The picture is not much to look at, but the soup is amazing. The celery root makes it just a little sweet and the cauliflower makes it creamy. Very simple to make too. Just simmer cauliflower and celery root in broth and milk for 20 our so minutes, puree and add salt and pepper to taste.
Given how much ladypants is working these days, she deserves something special for Labor Day. I, made her Vietnamese Noodle Salad, Chicken Adobo, and Turmeric Rice. Makes for a nice meal and will work great as leftovers too.
Recently, I have been a big fan of dishes that let me use everything that I need to get rid if in the refrigerator. This salad is a real fridge cleaner. Vermicelli noodles, lemon, fish sauce and anything else I happen to have.
By the by, contrary to what one might think, it was incredibly difficult to get vermicelli in San Francisco. I went to Chinatown to find them. The problem was, I took ladypants. A 20 minute errand turned into 3 hours of shopping. Hmmmm, maybe it wasn't the vermicelli that was difficult. Maybe it was something else.
San Francisco gets cold and foggy this time of year. That's why I decided it was time for some beef stew. Well, that and because ladypants loves beef and potatoes. This stew has a hint of Indian spice because I used a bit of grahm masala and chilli. Good stuff.
The final farmer's market bounty was mint chocolate pesto. I used toasted walnuts, a couple if ounces of bitter chocolate, sugar, a but of lemon juice and a bunch of spearmint. It is the perfect sauce to accompany the strawberries.
Today was a real farmer's market sort if day. I bought two bunches of basil, some walnuts and some of the most beautiful tomatoes I have ever seen. I toasted the walnuts and used them in a real nice pesto. When I added toast and tomato, it became the lunch of champions.
I bought an entire flat of strawberries at the farmer's market for $8. A great deal, but then I had to figure out what to do with that many strawberries. I broke out the old mortar and pestel and made some freezer jam. Now, I just need to bake some bread to put it on.
