I am on a soup roll.....

Okay - I'll confess the only reason I made this soup today is because my nosey husband said - why did you buy leeks???? I couldn't remember why I did - so I quickly said - Potato Leek Soup of course!!! I am in the middle of reading Julie and Julia by Julie Powell. The book that inspired the movie with Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. I am really enjoying the book- and it mentioned that one of the first recipes in Julia Child's book is Potato Leek Soup- sooooo since Meg Jeff and Gabey are in Paris right now -this is an "homage" to them!!!! Enjoy ...

Potato Leek Soup

3 tablespoons butter
3 - 4 leeks, thinly sliced
1 medium or large onion, chopped ( I used a mix of yellow and red onion to make one large)
3 - 4 cups yukon gold potatoes, thinly sliced- no need to peel
3 1/2 cups chicken broth (or enough to barely cover potatoes)
1 cup heavy cream
salt to taste
fresh ground black pepper to taste

1) Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat then add onions and leeks. Cook, stirring, until onions are limp and just slightly brown.

2) Add sliced potatoes to saucepan then pour in enough chicken broth to just barely cover the potatoes. Continue cooking over medium heat until potatoes are tender. Using a potato masher, mash and stir potatoes until desired consistency is reached. As you mash the potatoes and the soup thickens, turn down heat and stir frequently with a large spoon to prevent scorching on the bottom. I used my hand held blender and it worked well

3) Add one cup of heavy cream (or more if you desire) and salt and black pepper to taste. Cook 15 minutes more over low heat, stirring frequently, then remove

Zesty Pumpkin Soup for the Weekend!

Great weekend to gather round the soup pot - this recipe is a keeper! Slightly zesty, not too sweet - garnish with a dollop of sour cream, some chopped fresh chives and if you wish some yummy cheese straws on the side. Enjoy the season and the soup!


Zesty Pumpkin Soup
(makes 6 cups)

1/4 cup butter
1 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 to 1/4 tsp ground coriander
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper
3 cups chicken broth
1 3/4 cups (16-ounce can) pumpkin
1 cup half and half
sour cream and chives (optional)

In a large saucepan, melt butter, saute onion and garlic until soft.
Add curry powder, salt, coriander and red pepper. Cook 1 minute.
Add broth, boil gently uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes.
Stir in pumpkin and half and half- cook 5 minutes.
Pour into blender or use hand held stick blender to blend until creamy.
Serve warm with dollop of sour cream and chopped chives or roasted pumpkin seeds!




Happy Fall!!!!!

Up to Maine for the weekend!!!

Well I forgot the camera in DC and George and I spent the last 3 days getting the house ready for the cold weather! Well George did all the work and I watched all my DVR'd shows I hadn't seen yet and pouring over my favorite decorating blogs!!

These blogs are truly the magazines of the future- or the now for some of us. I actually am totally enthralled by them and it is and addiction - you start on one and find many more linked to the others- Thought I would list a few of my absolute favorites!!!

http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/ My true #1 - all others bow to her- Joni links to so many of the great ones that starting with her blog you truly could spend the afternoon!!!

http://vickydar.blogspot.com/ Room Service and Decorating 101- great pix of decorating and sometimes even stars homes!!

http://palazzopizzo.blogspot.com/ Fabulous blog on the renovation of a home on the ocean in Italy - spent many hours pouring over this interesting blog

http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/ Great blog on a renovation of a farmhouse in New Hampshire- love the New England slant!

Decorating isn't the only thing that occupies my days- food and cooking blogs are fascinating too!! Here is a couple of my Favs...

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/ So easy - great photos and great how to's- her whole life is fascinating and she is so funny - her writing cracks me up!!


http://www.phoo-d.com/ Great recipes and great writing

http://smittenkitchen.com/ Great photos and she just had a baby- so interesting - lives in NY - love reading her blog.

Well - this is how I spent my last 3 days - Poor George - working like a dog - what a good guy- The house is well battened down for the winter - we are back to DC tomorrow and then we will return for the Thanksgiving holiday!!! Fun Fun Fun!!!!

Back in the City!!

Hey All- back in good ole Washington DC - summer is over for me and I am back in the heart of the city for most of the remainder of the fall and winter. I will be making Thanksgiving and Christmas trips back up to the house in Maine but, as of now, back with all my pals in DC.

Am swamped with cleaning the condo - and doing a small amount of decorating for fall- Will be back to posting when something fun comes up - will definitely be cooking so look for some yummy recipes!!! Need to smell apples and pumpkin coming from the kitchen!!! Happy Fall!