Soup And Solitude

Throughout the New England winter, I return to this soup time and time again. I wash away the world and rush back to sweet solitude. A cold walk on a clear beach and a hot bowl of soup restores my peace. Maybe it's because I work part-time in a crisis center or because I'm an introvert or because I was a bit of a wild-child in my youth; whatever the reason, I need to be alone for long stretches of time. My mom used to call it my hibernation-mode.

Solitude is not something you hope for in the future, rather it's a deepening of the present. Unless you look for solitude in the present, you'll never find it. ~ Thomas Merton.

In my twenties, I worked at a hospital with a stable and sweet psychiatric nurse who gave me a birthday card that read, "Happiness is one way of being wise." She sensed I needed to know that. Years later, I read that the true revenge of our enemies, and our darkest demons, is to be deeply happy. As a twenty-something, I lived in Philadelphia. I would go out clubbing all night. Do people even do that anymore? I loved to dance. But it wasn't a particularly happy or mellow time. I was restless and roaming. I was searching for something more meaningful. I'm grateful for those early experiences and the many mistakes I made. I still love cities and urban music. But my life has evolved into something less chaotic and more fulfilling. I used to seek happiness in people, in possessions and in the wrong places. Now I know better. Now those old messages about happiness make sense to me.

Moroccan Roasted Vegetables With Toasted Sesame & Herbed Couscous Pilaf

It's a quiet time to reflect on God and spirituality. We stand still, exhaling into splendid solitude. I don't typically shout about religion from the rooftops like I do my cross stitch patterns or recipes. Vanity, my potty-mouth and an unparalleled addiction to red lipstick have followed me to operating rooms and they'll chase me to my grave. In my spiritual life, I've chosen a single path: a Good Guidebook. 

French Peas

On a cold Sunday in Boston we wandered down  alleys, into our favorite used book stores, hot beverages in hand. I spied "The Constance Spry Cookery Book" sitting on a shelf.  This pink, circa 1956 British cookbook came home with me.

Constance starts her cookbook with a chapter called "The Cocktail Party." She writes that it may be "frivolous" to open with party fair, but she wanted a "light-hearted" beginning. The cookbook is over a thousand pages, with chapters on scones, souffles, chutneys, wine and even kitchen equipment. She really knows her stuff. I enjoyed reading it under cozy quilts.  Do you read cookbooks like novels too? 

Reboot Soup

After all the holiday feasting, we're in need of something fresh, green and clean. Cue my reboot soup. This soup tastes like you made your own vegetable stock. But it comes together in less than 30 minutes, thanks to my go-to secret ingredient. It rescues us with a delicious balance of flavors and textures. Crisp peapods are tossed in at the last minute, remaining springtime green. Chewy elbow pasta and creamy white beans provide substance. Corn and peas lend their subtle sweetness. You know you're eating something good for you, but it doesn't feel like you've jumped on the diet wagon. It's pretty to look at too. The soup is customizable with your favorite veggies. Toss in a few chopped mushrooms if you're in the mood. It would be great with asparagus in springtime. A little grated Parmesan or gruyere cheese is a nice finishing touch. 

This weekend, my husband and I drove to a lonely Cape Ann beach with our beagle, Ellie. It was surprisingly mild and we walked and enjoyed the sunshine. The long walk and this fresh soup for lunch was just the thing.

Wishing you all peace, joy, and happiness in the New Year!    

xo ~ Jilly

Lemony Pasta With Peas, Herbs & Feta

This is light, lemony recipe is great on its own or with sauteed shrimp or toasted pine nuts. There’s not much cooking involved, except boiling the water for the pasta.

Potato Leek Cakes With Peas & Dill

My mother was from a small town in Pennsylvania which had a large Lithuanian population. During the summer, people loved attending the church picnics. Huge fryers cranked out endless orders of potato pancakes to hungry customers. The cakes were always served with sour cream or applesauce on the side.

Mediterranean Toasted Quinoa Salad

This is a chopped salad that hits all the right flavors and textures: crunchy, creamy, toasty, tangy and bright . Lemony salads are wonderful year round. I particularly love them in winter, when most of us long for something lively, fresh and green. While tomatoes are tasteless in winter, red bell peppers, lemons and cucumbers are usually fine. Herbs seem to always be available on my supermarket shelves too.