It's all about self-nurturing around here this weekend. Sitting down to a solo lunch quietly while my family was tied up on an errand, and being okay with it. They eventually arrived home. The bread was still warm, and my wine glass remained half full. We sat at the table together enjoying these simple pleasures, and one another. Emily's friend stopped by as we were finishing so now they are playing about the house, Adam has moved down to his workshop and is probably tinkering with a particular small engine whose repair has become one of great frustration and priority. A useless distraction really, as I know his mind is elsewhere. So much to think about these days, so many burdens to bare. Craving simplicity, wondering why life's web needs to be such a complicated, chaotic, tangled mess. Remembering to breathe.
Todays lunch, adapted from The Enchanted Broccoli Forest.
Cream of Tomato Soup
1 Tbs. olive oil 1 1/2 cups chopped onion 2 large cloves garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/2-1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary 1 teaspoon dried basil freshly ground black pepper 1 28 oz. can tomatoes, pureed 3 Tbs. dry sherry 1 teaspoon honey, or more if tomatoes are more acidic than you like 4 oz. cream cheese 1 cup milk 1 vegetable bouillon cube or tsp. ( I use Frontier, found in bulk spice jars at our co-op) minced fresh parsley
1. Heat the oil in a large soup pot. Add onion, garlic, salt, herbs, pepper and cook over medium heat until the onion is soft. (10 minutes) Add the sherry and cook for a couple minutes.
2.Add tomatoes, and honey, bouillon. Cover and simmer about 15 minutes.
3. Cut the cream cheese into the hot soup and whisk until it dissolves. Add the milk. Add more salt and pepper if needed.
4. Serve hot, topped with parsley.
The bread is our favorite recipe, and the wine is straight from a box. Have you tried the newer boxed wines on the market these days? The quality has moved way beyond Reuniti and Franzia... there are four bottles in one box, the price is slightly more than you would pay for just a single bottle of the same brand, and each glass is as fresh as the last. No air in the pouch means the wine lasts for well over a month once opened. A couple to try... Black Box and Hardy's Merlot. Seriously, do just a tiny research and you will find plenty of drinkable and affordable boxed wine.
Thank you for keeping me (and my family) in your thoughts, I am sure at some point I will be able to discuss what has recently been thrown into our laps, now just isn't the time. Your good vibes and sweet wishes mean the world though.
