Cream of Broccoli (or Cauliflower) Soup

It's time to make sure we are cleaning out the freezer from last summer.  As much as we like to eat our own vegetables, sometimes when they are in the chest freezer, they are out of sight, out of mind. So, we'll be pulling out the favorite recipes that use large amounts of some of the veggies we have left in storage.

Here is our favorite broccoli soup, taken from the trusty Betty Crocker Cookbook. She tags it as Low-Fat, and the best part about it is the vibrant green color- yeah vitamins!

Cream of Broccoli Soup (or Cream of Cauliflower Soup- see bottom of recipe) 
 prep time: 35 min   cook: 15 min   8 servings

1 1/2 lb broccoli (sometimes I mix broccoli and cauliflower)
2 cups water
1 large stalk celery, chopped (3/4 cup)
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
2 Tbs butter
2 Tbs all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
Dash ground nutmeg
1/2 cups (heavy) whipping cream
shredded cheese, if desired

1. Remove flowerets from broccoli; set aside. Cut stalks into 1-inch pieces, discarding any leaves.

2. In 3-quart saucepan, heat water to boiling. Add broccoli flowerets and stalk pieces, celery and onion. Cover and heat to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer about 10 minutes or until broccoli is tender (do not drain).

3. Blend broccoli mixture in blender or food processor until smooth.

4. In 3-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Sitr in flour. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in broth. heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute.

5. Stir in broccoli mixture, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Heat just to boiling. Stir in whipping cream. Heat just until hot (do not boil or soup may curdle). Serve soup topped with cheese.

Cream of Cauliflower Soup: substitute 1 head cauliflower (about 2 lb) for the broccoli. Add 1 Tbs lemon juice with the onion in step 2.

Enjoy with some warm, crusty homemade bread!

Cuttin' Calories the Old Fashioned Way

As I rose from the couch one winter day, I was a little sad to realize that my former college basketball playing body just doesn't move as quickly as it once did and I do not seem to have the time to keep playing in "old-lady leagues", nor should I spend money on a gym membership right now.  (Yes, this is Anna writing.) So when I came across this article in a magazine, I was excited to see our lifestyle validated as healthy in other ways than just healthy food.  We always observe that Vince loses at least 10 pounds every spring when the outdoor work begins in full.  His activity must qualify as doing "heavy" farming.  So...join us in getting outside in the garden this year for exercise- and the added benefit of fresh air!

Handmade, Homemade

There's nothing like things homemade. Although we were both raised appreciating homemade things (wood working, baked goods, birthday cards, poems as a gift for Dad), as part of this farm experience, we have learned to make a lot more things from our own supplies. Neither of the items in this post are from our farm, but they capture the importance we place on making things with your own hands and sharing that experience with others. For Christmas Anna received a cutting board made by brother Wade that is much nicer than any "store bought" cutting board (although you can buy his cutting boards and other creative items- just let us know and we'll send you his way!)

my beautiful new cutting board made by brother Wade Caruso- awaiting fresh veggies to chop.

On New Year's Eve we spent all day with most of Vince's family in Evans City, PA making ravioli "like Grandma Caruso made." With Nick leading the charge and with the usual banter and noise that comes with a large family, we took turns in the assembly line and turned out dozens and dozens of both meat and squash (from Wade's garden) filled raviolis. Even the toddlers "helped" (you can spy them in the pictures below). There is something wonderful about sharing an experience with those you love and then getting to enjoy the product together. Try it this year with items from your garden and let us know what you made!

part of the ravioli assembly line

rolling the perfect pasta