Ok, first let me apologize for the brevity of yesterday's post but I had the hardest time giving blood since that very first time when I was 17 and lied about both my age and my weight because I wanted to give blood so badly. Last night wasn't as bad as all that but I think I psyched myself out. I am the biggest psychosomatic person ever. I used to leave the doctors and have to lean against the wall of the elevator on the way down to my car as the anxiety and adrenaline that I had built up finally released along with my blood pressure making me feel dizzy (I have never actually fainted but think I know it is what is coming next). The blood drive was in one of those converted buses and so I was fascinated watching someone across from me give blood and decided to glance down at my own bag -- next thing I knew I could no longer focus. I muttered something along the lines of "uh oh". One of the hardest things for me to overcome last night was the reaction of saying "I'm fine" when they asked how I was. "These are medical professionals, Jasmine, and they had just watched you turn pale as your blood pressure dropped tell them what you are really feeling". So I shook my head no and they helped me through it. I had already given the full pint they just made sure I got some sugar in me (in the form of cranberry juice) and didn't get up too quickly. They took care of me. And I struggled to tell them how I was truly feeling along the way. Do you ever want to lie to avoid complaining? I kind of hate the fuss and had to have that inner dialogue to let them help me which clearly I needed.
Carole's theme for the week is soup. More specifically, what are my favorite kinds of soup. In the winter, I usually make a pot of soup and a pot of beans every weekend to supply lunches throughout the week and so soups have a special place in my cooking repertoire. They even have their own cookbook (one of those three ringed binders with plastic sheet covers for each new recipe, they are great if you are looking for recipe organization. I love the easel backs!) on my recipe bookshelves.
- Campbells Vegetarian Vegetable -- this was the soup that my mother gave me as a kid when I was sick and it is comfort food to me. This is their vegetarian version of alphabet soup.
- This recipe for basic vegetable soup by Leanne Ely It tastes a lot like my ultimate comfort food above and yet is so adaptable and allows for so many variations. Plus it is super low calorie. This recipe is for a crock pot but I adapted it for the pressure cooker and so for me I spend more time chopping than cooking.
- The carrot ginger soup pictured above often makes it into the rotation. Speaking of which, I really need to add the older recipes to my new recipe page
- I regularly find myself making some variation of cheese and broccoli soup
- I love gazpacho in all it's forms but often make a variation of a cooking light recipe for Gazpacho with roasted red peppers. I couldn't find it on my recipes, I will have to post my variation next tomato season.
- When the fridge overflows with greens I usually make an Italian White Bean and Greens soup. The original recipe came from the South Beach Diet but anyone who knows me can tell you I probably don't follow it.
- Lobster Bisque I have never made this (who has spare lobster hanging around) but love to order it in a restaurant
- Cream of Crab from Union Street Public House. But they have taken it off the menu. What now?
- Corn Chowder Endless variation and a great way to use the summer corn
- Borscht This one, for me, is a memory more than anything. Driving out to the Eastern Shore and eating this new (to me) food as prepared by the mother of a guy I had a huge crush on. I may have to make some soon although the beets never stay around long enough to make soup since I seem to be putting them in everything these days.
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