Don't Stew Over Dinner

Ok, two themes this week:

1. It’s (still) effing cold outside and I (still) just want to hibernate until June; and
2. I am back at work now. And however I feel about it I don’t want to get into right now (There are no tears in food writing. There are no tears in food writing. There are no tears in food writing.), but I will tell you this – I will not let working outside of the home threaten my status as Domestic Goddess. No siree, I have a reputation to uphold, bookmarks to cross-stitch and muffins to bake.

And that leads me to today’s column:

How to Stay Warm, Cozy and Nutritionally Sound While Working Outside of the Home

It’s easy:

Soups and stews.

And that’s about it, friends. Nothing warmer, cozier, more nutritionally sound or easier to prepare. You can make it simple – throw whatever you have in a pot with some water, bring to a boil and let simmer for 30 minutes; or you can make it even simpler – throw whatever you have into a crockpot with some water, turn it on in the morning and go about your day. And if you want to get really fancy, brown some meat to throw in your pot, first.

And if you need some inspiration, check this out:

Not only is this little deck full of amazing recipes from the renowned Moosewood Collective, but also it’s in this kick-ass, old school recipe card format, which makes me feel like I’ve found a treasure from my Grandma’s kitchen. The deck is comprised of four sections: Stocks, Soups, Stews and Side Dishes, and each card comes with a little anecdote or serving suggestion on the front, recipe on the back.

Like all Moosewood offerings, these recipes are vegetarian, but don’t let that put you off if you tend towards the omnivorous. Many of the serving suggestions include adding fish or seafood to the dish, and if you want the outcome to be a little meatier, well, just add some meat. But regardless of what you might want to add (or take away) from the recipes, what you’re starting with here is a great base for some hearty, healthy dishes.

Whether you’re working outside the home or trying to stay sane while in it, don’t stew over dinner tonight – make some.

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SoundBite

Your grandma (and her grandma, and her grandma) might have been right – chicken soup may actually be good medicine. The suspicion is that there are some anti-inflammatory powers in the broth, and that these might actually help to slow the cells that cause inflammation and fluid buildup in the chest when one is struck by a cold. They don’t call it ‘Jewish penicillin’ for nothing.

Comments

[No Mother Earth]

Boy, do I ever need this. Thanks! (AND if you're not vegetarian - you aren't, are you? - I have a great recipe for Hamburger Soup. It's yum. And crockpotty.)

[kgirl]

NoMo- pass it on!