Potato & Endive Soup

Happy Monday guys!  How was everyone's weekend? 

We were pretty relaxed on our end.  We watched the Superbowl last night with a couple of friends, but considering I didn't care for either team, I didn't quite pay attention very much.  And the commercials... I thought were a major disappointment this year.  I think I maybe laughed once, at a Doritos commercial.  But besides that, all were pretty lame.

And the half-time show.  Don't even get me started.  The best thing about it was the short appearance by Slash.  And then that was quickly ruined by Fergie's failed Axl Rose impersonation.  Seriously Fergie.  Major Fail. 

But this is not a "complain about how much I disliked the Superbowl" blog.  It's a food blog.  And this soup, as weird as the combination of Potatoes & Endive sounds, it was a 'super' bowl of soup.  Yes, I made that corny joke, but seriously...  It was shear awesomeness in a bowl.  Unlike the actual Superbowl,  it does not disappoint.



Ingredients:

4-5 red potatoes, peeled and chopped

2 tablespoons butter
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup pecorino-romano

1 large endive, chopped

2 cloves garlic

2 cups chicken stock

4 anchovy fillets
2 tablespoons golden raisins
2 tablespoons pine nuts
1/2 to 1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
salt and pepper, to taste

mozzarella cheese, shredded (optional)

In a large dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of butter.  Add garlic and anchovies.  

 

Once garlic starts to brown, add potatoes, raisins, bay leaf, pine nuts, and escarole. Cover with chicken stock, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes.

 

Puree with immersion blender.  Slowly stir in heavy cream and cayenne pepper.  Then stir in pecorino and cheddar cheese until melted.  You can go ahead and serve the soup now as is, or you can take it to another level and place soup in oven-proof bowls, cover the top lightly with mozzarella cheese, and broil for a few minutes, until cheese is browned.  

 

Now that's heaven in a bowl.  I loved all the different flavors in this soup.  They all melded perfectly together.  Seemingly random ingredients, came together for a flavor party.  And it was a tasty party, at that.  So if you're looking for something new and different, this soup is totally for you!  Enjoy guys!

3-Course Valentine's Day Dinner

I'll have to tell you, Valentine's Day didn't turn out quite how I expected. I've kind of been battling cold-like symptoms all week and waking up Sunday morning was no exception. In fact, it was probably the worst. I couldn't hear out of my right ear because of the congestion, my throat felt like a cactus, and I had a pulsing headache. But I knew I had to make the most of it.

When I finally did get out of bed, Andy had made breakfast (he tried to serve it to me in bed, but I felt like crap and I had 2 hovering dogs so it wouldn't have been a good idea). He kept it warm in the microwave and I came out to a big ol' waffle, bacon, sausage, and eggs. Yum!

Then I went to the computer to check my e-mail and stuff and I came across a card in an envelope and the newest issue of Bon Appetit. I open the card and it says that he bought me a 2-year subscription! I was elated. And the card was too cute as well... it had a bulldog just cheesing (kind of like how our dogs do) and it was just quite cute.

And so I continue the day, in sickness, but in a grand little mood. I made a 3-course dinner, from Bon Appetit's Valentine's Dinner menu and it was just marvelous.

First Course: Large Coconut Shrimp w/ Sriracha


Second Course: Beef Tenderloin w/ Potato "Risotto", Cumin-Carmelized Carrots, & Steamed Green Beans



Third Course: Chocolate Devil's Food Cake w/ Sour Cream Fudge Icing


My absolute favorite part of the meal was definitely the potato "risotto". It was creamy, delicious, and the potatoes were the best potatoes I've probably ever eaten. I could eat the everyday for the rest of my life and be happy. Andy loved the meal and we enjoyed spending the day together and he really gives me more reasons to love him everyday!

No recipe today, but if you'd like to know how any of these things are made, you can definitely check out Bon Appetit's Valentine's Day Dinner menu... I'd highly recommend trying the potato "risotto", if anything!!!