Crappy Day, Laugh it Away & a New Soup

So today is kinda sucking ass. More like a continuation of sucking that has been taking place off and on for a while now, but perhaps a bit more amplified it was today.

I don't feel like posting about the stuff that's not so wonderful, nor the way I feel as that is still ass sucky too.

I will say this though, no matter how hard you try to believe it, York Peppermint Patties don't count as a throat soother. Even if they kinda do "help" some. :P

I've been doing some knitting lately. Almost done with the second magic 28 sock. Watched The Godfather parts 1 and 2 while knitting on it off and on this weekend. If my happy knitting mood doesn't return soon I'll have to make it an offer it can't refuse. Capice!

As for the funny well today I was bumming around trying not to think too much about anything in particular when remembered this Lip Dubbing thing Ugly Fat Lady (who is not a bit ugly) mentioned on her Vlog the other day. It was too damn funny. So yeah I wasted a bit of time watching this interestingly cute fellow Jakob Lodwick's Lip Dubbing pursuits. I guess the folks over at Vimeo know how to have a good time. Or at least be brave and a hellavu lot of don't give a damn how silly they look. I wish I was more brave like that. I wish I didn't care what anyone thought. Life would be so much more interesting and free that way. :D

In other news I made soup a few days ago. I intended to post photos and the recipe. Eh. Never got around to it. Never even got around to naming it actually. It was yummy though. Super Yummy in fact. Finished off the last of it for lunch today. The honey even liked it and he's not much of a soup person. So maybe after seeing it and seeing the ingredients y'all can help me come up with a good name for it.  If I choose the name you submit maybe I'll even send you a little surprise or something. ;)

Edit: Rachel has named the soup Margarita Chicken Soup!! :D

List of Ingredients:

1 tablespoon Meyer Lemon Olive Oil
2 Shallots
2 Cloves of Garlic
1 Jalapeño Pepper

1 cup Brown Basmati Rice

1 32 oz container (4 cups) Pacific Organic Free Ranch Low Sodium Chicken Broth
1 32 oz container (4 cups) Pacific Organic Low Sodium Vegetable Broth

4 medium chicken breasts - roast in oven beforehand
1 bunch Asparagus
1 bunch Broccolini
1 small carton of Crimini Mushrooms
1 bunch Cilantro
3/4 cup frozen peas (I can never find fresh peas, if you got 'em use 'em.)

1 teaspoon Lemongrass powder, or fresh lemongrass minced
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Chili Sauce (best stuff EVER)
1 Lemon
1 Lime
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
Sea Salt

To start roast your chicken in the oven. I've found this keeps the chicken from becoming too soft in texture in the soup. It also adds a nice flavor. Once done let cool then tear into small bite site pieces. I prefer to tear the chicken rather than dice it. Has a nicer texture and appearance, in my not so humble opinion. :P

Clean and remove the seeds and membrane from your Jalapeño. Next I roast the Jalapeño over the open flame of my gas burner. Watch your eyes as the capsaicin oil can pop out at you during the process. Roast until the outside is darkened all over, scrap off the blackened skin and dice into small pieces.  Once cooked it will blend with the flavor of the soup rather than stand out on it's own. Think the size of a match head.

Thinly slice your Shallot and chop your Garlic into small pieces. Set aside with the Jalapeño.

At this time rinse the Brown Basmati Rice very well. Set it aside to drain.

In the pot you will be using to make your soup, preferably something with a heavy copper bottom, pour your tablespoon of Meyer Lemon Olive Oil. Once the pan is hot add in the Garlic, Shallot and Jalapeño. Stir until coated with oil and let blend at a decent heat for a few minutes. Once everything has softened up & looks a little caramelized add in your rinsed and drained rice. Turn up heat a little more and cook for a minute or so.

Now add in some of your chicken broth and vegetable broth, but only until until rice is covered. It won't take much. Maybe a half a cup of each. Set aside remaining broth for later.

Put lid on pot and reduce to a low heat to cook the rice for 20 minutes or so.

While the rice is cooking you can prepare the rest of the vegetables.

Clean your Asparagus and Broccolini. You're only going to use the yummy ends of these two veggies. At an angle cut off their heads! Off with their heads! *L* I love that. I may be a little weird though. Set these aside. Clean and slice your mushrooms at this time as well.

Clean and remove the stems from your Cilantro. You can add the leaves in whole or gently slice them up a bit. Be careful not to bruise the leaves as it will make them wilty and have dark spots of color. Granted as they are being introduced into a hot soup they will become wilted regardless. *L*

Add in the rest of the broth, your hand shredded chicken, the heads of your Asparagus and Broccolini, your sliced mushrooms and cilantro. Stir in the lemongrass, garlic chili sauce and a few cranks of black pepper.

Once the temperature comes up a bit you can add in the frozen peas.

It won't take long for all the flavors to come together and the veggies to become soft yet retaining some crispness. Once the veggies look ready and poke without too much fuss zest the lemon and the lime. Add the zest to the soup, then add in the juice of both citrus fruits as well. Add a few pinches of salt, whatever your taste desires and serve. :D

I was sickie and wanted a light and refeshing soup. But I also wanted something kinda healthy and with yummy veggies that would also be hearty enough to make the honey feel like he had a real meal and not just soup. (which he doesn't see as a full meal most of the time) I was looking for something with a hint of a kick to hopefully open up my sinuses, but not so much it'd make my throat burn. This was just the thing. Completely perfect and yummy.

The funny thing is that I would have just made the Tom Yum Gia Soup if I'd had the recipe with me. This was more or less the stuff I was able to pick up on a recent quick trip into Trader Joe's.

Here it is in the pot:

So what do you think it should be called? :D

Comments

[Dave Daniels]

That soups looks SO delicious. Mushrooms, garlic (2 cloves is NOT enough), brocolini...mmmmm. I can't think of a name, but Yummers comes to mind.

[Cookie]

Fabulous Otter Soup

But we know about me. I hope your week gets better and you feel better soon, sweetie. ♥

[Vikkie]

Oh my god that looks delicious!

how about ...Surprise Kick Chicken Aspargus Soup?

hmm too long....

Chicken Surprise Soup?

Spicy Surprise Chicken Soup?

hmm those are fun....this is a fun yummy soup and needs a fun yummy name!...

[Devorah]

Super Sinus Clearing Soup?

Hope you're feeling better soon, sweetie!

HUGS!!!

[ilanna]

Kickin' Chicken Soup? :)

(criminy that's good soup - i know bad pun on the mushrooms.)

It does look tasty if a bit spicy for my tastes. :)

Hope you are feeling better!

[Rachel]

Wow, with all the lemon and lime and cilantro and all, I'd call it Margarita Chicken Soup. Have it with the Margaritas, or afterward as a hangover pick-me-up! :) Looks delicious!

[Cat]

Kick ass Lemony chicken soup. Mmm man it looks awesome. Wanna share ;-)

Hugs!!!

[freddie]

Magical Cure-all soup?

I hope that you're feeling better today! Drink more tea.

(that's my magic sickness cure-all)... (that or a hot toddy: boil some water, add a shot of whisky or brandy, a bunch of honey, and the juice of one lemon -- drink it fast and go to bed before you fall over)

cheers!

[Barbp]

Otter your soup looks divine. A name? - no I have no imagination these days.

I've been gone from blog land long enough to miss your birthday. Happy belated one to you.

I hope you Dear Tonsil letter works for you.

Thanks Sooooo much for your entrelac tutorial. You taught me! Woo Hoo.

Get better, eh? If the antibiotics don't work, a bottle of brandy couldn't hurt. *wink*