Soup Archives - Page 2 of 6 -

March 21, 2016

Ginger Chicken Brown Rice Congee

Sickness hit our family pretty hard last week; first it was my daughter, then me, and then my son. Unfortunately for us, Ryan happened to be gone on a work trip and the three of us were left to fend for ourselves. It was nothing too serious, mostly just stubborn colds and minor fevers, but it was enough to make us all tired, weary, and worn out. We appreciated the extra time at home, however, as we slowed down and got in some extra snuggles. This time instead of the usual chicken noodle soup, I made a pot of this soothing and healing ginger chicken congee (or in Chinese jook). Congee, a savory rice porridge, was my childhood comfort food and I could always count on my mom to have a big pot simmering on the stove whenever anyone in the family became sick. It’s prepared by slowly cooking rice with some type of meat or vegetable stock and it turns wonderfully creamy and almost smooth after the slow cooking. Its quiet simplicity makes it the perfect vehicle for adding an endless number of condiments and garnishes.

February 24, 2016

Cozy Chicken Stew

Last week we visited my dear sister and her family in the Colorado rocky mountains. Spending time with her is always a little awe-inspiring for me- not only is she an incredibly hard-working momma of 3 year-old twins, she runs her own photography business, and she just launched a merino wool children’s clothing company together with her husband. And despite all that she does, she’s incredibly humble, thoughtful, and kind. She’s my little sis, but I look up to her in so many ways and some of my best memories in life are with her. For our time together in the mountains, my sister (who also happens to be remarkably organized) spoiled me and brought an entire cooler plus bags full of groceries and frozen meals. As much as I love cooking, I also love not cooking, and it was such a welcome break from my normal routine of meal planning and grocery shopping. We’re home again now and though the weather has teased us with glimpses of spring, part of me still wishes for those snowy mountainscapes and cozy meals after long days of skiing.

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January 5, 2016

Cannellini Vegetable Soup with Parmesan Toasts

Happy 2016! Feels so good to be back here after a couple weeks off. We stayed home for the break and were able to spend lots of time catching up with family and old friends. Our own family time was filled was lots of cooking, baking, playing, and laughing, but also we experienced our fair share of sibling squabbles and arguments and I lost my patience too many times to count. It was another realization that I am not yet what I ought to be and there is so much growing to do. So here’s to fresh starts, new beginnings, and moving ahead with humility and grace.

This soup is the perfect one to reset as we all try to refocus ourselves on healthy eating. It’s full of plump creamy cannellini beans and enough vegetables to make you feel virtuous. Sage, rosemary, and thyme is infused throughout and my favorite little parmesan toasts add the finishing touch. It’s simple, but right now I can’t think of anything more inviting than a quietly simmering pot on the stove. Wishing you all the best to what’s ahead in this new year.