I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Twenty-one school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.
Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Soup’s On

May 4, 2005 · Narrative

Thought this was an interesting survey. The Top 10 most “famous” soups from around the world are:

1. Avgolemono – A Greek chicken soup with lemon and egg
2. Borscht – A beetroot soup from Eastern Europe
3. Bouillabaisse – A fish soup from Marseille (Southern France)
4. Cock-a-leekie – Leek and potato soup made with chicken stock, in Scotland
5. Fanesca – A traditional cod soup from Ecuador
6. Gazpacho – A cold vegetable soup from Spain
7. Minestrone – An Italian vegetable soup
8. Mulligatawny – An Anglo-Indian curried chicken soup
9. Scotch Broth Solyanka – A cabbage soup from Russia
10. Waterzooi – A Belgian fish soup

How many have you had or even heard of? Looks like I need to start doing some recipe research. I’ve had 4, and never heard of 2 of them. Interesting.

Dinner tonight was BBQ Spaghetti. I’ve made this recipe before, and I gotta tell you, the BBQ sauce that you make for it is definitely the best I’ve had. The recipe comes from The River Run Cookbook. My sister picked it up for me on a trip to Vermont last year. It has great recipes in it that are simple, flavorful and quick to table. Better yet, more often than not, you can pull the ingredients from your pantry, as opposed to running off to the grocery store. Amazon has some used versions of this cookbook for under $5, in case you get tempted.

And speaking of cookbooks, Mario Batali just released his latest cookbook. The reviews I’ve seen so far have been good, and I’m looking forward to getting this one. Showing some restraint so far, I’ve only added it to my Wish List at Amazon. ;)

My turn to bring lunch tomorrow. One of the things I made is Balsamic Strawberries. Like Michael Chiarello’s recipe for Strawberries Pazzo, you’d never think a mix of black pepper, strawberries and balsamic vinegar would work, but in some magical way, it does.

Until tomorrow…

BBQ Spaghetti
Fishermen have their “go to” lure – reliable in a pinch – and cooks have a “go to” dish. This is ours, not only at the restaurant, but also at home.

1/2 lb meat, poultry, fish or vegetables, leftover or fresh
1 cup BBQ Sauce, to taste (see below for recipe)
2 tsp canola oil
1/2 medium onion, peeled and chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 pound fresh spinach, stemmed and rinsed
1/2 pound spaghetti or other pasta, cooked (leftovers are great)

If using leftover meat, poultry, fish or vegetables, heat them through in a skillet or microwave. If they are not yet cooked, cook them to your liking. Heat the BBQ Sauce in a small saucepan set over low heat. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large covered skillet or pot with a lid and saute the onion until it starts to brown, 10-12 minutes. Toss in the spinach, cover, and cook for 2 minutes. Add the cooked pasta and 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the BBQ sauce; continue cooking until the pasta is heated through and the spinach has wilted. Plate the pasta and place the cooked meat, poultry, chicken, fish or vegetable right on top. (We prefer not to slice the meat or chicken). Spoon or pour as much warm BBQ sauce over the top as you like. Serve immediately. Yield: 2 servings

Simply the Best All Purpose BBQ Sauce

3 cups ketchup
1 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 T dry mustard
1-1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp chili powder
4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1/4 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped (1/4 cup)
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup light brown sugar

Mix all ingredients together in heavy-bottomed pot and stir until well combined. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid burning the bottom of the pot. Turn the heat to low and simmer, uncovered for 1-1/2 hours, stirring every once in awhile. Use immediately or store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Yield 4 cups

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Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. Stephanie says

    May 4, 2005 at 4:04 am

    Is this the BBQ recipe you offered? Sounds yummy!

    I remember the first time I had a strawberry salad, (berries, greens, and a dressing)…it was so weird, but good. Now, I love it.

    Reply
  2. Cate says

    May 4, 2005 at 10:53 am

    Yup, this is the one! Just a warning ahead of time. Recipe for the sauce makes 4 cups, but you only need 1 cup for the spaghetti. Sauce lasts about a week or so, so if you make it, you need to have a game plan to use up the rest. Thinking of making some pulled pork or something similar towards the end of the week for my extra… hope you try the recipe!

    Reply
  3. Paris Madeleine says

    May 4, 2005 at 4:08 pm

    I just adore avgolemono; it’s the first thing I look for at any Greek restaurant and the second thing (after ginger ale) that I want when I am sick.

    Batali’s new book looks promising. I love his food, but his recipes often are bit too much for me.

    Reply
  4. linda says

    May 4, 2005 at 8:45 pm

    I have heard of all but two of those soups and tried most of them at some point. One of the joys of working at a soup place!

    Reply

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I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Twenty-one school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.
Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.

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I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Twenty-one school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.
Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef

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