Monday, February 17, 2014

Go Green Soup for Winter!

 




Local and homegrown garden fare can be a rich source of flavor and nutrition all year long if stored properly. But coming up with fresh ideas and getting past the same old standard preparations we are in the habit of making can become a drag.

Last year we had a beautiful bumper crop of asparagus, so we blanched and froze generous portions for 2 to use over the winter.  Because the spears or cuts are a little mushy when thawed, I generally do a simple heating in salt water or milk on the stovetop, or braise with olive oil, fresh mushrooms, garlic and seasoning.

But it has been a long winter. Tonight when I got home from the office I found a simple, tasty way to freshen up a winter meal.

I used the rest of last night's asparagus heated in milk and added it to a can of cream of chicken soup,  heated through, then pureed with my soup wand.  Added a little salt and pepper and a splash of cream.  YUM, EASY and pretty in the bowl.  Great with an omelette and salad. And won't break the bank.

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Hmmmmm, just right for St Paddy Day dinner next month.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

All That's Gold, A Sense of Place, track 5





Three of the songs on A Sense of Place were recorded at Watershed Recording in Nashville and feature a cast of mighty fine pickers I don't get to work with often. Right is Bryan Sutton, IBMA multiyear best guitar winner. Below, are
Wanda and Mark Burchfield, gifted players and studio owners.

All That's Gold, Heaven Down Below and Ribbon of Stone  all carry the sound of rural southern Appalachian music. This is the place I have called home for many years.  Though I am a child of the prairie, I am now deeply rooted here, in the Blue Ridge mountains, where the local music scene is rich with the heritage and culture of the region.  These three songs reflect the musical sound of southern Appalachia.


 All That's Gold Does Not Glitter—who said that first? Probably some Biblical sage or perhaps Shakespeare.  I remember reading it on a Christmas card quoting Tolkien back in high school.  It nagged at me as a song title until my buddy and frequent co-writer, Lindy Gravelle and I decided to tackle it as a song. Our hope was to make it sound like an old gospel chestnut.  Note the stunning background vocal (with bluegrass swoop) by Kim Parent, fiddle embraces by Wanda Burchfield,
steady bass by Mark Burchfield and fit-like-a-glove guitar and mando by Bryan Sutton.

Sound clip, listentrack 5