Creating a blog was out of the question for a long time for me, as measuring everything in the kitchen was like biting into an eggshell. I enjoy cooking and don’t want to waste even a slightest bit of enjoyment in that small world of mine. But little did I know that everything will change, when my husband came home with the Oscar nominated film ‘Julie and Julia’( a real life story) where Julie Powell (part played by Amy Adams) challenged herself to make all the 524 recipes from Julia Child's cook book ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’ and blogging all her experiences (The Julie/Julia Project). It was an inspiring movie. A few days later when we were discussing this casually with a friend of ours over tea…everything changed dramatically…..” How about you making at least half of it in one year? Not French but your own. 262 recipes that will inspire others and present it as a blog?” For a minute my mind traveled faster than light… With an experience as a helper in my mother in laws kitchen for 6 years followed by a three year everyday struggle to satisfy the palate of my foodie husband, if I cannot do it then why should I cook? But on the other side with an experience in English literature extending no more than expanding outline stories in English grammar class when I was 18 and two small kids that come in handy at times, will a commitment for the next one year work? Anyway my ‘cook's ego’ didn’t allow me to say no...

So my friends …here I am opening my recipe book, trying to perfect and present 262 recipes in the coming 365 days….A Challenge that will of course tastes good. Come.. Have a walk with me along my journey.. Cheering and inspiring….Forgiving and tolerating…Testing and tasting….for ‘A Tasty Challenge’

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Monday, December 13, 2010

Spinach Soup with Croutons

Recipe No: 141
Hearing the name and color don’t think that it tastes healthy…Even though it is healthy it tastes very good. This is something great when you want to have a vegetarian soup and if kids are attracted to that bright green color then you are lucky, you can get some good stuff into your kids without much effort. Croutons are an addition to this recipe and if you want to avoid that, please use toasted bread instead.
Ingredients                                     Serves 2
For the Soup
  • Spinach……………………1/2 Pound or approximately 225 grams
  • Onion chopped………….1/2 Cup
  • Cream…………………….. ½ Cup (I used ¼ Cup Cream and ¼ Cup low fat milk)
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • A Teaspoon of Cream, Croutons and some cheese for decoration (optional)
For Croutons
  • Bread cubes………………..1 Cup (A crusty day old bread is most suited)
  • Roasted Garlic Butter….1 Tablespoon (For recipe click here. If you don’t have that, use Butter together with some freshly mashed Garlic)
  • Salt and Pepper…………..a pinch each
Method of Preparation
  1. Boil washed and drained Spinach and Onion with ¼ Cup water for 3 minutes or till Spinach is wilted thoroughly. If you are using freshly washed Spinach, please avoid Water.
  2. Blend this in a blender until smooth but thick. Avoid using more Water if possible.
  3. Boil the blended Spinach in a pan on medium high heat and add Cream, Salt and Pepper. Let it warm through.
  4. Serve it hot with the desired toppings. I used Croutons, Cream and some grated Cheese.
To make the Croutons

  1. Mix Bread, Butter, Salt and Pepper in a pan and heat it on low heat. Don’t let the Bread cubes pile up. Use a pan which is wide enough, so that the bread forms a single layer.
  2. Fry this till the bread is toasted and crispy, turning now and then.
  3. This will take anywhere between 20 to 30 minutes. 
  4. Once cooled thoroughly, store it in an airtight container.
Notes:
  • Those who want to have the low fat version, use Milk instead of Cream, but Cream gives that thick texture of this Soup. I usually use half milk and half Cream. But if you can get some fat free evaporated Milk that will be a very good substitute for Cream.
  • Please don’t rush the making of Croutons because if you do, the bread will burn and the Croutons will lose its crispiness fast.
  • A day old Bread is best for this. If you don’t have old Bread, just let the Bread cubes sit on the counter top for 1 or 2 hours.
  • It is not advised to make this with soft white bread as it is difficult to make it crispy. Use crusty Breads like Sourdough or a French loaf.
 






Make it, enjoy the deliciousness and 
serve it to your family with love…

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