I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape - the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show ~ Andrew Wyeth
The arctic winds have descended, we woke up this morning with a -10 degrees .... brrrrrrrr. Popped out the door for some quick picks last night and this morning, don't let that sunshine fool ya, it is bitter out there. Just click for larger image.
During the winter months our diet consists of lots of homemade vegetable soups, they warm the body and soul and on a day like today (it is currently 1 degree outside) you just cannot ask for anything better. An added bonus is that they are heart healthy! Leftover pasta or rice? Toss it in the pot, or make dumplings. There are no hard and fast rules for what you can add to soup, so go ahead and use your imagination (and leftovers).
Sweet Potato & Spinach SoupOne mistake made by cooks is to chop up a bunch of veggies and throw them into a pot of water when making soup. What you end up with is boiled vegetables. Sautee them first, along with your herbs, in a small amount of butter or oil first to enhance their flavor. Add homemade vegetable or chicken broth and simmer gently for about 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Your tastebuds will thank you.
This soup has a combo of finely chopped celery, onions, carrots and sweet potatoes. I sauteed them about five minutes. Add your choice of herbs and sautee a couple of minutes more, then add about 6 cups of broth and simmer. The spinach was added the last 5 minutes of cooking. Serve with home-baked bread or rolls.
21 comments:
Windchill in my area of NY was -7 degrees!!! It actually hurts to be outdoors!!! But.... a bowl of your soup would do me nicely... Looks so good and exactly was is needed to take the chill off!!
Brrr..that is too cold for me Mom! But your soup looks like it will warm up the bones for sure. :)
Hi Lucy
The windchill is expected to be -25 degrees tonite, I have nowhere I want to go :)
LOL Racquel .. tis winter for sure here, but I here this cold is dropping into the south too.
I wondered how cold it was there. We were down to 25 degrees this morning before the sun came up, had expected 20.
I can't imagine sweet potato in that soup, but it sure looks good.
I think I'll make Ham and Split Pea soup. Lots of body to it.
Nell
that's great for andrew, but i prefer summer and spring. by far. :)
great soup, and you're right--homemade bread right out of the oven belongs with it. :)
Whoa! I had to put on a sweater just to look at your pictures! Forget about eating that delicious looking soup. I'd just want to stick my hands in it to thaw them out.
Here in Northern California, we're having a weird warm spell right now. The days are in the low 70s, just perfect for all the weeds to pop up. I'm hoping we get back to winter soon; we really need the rain.
Hi Jean .. the sweet potatoes and spinach are a wonderful combo, we have been living on veggie soups ... trying to cut out the meats :)
Grace .. I am a winter baby, so Fall and Winter happen to be my favorite times of the year, plus you don't mind having the oven on when it is chilly outside :)
LOL Sue .. 70 degrees ? Sigh .. I admit to wishing for a little temp rise when I had to go out yesterday and today :)
I just made the Cranberry Cake and it is wonderful. Everyone loved it..Thanks for sharing
Hi Lynn .. thank you and I am happy your family enjoyed it. The food critic loves this cake :) Thanks for stopping by.
Nice quote from Andrew Wyeth...I did a tribute to him on my blog the other day....He lived a long life and enriched us all.
Weather wise...22 below zero, real temp, the other day. Caused Arctic Sea Smoke on the ocean. I took a picture of it and also put it on my blog.
I just recently found your awesome blog, thanks so much for sharing your wonderful recipes.
Hi Elenka
Thank you, I like your blog too, awesome pics!
This weather has been horrible. Especially here in chicago!
BUT, I'm loving the warm up w/this soup!
I love winter :)
Too bad that Indonesia (the place where I'm living in now) only has 2 seasons which are hot season and rainy season.
Never tried that combo of sweet potatoes and spinach. I'll have to remember that for the next soup day. Don't send your weather this way!
LOL Darius, DH went out on the back roof yesterday, we have had a total of 18 inches! But living in the city, at least the streets are clear.
Selba .. I love the change of seasons, wouldn't consider living anywhere else, thanks for stopping by.
Theresa .. don't you want just a little of our snow ? :)
Hi,
I made the cranberry cake too...we loved it. I sent the recipe on to friends...hope you don't mind. I saute veggies too, when I make soup.Not mushy, tastes like the veggie and is prettier.I'll have to try this when my daughter is here.
Hi Balisha
I am glad you enjoyed the cake, and hope your friends do too. With all this snow and cold temps, soup is on the stove a lot.
Oh you offer good advice...sauté first.
Keep warm!
LL
Very good advice on the vegetables for soup. I'm guilty of being a boil the vegetables person but I can change...yup I can!
Wow, it is really cold where you are. The excellent soup will warm you up I'm sure.
Thank you Lori :)
Giz .. I learn and change .. sometimes on a daily basis :)
Cynthia .. I love the snow, and hot soups :)
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