Comfort Food for My Stormy Night

Miami today was so gorgeous, warm, but not hot, dry with a little humidity. A day we Floridians live in Florida for. The news though told the story of the monster storm, the largest storm of recent history covering over 2,000 miles. Airports were closing all over the nation. I could feel a buzz all over, between the goings on in Eygpt and the monster storm, I was glued to CNN.

Funny without realizing it til I was midway through cooking dinner, I was making a comfort food dinner, as if I too was in the midst of harsh elements. Gathering family around a warm meal. I laughed at myself and yet understood. One of my sons is in school in Chicago. He was having a PJ day in the frat house, chaos in their kitchen as the cook could not make it in. I longed to be there, maybe not around all those guys, they would really be wondering about me...but just with my son hanging out. Cozy- watching the elements go by the window.  For some reason I found it hard to comprehend him living such a life so different and far from us. My comfort food was a way of connecting to him. Once again the heart strings pull tight.

I overcooked by quite a lot, but who wouldn't on a cold stormy night.

My made up pasta recipe. Lets call it- White Bean Roasted Tomato Sauce

I had a white bean puree sitting in the refrigerator (white beans cooked from scratch or canned-rinse well). The puree was made by cooking the finished beans in olive oil, garlic,  rosemary and salt and pepper. Add grated best quality Parmesan cheese. (I used food processor) blend to puree.

To this I added roasted tomatoes and basil (from my garden). Roast cherry or grape tomatoes in olive oil,  salt and pepper, and tons of fresh chopped basil.

Then I combined the two mixtures in a large sautee pan.
Then a lot of zucchini- chopped and added to the pan. Then I left everything on low heat, added more olive oil, stirred frequently to blend the bean mixture thoroughly so it thinned out.

I boiled salted water to cook penne pasta.

While this was going on- I cut up a large butternut squash, again tossed with olive oil, S&P, and added sage. I roasted it in a preheated oven at 425 for 30 minutes. Then added 1/2 cup maple syrup and mixed gently but well.  I cooked it another 20 minutes and then added grated pecorino cheese, to the hot squash. Absolutely incredible.

I also made kale chips spray with olive oil spray (less oil that way) sprinkle with salt cook 25 min at 300degrees. Remove leaves from stem and cut into chip size.

Since I was almost finished cooking- but not quite- I took more basil and fresh arugula (both from the garden), then took some large tomatoes- and cut them in thick rings and laid them over the arugula with fresh organic mozzarella, with a splash of some balsamic vinegar and you guessed it, olive oil.

We lingered over the meal as comfort food has a way of drawing us in tight. Conversation was ongoing, homework and responsibilities waited, and Bear on cue seemed to get it she snored soundly in the background, while the beautiful, balmy South Florida night seemed so very far away.

xo ginny

Save Your Health (and money) with Soup!

I strongly believe that preparing a delicious clean and simple meal is faster than ordering in. And the long term benefits are astounding. 

You will save money, you will maintain your weight and you will take pride in the fact of knowing that you mindfully crafted a meal in your own kitchen. This fact alone will hopefully, inspire you to cook! 

Here is a simple, light (and quick) vegetarian soup recipe that I always follow.

Quick Butternut Squash Soup

1. Take a Butternut Squash and chop into cubes.

2. Saute in 2 tbsps of olive oil with 1 chopped white or golden onion until onions are soft.

3. Add 6 cups of organic Vegetable Broth and simmer for 20 minutes.

4. Puree in a blender or Vitamix. 

5. Season with sea salt, pepper and nutmeg.

If you would like a little something to dip into the soup, toast up some delicious Mochi bread (find it at Whole Foods with the refrigerated breads). It is gluten, yeast and dairy-free, and great for those of us with food intolerances. 

I had this Butternut Squash soup for dinner tonight and will have it for lunch tomorrow with some avocado and cooked lentils added to my soup. 

Asparagus and carrot soup can be made the same way. 

Try adding some curry if you are making only Carrot soup.

happy cooking! 

xo ginny