Inside My Mid-life Crisis

We survived another holiday season. Sadly we lost our beloved Blackberry and have welcomed a happy distraction, Jack. Now if our house can only survive another puppy!

I am writing this blog while at our Tony and Jan's cabin at the property waiting for the Hawks game to start. We have about 6 inches of snow up here and it is beautiful. Jack is enjoying his first trip to the property and made it around the loop, in a coat, in the snow. He did immediately take a nap upon our return.

Last night I made Jacques Pepin's Leek Soup- super easy and super good!

1 Leek (this one pictured was huge and made a double batch)
1 C sliced mushrooms (pictured is a cup of regular and a cup of chanterelles)
1 C Potato buds
4 C chicken (or vegetable) stock
2 T olive oil
Salt & Pepper
1/2 C milk or Fat-Free Half & Half (optional)
Cut the "root end" off the leek. Slice leek lengthwise then crosswise in half inch sections. Rinse well to clean any mud and to separate the leek leaves. Leeks grow in the ground like an onion and are frequently muddy. This one was really clean.
Heat the olive oil in a stock pot and saute the leek and mushrooms until just tender. Add a dash of salt & pepper.
Add the chicken stock. It's OK to use vegetable or mushroom stock if you want to make vegetarian. Beef stock could also be used but I have never tried that. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer. (BTBRTS if you are an Ann Burrell fan)
Gradually stir in the potato buds.  Simmer about 10-15 minutes.
Finish with a little milk or fat-free half & half (about 1/2c) if desired. I usually do.
Serve with crusty bread and a crisp Sauvignon Blanc-not too cold.
Brant even likes this soup cold or lunch-box temp; ala vichyssoise style!

Wine Corner-New Years Edition
Suezy treated us to a WONDERFUL wine for New Years. This wine was enjoyed with spaghetti sauce cooked all day long by my darling husband.

Abeja 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon- Columbia Valley; Walla Walla WA

Dark red/purple with a slightly blackberry aroma. The taste was complex with a lush, round mouth feel, well balanced acidity and smooth tannins as evidence of the little bit of age and the French Oak. A real winner. No longer available from the winery I will have to go on a quest to find another bottle or two and it will be well worth the effort! Thank you Suezy for sharing this special find with us!