Soupy Soup with Cauliflower and Limas
28 March 2009 by Jean Johnson
Soupy Soup, a dish from Cooking Beyond Measure, is named after the elderly lady doggie who used to live next door. The spring day I first pulled the soup together, the weather was warm enough to draw me and my bowl outside. Who was waiting by the daffodils but the lovely, slow-moving Soupy. It was a contemplative moment supping in the presence of a soul beyond her prime, but still a creature so enthralled by life that every subtle whiff on the breeze was cause for fascination.
In Soupy’s company, I found fascination too. Fascination for the feel of the warm bowl in my hands. Fascination for the smell of the broth wafting upwards on slender tendrils of steam. And deep appreciation for the wintry favors that melded together in this pale shade of spring offering.
Soupy Soup
Recipe Note
Add a chop of cabbage, onion, and cauli to nothing more than a boil of water and a pinch of turmeric for color. Finish this cleanly flavored soup with cooked lima beans, a drizzle of good oil, some zest and juice from a fresh lemon, and a chop of flat leaf parsley.
Details
~If you’re not vegan you can even gild the lily with some freshly grated Parmesan and a some paprika. And if you need more salt than the limas I cooked at home brought with them, of course, bring it on.
~Also if you’re into exploring the world of flavor some, put the onion into the water first and give it some time. Then taste the broth, and see what you think about onion power. Similarly, I’ve found tasting before and after the lemon and parsley rather revelatory–and empowering, since now I use these things not because some authority says to, but because I understand their ability to make food taste fabulous.
Finally, for those of you who’ve not seen Soupy immortalized in Beyond Measure, here she is.
And really, finally–here’s a version of Soupy Soup I made, April 2010. It’s not soup at all since I didn’t use that much water. Principle’s the same though–and the parsley sings like it always does.
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3 Responses to “Soupy Soup with Cauliflower and Limas”
I got this lovely comment from dear friend, Rula Awward-Rafferty:
“Dear Jean, Your posts shine like a brilliant ray of sunshine, no matter the time or the day.Thank you.”
Thank you, Rula. How nice of you to say–even though I suspect it was dear old Soupy who really got to the strings of your heart.
By Jean Johnson on Mar 31, 2009
It made my heart soar to see Soupy Soup because I am the proud pet parent of the little old Soupy. She is still walking around smelling of all things interesting at the old age of 17 now.
Thank you so much, Jean, for remembering her.
By marsha buzan on Apr 15, 2009
Ah,Marsha–brings tears to my eyes. All best to you and Soupy. So glad you ladies–and the new young terror-terrier of the family, Ruby–get to laze around in the warmth of the desert these days. Expect me and the cat down to visit next winter. Jean
By Jean Johnson on Apr 15, 2009