As you’re reading this, I’m in Aspen about to board a flight to Paris. This week I drove back to snowy Colorado, dumped my belongings and grabbed a packed suitcase labeled France. Yep, the gypsy thing. Still living it. Note also, only one suitcase.
Before my upcoming journey, here’s a parting gift – a wonderfully delicious soup. It’s a cinch to throw together and takes just 30 minutes to make. Chupe de Quinoa (Peruvian Quinoa and Corn Chowder) is another Christopher Kimball creation. It’s from his Milk Street Tuesday Nights cookbook which won both the James Beard and IACP Awards for best general cookbook in 2019. Great for dinner but save a few cups for lunch the next and next days. All you need to know to pull this off is below.
TO MASK or NOT to MASK
Despite Coronavirus and a 46-day transportation strike (officially ended…maybe), it’s destination Paris for six weeks. While I’m adverse to risk (I purchased the last 3 masks available in Las Vegas), I’ve adjusted to tolerating discomfort.
Leading the life I want, making it happen, often requires stepping outside the comfort zone. To my mind, that’s not dreadful. Of course, I’d prefer lush-and-plush over lean-and-mean. My affordable bed-of-roses is sometimes lumpy. But I’m still blessed with good health. It’s a priceless gift and why I can keep “charging” forward.
Admittedly, aging has forced me to soften the edges of my absurdly independent self. I’ve learned that ‘help is the sunny side of control’ and value even more those who offer it.
I LOVE APPLE
If you need to jump start your social life, buy an iPhone 11 Pro Max and pitch a tent at your local Apple store. That’s what I did last month. From the minute their doors open each morning, it’s a frenzied happening. All ages can apply. Gold stars to Fili, Sid and Rachel, the instructors who adopted me as a group project. I took 7 classes to get up to photography speed before my trip. I also bonded with strangers I’ll never see again!
RANGER REUNION
from Deborah Madison’s “Vegetable Literacy” cookbook. Our nature study group actually used Madison’s comprehensive and amazing cookbook as a text book to study plant life . Char baked these fantastic cheese wafers. Take two, please.
Hugs are never in short supply when I return home. I actually think the kids at The Gant missed me. “You know, Mrs. Hirsch, when you leave, we starve,” is the best compliment ever.
When I had chores down valley Wednesday, Donna Grauer managed to pull together a luncheon for my Ranger colleagues and other friends who live nearby. Not only was it chance to see them, but also an opportunity to celebrate our friendship and birthdays I miss. Here are more photos from that.
AU REVOIR
It’s will be fun to share this journey with you all. Merci mille fois for coming along.
CHUPE de QUINOA (PERUVIAN QUINOA & CORN CHOWDER) by Christopher Kimball excerpted from MILK STREET: TUESDAY NIGHTS
SERVES: 4 (Frozen Corn works and is always a good substitute if fresh corn isn’t available.)
INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup ají amarillo paste or 1-2 minced jalapeños
3 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
8 ounces sweet potato, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces (1½ cups)
1 1/2 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
3/4 cup quinoa, preferably red, rinsed and drained if necessary
1 1/4 quarts (5 cups) chicken broth (use low-sodium if you wish)
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup lightly packed fresh mint, chopped
1-2 limes, cut into wedges, to serve
DIRECTIONS:
- In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, warm the oil until shimmering.
- Stir in the sweet potato, corn, quinoa and broth. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes and quinoa are tender, 16 to 20 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper. if needed.
- Off heat, stir in the heavy cream.
- Ladle into bowls, Sprinkle with mint. Serve with lime wedges and a simple salad of shredded cabbage, sliced avocado and crumbled queso fresco or mixed greens.
TIPS:
1.Rinse the quinoa to remove the naturally-occurring toxic saponin that gives quinoa its bitter flavor. Be sure to check the packaging first, as some quinoa is sold pre-washed and won’t need to be rinsed.
2. Ají amarillo, an orange-yellow chili with a fruity yet earthy flavor, is ubiquitous in Peruvian cuisine. Ají amarillo paste, sold in jars, is available at well-stocked markets and specialty stores under the Goya brand. If you can’t find it, use 1 or 2 minced jalapeños instead.
