Calling in the Troops: Creamy Tomato Soup
Today I did something I never thought I'd do. I asked my parents for a favor, one that would make most people my age cringe. It wasn't money, keys to the car, or 51% inheritance. I asked my parents to help me date.
We never thought this would be a problem, back in high school my parents probably wished I'd do a little less dating. But time has come to admit that I'm of a certain age (34), and quite eager to start living this great life I see my friends around me enjoying -- a partner to pal around with, and some kids to poke at. It doesn't look as drek as it looked in my twenties, and quite frankly I'm tired of hanging around in bars.
Unfortunately, my male counterparts are available due to the exact OPPOSITE reasons I am; they don't want that pal stuff. There are tons of guys around, all licking their chops when we start talking in a restaurant, on the street, in the park, wherever. So eager and enthusiastic to do anything but that on which I've got my heart set.
My Dad is a strong fellow, a bit of a flirt himself, quite a captivating guy. Good natured, affable, always talking to waitresses more than most. He's baffled by the fact that I can't seem to find a decent guy. A daddy's girl I'm not; he's very upfront and direct, a real man's man, so this type of conversation is new to him.
"It's not like you're fat and ugly. I mean, you should see some of the women getting married these days."
I know, dad.
And then there's mom. She's lovely, the kind the friends go to for advice. Fantastic listener -- in fact, there was a time a few years ago where she was actually trolling JDate on my behalf. Even found a guy I spent a few months dating. She's got practice and potential in this arena. Instead of trying to look for new warm bodies, she opted for a trip down memory lane.
"What about Michael Corlione? You were awfully fond of him."
He's involved in organized crime, ma.
"I know, but you two had a really good time."
Did you not hear the mob part, mom? He's dating someone now, and is always calling me for a fling. Can we cross him off the list?
Enter Dad, "Then why the hell are you taking his calls? I tell you, you stay too long with some of these jokers."
"What about Flamingo?" chirps Mom.
I need someone financially stable mom; I don't ask that he take care of me, I just need him to cover his own debts.
"I thought you said you just 'wanted someone nice and not-gay'?" asked Mom, quoting me back at me.
"Honey, we don't know anyone," said Dad. "We live in a retirement community."
When did setting up your children stop being the favorite passtime in retirement communities? I suppose good fences do make good neighbors.
With a little encouragement, they agreed to come on board. And what's more, there is a silver lining to this dating monsoon, and it is this: I realized that I actually value my parents opinions. Most people I know want their parents to bud out. I actually want mine to bud in. Heck, it can be a fun-for-the-whole-family game. If I can't contribute the Mazel and Tov of a wedding, etcetera, at least we can all have fun playing the dating game instead of me, alone, wallowing in Manhattan man malaise. Because they're what I've got, and they're the whole reason I'm looking to recreate a little of what I had. They did a good job.
BACK TO CHILDHOOD CREAMY TOMATO SOUP
Inspired by Sarabeth's in New York City.
Serves 6 to 8
½ stick butter
1 small onion, chopped
2 large shallots, chopped
2 scallions(green tops only), thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes in thick puree
3 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy or whipping cream
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/3 cup loosely packed torn fresh dill sprigs, plus more for garnish (or use basil)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3/4 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1. In 5- to 6-quart saucepot, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add onion, shallots, scallion tops, and garlic. Cook 5 minutes or until onion is tender (don't get color on the onions, just soften them. Meanwhile, remove the tomatoes from the puree, reserving the puree, and use your hands to squish the tomatoes, removing any tough stems. This is childhood after all, have fun with it. Make sure the pieces are bite-sized.
2. Add milk, cream, and tomatoes with their puree to saucepot. Increase heat to high; heat mixture to boiling.
3. In large saucepan, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter over low heat. With wire whisk, stir in flour and cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, making sure mixture does not brown. Gradually whisk in 1 1/2 cups hot tomato mixture.
4. Return mixture to pot, and reduce heat to very low. Cook, uncovered, barely simmering, 30 minutes to blend flavors and thicken slightly, stirring frequently. Stir in torn dill sprigs, salt, and pepper.
5. To serve, ladle soup into 8 bowls; top with Cheddar and garnish with dill sprigs if you like. (For the smoothest soup, puree in a food processor or blender, carefully, as the mixture is hot, and pass through a strainer.)
We never thought this would be a problem, back in high school my parents probably wished I'd do a little less dating. But time has come to admit that I'm of a certain age (34), and quite eager to start living this great life I see my friends around me enjoying -- a partner to pal around with, and some kids to poke at. It doesn't look as drek as it looked in my twenties, and quite frankly I'm tired of hanging around in bars.
