Potato Leek Soup

Well, since my poor guy can’t eat real food yet, I wanted to make something super delicious while not being icky and mushy… like the rest of the food he can eat. Good thing this is temporary! Mashed potatoes can get so boring, although delicious, there are only so many non-dairy mashed potato recipes you can try in a week. Plus, why not make food that I can enjoy as well!? The answer, my friends, is that there is no reason not to!

SO, a few leeks, a few potatoes, some chicken stock and little fresh dill and you have yourself the best non-dairy potato leek soup you will ever try. There are minimum ingredients but don’t be fooled,  the flavor is bold and satisfying. When you are feeling completely emotionally drained and hungry, this soup will ease you right into your happy place. Serve with some popovers and you wont be anything but happy.

 

So, what you will need…

• 3 Leeks
• 6 Large Potatoes
• 6 – 8 C. Chicken Stock, I prefer to use my own stock recipe, but you can use store-bought
• 2 Tbsp. Dill, fresh and finely chopped
• 1 Tbsp. Olive oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Here was my process…

1. In a large pot, sauté leeks in olive oil over medium high heat for about 10 minutes.
2. Wash, peel and chop potatoes. Add to leeks and oil. sauté for another 5 minutes.
3. Add chicken stock ( or water if you prefer). Let simmer until potatoes are soft and easily fall apart.
4. Use immersion blender to puree soup.
5. Add dill, salt and pepper.
6. let simmer for about 30 minutes. Feel free to add more water if your soup is too thick.

See my popover recipe for the perfect companion to this delicious soup. Honestly, this is a real pick-me-up comfort food when times are tough. Of course, this is also a great meal for any cold weather day. Please enjoy!

Happy Soup Making!

Honey Oatmeal Cookies

So…. my poor yet amazing boyfriend has been in the hospital for a week and let me tell you, hospital “food” is not only depressing it is disgusting! After sitting in the ER on a very hard wooden chair for 13 hours, then sleeping on a very hard chair next to his bed in his hospital room, then sleeping on the hard cement floor in the waiting room…. I was hoping for at least a hot cup of joe. Of course, after a week of hell, it would be crazy to have even that. I ended up with a slightly warm cup of sludge and a questionable pastry. It was enough to make me cry. Well, cry more that is.

I stayed by my man, like any good woman would do, but I was suffering too! We finally came home the other day, and I was hungry, sad, happy and worried all at the same time! So… I just wanted to make myself some comfort food. What says comfort like oatmeal in cookie form? I love oatmeal raisin cookies and I love honey. The simple idea of baking them lifted my spirits and gave me the energy to take care of my still very sick boyfriend. It was just what the doctor ordered!

So, here is what you will need…

• 1/2 C. Butter, softened
• 1/4 C. Granulated Sugar
• 1/2 C. Light Brown Sugar, packed
• 1 tsp. Vietnamese Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. Ginger
• 1/2 tsp. Salt
• 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
• 1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• I large Egg
• 3 Tbsp. Honey
• 3/4 C. All purpose Flour
• 1 1/2 C. Old Fashion Oats
• 1 1/2 C. Raisins

Here was my process…

1. In your mixer, cream together butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until mixture is smooth.
2. Add spices, salt, baking soda and vanilla. Mix on a low speed until combined.
3. Beat in Egg and Honey.
4. Add flour and mix until combined.
5. Add oats and raisins and mix until your dough forms. About 2 minutes.
6. Cover tightly and chill for at least 2 hours.
7. Once the dough has chilled, pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F and line baking sheet with parchment. Drop cookies onto prepared baking sheet. Cookies will spread out, so make sure to leave  2 inches between cookies.
8. Bake for 10 minutes, let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to cooling rack.

Enjoy these super chewy cookies at breakfast, or lunch or really whenever you feel a little bit down. I’m telling you, after a week in the hospital watching the person you love suffer, these cookies will be like a giant hug for your soul.

Happy Baking!