It is still very nearly dark when I leave my office and drive the five short blocks home, towards a salmon sunset striated across the sky and the warmth of a house on the hill that in winter seems to be as much fortress as dwelling.Once I am inside, I have no desire to go outside again. What I want is the warmth of a cozy snuggery with only one west-facing window and a soft sofa piled high with throws and pillows.
But first, there must be time spent in the winter kitchen, with its north facing window and cold floor. My old house is not tight, and my kitchen grows cold quickly once the sun goes down. I look for comfort food, for leftovers, for something soft and smooth but never cold. Winter is prime time for mushy, not crunchy foods, in my book.
I like nothing better than to have a dish like scalloped potatoes and ham to warm up at night, or perhaps a bowl of soup. Turning on a burner is in itself a welcome ritual when the kitchen is this chilly (we turn the heat down during the day and crank it up at 5 p.m.).
It is a pleasure to come home this time of year, and still more pleasurable when something soft and already prepared is waiting for you.
What are you eating tonight?
19 comments:
Hi Mimi...It was leftover meatloaf tonight. I turn my heat down too and so my little home is pretty cool when I get home. My kittens are as glad to see me as I am to see them. I snuggle down and get hugs and give hugs and off to raid the frig I go.
Dearest Mimi "on the hill"
I too try to utilize leftovers. (One of my NY resolutions.) I was browning hamburger for my canines. Yes my beloved dogs. I remembered that I had mashed potatoes from yesterdays dinner. Once I discovered a can of mixed veges in the pantry; my meal was decided. Shepards Pie or at least my Catholic school hot lunch version of it. seasoned ground beef with the pan drippings, a can of mixed veges and a top layer of mashers.
Sprinkle with paprika and dot with butter into the oven and dinner is served.
The Milkmaid
Judy, at our house leftover meatloaf is a meal to be looked forward to and savored. Yum!
Milkmaid, that sounds like hot lunch at my school.
This is terrible - and I'm ashamed to confess - but we had French Toast! I bought a loaf of sliced potato bread and it dried out so quickly. So I decided to be frugal and use it in French toast. Very French, don't you think? The frugalness, I mean - I'm not sure what we know as French toast has anything to do with France at all.
Tomorrow I am going to make a mushroom barley soup. I've been on a big soup kick lately and there is something so very comforting about mushroom barley soup.
Stay warm!
Yes, we turn the heat down during the day, too -- although I work at home, and by mid-afternoon it gets pretty chilly. The antidote is often the burbling on the stove of a pot of soup, made with barley or pasta and whatever vegetables I find in the fridge; I will gravitate towards the warm kitchen.
I needed soup tonite. Rain is in the air, and soup will carry me through several meals. I opted for split pea with sausage.
And it seems almost silly to say that I, too, turn my heat down during the day. This is San Diego, and while we call it cold when it reaches 40 degrees at nite, I know it's nothing compared to the winters where you live!
What we had last night was Gorn's very favorite dinner cooked a month ago from the freezer. What will have for dinner tonight . . . what's laid out to fix is a bean cassolet. Now what actually makes it to the table is anybody's guess especially thinking about Judy's meatloaf.
Mimi on the hill, that just sounds right!
Barley! I could not find it at the grocery store the other day, so I ordered some from Bob's Red Mill. Andrea, Lydia, great minds think alike - it's perfect for this time of year.
Toni, I will have to try split pea with sausage! Sounds good.
Tanna - I have found a recipe for cassoulet I think my husband might eat...soon...when I have a day to myself again...
Mmm, I agree. Cold weather invites warm, comfort food.
Last night I made my grandmother's roast recipe. So good.
Tonight--a thick bowl of black-eyed peas.
Sounds interesting, Mrs. W. Thanks for the visit. I have yet to work up a taste for black-eyed peas, but I keep trying.
I wish I knew!
Yesterday, though -- the day of your post -- we ate a Roquefort and ham clafoutis (salted not sweet of course, although one never knows with Roquefort!)
Betty, that sounds interesting!
I must visit!
If I have some sausges in the freezer, and some red bean, pasta and tomatoes in the pantry I am always happy...and well fed. Isn't amazing how turning the burners on can heat up the kitchen? Or is it my imagination?
Katie, it is not your imagination!
I like to fire up the oven, too, and I miss the days when stoves weren't so darned energy efficient and would heat up the kitchen.
What I would give for a AGA...
Hi Mimi!
When I come over to your blog, it always makes me so hungry!! :) I get cravings for cheese, wine, baquettes, soups, veggies....uh, oh, there goes my stomach growling right now!
Many French foodie blessings to you in 2008!
Blissfully, Bebe :)
P.S. Off to make some soup and bread right now ~ see what you did!! :)
In times past when all kitchens had fires to heat the cookers kitchens warmed the whole of the house up. Times have changed.
I like soft comfort foods in the winter months too. Soups are a particular favourite.
Ah Bebe, that is all part of my fiendish plan!
Fi, I think I will make soup tonight!
Mimi...Once again,t has been too long. Tonight was leftover pasta from the night before. Dreamfields pasta, cooked al dente. Tossed with a homemade olive/tomato tapenade and stir-fried shrimp scampi. So delicious. Topped with a sprinkle of parmigiano reggiano. Oh yeah. Now that's what I'm talkin' about! I also do a lot of soups and stews...spinach soup being one of my favorites. And of course, Julia's potato leek. I could eat that most anytime!
WOW! Cyn, you are going to town! That sounds so good!
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