Tales from the soup kitchen

It was worth coming over just for the Mexican Chocolate Loaf Cake

You know too well the Pirate's penchant for pitching parties.

Said proclivity led to yet another semi-impromptu soirée at Casa Weber last week.

It all began with a question from Dagny on the previous Sunday, a deliciously rainy day, as we all had an après-church lunch together at a local brunch spot:

Mamaw, do you know how to make potato soup?

My valentine gnomes presided over the party from their place on the ledge

I nodded. Sure do, I said. But I call it potato-corn chowder. Do you want some?

She nodded back with an impressive amount of enthusiasm, her eyes getting bigger the whole time.

Finding this immensely gratifying, I began cooking up a plan.

It's supposed to be rainy all week, Erica pointed out, meaning, soup weather.

Here's your sign

I allowed the thing to simmer and by Monday evening I had issued an invitation to the girls:

Let's do potato-corn chowder and homemade bread on Thursday night ... February the second. Two Two Twenty-Three. Groundhog Day.

They agreed.

Thursday was forecast to be a cold, rainy day, and for once the meteorologists hit the nail right on the head.

You make this loaf in the Crock Pot and then brown it beneath the broiler

By the time the day of the party rolled around, I had decided to make not only potato-corn chowder and homemade bread but also a fairly spectacular dessert: Mexican Chocolate Loaf Cake.

If you make that cake, take my advice and use Hershey's Special Dark cocoa and Hershey's Special Dark chocolate chips -- no chopping necessary; just toss them in as they are.

And use a whole one-half teaspoon of cayenne. The heat with the chocolate is delectably different and shows up even more if you eat your slice of cake slightly warmed.

Erica made this lovely square valentine wreath

If you try this recipe, or if you already have in the past, let me know what you think.

But I should pull over and park here for a mo.

Sometime towards the end of January I saw this reel on Instagram.

The very next day, I made the peasant bread. It is as delicious as it is easy to do.

This little house wears its heart on its door

Over the next week or so I bought a big bag of organic flour with zero additives and did some research into various no-knead bread recipes.

The one I made for soup night with the family was this one: no-knead slow cooker bread.

It was insanely easy and -- everyone agreed as they slathered hunks of it with real butter and consumed it lustily -- scrumptious.

Stephanie gave me the pink heart-shaped pie plate for Christmas

Next I plan to try this recipe for no-knead bread. This is an exact replica of the New York Times recipe that went viral and supposedly started it all over a decade ago, although I'm sure people were making no-knead bread long before that.

I have bought a cast-iron Dutch Oven -- yes! I am perhaps the last pirate in the Western Hemisphere who until last week did not already own a Dutch Oven -- specifically to use in making this bread.

And I'll probably use it to make more soup, too.

I plumb forgot to lift the lid of my ancient pot and show off the potato-corn chowder

About that soup! Let me tell you how I do it. There is no real recipe so listen up.

During the week that you have potato-corn chowder on your menu, make some mashed potatoes. Be sure to have some leftovers.

On the day you want to serve the soup, cube some russets. I leave the skins on and you should too. The number of potatoes you use depends on the amount of soup you want to make. I was making a large potful so I used at least ten potatoes. Maybe twelve.

Rustic hearts in the lit trees carried valentine messages

Cut up some celery -- again, the amount of celery depends on how much soup you're making.

Boil the potatoes and celery to fork tender and drain.

Back into the soup pot add the potatoes and celery and some chicken stock. I used a whole quart.

Pop a steamable bag of frozen sweet corn into the microwave and cook it.

This wee angel is always in attendance

Drain, and add the cooked corn to the potatoes and celery in the chicken stock.

Heat through and season to taste. Use a wooden spoon to randomly push down into the soup on the soft potato chunks and make them crumbly and rough around the edges.

Now comes the fun part. To thicken the soup, add a quantity of the leftover mashed potatoes. Just use your best judgment. It's your thing; do it the way you like.

