November is here and it's been more than a month since my last post. I'll tell you about some of the things I've accomplished during my absence and I'll also share some of the things I haven't done (in addition to blogging). To add greater depth to my "confession", you must now imagine that I'm hanging my head in shame. Boo hoo.
In the last month, I haven't:
1. worked out. Not even once. The "jiggles" are coming back with a vengeance and I must, must turn this trend around so that there will be no mistaking me for Santa or anyone jolly or jelly-like.
2. painted my computer room or dining room. I told you how much I love Christmas and the holidays in general. I've been thinking about having a "thank you" cupcake party for my friends who have been so supportive in the last year. I desperately need to clean up, paint and get ready to put up my "festival of trees"...that's anywhere from 3-5 indoors and 1 outside. The clock is ticking.
3. gotten a hair cut. I know...this is a minor, tiny thing...but at this point oh so necessary. Maybe this Friday.
4. played my guitar. I'm really sad about this one, so I won't elaborate.
5. taken Kasey to the dog park. I walk her every day, but haven't made it to the park. She loves to point at the geese and splash in the creek. Poor puppy.
Don't think I'm a total slacker, try to be nice. I get up everyday with a long, long to-do list and the very best of intentions that have little or nothing to do with my energy level...bet you do too. I've catered a wedding and 2 other business events and baked tons of cupcakes for San Francisco Coffee. I've played tennis once a week for my team, tried to keep up with the laundry and every now and then get a full night's sleep. I've been bowling with my family and seen a movie or two and not fallen asleep in the theatre.
Something else I did in the last month was attempted to make homemade soup. In one of my posts, I included a recipe for cheddar biscuits and dreamily talked about steaming mugs of soup. Well...I bought a book about soup, selected a simple, vegetarian-adaptable recipe and gave it a shot.
Tomato and Vermicelli Soup
2 Tablespoons olive or corn oil
1/3 cup vermicelli
1 onion, roughly chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
3 cups peeled, seeded and roughly chopped tomatoes
1 quart chicken stock (I used vegetable)
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1 Tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro
salt and pepper to taste
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1. Heat the oil in a skillet. Add the vermicelli and saute' over medium heat until golden brown. Do not let the strands burn.
2. Remove the pan from the heat. Lift out the vermicelli with a draining spoon and drain on paper towels; set aside.
3. Puree' the onion, garlic and tomatoes in a food processor until smooth. Return the skillet to the heat. When the oil is hot, add the puree'. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes, or until thick.
4. Transfer the puree' to a saucepan. Add the vermicelli and pour in the stock. Season with sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir in the cilantro and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover the pan, and simmer the soup until the vermicelli is tender.
5. Serve in hot bowls, sprinkled with fresh cilantro and parmesan (if desired).
Serves 4.
During the cooking process.
In the bowl, before the parm...yes, I used fettucini nests, couldn't find vermicelli...yikes!
So, here's what I think. Even though the soup was listed under the category of "warming, winter soups", you shouldn't make this soup unless you have truly spectacular tomatoes. Don't add too much cilantro, unless you REALLY love cilantro. Fresh, shaved parmesan cheese adds a lot!!
I may try this soup again but plan on using it as a base...maybe a tortilla soup with chicken or a vegetable soup with some creamed corn added to the broth. Any ideas out there? At least I made time to try to cook, so that's one more in the column for what I've done in the last month. Yay me!
Now you're up to date and I've dangled a recipe with possibilities in front of you. There's more! I haven't had a give-away in a while and I feel like I owe you something wonderful that is truly the best from me to you. For your part, complete the following sentence: "In the past month I've made the time to...." Keep it simple, keep it honest...inspire us and delight us. In return, the winner will get one dozen city girl cupcakes in pumpkin spice with cinnamon buttercream. Submit your entry via comments on the blog by Sunday, November 27. Tell your friends to follow the city girl cupcake blog too...anyone can win.
I.O.U. more posts, more recipes and more prizes.
And one promise... I'm getting my hair cut this week.
