Foodie Fridays: Tomato Basil Soup with Ricotta Dumplings

I've really been on a roll with soups lately, and I can't stop now!  This week I made Tomato Basil Soup with Ricotta Dumplings.  I changed very little about the recipe, although I did stir in about 1/2 cup of whole milk.  The vegetable broth I used was very dark and intensely flavored, and the milk helped to lighten and mellow the soup a bit.  This beautiful red soup is just the right color to serve on Valentine's Day, and if you really want to get fussy, try shaping the ricotta dumplings into little hearts!  Of course, this dish would be good any time, so enjoy it whenever you crave a good tomato soup.

Tomato Basil Soup with Ricotta Dumplings

4 garlic cloves, minced
red pepper flakes to taste (optional)
1 T. olive oil
1 large can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes
3 C. chicken or vegetable stock or broth
1/2 C. basil leaves, chopped
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 C. whole milk (optional)
1 C. ricotta cheese
1 C. grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
1 1/3 C. flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper (optional)

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.  Add the garlic and the pepper flakes and cook about one minute, until just starting to brown.  Add the tomatoes, stock or broth, basil, 1/2 tsp. salt, and black pepper to taste.  Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 7-8 minutes.  Taste the soup and stir in the milk if needed.

While the soup heats, combine the remaining ingredients in a large bowl.  Stir until a dough forms.  Roll the dough into small balls (I got 32, but the number can vary depending on their size).  After the soup has simmered, add the dumplings to the soup and cook for about two minutes until the flour in the dumplings is cooked.  Serve garnished with more grated Parmesan and some shredded basil, if desired.  Serves 4.
             

This 'n That Thursdays: Almond Blossoms in Mallorca

A Mallorca almond orchard in bloom
(from National Geographic)

Lately my travel options are limited.  I have an elderly horse and an elderly dog, both with health issues, and it is difficult to find a pet sitter who can deal with them if my husband and I want to take a trip.  So while I would love to go somewhere new and fascinating for Valentine's Day and our birthdays (both of which are in early February), that will not be happening this year (my husband will be out of town on business anyway).  One of these years, though, I am hoping we can take a trip to Spain to experience almond blossom season on the island of Mallorca (or Majorca).  Not long ago I read an article on the National Geographic website about this travel destination, and I am now obsessed with the idea.  Almond blossoms, which have a lovely fragrance, are usually in bloom from about the end of January to around mid-February in Mallorca -- perfect timing for a birthday/Valentine's Day visit!

Harbor of Palma, Mallorca's capital
(from Wikipedia)

Mallorca coast (from Charter Expert)

More flowering almond trees in Mallorca
(from España)

A close-up view of beautiful almond blossoms
(from Living in Rural Mallorca)

Agroturismo hotel in Felanitx, Mallorca
(from See Mallorca)

I have come to the realization lately that I love the idea of visiting places with fragrant blossom seasons.  I would be ecstatic if I could be in Mallorca for the almonds, on the Italian island of Capri for lemon blossom season in May, and of course in the French town of Provence when the lavender blooms in July.  I have never been to any of these European countries, so what better way to visit them for the first time than by doing a grand tour of fragrant blossom seasons in each?  It may be just a dream right now, but some day, who knows -- it could happen!
             

Wish List Wednesdays: Heart Teapot

This little Heart Teapot from Catalog Classics would be the perfect way to serve a romantic tea for two on Valentine's Day.  The red heart-shaped ceramic pot holds just enough for two, and the price ($29.95) is not outrageous for such a unique piece.  Brew a pot of special tea, perhaps the Valentine's Blend from Harney & Sons, and share the love with your sweetie on Valentine's Day, or any day of the year!

             

Foodie Fridays: California Cream Soup with Butter Dips

From Bad and Ugly of Retro Food

Believe it or not, I have been wanting to make California Cream Soup for almost forty years, but have never gotten around to it until now!  I first discovered the recipe in my Betty Crocker Cookbook when I was a college freshman in the mid-1970s.  The book even had a very attractive picture of the soup (above) served with a biscuit-like bread called Butter Dips* (I have made these before and they are very good).  However, I was unable to make the recipe because back then avocados were not easy to find, and I had never eaten one before.  As the years went by, avocados became commonplace, but cooking with canned soups was no longer popular, so once again I avoided making this dish.

These days the recommendation from nutritionists is to avoid too much salt and fat, which the original recipe contains in abundance.  However, even though I know California Cream Soup is not the healthiest option, I finally decided that if I was ever going to try this soup it was now or never!  I did use the "Healthy Request" versions of canned soups and omitted the 3/4 tsp. salt called for in the recipe.  I also threw in some cooked chicken since this is supposed to be a chicken-based soup.

