t seen for ten years and smile, or you bite into the perfectly crisp apple–or those mornings when a hot shower feels like a gift from the Gods. Those are the simple, ordinary moments that give us a gleam that hope is justified. So along with all of your fabulous meal suggestions, I’m going to seek out these moments like nothing else right now–the hours that give a glint (or a full on beam) of hope and light. And spring, sunshine in San Francisco, and asparagus in the markets helps, too. So onward, shall we?
It was a rather indulgent Easter week, so at the market yesterday I made a point to stock up on lots of kale, spinach, an unusually expensive artichoke (what the heck, Whole Foods?!) and some beautiful asparagus. At home, I consulted a new cookbook sent to me by the good folks at Southern Living for something interesting to do with the asparagus. The book is called Farmer’s Market Cookbook: a Fresh Look at Local Flavor, and it details seasonal, ingredient, market-driven recipes. I turned to the spring chapter and was struck by the simplicity of this soup: asparagus, broth, onion, lemon, thyme, milk, a little butter and sour cream. Spring in a bowl. I think you’ll like it.
Spring Asparagus Soup
- Yield: 4-6 Servings
- Prep time: 15 mins
- Cook time: 20 mins
- Total time: 35 mins
Only make this soup when you can find really fresh, tender asparagus–nothing good about stringy asparagus soup. I adapted this recipe to make it lighter and wholly vegetarian, and added a bit more flavor with garlic, more lemon, and a dash of black pepper.
Adapted from: Southern Living Farmer’s Market Cookbook
Ingredients
Instructions
Snap off and discard tough ends of asparagus. Cut asparagus into 2-inch pieces. Combine asparagus with broth, onion, garlic, and 1/2 tsp. thyme in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 10 minutes. Process asparagus mixture in batches using an immersion blender or food processor until smooth. Return to pan.
Whisk flour and milk together in a small bowl until smooth. Add slowly to asparagus mixture, whisking until blended. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer, continuing to stir for another five minutes. Remove from heat; stir in butter, salt, 1/4 tsp. lemon zest, and remaining 1/4 tsp. thyme.
Combine sour cream, lemon juice, and remaining 1/4 tsp. lemon zest. Top each serving with about 2 tsp. of sour cream mixture. Garnish with thyme sprig.
Healthy Comfort Food
Thai Carrot, Coconut and Cauliflower Soup
People describe raising young kids as a particular season in life. I hadn't heard this until we had a baby, but it brought me a lot of comfort when I'd start to let my mind wander, late at night between feedings, to fears that we'd never travel internationally again or have a sit-down meal in our dining room. Would I ever eat a cardamom bun in Sweden? Soak in Iceland? I loved the heck out of our tiny Oliver, but man what had we done?! Friends would swoop in and reassure us that this was just a season, a blip in the big picture of it all. They promised we'd likely not even remember walking around the house in circles singing made-up songs while eating freezer burritos at odd hours of the day (or night). And it's true.
Oliver is turning two next month, and those all-encompassing baby days feel like a different time, a different Us. In many ways, dare I say it, Toddlerhood actually feels a bit harder. Lately Oliver has become extremely opinionated about what he will and will not wear -- and he enforces these opinions with fervor. Don't get near the kid with a button-down shirt. This week at least. He's obsessed with his rain boots and if it were up to him, he'd keep them on at all times, especially during meals. He insists on ketchup with everything (I created a damn monster), has learned the word "trash" and insists on throwing found items away on his own that really, truly are not trash. I came to pick him up from daycare the other day and he was randomly wearing a bike helmet -- his teacher mentioned he'd had it on most of the day and really, really didn't want to take it off. The kid has FEELINGS. I love that about him, and wouldn't want it any other way. But, man it's also exhausting.
Cheesy Quinoa Cauliflower Bake
I just finished washing out Oliver's lunchbox and laying it out to dry for the weekend. My favorite time of day is (finally) here: the quiet of the evening when I can actually talk to Sam about our day or sit and reflect on my own thoughts after the inevitable dance party or band practice that precedes the bedtime routine lately. Before becoming pregnant for the second time, I'd have had a glass of wine with the back door propped open right about now -- these days though, I have sparkling water or occasionally take a sip from one of Sam's hard ciders. Except now the back door's closed and we even turned on the heat for the first time yesterday. The racing to water the lawn and clean the grill have been replaced by cozier dinners at home and longer baths in the evening. You blink and it's the first day of fall.
Stuffed Shells with Fennel and Radicchio
I'd heard from many friends that buying a house wasn't for the faint of heart. But I always shrugged it off, figuring I probably kept better files or was more organized and, really, how hard could it be? Well, I've started (and stopped) writing this post a good fifteen times which may indicate something. BUT! First thing's first: we bought a house! I think! I'm pretty sure! We're still waiting for some tax transcripts to come through and barring any hiccough with that, we'll be moving out of our beloved craftsman in a few weeks and down the block to a great, brick Tudor house that we wanted the second we laid eyes on it. The only problem: it seemed everyone else in Seattle had also laid eyes on it, and wanted it equally as much. I'm not really sure why the homeowner chose us in the end. Our offer actually wasn't the highest, but apparently there were some issues with a few of them. We wrote a letter introducing ourselves and describing why we'd be the best candidates and why we were so drawn to the house; we have a really wonderful broker who pulled out all the stops, and after sifting through 10 offers and spending a number of hours deliberating, they ended up going with ours. We were at a friend's book event at the time when Sam showed me the text from our broker and I kind of just collapsed into his arms. We were both in ecstatic denial (wait, is this real?! Did we just buy a house?) and celebrated by getting chicken salad and potato salad from the neighborhood grocery store and eating it, dazed, on our living room floor. Potato salad never tasted so good.
Smoky Butternut Squash and Three Bean Chili
If your house is anything like ours, last week wasn't our most inspired in terms of cooking. We're all suffering from the post-election blues -- the sole upside being Oliver's decision to sleep-in until 7 am for the first time in many, many months; I think he's trying to tell us that pulling the covers over our heads and hibernating for awhile is ok. It's half-convincing. For much of the week, instead of cooking, there'd been takeout pizza and canned soup before, at week's end, I decided it was time to pour a glass of wine and get back into the kitchen. I was craving something hearty and comforting that we could eat for a few days. Something that wouldn't remind me too much of Thanksgiving because, frankly, I can't quite gather the steam to start planning for that yet. It was time for a big bowl of chili.
To Talk Porridge
Porridge is not the sexiest of breakfasts, it's true. It doesn't have a stylish name like strata or shakshuka, and it doesn't have perfectly domed tops like your favorite fruity muffin. It doesn't crumble into delightful bits like a good scone nor does it fall into buttery shards like a well-made croissant. But when you wake up and it's 17 degrees outside (as it has been, give or take a few, for the last week), there's nothing that satisfies like a bowl of porridge or oatmeal. It's warm and hearty and can be made sweet or savory with any number of toppings. The problem? Over the years, it's gotten a bad rap as gluey or gummy or just downright boring or dutiful -- and it's because not everyone knows the secrets to making a great pot of warm morning cereal. So let's talk porridge (also: my cookbook comes out this month! So let's take a peek inside, shall we?)
Shannalee
Mmmm. This looks absolutely beautiful and so totally spring! Here's to enjoying everyday blessings, both the kind we can eat like creamy green soups and the kind of smiles, conversations and beautiful blue skies. Thinking of you, blog friend!
Danielle
This is such a beautiful post and that quote, so poignant in its truth. Very apt for spring!
Dana
Yum! That looks so good.
...And it's green! I love to make green food that's tasty (my brother claims that it's an impossibility, but I keep proving him wrong).
Jacqui
what a lovely post, and i can't think of a more perfect dish with which to move onward than asparagus -- so green, so spring, so alive.
also, that is a beautiful quote. i can't help but think of my fiance's grandmother, who died earlier this week. even though she will be missed, it is still good to know that her memory lives on in her family, with many weddings and new babies in the coming year, and hope -- always hope!
Valen
I love asparagus and this soup looks delightful!
MomGordon
Sitting, alright, lying here with the head cold you in all likelihood gave me... After reading this wonderful post I can't help but feel a little bit better. Beautiful!
allison from "a for aubergine"
this looks so fresh and light. i love that you used veggie broth and 1% milk rather than making it heavy and over-creamy.
El
Lovely sentiment and beautiful soup. Ads are ok too.
Lisa
I love that quote. It is those brief moments when all the hum drum hours are erased and we find a little joy. I found some today in a bite from an artisanal chocolate bar.
A Canadian Foodie
Love that you are using your breadstick crackers as a garnish. Nothing is better than asparagus anything in the spring. It is sucha strong flavour, yet I love it. My grandmother used to grow it and let it go to seed. It was so high above my head and I used to love playing in it. I loved it raw, too, as it tasted like fresh peas. I haven't seen in grown anywhere since. But, every time I buy my first fresh bundle in the spring, I always think of my grandmother.
Cherine
beautiful and delicious!!
Romaine
Love your photography!
I felt exactly the same way about ads but recently went the same direction you have. Will be interesting to see how things go. Not planning an exotic vacation anytime soon. :-)
Janet
Beautiful quote - thanks for sharing it! I must make this soup! Oh, I love when asparagus is in season.
kathy
I love asparagus.Gotta try this recipe of yours. I have been cooking this, collecting different recipes of this soup.
Heather Antonelli
I just re-watched The Hours a few weeks back and that quote is read by Nicole Kidman. It struck me as well and yes we can all relate to those little happy moments when the world seems bright shiny and perfect. I get a little butterfly in my stomach when this happens and a small cheshire cat grin. I have started a happy moments wall in my kitchen. 3x5 frames filled with a picture, a doodle, a napkin from a restaurant - little things that all are memories of happy moments.
Thank you for sharing the moment.
megang
I love this idea, Heather. I need a happy moments wall, too. I actually have some wall space in the hallway I've been trying to figure out what to do with...this could just be the ticket. Thanks for the inspiration!
Talia
Your soup looks beautiful: and your photographs are lovely. We are doing an asparagus 'roundup' as part of a seasonal cooking monthly feature which we'd love you to participate in? have a look and let us know!! http://innbrooklyn.wordpress.com/2010/04/05/virtual-veg-of-the-month-club/
kamran siddiqi
Megan, this time of the year, we always have a plethora of asparagus! We can't help but loving it so much, but sometimes roasting it 3 nights in a row can be annoying.
I love how you made it into a simple and delicious soup. I will definitely have to give this a go!
Great post! :)
Mardi@eatlivetravelwrite
We have a bit of a glut of asparagus in our fridge right now and this looks like it might just be the perfect way to use it up! Lovely recipe. And of course we don't mind re: the ads. Though I have yet to make any "real" money yet....
Manggy
That is a great passage... All I got is something from the Simpsons :P (Something like "You were loved once, that means it can happen again..") :) Cream of Asparagus soup has always been a favorite of mine - since childhood, if you can believe me!
A Canadian Foodie
I made your cheese straws - but with a twist... changed the kind and amount of cheese, so I could roll them in my hand... not cookie press. The taste amazing - I used apple smoked cheddar - and did the sesame seeds. I was really surprised that the seeds STILL fell off after hand rolling and then rolling them in the seeds. Next time, I would do a little egg wash before rolling them in the seeds. Thanks for the inspiration and recipe! They are delicious, easy to make and so much more nutritious than anything in the stores!
Big hug,
Valere
megang
Yay! Awesome. I'm so glad you liked them. Yes, those darn sesame seeds don't love to cling on. do they? I was shocked at how few ingredients were in them. I'll have to try them again and play around with the cheeses, too.
Denise
Its almost one in the morning here in london, and i am just so enchanted by your writing, cooking, heart ache, loves and beauty. You have created a wonderful thing here, and still keeping it sensitive. Thank you. x
megang
Oh, thank you Denise! It means a lot to hear from readers that are enjoying the site (and staying up until 1 a.m. reading it).