Monday, March 26, 2012

Sorrel Soup





Last night, while we were watching No Reservations' episode in Mexico (I am thankful to have Netflix and option to choose what and when I want to watch, and no commercials!), the husband suddenly dropped: "I would love to have one of the mother-in-law soups. Sorrel would be so nice..." And he went on talking about Mexico. 
I know he loves all food my mother makes, which I've learned to make a long time ago but often forget how delicious and great can be just a simple food. I often try to elaborate the dish, or create almost a restaurant quality meal, putting many hours into it. They (family) love it, they enjoy it, and then they ask to make next day something very simple, like baked potatoes, or sorrel soup. 
There was an episode on No Reservation, when Anthony Bourdain has a talk show in one of the very upscale restaurants in New York. His guests were food writers, critics, Food Network celebrity. During  one of the exceptional courses, he made a comment how great this place was and how far the chef pushed to create those fantastic dishes, and asked each guests what would be their last meal if they were to die next day. Guess what was the answer? Everyone would want to have a very simple meals that their mothers would make: macaroni and cheese, casserole, soup. 
That moment imprinted in my mind so deep, that I've been thinking about it since. There is something about home cooked meals, unchanged for generations, cooked the same way for a century or more, that makes my heart smile each time I think about it. And I can never get bored of that food. 




Sorrel


***
Sorrel Soup


1 tbsp corm meal (for polenta)
2 Russet potatoes, cubed
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tsp sun dried tomatoes flakes
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup sorrel,  shifonade
1/4 cup chopped parsley
2L vegetable or chicken stock, or just plain water.  2liters is about 1/2 gallon
Salt and pepper to taste


Preheat oil in a cast iron pot (or any other pot of your choice) on a medium-high. Add chopped onions and sprinkle with salt, stir 1 minute and add sun dried tomato flakes, stir for another minute and add potatoes. Give it a good stir and add liquid of your choice.
Bring it to a boil, add a teaspoon of salt, stir, and taste. Adjust salt if needed. Turn the heat to the medium, add corn meal, and simmer until potatoes are done (about 10 minutes). 
In the last minute add sorrel shifonade and turn the heat off. Add finely chopped parsley, cover and let it rest for about 10-15 minutes. 


Sorrel soup 


Serving suggestions: half of hard boiled egg, sour cream, lemon.


***


How often do you want a simple meal 
from your mother's kitchen?


See you,
Marina

35 comments:

  1. This looks great, so clean. I like the idea of serving it with egg.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. That's what we did for dinner actually. :)

      Delete
  2. How often do I want a simple meal from my mother's kitchen? Every day! I miss my mother's cooking! She was a very "fancy" cook but could also make the simplest dish very special.

    I love soup, and this one looks wonderful. I've never had sorrel soup, but I sure plan to now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you buy sorrel in "clam shells", get two or three to taste it in the soup.

      Delete
  3. Prior to reading this, I never even heard of sorrel!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We always considered it as herb, but when I was looking for the seeds to plant it, they are under greens. :)

      Delete
  4. Sounds so good. I love soup, light and fresh. I have never had sorrel soup!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorrel soup is our favorite during hot summer months: it's refreshing.

      Delete
  5. It looks so clear. I have never had sorrel before.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Try it, I am sure you will discover a new flavor! :)

      Delete
  6. I love Netflix for the same reason...And I wish I could have my mom's cooking every night...and I love soup, but I've never had sorrel...so I have no idea what it would taste like.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It has a sour taste, which is refreshing during summer months. Netflix rules. Although I am looking into Amazon Prime and find it very interesting too. I may switch to only Amazon, maybe?! :)

      Delete
  7. I make things my mom made every once in a while. She is a super cook! I love No Reservations!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I need a dose of No Reservations now and then to keep me moving in the kitchen! :)

      Delete
  8. Replies
    1. Thank you! I am sure you know how it tastes! :) Do you like it with sour cream? :)

      Delete
  9. I Love all kind of soups they are healty and quick to made.
    Regards
    Olguis.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Olguis. Is there something about soups that make people happier?! :)

      Delete
  10. Beautiful presentation! It's midnight and I'm now craving a warm bowl of soup. :-)
    (Love No Reservations!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Valerie, I am the same: can crave soup in the middle of the night!

      Delete
  11. I always love hearing what people would have for their last meal. Not for any morbid reasons but because I'm genuinely curious to know what dish they hold most true to their heart :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it amazing to hear the answers to this question? I've asked this question many times, and the answer most of the time is something very simple, even from gourmands. I was shocked after all those celebrities on No Reservations, who have tried the most elaborate meals in their life would want macaroni and cheese or casserole.

      Delete
  12. Hmm that interesting to know about the last meal.. true you don't need anything fancy to fix you up or brighten your day ...something simple, home made is always so comforting.. I have never tasted this but looks great.. we are a soup family :) so would love it i am sure !

    Ongoing Event : I'm The Star

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Rasi. I am sure you would like it, it's refreshing!

      Delete
  13. I've never cooked with sorel but this soup looks just wonderful! I love that recipes can bring us sweet memories of loved ones.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Spring and sorrel go well together! :)

      Delete
  14. What a lovely write-up...enjoyed reading it....the soup looks so light and delish...

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is my favorite type of soup - brothy with yummy ingredients floating around. I've never tried sorrel- can you believe that? I'm keeping an eye out. My last meal thoughts go back and forth. But it really wouldn't have been one of my mom's since she didn't really make that many things. That I remember, at least =(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They sell sorrel in so called "clam shells" - plastic herb containers. It has about 5-7 leaves, which is never enough for me. When we lived in Seattle, I was able to buy it on the Farmers markets.

      Delete
  16. Hi Marina. first at all I want to say thank you very much for your visit and comment on my blog. the second, I like when a husband suddenly drops comments like that, especially when you don't remember how it goes, hahahaha .. You are right, there's nothing better than a homemade meal from our mom. I remember a lot and especially a soup very elaborate, yet simple that my mom used to make long ago and she was the best of the best making this soup. I don't know the sorrel and I never tried it, but that sopu of yours looks delicious, perfect for a light dinner.

    Hugs and blessings to you my dear

    ReplyDelete
  17. Dear Marina, It is true that the dishes our mothers made for us are always imprinted in our hearts.
    This soup, I am sure, made many smiles for your loved ones.
    Thank you for your visits. I always look forward to them.
    Blessings my dear, Catherine xo

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a great post, I really enjoyed that Marina! It's always fun visiting with you :-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I have a big smile when I am looking to your post-) Thank you for being such a darling friend!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I loved my mother's cooking. As she got older she would ask us to make her favorites because she thought her daughters cooked better than she did. Both my sister and I have treasured cookbooks of mom's recipes. We tweak them but when we get together they're just as mom did it.

    Love the sorrel soup!

    ReplyDelete