Finally, after all these years, I got to indulge in that 1970s-style meal pictured above.  It may not be the healthiest or most interesting soup I've ever made, but it is quick and nostalgically comforting, and that is just what I needed on a chilly winter day.

California Cream Soup

1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 can condensed cream of celery soup
2 C. milk
2/3 C. half 'n half
pepper to taste
1 C. diced cooked chicken
1 avocado, peeled and diced
1/4 C. sliced ripe olives
1/4 C. diced pimiento

Combine the soups, milk, half 'n half, and pepper in a large pot.  Heat to a simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally.  Add the remaining ingredients, heat through, and serve.  Serves 6.

Note: For convenience, I used the entire 2 1/4-oz. can of sliced ripe olives (about 1/2 cup) and the entire 4-oz. jar of diced pimiento (about 1/3 cup) rather than the 1/4 cup of each listed in the recipe.

*As an added bonus, I am even including the recipe for Butter Dips, because I figure if I am taking a trip down memory lane I might as well go all the way!

Butter Dips

1/4 C. butter
1 1/4 C. flour
2 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 C. milk

Heat the oven to 450 degrees.  Melt the butter in a 9-inch square pan.  Remove from the oven and set aside.

Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.  Stir in the milk until a dough forms.  Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface and knead lightly ten times.  Roll or pat into an 8-inch square.  With a floured knife, cut the dough in half, then cut each half into nine 4-inch strips.

Dip each strip of dough into the melted butter, coating all sides, and arrange the strips close together in two rows in the pan.  Bake at 450 degrees for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.  Makes 18 sticks.
             

This 'n That Thursdays: AWE-Inspired Sitting Room

Last week I received one of my favorite mail-order catalogs called At West End, or AWE for short.  There were a lot of lovely items for spring, but what caught my eye was the Kilim Chair above, even though it is more autumnal than vernal.  I love the color palette and the fabric pattern, the rustic wooden legs and above all the comfortable look of this chair.  In fact, it inspired me to create this sitting room style board filled with home décor items from the catalog:

Clockwise from top left: Round Coffee Table with Metal Spindles; Kilim Chair; Rolling Iron Three Tiered Utility Cart; Standing Horse Painting; Sideboard with Six Glass Doors; Ceramic Horse Bookends; Ceramic Cactus Vases; Center background: Overdyed Cotton Rug in Red.

I would group four of the chairs around the coffee table, and fill the sideboard with my favorite books.  The only thing missing from the AWE catalog was proper lighting for this room, but I think this candle chandelier from Pottery Barn would do the trick nicely:

Veranda Round Chandelier from Pottery Barn

I wish our house had an area for a designated sitting room, so that I could have a space like this!
             

Wish List Wednesdays: Southwest Indian Foundation Equine Outfit

The Chinese Year of the Horse 4712 (our year 2014) celebration continues until February 15th, and I just couldn't resist adding yet another horse-themed item to my wish list.  I have been admiring the Equine Skirt ($53) with Jade Chenille Sweater ($96) from the Southwest Indian Foundation for quite a while, and I think this apparel would be ideal for transitioning into spring.  And a Zuni Stone Horse Necklace and Earring Set ($139) would be the perfect accessory for the outfit:

Of course I would need some sort of footwear, and these Tall Boot Moosehide Mocassins ($112) would fit the bill nicely:

I'd say I would be ready to step out in style for any equine event in an outfit like this!

                

On the Homefront: Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl X!

Aurora the Dalmatian and Suri the Siberian Husky, just two of the

pups participating in Puppy Bowl X!

(from Yahoo! News)

I don't like football -- I never have and I never will.  That is why I will not be watching Super Bowl XLVIII.  I do, however, adore puppies, so I will not be able to resist tuning in to Puppy Bowl X tomorrow for at least a little while!  If you feel the same way, check out this article on Yahoo! News which introduces a few of the 66 playful puppies.  See more of the starting lineup here, then tune in to Animal Planet at 3:00 PM EST on Sunday to catch the cuteness in action.

A scene from last year's Puppy Bowl IX

(from TVWeek)

And for double the adorableness, be sure to watch the Hallmark Channel tomorrow at noon EST for the debut of the Kitten Bowl!  For me, the choice between football and baby animal games is a no-brainer -- I would much rather watch cute little puppies and kittens cavorting than oversized humans slamming into each other.  To each his/her own, however, and I am just happy to have alternative programming available -- let the games begin!

Kittens in action at the first annual Kitten Bowl!

(from Hallmark Channel)

For those clueless few who have never seen a Puppy Bowl, here is a sneak peek at this year's game: