Do-Over-Dinner: Watercress Soup

Just when I thought all my cooking inspiration was gone...

Just when I thought that a "do-over-dinner" was no longer possible...

...in walks my father-in-law with a bucket of freshly-harvested watercress from a nearby creek.

My Mom immediately suggested watercress sandwiches.

While those little tea sandwiches are tempting (she made a delicious batch for my baby shower a year ago), I had my heart set on soup. So, I searched high and low for a recipe that seemed "just right".

After finding a handful of recipes that were either more broth-y than I was looking for or too laden with cream, I decided to make my own.

And, well, it got "do-over-dinner" status...!

I'm headed out to the secret spot tomorrow to gather up some more watercress...

Recipe: Watercress Soup
About 4 Dinner-Size Servings

Ingredients:

• 1 Tablespoon Unsalted Butter
• 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Yellow Onion, Finely Chopped
• 3 Cloves of Garlic, Thinly sliced
• 3 Medium-sized White Potatoes, Peeled and Cut into 1/2-inch Chunks 
• 3 Cups of Chicken Stock
• 1 1/2 Cups Water
• 2 Bunches (2-3 Cups) Watercress (thick stems trimmed), Coarsely Chopped
• Coarse Salt (Sea or Kosher)
• Fresh Ground Pepper
• Lemon Wedges and Greek Yogurt for Serving

Directions:

1. Heat a stock pot (I use a Le Creuset 7 quart dutch oven--my very favorite kitchen item.) over medium heat. 
2. Add oil, butter, garlic and onion. Saute until fragrant and translucent (a minute or two). 
3. Add potato and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook 1 minute.
4. Add stock and water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until potatoes are tender (5-10 minutes depending on how big your chunks of potato turned out).
5. Stir in watercress. Let simmer 1 minute.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Puree (an immersion blender is easiest -- but, if you don't have one, puree in batches in a traditional blender or food processor).
8. Serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a wedge of lemon (and, some yummy bread, too!)
   

Crafternoon with Mom: Hot Water Bottle Cozy

A few years ago, a friend of mine (who also lives in a cold 160+ year old Maine home) told me she fills a hot water bottle and places it in her bed about 15 minutes before bedtime. She claimed it was just what was needed to take the edge off those cold sheets without cranking up the heat. I thought it was odd, but decided to give it a whirl. I was hooked the first night. So, now I'm frequently placing hot water bottles in all of our beds. Not only does it take the edge off, but it also warms up the toes! I've been admiring some of the cute hot water bottle covers on the market (Yes, if you aren't already aware, there is a big market of cute hot water bottle covers out there.) and decided that crafting one was surely the way to go. I have plans for making one out of upcycled felt (I felt old sweaters and use as fabric.), but just haven't gotten to it, so I put my Mom to work knitting one. She used some old chenille that had been lying around (what a great way to use up yarn!) and this free pattern available from Lion Brand. Now, our beds are cozier than ever!

Talk Time Tuesday

I was lucky to have one of the world's greatest Dads. Seriously, one of the VERY greatest.

Unfortunately, neither of my girls ever got to meet him--and that makes me really sad. But, I've tried to find little ways to include him (sounds odd, I know) in their lives. It seems to work. He definitely is a known quantity -- and it seems to be in a healthy way. In fact, my oldest daughter (the baby obviously has no clue) loves it when I tell "GrandJim" stories.

Tonight while we were snuggling and reading in bed (sadly, something we don't do nearly as much as I'd like due to competing demands ---read: baby demands to be breastfed at that time), I told her that when I was little my Dad and I had a special night that no-matter-what was my night. It wasn't my brother's night. It wasn't my sister's night. It was all mine. We called it Talk Time Tuesday and we could talk (or not talk) about whatever. It was a wonderful thing then -- and a wonderful thing to hold onto now (I loved it so much that my husband and I used to have our own Talk Time Tuesdays more than a decade ago.)

While I told my daughter this story, her eyes lit up. Her excitement (or maybe it was desperation to retrieve some of "our time" that has been lost--or at least greatly reduced--by the addition of a sibling) was so contagious...and I knew right then it was our time to start having Talk Time Tuesdays. I suggested the idea and grinning ear-to-ear she replied, "YES!"

So, today -- well, more likely tonight -- will be our very first Talk Time Tuesday and I can hardly wait!

A Culinary Tour of Maine -- Anthony Bordain

Maine is known for its lobsters.

And, maybe, known among some for its potatoes. But, I don't really ever hear Maine touted as culinary destination.

But, really, it should be. (Fresh seafood. Locally grown produce. Good, real flavor. And, plenty of terrific restaurants.)

Perhaps now, after tonight's episode of Anthony Bordain's No Reservations (a good episode--definitely check it out) it will be. Mr. Bordain travels to some great local flavor spots - including one of my very favorite's -- a little very funky and rustic seaside shack in Rockland called Conte's.

On the one hand, I'm thrilled to see my taste gets a celebrity seal of approval and tickled for Mr. Conte's well-being.

On the other hand, I dread the fact that our little off-the-beaten-path-favorite-date-place is now going to be not-so-well-off-the-beaten-path.

Sigh.

PS. We were actually at Street & Co (our first time there!) the night Anthony Bordain's crew was there preparing to film.

Found: Best Ever Beach Bag

Beach season is fast approaching...or so we are told.

Well, I was lucky enough to have a little beach time on the West Coast (Santa Cruz, specifically) the last few days.

And, well, thank goodness.

In addition to the much-needed family-and-beach-bonding-time, I found the best beach bag ever.

For those of you who are serious beach-goers, you know this is a HUGE find.

It is big (big enough for beach towels, beach toys, lunch, sunscreen, the works!). It is waterproof. It is made in super-cute fabrics. And, it won't break the bank. The "Four Boys" bag, made by Scout for Bungalow Co., costs $45 and is described at an "all-purpose vacation, summer camp, road trip and boating stow-away bag."

As far as I can tell, the bags only downfall? It isn't made locally. But, well, it'll be used locally!?!?

Post Easter Recycling

So, I'll admit, despite growing my own Easter grass and coloring eggs with natural dyes, I still did manage to have some eco- no-nos. Among my no-nos was purchasing plastic eggs. Well, thanks to Craft Test Dummies, who posted ideas for recycling those plastic eggs, I'm not going to lose too much sleep over this no-no. Brilliant (and fun!) plastic Easter egg recycling ideas include make-your-own egg-shaped sidewalk chalk and a egg rattle snake.

Happy Blogiversary

I woke up this morning and realized that Friday was my one month blogiversary (do you think this is how you spell this?), and it made me smile. Sure, one month is no big deal in the blogosphere. But, nevertheless, it is noteworthy to me.

I have had a ball so far.

I have loved...
...writing
...having an excuse to read lots of other blogs (not that I was holding back before)
...reading your comments (many of which are on Facebook not my blog)
...learning about the tools and widgets and such that come with the territory

If you've been following me, thank you. I have to admit that it is more fun to write knowing there is someone reading.

I welcome your thoughts, your comments, your ideas as Maine-ly Home continues to evolve.