The Perfect Comfort Soup & My New Camera

Every once in awhile I have one of those almost mythicial, nearly perfect weekends - and this weekend was one of those. Josh and I (and Nash!) spent Saturday morning with Morgan taking pictures in the 45 degree weather in the Back Bay. We took pictures near the library, Copley Square, Comm Ave and Marlborough Street. Nash wasn't the most perfectly behaved dog - he has a bit of trouble sitting still - but I think that Morgan was able to get some amazing pictures. And she was wonderful to work with! 

 

Then, we spent the rest of Saturday enjoying time together! We took some time to relax, spent the afternoon at the Science museum and then went out to dinner on Saturday night where we talked and talked (and ate and ate) and had a wonderful time. And Sunday was productive (even if I am about to lose my first fantasy football matchup this season) and relaxing. And Walking Dead started up again last night - so that just absolutely made my weekend since I'm obsessed with that show.  

 

Oh, and there's also the small little detail ... of getting a new camera!!! For so long now, seriously, well over a year or two, I have been wanting to upgrade to a DSLR and finally, with birthday money from my Dad and Phyllis, my Aunt Joan, an old gift card from my former bosses, and some of my own money (a lot of people helped contribute to this, as you can tell), on Friday night I went and purchased my new camera! Say hello to my Nikon D3100!

 

 

Ah, she is so beautiful. And I have been taking a storm of pictures. You'd think that the paparazzi had taken over my apartment - it's a good thing I have an understanding boyfriend. And of course, once I had the new camera, I wanted to do more than just stalk my boyfriend and my dog - although that is a lot of fun - so I decided to make the perfect Fall comfort soup - Vichyssoise (or Potato Leek Soup).

 

 

Making this soup is so, so easy. This recipe was adapted from The Fannie Farmer Cookbook, 12th Ed. and was a staple in my house when I was growing up. Over the years I've adapted the recipe a bit, and here are the ingredients you need, as I make it today.

4 leeks, white part only, sliced

2 medium potatoes, sliced

4 cups chicken broth, or stock

heavy cream, to taste

salt and pepper, to taste

parsely, to garnish (not shown)

 

First, melt your butter in a large pot.

 

 

Then, add in the onion, celery and leeks.

 

 

Cook over low heat, stirring occassionally, until the onion, leeks and celery is limp, but not brown.

 

 

Then, add your sliced potatoes, and chicken broth.

 

 

Cover partially, and cook until the potatoes are tender - about 20 to 25 minutes. I know it's done when the potatoes break up easily with a wooden spoon.

 

 

Then, transfer the contents (I do it in two batches), to your blender to puree the contents.

 

 

Then, pour the pureed soup into a bowl.

 

 

Add salt and pepper, and a little bit of cream, to taste.

 

 

Stir it all together and ladle into bowls to serve. Garnish the soup with a little bit of extra cream and some parsley.

 

 

And, voila! - vichyssoise! And the best part about this soup? You can eat it cold! So, after you enjoy the wonderful hot bowl of soup, you can put the leftovers in the fridge and let the soup chill and eat it cold. I love this soup so much that I could probably eat it every single day and not ever get tired of it.

 

Did you make any delicious soups this weekend? Start preparing for the cooler weather in any other ways? And please, tell me, have any of you made any electronic upgrades lately? Were you as excited as I am???