I think it’s time to admit that winter is here.   What does winter mean to me??  Soup of course!

 I hadn’t planned ahead for this one – in fact, as I was leaving work the last thing I wanted to do was cook.  But as soon as I got home, to a chilly house, I decided that I’d throw something together.

I rummaged through the fridge, freezer and cupboards and found lots of goodies.  There was 1/2 a leek, 2/3 of an onion, 1 carrot, 1 celery rib, 1 russet potato and 1 red potato, 1/2 head of cauliflower and some frozen green and wax beans.  Kosher salt, black pepper.  I had some vegetable broth. There was about an ounce of cream, 3-4 ounces of half and half and a little milk in a carton.  I sauteed and simmered and tasted and it was just a little flat.  I decided in needed some thickening so I made a flour/milk slurry, whisked it in and simmered until it had thickened.  We’re almost there.  Just … needs.. something.  A couple of ounces of Swiss cheese was grated and added, plus some frozen parsley and basil.

 It was stupendous.  I love getting something great out of nothing much.  Good dinner with leftovers for tomorrow.