If you don't have mashed potatoes and don't care to make any, you can switch it up by making a béchamel (white sauce) and building the soup from there.

My heart-shaped plate is displayed with my Pioneer Woman ramekins

I've done it both ways. I prefer thickening this soup with mashed potatoes but the white sauce-based version is just as creamy and delicious.

As everyone piled into the house on the evening of Groundhog Day, with talk of Punxsutawney Phil having seen his shadow, presaging six more weeks of winter, it was cold and drizzly and set to rain all night.

In other words, ideal atmospheric conditions prevailed for enjoying homemade potato-corn chowder and no-knead slow cooker bread, with Mexican Chocolate Loaf Cake to top it all off.

We ate almost everything. I sent a little bit of soup home with each of my girls, for the children to enjoy the next day.

This chair was left empty in case you could join us

On the afternoon of the party, in between cooking chores, I decorated for the month of February. Red and white lights frosted the railing outside and heart-themed things assembled on the dining room ledge and on the table.

I had commissioned a valentiney wreath for my front door, from Erica. My crafty daughter delivered it on February first, and also gave me a sweet heart-shaped plate.

Dagny, who loves the heart motif above all others, was duly impressed with the table decorations as well as with the menu. She notices everything and is always appreciative.

Love is all you need

It made for a truly memorable family gathering, all the more interesting because it was planned around a single request for something as plain as potato soup.

Hearts and tummies were warm and full. As it should be.

And that is all for now.

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Happy Tuesday

Comments

[Mari]

Sounds like a positively wonderful evening! I've made mexican chocolate loaf before, but not that one. Yum! And I make and artisan bread in my Dutch oven that is so easy and good. However, I saved your recipes to try out.
Guess what's on my menu for Sunday? Potato Corn Chowder! My sister sent me a recipe last week and I thought it was perfect to be in the crockpot and ready after church. So I'm trying that, it sounds similar to yours, but I do like the mashed potato idea.
I bet Dagny is already thinking about what you can make next!

[Jennifer]

@Mari ... Whaaaat you're making potato corn chowder on Sunday? I thought I made that recipe up, haaahahahaaha! I have never seen an actual recipe for it. I bet it would be good with big chunks of ham! And homemade bread! Yes Dagny is always thinking about her next meal, haaahaha xoxo

[Ginny Hartzler]

I have had so much fun reading and looking! Or should I say OOGLING, with my mouth wide open at times! Where to start? I have many potato soup recipes, this is one that I make. I Ilike to mash some of the potatoes and leave some in chunks as well. I always adore your decorations! And I love how you used the plain tree and put a heart in it! Where did you get the tree and if on Amazon, do you know the name? The tiny envelopes and rolling pin are so cute! I have this Pioneer Woman pattern hanging on my kitchen wall now. Also, where did you get this rectangular sign? Amazon has a lot, but I have never seen this one. If I can find it, I will buyt it. It can be used for all occasions! The Gnomes are precous! It seems like I an smell the breads through the screen! Is therea better smell anywhere than homemade bread?

[Ginny Hartzler]

I just found what I think is your sign, on Amazon. Ordered it!

[Jennifer]

@Ginny ... the smell of yeast bread rising and then baking is out of this WORLD! I got that little sign a few years ago at Home Goods ... found it on a clearance shelf! Just grabbed it before someone else could get it! I know the little rolling pin came from Hobby Lobby and the tiny felt envelopes probably did too. The trees definitely came from Amazon and if you search "2-Pack 2FT Lighted Birch Tree for Tabletop, Birch Christmas Tree with Lights, Warm White 48 LEDs" you will find them for $26! I love those little trees and I use them practically year round! I think my gnomes came from Amazon too. Yes the potato soup is so good and creamy and everyone was so happy eating it! I bet yours is super good too! xoxo

[Donna]

Well, well, Well! Little Girl! You are in trouble for not taking the lid off of your corn chowder so I could do a little drooling!! For shame! lolol
Sounds like the party was a delicious affair...love the wreath and plate. Sweet Erica!
Enjoy the day dear friend...
hugs
Donna

[Bijoux]

I’ve never owned a Dutch Oven! I used to have a bread machine when my kids were young and I made bread in it every week. When it broke I didn’t replace it because it took up too much space. Your Valentine’s decor is lovely. Have a great week.

