When I started this blog, I thought I would be writing about my memories and experiences with food and how vinyl interplays with these moments. I never thought I would write about political events, current happenings or the current man occupying the White House. I had stayed away for it, to be honest, for many posts. I didn’t want current events to be impacting food and vinyl pairings or to ‘date’ my posts with related events. It has actually been impossible to stay away from the down spiral that one man seems to be sending us into. I was fortunate enough to be part of history last Saturday and join the Women’s March on Washington in Seattle, Washington. Over 130,000 people and I marched from Judkin’s park in Seattle to the Space Needle. By the time the first marcher’s had reached our destination, the last marcher’s hadn’t even left the park! Over 130,000! These are not ‘alternative facts’, they are facts. It was powerful to see so many people supporting the multitudes of human’s that DT’s administration (or DT himself personally) have indicated they will not protect. Blacks, women, LGBTQ, muslims and immigrants. It was a honor to be standing among thousands who also plan to protect the rights each of these individuals. I have also been thrilled to see that so many are not just satisfied with marching but that there are ample opportunities to continue taking action. If you haven’t call your congressperson, council person or even your neighbor to share the additional ways to take action. Here are a few: https://www.womensmarch.com/100/ (nationwide), https://5calls.org/ (nationwide) and http://sccinsight.com/how-to-contact-your-council-members/ (Seattle local).
Let’s shift gears momentarily. I first heard Jake Smith a.k.a The White Buffalo because of his cover of I’m On Fire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZZRUTo9jh0). His voice gives me goosebumps, the good kind, and makes me weak in the knees. In addition, the first album of his I was exposed to (but not his first album!) wove the story of Joe and Jolene through thick and thin, through deployment and thereafter. Here is what I love most of all. The White Buffalo fills each song with raw emotion that comes out in his voice and lyrics. You can feel the cracks, fissures and divisions leading into his soul. I have seen so much of this raw emotion in friends, family and peers in the months since DT was elected and inaugurated. Much of this has been in support of diversity, openness and a call to action. Am I happy with the current events and political atmosphere? Not on your life. But witnessing this exposed emotion in many closest to me is unforgettable. Thank you for sharing your cracks, fissures and divisions leading into your soul. It is an honor to know this depth of you.
What do we often need when faced with an immense foe? Comfort and support. Although heavy foods often fit the comfort bill, when our call to action comes, these will only weigh us down. Let us nourish our bodies with foods that will feed our mind, body and soul. This soup has hearty vegetables, sustaining beans and crisp bites of broccoli rice to remind us to stay vigilant. #resist.
Hearty White Bean Vegetable Soup
Serves 6-8, with leftovers for lunches
Ingredients
1 large white onion, peeled and diced
2 celery ribs, diced
5 carrots, diced
1 can of peeled tomatoes, diced, juice reserved
2 cans of cannellini beans (or white beans), drained
2 Tbsp of tomato paste
12 cups of homemade turkey or chicken stock*
3 springs of thyme
2 springs of rosemary
2 chicken bullion cubes
1 bay leaf
2 cups of riced broccoli or cauliflower
1 Tbsp of lemon juice
Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the first three ingredients in a large stock pot and turn heat to medium. Add the cannellini beans and tomatoe paste and mix thoroughly. Add the chicken stock. Bring to a boil.
- Add the thyme, rosemary, bullion cubes and bay leaf. Simmer for 45 to 60 minutes. In the last 5 minutes, add the riced broccoli. Stir in the lemon juice and the salt and pepper. Enjoy!
Notes
- *See the Red Kuri Squash soup for a crash course on making your own stock and why it will help your homemade soups sing!
- Serve with a IPA made with Citra hops or a luxurious brown ale. Some heart bread or whole grain crackers make a complete meal.
- Feel free to add pre-cooked chopped chicken or turkey for a non vegetarian option. Additionally, use vegetable stock and vegetable bullion cubes to make vegan or even more vegetarian friendly.