Well yep, I think that the bloggers block is gone! My recipe by no means is anything too spectacular, more practical, predictable, maybe even a lil’ boring, which I think is what most of humanity goes for in reality anyhow. Folks go for what is “normal”, in what “looks right”, not necessarily what really pumps their nads….or ovaries…..or feathers their nest. We go with convenience and ease over passion and adventure and then we take our socially accepted date du jour to a movie about people doing abnormal, passionate, adventurous things….isn’t that an oxymoron?
I’m over doing what is socially accepted….i’ve never been good at it anyway….I wanna try new things…so corny….but I do. Plain and simple…I wanna do a bunch of stuff that scares the crap outta me, and gets me out of my comfort zone….before I croak. Bucket list stuff I suppose if we have generalize it. Practical is necessary in life, I get it, but there are certain areas that are better for it than others, in cooking its necessary in order to maximize efficiency and limit waste. So I made a chicken soup with what I had on hand, as my time on the weekends is limited due to the fact that is the time I do my workin…..so I couldn’t get to the store. Many of my ingredients were from Trader Joe’s, if its wrong to love Trader Joe’s, I don’t wanna be right. Now I must wax poetic for just a moment on Trader Joe’s, I really like some of their great frozen items and dry goods…..produce is meh…..meat is meh….but their other aisles have some good stuff. I’m gonna do this one as more of a guideline for you to choose your own adventure (use what you got)!
1 lb. Protein of choice ( I used chicken breasts)
1 cup medium diced carrots
1 cup medium diced celery
1/2 cup onions
1/2 cup veg you like(I used Trader Joe’s frozen chopped leeks)
1/2 cup fava beans (I used Trader Joe’s frozen ones, they are swell!)
3/4 cup pearl barley (I used Bob’s red mill)
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp soy sauce
6 cups chicken stock or whatever kind you like.
1 palmful of dried mushrooms (Trader Joe’s has great ones!)
1 tsp pepper
2 tbsp chopped green herb of choice I used dill
1 clove garlic minced
Method:
I start by throwing my barley in with two cups of water and bringing to a boil, add mushrooms, reduce to medium and cook 15 minutes or so. I then add the carrots, onion, celery, garlic, stock and tomato paste. I add my chicken breasts whole and poach them for 10 minutes over medium heat, I then remove them and shred. Add frozen veg, soy, and pepper, check for seasoning add salt if needed….then throw the chicken back in simmer for a few more minutes and serve. Top with chopped herb of choice. Cheers to 2015…may it bring clarity, confidence, and maybe a bit of adventure!