[Lori]

Hello my friend. Everything looks so festive as always. I love that your family comes together for these special moments. I LOVE the wreath that Erica made. So cute. I use the NY times recipe for my no knead bread and it always comes out so delicious. There is no better smell in the world than yeast bread rising and baking. Do not dare to argue this! I'm glad you've gotten yourself a Dutch Oven. I use mine all the time. I even roast a whole chicken in it and it comes out wonderfully. I have a loaded baked potato soup that I made and it is so good on a rainy, chilly night. Take care and I can't wait to see what you're up to next.

[Jeanette]

All those breads sound yummy! I have to admit I never make bread anymore. Too dangerous to this diabetic person! The soup sounds good and using mashed potatoes to thicken it is genious! Love all your Valentine decor and wish I was able to sit in that empty chair! It looks comfy!!!! XO

[Jennifer]

@Donna ... I KNOW ... I could have kicked myself when I realized what I'd done because it is the prettiest soup! And then it had been inhaled by everyone and it was too late, hahaha! I felt like a dope. Love you friend xoxo

@Bijoux ... so I'm not the only one last to the Dutch Oven party! I think I'm really going to enjoy mine. It's a Lodge cast iron, five quarts, and in addition to making that bread in there, I can't wait to make chili! xoxo

@Lori ... You use the NYT recipe? Yay! I can't wait to try it. Probably next week I'll do it and I hope it turns out the way the tutorial video shows! At any rate I'm sure it will taste good, haha! I would never argue about the heavenly aroma of fresh-baked bread and I am excited to use my Dutch Oven for all manner of tasty things! xoxo

@Jeanette ... I hear you but I have turned over a new leaf and committed to eating clean ... only things with five or fewer ingredients ... so that lets out just about anything that comes in a box or a bag, unless it's broccoli florets in a bag, haha! So I figure, I cannot eat bread every day but if I have a piece of bread that is REAL FOOD a few times a week, that will suffice. The difference in the taste is so completely overwhelming that it's worth it to plan for a treat. But there's always the danger of making two loaves and eating one of them and telling TG that I only made the one, haaahahaha! I will not do that, pirate's honor ... xoxo

[Barb]

I love potato soup and have been making it as long as Bob and I have been married (a long time....). I sometimes put some ham chunks in mine. Funny that Dagny requested it. I wish my Grands would request anything with a vegetable in it. I love my heavy dutch oven, but I've never made bread in it. I have a few super-easy recipes for bread in a dutch oven, but at high altitude anything that requires "rising" has the potential to flop. As always, It's fun seeing your February decorations. Love is all you need! Stay well, Jenny.

[Carla TePaske]

Happy Valentine's Day,
I do love a good potato soup, and my husband has a delicious recipe.
I loved all the photos and all the Valentine's and most of all the LOVE of your family.
Carla

[Debbi]

Soup!!--did someone say SOUP??! I'm on my way! LOL. I love soups of all kinds too, and love to make soups and stews in my crock pot. My favorites are potato soup, taco soup, and of course, chili. Loved the peek at your pretty Valentine decor. You always decorate so nicely. Have a lovely Valentines Day my friend! Hugs!

[Jennifer]

@Barb ... I think potato soup is just about the most perfect food! Comfort ... such comfort on a spoon! And with homemade bread, just off the charts! I have had bread to flop and I'm not even at high altitude, haaahahaa! Anything is possible. But wow it's fun to make it in the Dutch Oven! xoxo

@Debbi ... I made chili last weekend in my Dutch Oven! It was so good and wow is it ever nice to cook in cast iron. Up until now all I had in cast iron was my two skillets: a big one and a little one! Thank you for your kind words my friend! xoxo