One Beautiful Blog…

There are so many talented individuals sharing their passion for life through photography and writing.  My interests are varied therefore I am all over the place on the blogs I follow;  photography, travel, books, humor, diy, culture and food.  I have been inspired and encouraged by many in the blogging community by simply reading their posts.

There is one blog in particular that gives me a warm cozy feeling every time I visit.  Stopping by JustaSmidgen is like walking into my favorite cafe.  I can smell the coffee brewing and the bread baking.  There is the smell of fresh cake in the air.  I sink into the overstuffed chair at the corner table and all is well with the world.

The visual layout is inviting.  The writing is comfortable.  The photographs are warm. The recipes leave my mouth-watering.  This is one beautiful blog…I would love to curl up at the kitchen counter and watch this blogger in action.  But, calling Barbara a blogger doesn’t quite do her efforts justice…she really is an artist!

Here is a chance for you to experience this beautiful blog.  Barbara has compiled her top 10 recipes of 2012 in one post.  I hope you enjoy the beauty and creativity of Barbara at justasmidgen as much as I do.  Here is a photo from one of the featured recipes…just a sample to whet your appetite.  Enjoy!

cooking on my day off…summer squash soup with brown butter

There are many things I have to do on my day off.  Some days are spent running errands to the grocery store, the pharmacy or doctor’s appointments.  Some days are spent on a little “me” time and personal pampering.  However, there are days when I just want to hang around the house watching the food network or work on future blog posts.  Then there are those days when I decide to cook… on my day off. 

There is such a sense of accomplishment. 

The discovery of the recipe. 

 The gathering of the ingredients. 

 The slicing and dicing and the measuring,

sauteing,

 roasting,

the ingredients are simmering on the stove, the aroma fills the house and I am cooking on my day off and enjoying every minute of it…especially when its time to eat!

Summer Squash Soup with Brown Butter

1 cup thinly sliced leeks
1 cup thinly sliced shallots
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
3# of summer squash (patty pan)
3 Tblsp Canola Oil
4 Garlic Pods Smashed
4 Cups of Vegetable Broth
1 Herb Bouquet(thyme, parsley and bay leaf)
3 Tblsp Butter unsalted
2 Tblsp Honey
Sage
Nutmeg

Slice patty pan and brush with canola oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Place small sage leaf on each patty pan and roast in 350 degree oven for 40 minutes or until fork tender. 

Meanwhile, dice remaining squash and set aside.  In large dutch oven saute leeks, shallots and carrots in remaining oil.  Add diced squash and smashed garlic stirring often to prevent garlic from browning.  Add vegetable broth and simmer for 15 minutes.  Add herb bouquet. 

When roasted squash is ready remove the sage leaves and dice the squash and add to pot.  Continue simmering for another 30 minutes. 

Remove from the heat and discard herb bouquet.  Blend ingredients in small batches in a blender.  Store in separate container in the fridge until ready to heat and serve.

Reheat the soup mixture slowly and gently.  Just when the soup is hot, melt the butter until foaming subsides, add to soup.  Sprinkle a bit of nutmeg to pot.  When soup is served drizzle with a little olive oil. 

 

 

Related articles

• The best ingredient of them all. (thelifexpress.wordpress.com)
• Cut Stress by Chopping Food: Cooking for Stress Relief (lifehack.org)
• Did cooking shows create a generation of foodies? (holykaw.alltop.com)

handwritten recipes are a treasure…

I was blessed to be able to share a couple of days with my Mom, Sister, Niece, Aunts and Cousins this Christmas season.  As is the case when we are together the conversation quickly turns to food.  This time was no exception.  As we were sitting around discussing this and that my sister offered to share a few of her favorite recipes off the top of her head.  I was excited to get them from her especially since they were going to be in her own handwriting. 

Most recipes I receive are usually sent to me via e-mail or text, so receiving a handwritten recipe is a special treasure.  

Some years ago, I noticed a framed hand written recipe in my best friends kitchen.  She shared that it was one of her Mother’ recipes.  My friend’s mother passed away suddenly many years ago and the hand written recipe is one of the things that she treasures.  I absolutely loved the idea of framing a special hand written recipe and giving it a place of honor in my kitchen. 

The very first hand written recipes I received were from my mom.  I photo copied them onto special paper purchased at the local scrapbook store and framed them.  I gave them to my Mom and Sisters as Christmas gifts that year.  Unbeknownst to me, the hand written recipe I chose to give to my Mom was one of Grandmothers.  This was the recipe that she would always request that my Mom make for her when she would visit.  The recipe is called “Plain Cake” and I know my mom has treasured memories making it for my grandmother.  The framed recipe turned out to be a great gift.

 I am hoping to create a wall of recipes in my new kitchen, recipes hand written by my beloved family members and friends.