Unfortunately, my male counterparts are available due to the exact OPPOSITE reasons I am; they don't want that pal stuff. There are tons of guys around, all licking their chops when we start talking in a restaurant, on the street, in the park, wherever. So eager and enthusiastic to do anything but that on which I've got my heart set.
My Dad is a strong fellow, a bit of a flirt himself, quite a captivating guy. Good natured, affable, always talking to waitresses more than most. He's baffled by the fact that I can't seem to find a decent guy. A daddy's girl I'm not; he's very upfront and direct, a real man's man, so this type of conversation is new to him.
"It's not like you're fat and ugly. I mean, you should see some of the women getting married these days."
I know, dad.
And then there's mom. She's lovely, the kind the friends go to for advice. Fantastic listener -- in fact, there was a time a few years ago where she was actually trolling JDate on my behalf. Even found a guy I spent a few months dating. She's got practice and potential in this arena. Instead of trying to look for new warm bodies, she opted for a trip down memory lane.
"What about Michael Corlione? You were awfully fond of him."
He's involved in organized crime, ma.
"I know, but you two had a really good time."
Did you not hear the mob part, mom? He's dating someone now, and is always calling me for a fling. Can we cross him off the list?
Enter Dad, "Then why the hell are you taking his calls? I tell you, you stay too long with some of these jokers."
"What about Flamingo?" chirps Mom.
I need someone financially stable mom; I don't ask that he take care of me, I just need him to cover his own debts.
"I thought you said you just 'wanted someone nice and not-gay'?" asked Mom, quoting me back at me.
"Honey, we don't know anyone," said Dad. "We live in a retirement community."
When did setting up your children stop being the favorite passtime in retirement communities? I suppose good fences do make good neighbors.
With a little encouragement, they agreed to come on board. And what's more, there is a silver lining to this dating monsoon, and it is this: I realized that I actually value my parents opinions. Most people I know want their parents to bud out. I actually want mine to bud in. Heck, it can be a fun-for-the-whole-family game. If I can't contribute the Mazel and Tov of a wedding, etcetera, at least we can all have fun playing the dating game instead of me, alone, wallowing in Manhattan man malaise. Because they're what I've got, and they're the whole reason I'm looking to recreate a little of what I had. They did a good job.
BACK TO CHILDHOOD CREAMY TOMATO SOUP
Inspired by Sarabeth's in New York City.
Serves 6 to 8
½ stick butter
1 small onion, chopped
2 large shallots, chopped
2 scallions(green tops only), thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes in thick puree
3 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy or whipping cream
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/3 cup loosely packed torn fresh dill sprigs, plus more for garnish (or use basil)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3/4 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1. In 5- to 6-quart saucepot, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add onion, shallots, scallion tops, and garlic. Cook 5 minutes or until onion is tender (don't get color on the onions, just soften them. Meanwhile, remove the tomatoes from the puree, reserving the puree, and use your hands to squish the tomatoes, removing any tough stems. This is childhood after all, have fun with it. Make sure the pieces are bite-sized.
2. Add milk, cream, and tomatoes with their puree to saucepot. Increase heat to high; heat mixture to boiling.
3. In large saucepan, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter over low heat. With wire whisk, stir in flour and cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, making sure mixture does not brown. Gradually whisk in 1 1/2 cups hot tomato mixture.
4. Return mixture to pot, and reduce heat to very low. Cook, uncovered, barely simmering, 30 minutes to blend flavors and thicken slightly, stirring frequently. Stir in torn dill sprigs, salt, and pepper.
5. To serve, ladle soup into 8 bowls; top with Cheddar and garnish with dill sprigs if you like. (For the smoothest soup, puree in a food processor or blender, carefully, as the mixture is hot, and pass through a strainer.)
posted by Allison Fishman at 4:17 PM
3 Comments:
Maybe you should try to be happy with yourself before you look for someone else to make you happy.
Good soup recipe! Thanks!
Sounds wonderful for the upcoming cold fall and winter days. Am going out of town, but will try it as soon as I return. Thanks once agagin for the inspiration.
YKW
Soup recipe (which we also did in class, right?) is awesome and even my chef husband approved! On the personal side, what worked for me when I was ready to settle down was to go outside of my social circle and make new girlfriedns who then introduced me to their male friends.
Excellent blog as well. Entertaining reading and great reciepes!
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