What a wonderful valentine from you, Mary, to all the luncheon attendees. You forgot to mention that you saved the day by composing the tarts. I was already so frazzled from chopping and roasting the veggies. Next time, we do the veggies the day before.
We will miss you, au revoir and bon voyage and bon appetite.
Great pics , delicious foods and more fun adventures with Mary! Safe travels and have a fabulous time in Paris! Bon Appetit.
Have wonderful adventures!
Great pix, food and friends. I especially like the ‘selfie’ of the Forest Conservancy women. You gals rock!!!
Have a marvellous time in Paris – so sorry I won’t be there again this year (headed home for March Break). I look forward to updates!) PS: Not sure the transport strike lasted 46 weeks 😉
46 Days. Right. Corrected and thank you.
Happy Valentine’s Day and safe travels, Mary! You made me miss Aspen…and you!! xo
I can not wait to try Chupe de Quinoa. We love quinoa and I’m always looking for new recipes. Will let you know how I do. Thank you so much for sharing this Mary.
Bon Voyage Mary! Safe travels. I’m so looking forward to your blogs from Paris!!
Just missed you in Aspen! I left on Sunday, and that, too, was a horrific drive. Now you’re in Paris and I’m back in Bridgehampton! Perfect for both of us for the next few weeks. Have fun! I know you will. Hope our paths will cross again one place or another — Happy Valentine’s Day!
A really great post Mary, but I always enjoy reading them. I hope you have a fabulous trip, knowing you, you must have a million things lined up to do. Have fun.
I always enjoy reading your posts…they make me want to hang out with you haha! You seem to have so much fun and have so many things to do and interests to explore. Enjoy your trip and I will look forward to the next blog entry of yours. 🙂
Glad to be back with the group. We will have to meet up in Paris someday. Glad you like Chris Kimball’s latest cookbook. I will have to check it out. Have a safe and lovely trip.
Lucky you in Paris for 6 weeks. I am envious. Tres bon! I will live vicariously.
Loved the story and photos about some of my favorite patrol gal pals. What fun!
Great blog. Why do you always look so great in the photos. I’m so looking forward to Paris posts!!!!
Because if it isn’t a semi-decent photo of me, I don’t post it!!!
As always, I enjoyed everything about your post. The special tablecloth (so fab it is getting used, more fab there were no spills…), friends, Barbie, puzzles and of course PARIS. Enjoy it for me and please make a visit to Poilane and say hello for me. Apologies for being out of pocket but it turns out I was in Vegas at the same time as you !! So sorry I didn’t think to reach out. Had an amazing time with my hubby on our first trip there and was sick on the way home and then for two weeks. Adding the last recipe to my make up list. But so worth it and of course, happy to have to miss work instead of vacation lol. We had no idea when we booked the holiday weekend that it was early set up for Lunar New Year. I was blown away by those insanely over the top and gorgeous decorations. Wow. We were saying that if we returned we would literally aim for that same holiday time just to see those decorations again. Hugs and adventures to you in Paris !
As always, I enjoyed everything about your post. The special tablecloth (so fab it is getting used, more fab there were no spills…), friends, Barbie, puzzles and of course PARIS. Enjoy it for me and please make a visit to Poilane and say hello for me. Apologies for being out of pocket but it turns out I was in Vegas at the same time as you !! So sorry I didn’t think to reach out. Had an amazing time with my hubby on our first trip there and was sick on the way home and then for two weeks. Adding the last recipe to my make up list. But so worth it and of course, happy to have to miss work instead of vacation lol. We had no idea when we booked the holiday weekend that it was early set up for Lunar New Year. I was blown away by those insanely over the top and gorgeous decorations. Wow. We were saying that if we returned we would literally aim for that same holiday time just to see those decorations again. Hugs and adventures to you in Paris !
Have the most wonderful of times. Eat all the cheeses you can’t get here
Your corn chowder looks delicious.
I envy your one-suitcase getaways! Hope you are having a wonderful time in Paris!