It was dark when I left the house this morning… just a light skiff of snow sweeping the streets as I drove in the hushed dawn to meet my friends. I wondered if it was worth all this trouble, to wake early and traverse the city in weather that looked so ominous.
Hot coffee was poured, hands warmed, hugs held and memories caught up. My one friend had lost her husband and daughter… both… within a year to cancer. We reminisced about our teaching years together. We shared all that is new… orchestra… marriages, the usual “catching up” sort of conversation.
The sun was just rising as I made my way back home. Roads were blustering with snow by then, drifting under an icy blue sky overhead. A lone cyclist went past, struggling uphill, fighting the wind and the snow. His bike headlamp shone a wan beam through the falling flakes… it was a true “uphill battle”. How brave and strong he must be, I realized, working so relentlessly to get where he was going… while I drove in my snug, warm car.
Then I thought about how brave my dear friend was… and is. How “uphill” her battle must still be.
And I said to myself, “This is the face of courage.”
♥
Every day is such a beloved gift.
Take the time to prepare a meal, sit down and share your day. What many of us wouldn’t give for such a simple pleasure…
I didn’t feel like writing a recipe today, but I decided I could be just a bit more courageous myself and finish this post. So I’ll share with you a simple family style winter soup for cold days like this. It’s a Minestrone Soup (“the big soup” in Italian) that my mother-in-law, Jane (another very courageous woman) taught me how to make when I was first married and still learning how to cook. I’ve changed it up a bit over the years, but the recipe still resonates with me as a family meal that must be shared. So many family stories, lectures, words of advice and lots of laughter were shared along with a bowl of this soup and a slice of warm bread… that it’s become a tradition. I’ve given it a new name, I thought it would give “Nanna” Jane a laugh to see her soup all “gussied up” in my blog ♥
Cucina Povera Minestrone Zuppa
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion, diced
- 4 small carrots, diced
- 1-2 cloves garlic, diced
- 1 stalk of celery, diced
- 2 540 ml (19oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 540 ml (19oz) can cannellini beans
- (white kidney beans)
- 1 liter chicken or vegetable stock
- 2 cups water
- 2 small handfuls baby spinach
- 2-3 cups green beans, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups dried pasta shells (I used scoobi doo, loved the wiggle!)
- salt and cracked black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp oregano
- Pour olive oil into large soup pot. Bring to medium high heat and add onion, carrots, garlic and celery. Stir and cook until vegetables have slightly softened.
- Pour in tomatoes, beans, stock and water. Bring to a simmer.
- Add spinach, green beans and pasta noodles. Bring back to a simmer and cook for about 35-40 minutes or until pasta is cooked through and vegetables are soft.
- I think some prosciutto added right when serving would be wonderful, as would a dollop of buffalo mozzarella cheese…
When I saw the title of your post on my email feed, I came smiling, ready to crack a joke about the spinach use…
But your post left me with a teary eye, and at the same time feeling a sense of being happy just because. Just because my uphill battle is a smooth ride compared to so many others.
beautiful post. thank you
I hadn’t thought about the title… but we’ll leave it at that:) Yes, spinach… I throw it into everything to try and make my kids eat it! The spinach in your soup looks delicious:) Mine looks a touch “misplaced”:)
Your wonderful friend is so lucky to have a wonderful friend such as you. AND thank you for posting a good minestrone recipe, mine is so old and tired and I forget what i am doing half the time .. i will make this one next.. love love c
She was my mentor for years since I was so much younger. Now I’m glad to be reacquainted with her…
and you’re welcome!
It’s a beautiful soup, and the name a grand reflection of what your mother-in-law and your good friend both exemplify here: riches out of poverty. Sweetness out of need.
You have such a way to turn a pretty phrase, Kathryn:) I love your voice…
A beautifully thoughtful post.
Nice looking soup too. 😉
Thanks:)
That is so tragic. Some people get more than their fair share of suffering in this world. My sister has a dear friend in a similar situation. Her husband died a few weeks ago from cancer and her son has a brain tumor with a very poor prognosis. There are no words.
You’re right, no words…
I hope you know Smidge what a very lovely place this is … to pause, rest, savor, imagine, be inspired. I just want to thank you for your (always) lovely work!
And (not so incidentally) the recipe for Nanna Jane’s suppa looks wonderful!
I failed to mention this is also a place to be. t o u c h e d . Not every day while reading a “food blog” does that happen. : ).
This is such a lovely compliment.. thank you for being my wordpress friend:) Btw.. no problem getting to your new blog:)
My sympathies to your friend and you for your loss. Life can be so hard, at times, and one needs all the courage that one can muster to meets its challenges. Your friend is lucky to have you at her side — and vice versa. You’ve shared a great recipe for minestrone and one that I can’t wait to try. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much. You must have an authentic minestrone?? I’d love to see it.
It’s stories like that leave me without words and just reaching to cook something nurturing in the kitchen. I think that’s the perfect dish for it, (also feeling incredibly thankful for what I have.)
Stay warm.
I’m glad if my blog has done that… and so happy you are keeping warm in your kitchen as well:)
It is quite beyond belief what the human spirit can endure, your friend is lucky to have you. Re Minestrone; I find it is a cure for the foulest mood 🙂
Well, hello anonymous:) Thanks for stopping by. Some people do simply amaze me:)
It was the cyclist, actually, that tweaked my imagination. Your friend has you for support and continued courage, but that cyclist is making the journey alone whilst being forced back against the elements. ….. And the soup ain’t half bad either. 😉
I hadn’t thought of it that way. I’m thrilled to have tweaked your imagination as well. 😉
Beautifully written. I’m sorry for your friend’s losses. I can’t even begin to imagine. Sometimes when I wake in the middle of the night these fears roll through my mind. You’re right – it would take an incredible amount of courage to move forward. The older I get, the more I watch those I love age too, I’m reminded every day how short life really is – it is so important to enjoy every little moment. A beautiful soup like this and a family sitting together sharing it – that would be one of those moments to savor. 🙂
Thanks, Kristy xo
You have such a gift for words. I am sorry to hear about your friend, but am glad she has you in her life. This is the type of soup Greg likes to make me when I’m sick, so comforting.
Again, this looks fabulous!
So we meet… Greg’s (better) half:) Kathryn is my daughters name as well. Thanks for visiting and your kind words:)
she is a stronger woman than me. And a lot of other people. Nicely written. Thanks for this one.
You write beautifully and the convey the intended message. There is a lesson in your post, that can help all of us, if we remember it.
The soup is perfect, one to warm up to.
Oh dear Barbara, you are so nice. Life is nice with our friends… Thank you for sharing with us. And this was beautiful soup too, seems so rich and I want to try it. With my love, nia
So sorry about your friend. And so wonderful of you to be there. This soup looks delicious, too.
Looks lovely and hearty. Love all of the colors!