Saving the world, one veggie at a time
Robb + Jessie Married & in the Badger State
They say it’s your birthday
A happy birthday to you!
If you look carefully in the background, that is Robb’s new MacBook Pro. His ‘real’ birthday gift, but I did surprise him with a new mug boasting our favourite font, Helvetica.
Golden
I turned 25 on May 25th. It was my golden birthday. Not to mention I am now a quarter of a century old, as my father-in-law reminded me. (And I can finally rent a car!) I have been truly blessed by my friends and family.
On Monday morning, the alarm went off at 7:00 and I was greeted with a smile and a “Happy birthday” from Robb and a twenty pound gift on my tummy. Unwrapping it I discovered the most wonderful twenty pound book one could ever anticipate. While I may not cook every recipe in the book in a years time (like Julie & Julia), I think it will make for good bedside reading and acquiring new techniques.
Robb made us coffee while we got ready and then handed me another gift at 7:30 –- a blindfold! He proceeded to cover my eyes and lead me to the car. We drove around Madison until he was completely satisfied in my disorientation. While we drove around, he gave me another tiny wrapped gift to “keep me occupied.” We played 21 questions and I was still clueless by the time we arrived at our destination. Pulling off my blindfold, I discovered it was a tiny white cardboard box with something else inside… It happened to be a part of the second gift. (It was a roll of b&w 120mm film). Is it a toy? Is it a camera? What exactly is a Holga? That is what I intend to find out as I make some modifications to it in order to make it into a nifty artsy camera. Hurrah!
We enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the new Daisy Cafe and Cupcakery on the Eastside. (This is Madison’s first and only “cupcakery”). Robb had some hearty whole wheat pancakes and I treated myself to a french toast strata (delicious) and a cupcake to go.
We also attended Bratfest and helped to contribute to the new World Record of 208,752 brats consumed (we ate one each). The Vincills had us over for a delicious birthday fiesta complete with every sort of grilled food imaginable for our fajitas and for dessert homemade vanilla ice cream and chocolate chip cookies (my favourite). What a great night full of laughter, friend, and food! On our way home, Robb asked me how this birthday ranks among all of my 25 years. This one was definitely at the top.
Let summer vacation begin.
This was our last week of school for the semester. And, we are now both completely done with classes towards our respective degrees. We finally have time to work on our research. But I don’t think that will stop us from enjoying the beautiful weather in Madison this summer.
Forever Nigella
I have become a Nigella Evangelist.
In 2002, Forever Summer with Nigella aired on BBC Channel4. The first episode I watched was called Yellow. She began the show with a beautiful yellow soup that captured the essence of summer. It is called Happiness Soup. As simple as it is, I forgot about it until I had a few yellow summer squash lying around asking to be used. The simplicity of the recipe and the bright sunshine yellow color of the soup truly makes one happy. I reckon that this would work wonders in the dreary winter months in Madison.
You can find the recipe here. But I translated into US measurements for you below:
Happiness Soup
You’ll need:
14oz yellow summer squash (2 large) - cut into 1/2” rings and diced
zest and juice of 1 lemon
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon turmeric (you can omit, if desired – used to enhance colour)
4 cups chicken stock (or bouillon + boiling water)
1/2 cup basmati rice
Sea salt and pepper
Method:
1. Place summer squash in a heavy bottomed pan with lemon zest and oil. Stir to coat and cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’ve softened.
2. Stir in tumeric (if desired) and pour in the stock and lemon juice and drop in the rice.
3. Cook, uncovered, for 10-20 minutes, or just until the squash and rice are tender.
4. Leave to cool slightly before serving so that you eat the soup warm rather than hot.