HOT! Curried Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup

Last Friday, the Boy-O and I went for lunch together at Honeypie. It was one of the better restaurant experiences for us lately, I suspect because it was just the two of us. He sat opposite me at our table in the window, and really was being quite impressive. He ordered his grilled cheese, on the list of his acceptable foods, and I just ordered a bowl of soup: Creamy Curried Carrot.

I haven't had a carrot soup in quite awhile, and this one was great. I just needed to ask for the Sriracha, since I like things hot. That one bowl was enough for the day, but I really had a taste for it again today. I thought I'd make some, but I'd make sure to add enough heat for me not to need to add any additional.

Well, it's Hot, I'll tell you. I finished making it just after lunch, and had a little cup full just to be sure it was seasoned properly. I'll list my approximate proportions here:

Hot Curried Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup

• 2 T. or so olive oil and/or a little butter
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 T. more or less Hot Curry Powder
• 1 t. or so powdered ginger
• 5 or 6 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 good size sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
• about 6 c. chicken stock or veg stock or even water
• salt and pepper (I used California Seasoned Pepper and a good shake of Aleppo, since I can't seem to omit it from anything)

Saute onion in oil or butter until translucent, about 5 minutes over medium heat. Add curry powder and ginger powder and stir for one minute. Add all the chopped veg and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, pop on the lid, and simmer gently for a half hour or so until the vegetables are soft. Puree with an immersion blender or in batches in a regular blender (taking care not to seal it up all the way if it's hot). Adjust spices with salt and peppers.

You could add a whole host of other nuanced spices if you feel like it, I think nutmeg and maybe even a little allspice would be good. I'm also planning to splash it with a little half and half before I serve it to my Mom tonight. Oh, and I'm going to make a few candied walnuts for the top... I think it needs something crunchy.

Such a cheerful fall color...

The other highlight of Friday's impromptu lunch was the Boy-O having to have dessert. I know I could have said no...but I confess that I truly am bewildered at the deliciousness of their baked goods. Of all the things in the case, he picked out a gingerbread cupcake with cream cheese frosting. I was surprised he didn't go for the Black Forest Cupcakes that were copiously finished with whipping cream and cherries...that's what I would have gone for.

I let him eat 1/3 of it there, since it was the size of a small cake, and we took the rest with us. It was delicious, studded with golden raisins, and definitely not in the non-fat gingerbread category. After this Thanksgiving, I think I'll have to break out my favorite gingerbread recipe, one from the Gramery Tavern that has Guinness. Until then, since I'm hosting this year, I'm back in pie making mode.

Restaurant Review: Honeypie

Image from Honeypie...

I finally got to eat at Honeypie in Bay View Friday evening after much anticipation. Really, I am not a food snob, I just usually prefer to spend my USD's on ingredients and do the cooking myself. However, if and when I do want to eat out, I will patronize Honeypie.

I actually wasn't even hungry, I was meeting friends. I did end up ordering the pork fries, fitting for a place with a "pig in a bib" on their logo... (Incidentally, my little boy-o loves saying "pig in a bib" and then laughing hysterically ever since we first saw the sign.) Pork fries are going to be my new guilty pleasure since they are delicious fries topped with BBQ pork, a cheese sauce and I'm guessing jalapenos pickled with coriander seed. Oh, yes, and then topped with bacon. I'm fairly certain this plate could have fed me for 3 days:

I mistakenly thought that the portion would be a bit more on the modest side since it was actually an appetizer, now I'm betting my bacon consumption for the week is nearing its max. The restaurant is actually just down the street from me, and is a sister to the Comet Cafe on the East Side. It's the type of place that feels homey, serves genuine food from responsible sources, and beckons you to eat meat though they do have vegan options for many things. In fact, Sasa went before I did and reported that the whole place smelled of meat. It must have been a day they were smoking something... since I thought it just smelled like a home kitchen.

We arrived early, were already acquainted with the waitress, (who besides that did an excellent and efficient job, complete with awesome recommends) and stayed until the place really started to jump for the Friday night fish fry crowd. I tasted some of the perch that Kim had, no pics since they were dim and blurry, and it was tremendous. It instantly transported me to my 8 year old fishing self and I could even see my Mom pan frying in the round portable skillet she used to have. Sasa had a sandwich, but I don't remember which one, and it looked great too. All of the portions were ample, and next time I go, I'm bringing my appetite.

My RanchoGordo beans are nearly done, and what is for dinner tonight? Puerco. I think this really is the Porcine Weekend for me. I am planning to lay off the carnivorous side for quite a few days after, since I scored some really nice veg at the South Shore Market this morning. Today was the swansong of the season for us farm market attendees, though I am happy to see that there will be a Winter Farmer's Market (Indoors!) at State Fair Park on Saturdays starting November 7th and running through April 24th, 2010.