Slow Beans

In a 1.5 quart slow cooker add
1 and a 1/3 cup pinto beans
3 cups water
cook for 3 hours
add 1 tsp salt and cook for another hour
unplug or put on warm setting

First Cold

We all have a cold around here and Em and I did not sleep so we may not visit this space for a few days to catch our breath and feel better. Hope you are all healthy!

School Time

"All the five year olds are going to school. Stillwater is the teacher."

Simple Supper :: Tomato Garlic Soup

My favorite restaurant growing up was the Restaurant On The Corner, known to locals as ROTC). I LOVED their tomato soup and salad with sprouts. That is probably why a good bowl of soup and a crisp salad is hands down, still my favorite meal. So for Christmas 1999, my mom gave me my favorite cookbook, Moosewood's Daily Specials with the following inspirational inscription inside:

Brook, May you always find joy and caring in the meals you cook and share.

It is a blessing to honor those you love with a fine meal. Love, Mom

Everyday in Ithaca, New York, the restaurant offers a daily special of a soup and salad. While Ryan and I were living in Connecticut we were seriously considering driving to Ithaca just for the lunch special. Then we saw that it would be a very long drive. Too long for a day trip and we never made it there for a vacation. So now that we are on the west coast, I cook out of the cookbook very often to get a feel of the restaurant. Delicious recipes and literally, every recipe I have tried is spot on perfection. 

Today we made their tomato soup for the first time. Why, oh why did it take me 11 years to make this recipe? They have been perfecting it for over thirty five years! And again, it is perfect.

Classic Tomato Garlic Soup
adapted from Moosewood's Daily Special Cookbook

Saute:
1 Tsp evoo
4 cloves garlic until slightly browned
add
1 Tsp paprika

**chef's tip** measure your spice caps so you know how much they hold and can skip the measuring spoons. mine held a little under a tablespoon so I will just fill the lid next time.

2 cans of tomatoes in tomato juice (I used TJ's organic diced)
1 cup water or vegetable broth
1/4 cup applesauce (the recipe calls for sherry but we are out)

cook for 10-15 minutes and then blend until smooth with an immersion blender

For herbed croutons:
preheat oven to 350 degrees
dice four slices of bread
toast in oven for 15 minutes
 combine in a small saucepan
1 Tsp evoo
1 Tsp butter
pinch of thyme
pinch of marjoram
toss croutons in butter mix and let cool
serve soup with croutons and parmesan cheese on top

Alterations:
Sopa de Tortilla: omit paprika and sherry, use cumin, coriander, onion, bell pepper and tortillas
Tuscan: Add pesto and garbanzos and top with feta

Ten Things

10.10.10

Ten things that I am thankful for today:

1. Ryan :: After 13 years, I love him more than ever. I really like him as a person too. Plus did you see that picture of him making a cappuccino while wearing Emily? H.O.T.

2. Home :: Our little cottage in the redwoods is such a peaceful sanctuary but in silicon valley. I am so fortunate to live where I do. Near the city, near the beach, near so many amazing people and places that we will never tire of it.

3. Family :: My mom came out for three weeks when Em was born to help take care of Gracie, me and Ryan. She cooked, she cleaned, she played and played and played. I just wish she could have stayed longer. Ryan's parents came out too and Gracie had so much fun with them. She is already planning our next trips to AR and CO. I am also so thankful that I live near my Uncle Doug and Aunt Betty and our cousins S,S,D,D,K,R. We love them SO much!

4. Friends :: Ryan and I passed a great house in the city last weekend and dreamed about buying it. Then I said "I can't even think about moving away from my friends." To show you how amazing my girlfriends are...they are bringing us meals over the next month when Ryan goes back to work. So when Emily is non-stop nursing at 5 pm on, our family will have something to eat.

5. Gracie's Friends :: You can not imagine the deep love Grace has for her friends. Having kids is a great way to meet friends that have similar values and enthusiasm for life. We are so lucky to have extended our "family" here in the Bay area.

6. Sunshine :: The sun is shining into our house right now and making everything golden. The slanting sun this time of year seems to make everything more beautiful doesn't it? This weather is perfect!

7. Food :: On the weekends, we actually have to choose which farmers market we are going to go to because there are so many around here. Year round! And I still want to take pictures of the stalls of fresh fruits and vegetables, freshly baked bread, and artisan cheeses because they are so picture perfect not to mention delicious! It makes cooking so much fun.

8. Holidays :: I love this time of year for the anticipation and excitement that it brings. Planning a costume, thinking of the next delectable dish to bring to the family table, the magic of Santa. It is so much more fun now that we have little ones and we see the sparkle in there eyes.

9. My Job :: I could not have imagined how incredible it is to be a mom. Nor could I have imagined how lucky I am to get to be a full time mama. I get to explore, play, create, laugh, teach, learn and smile everyday with these little ones. It is hard work but it is so incredibly fun.

10. My Girls :: I still get choked up when I say "my girls." Even though Emily is only a couple of weeks old, I feel like I have always known her and that she has always been a part of this family. And my dear Gracie. She is my best friend and I am so lucky to get to be her mama. She is only three but she is the most amazing person I know.

My Barista

Why do I love this man????

Because he can wear a baby AND make a mean cappuccino. xo

Gracie: "Is that cute or what?!?"

Three Weeks

Emily makes this ADORABLE little puckered lip face when she is concentrating on something. This time as I was trying to get a three week photo in low light she was concentrating on....filling her diaper.