The sun is shining in Seattle on this glorious Earth Day, which means people in the Emerald City are actually smiling and making eye contact. The dogs and babies are frolicking in the fountains; pasty white not-so-stylish bodies are soaking up Vitamin D in the parks; the Capitol Hill farmers’ market just kicked off its first over-priced local-organic-sustainable day of the year; and there’s not a café table, stool or planter available for sitting, cocktailing or hoarding. It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood. And after an earlier outing enjoying all of the above, I’m now home, with windows open and KEXP blaring, catching up on emails, blog entries, phone calls and bill-paying work. Life is good, my friends.
After my trip to NYC and Mark’s visit, my clothes no longer fit as loosely, which prompted me to partake in an alcohol-free diet including puréed soups and water. My intentions were good, but that lasted for only a few days. Everything in moderation, right? I had to slip in a few libations here and there, an entire baguette, a chocolate cupcake and a few oh-woe-is-me-I’m-hungry-and-bored-and-it’s-raining pampering meals. But the soups were good. Really good. I still have one bowl of each in my freezer waiting to be devoured within the next couple of weeks. And I’m not kidding. They will be.
When you have a few potatoes and a bunch of wilted lettuce that need to be eaten, make soup! I’d never heard of such a thing, but Googled it, and lo and behold, there was a recipe. And, seriously, y’all, it’s scrumptious. Couldn’t get enough of it … until I ate about four bowls and moved on to the next soup. But here’s the recipe on the Nourishing Gourmet.
Soup #2 was incredible as well. Kale and white bean. I didn’t add the bacon as I was (HA!) trying to do low-fat, but it can only make it better. The white truffle oil definitely adds flavor. Check it out here on F for Food.
Soup #3 was decent, but not quite as delicious as the first two. I think it was because I omitted the prosciutto and I may have put in too much onion. Hopefully you’ll do better. Find the Asparagus Soup at The Journal.
Soup #4 was oh-my-god delicious. Of course, this is where I started to get in trouble. Wouldn’t it be great with an egg? Or maybe a baguette? Hmmmm… with a little cheese sprinkled on top. You know what would REALLY be great, a Cougar Town-size glass of wine. Right. Carrot, Tomato and Zucchini Soup on About.com.
With all of these, you can use veggie broth instead of chicken and omit the meat for completely veg versions. And these days I’m poached egg happy, and ate at least one bowl of each with a poached egg, and maybe a little shredded Parmesan cheese. Oh yeah. Sorry I don’t have pics for all of them. Good intentions, bad planning.
On a recent non-low-fat/calorie-diet day, I had a tasty Cindy Crawford cocktail at Artusi. Delicious and you gotta love that… um… mole.
Even more belly happiness this morning at Row House Café in the South Lake Union area of Seattle. Kirsten and I weren’t able to sit outside in the sun, but we did manage a sun-filled window and some ridiculously delicious Bananas Foster French Toast and Grits & Grillades. Sorry for the half-eaten food pics. We were starving and these dishes were bubbling full of run-don’t-walk tastiness. Oh MAN, that was good!!
Ok, I have work to get done and food to eat. I’m famished. Oh, and talking with Amanda tonight, I was reminded of one of my favorite recipes of all time. Ina Garten’s uber comfort food, baked eggs. Yeah, it’s not all that low-fat either. Bon appétit!
Biscuits + Brioche 