The time to enjoy soup is almost over, disappearing with the cold weather, but it’s a big part of my diet in the fall and winter.
I’m lactose intolerant and so everything I make has to be free of dairy. (Hint: eggs are not dairy, they do not come from cows).
And the thing about soup is, you don’t need a recipe. You really don’t. What you need is simply some chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, vegetables (I use fresh when I can but if you have to use frozen, dried, or canned then go for it). Seasoning: salt, pepper, basil, thyme, and for an extra creamy soup I am absolutely in love with coconut milk/curry soups. Anytime I use chicken broth with veggies I cook them down, put a can of coconut milk, a tablespoon (or more) of yellow curry (has that wonderful herb tumeric which keeps you from catching colds), parsley, basil, a tad of fish oil, lemon, and cilantro. If you like it hot I use just a smidgeon of Chinese hot sauce.
Tips:
To make a really thick delicious curry soup, cook sweet potatoes until really soft, blend them into a thick mash and then add them to the soup base.
To make a blended soup like cream of chicken or mushroom, pulverize the veggie and use the coconut milk instead of dairy milk.
This is the biggest tip. Soup is survival food because it can be a blend of wholesome vitamin rich foods that will keep you alive. I never run to the store to get ingredients for soup. Aside from keeping broth in my pantry, leftover rice, potatoes, noodles from dinner from the night before can all be added to your soups. Left over meats, meatloaf, chicken, whatever you have, use it for your soups. My mom always said “waste not, want not” and she lived through a WW and a depression.
Almost all my stories have people eating soups, because I imagine back in the day it was always in the kettle.
Excerpt from Cassandra’s Castle.
My stories also always have a little humor in them and since we’re talking about eating, here is Cassie who has done some time traveling into a fantasy world in the year 1908. She just delivered a message to the Duchess from a man named Valerio, and she has no idea what was in it. Now a guest of the prince, she is treated to an evening meal on the porch with the Duchess and Martim, the kings youngest son.
The banquet table wasn’t long, like the royal dining halls she had seen in movies and storybooks. She was glad they were eating in a more modest atmosphere. Wrought iron framed the ornate ceramic-tiled tabletop, and matching chairs were on a veranda overlooking the courtyard. The cozy patio was surrounded by flowerpots filled with orchids and other blossoms. The flowers emitted sweet aromas and added to the allure of the evening.
Martim had been waiting for them. His dark hair was parted in the center and curled neatly behind his ears. He wore a black woolen suit and a golden ascot that was tucked into his waistcoat and fastened with a jeweled pin. His expression was solemn as he bowed cordially and took Elizabeth’s hand.
“You look lovely tonight,” he whispered.
“And you are as handsome as always, Your Highness,” she said as she curtsied. She cleared her throat. “We have a guest, the Princess of Alcove.”
“We’ve met.” He clicked his heels together in military fashion and then bowed.
Martim pulled a chair out first for Cassie, and then for Elizabeth. Once they were seated, he took a chair next to the duchess. Cassie sat across from Martim.
Servants, who had been waiting at the door, then brought food to the table; a cuisine more splendid than any Cassie had ever seen. Even the production screenings her father took her to in Seattle hadn’t catered like this. Petite sandwiches with savory trimmings and unusual flavors were presented on snowy white pedestals. Cold and creamy soups in colorful ceramic tureens with matching ladles. Huge olives stuffed with garlic cloves and spiked by toothpicks with colorful paper fringe coiled at the edges. There were platters of fresh vegetables, creamy dips, and fruits dipped in butterscotch and chocolate all laced with shredded coconut and apple bits.
Cassie assumed that Martim and Elizabeth would be preoccupied with each other, so she gave the luncheon her undivided attention, without worrying about regal etiquette or manners, being ignorant of both. Elizabeth gave her a disapproving eye once, but the duchess offered no helpful advice.
“You’re unusually quiet tonight Elizabeth,” Martim said.
“I’m sorry.” Elizabeth sounded weak; her voice trembled. Cassie took a moment away from her feast to observe the duchess.
“What’s on your mind?” Martim asked.
Elizabeth glanced at her. It was the letter; Cassie was sure of it.
“I think I may be homesick, that’s all. I’m still grieving over my mother’s death. And, well…”
“I’m truly sorry about the betrothal, Elizabeth. I might still persuade my father against it. I don’t want to see you suffer.”
“No, Martim.”
Martim set his napkin on the table. From the way he moved, Cassie wasn’t sure which of the two was more uncomfortable. “Let me talk to my mother. She’ll understand,” Martim offered.
“No. I’ll be fine. Please. Let’s not talk about it now. We have a guest.”
A moment of silence passed. Cassie was the only one enjoying the food. The duchess had not even put a single morsel on her plate, and Martim, apparently losing his appetite, set his napkin on top of his perfectly good strawberries. After a moment of awkward stillness, and Cassie, trying to chew as quietly as she could, the duchess scooted away from the table, and stood.
“Please excuse me, Your Highness. I feel ill.”
Without waiting for a reply, she left the room.
Martim rose as Elizabeth walked out. He bowed slightly and then gestured toward the door. “I beg your pardon, Cassandra but…”
“That’s fine,” Cassie said. She watched him leave the dinner table and hurry down the hall after Elizabeth.
Cassie wondered about the letter, and the duchess, as she finished dining. An Appeal for Peace couldn’t possibly be that troubling. You’d think she’d be happy, Cassie thought as she popped an olive in her mouth.
Cassandra’s Castle is now on Kickstarter being offered as a beautiful limited edition illustrated hardbound book along with the rest of the series.
And Lorri of Lavendar Lass Books is about to begin her own Kickstarter with Storm Front, a spy story. Follow now to be notified at launch.
And if you like science fiction, check out Connor Whiteley’s Agents of the Emperor.
8 Brand-New, Gripping, Unputdownable Sci-Fi Books.