Happy Wednesday!
Friends, how are you holding up? At our house, we're doing our best to stay safe and taking good care of each other
Admittedly, last week felt a touch more difficult than usual. I'm sure many can relate. No real reason why other than (gestures at everything)
But by Saturday, the fog had started to lift. We spent the better part of the afternoon driving around aimlessly, stopping at the drive-through for a coffee and tea. I hosted our book club on Sunday. They were two of the brightest spots in the week and lifted my spirits like nothing else.
Mostly, they reminded me that there are still so many lovely and meaningful things happening in the world. And just how important it is to connect with other people, in whatever ways we're able.
Today, just a few short videos that made me smile. I hope they might be the bright spots you need if you're feeling a bit down too.
Big hugs!
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One of the best 56 seconds of the week.
Can you guess who is allowed to roam free right now? Penguins. Yes. Penguins! Since Chicago's Shedd Aquarium is closed, the staff let the penguins wander around and say “Hi” to their fellow animal friends. They're absolutely adorable.
(Video Credit – YouTube – The Guardian – Penguins openly exploring aquarium closed due to Coronavirus)
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Andrea Bocelli's performance to an empty cathedral at the Duomo in Milan. My goodness, it's beautiful
(Video Credit – YouTube – Andrea Bocelli – Amazing Grace)
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An Ode to Joy. A flash mob from a few years ago has particular resonance now. Watch and be moved
(Video Credit – YouTube – cd tube – Flashmob Flash Mob – Ode an die Freude (Ode to Joy) Beethoven Symphony No. 9)
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Last fall, my husband came home with a recipe he found in The New York Times daily email. “I thought it would be something you'd like to try” And it quickly became a favorite. One of those recipes you make over and over again.
Every time I make a batch, I feel a bit better because of it. It's a recipe to be shared. Especially because it's the sort of hearty, timeless, comforting soup that helps during times like these. Simply one of the tastiest and soul-warming meals, I’ve had the pleasure of making.
There's some chopping to do, which keeps the hands busy and the mind focused. The foundation ingredients are flexible and straightforward. And if you have produce that needs to be used, a soup like this is perfect – eat some, freeze some
It's hard to beat anything simmered in seasoned homemade chicken stock and cream.
Onions, carrots, celery, and mushrooms are my typical starting point, but substitutions are just as easy and delicious. Simply sauté your herbs and veggies, simmer with chicken stock and cream, stir in the chicken and gnocchi, and dinner is served in 30 minutes from start to finish.
There's always a long discussion about who has dibs on the left-overs
A few notes:
A rotisserie chicken and store-bought gnocchi are easy shortcuts for keeping things simple. Plus, if you have a rotisserie chicken, it's easy to make homemade stock from the carcass. (There's truly nothing better than homemade stock)
I worried the gnocchi would get mushy for leftovers, but it held up really well
I've made the soup using cream, half-and-half, and milk. Whichever you choose, it will be delicious. One trick? Make sure to add it slowly, to avoid curdling
If you're someone who likes more liquid for dipping bread into, add another cup or so of chicken broth
Really Enjoy!
xoxo
~ Adapted from The New York Times
The Easiest Chicken and Dumplings
Ingredients
- 2-3 Tbsp butter
- 3 carrots, peeled and chopped into ½" pieces (~ 1 cup)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 5 oz mushrooms, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped fine
- 2 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 Tbsp dried thyme
- 2 tsp poultry seasoning
- sea salt + black pepper
- 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 5 cups chicken stock (homemade is best)
- 1 cup half and half (or cream or milk)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 (16 oz) package gnocchi
- ½ rotisserie chicken meat, torn or cut into bite-sized pieces (~ 2 cups)
For Serving
- fresh herbs like tarragon, parsley, thyme, or dill
- squeeze of fresh lemon juice
- shavings of Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the carrots, celery, onion, mushrooms, garlic, rosemary, thyme poultry seasoning, a strong pinch of sea salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until the veggies have softened slightly (~ 5 - 10 minutes)
- Sprinkle with the flour, then cook for another couple of minutes, stirring frequently.
- Gradually stir in the stock and cream, another pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Increase the heat and bring to a boil
- Reduce the heat to medium, stir in the gnocchi, and continue to cook until it's tender (~ 5 minutes). In the last couple of minutes, stir in the chicken and peas.
- Divide among bowls and top with a small squeeze of lemon, a shaving of Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs.
9 Comments
This looks just perfect, and I already have all of the ingredients in my fridge from our weekly trip to the grocery. Happily, I know what’s for dinner tonight.
Long time reader, first time commenter. I really enjoy your posts – pictures, stories, recipes and all.
I’m getting over a cold and it’s damp and dreary here. I’m about to eat a bowl of this and can’t wait because it smells amazing! I wanted to say thanks too for your approach to the blog of only sharing things you really love, because it means I never wonder if it’ll be worth it to make something. I’ve cooked my way through a lot of the recipes here and there hasn’t been a single thing that wasn’t delicious and totally worth making. So, thank you!
Sometimes the “simple” food knocks the socks off the fancy stuff. I love it all. BUt there’s something honest and down to earth about this soup. Feels like something your body would thank you for.
I made the recipe as written and it was very good. I started it after work and it came together quickly. I wondered as I was making if it would taste milky, but it didn’t. Super hearty and delish! My kids even loved it and ate all of the leftovers. Definitely a keeper ..
Have you ever seen the “Love Soup” cookbook by Anna Thomas? By all means, look it up. I’ve yet to run into a recipe in this book that isn’t amamzing and delicious. My personal favorite is the Cauliflower Bisque 🙂
Just had to tell you because I know of your love for cookbooks (and soup)!
Had a similar soup at Olive Garden and I was really excited to try this one. It’s sooo good! Thanks Ali
It’s the best when a recipe doesn’t promise much but turns out to be much more than it looks on paper.
I tend to make stews to clean out my pantry and veggie drawer. My hubby immediately recognizes the pantry stews but eats them anyway. So excited to give this one a try!
This was our dinner tonight. Delicious! Even my fussy vegetable-adverse 4-year old ate some. It’s a wonderful antidote to quaranteen doldrums. Even if we did eat more leftover pie afterwards 🙂
Simple to prepare and the results are perfect. This went well with leftover biscuits and I’m sure it would be a good fit for other starches. Fresh rosemary when serving was wonderful.