Once upon a time —–well actually once upon a time MULTIPLE times—– I swore I would measure and write down what spices and ingredients I was using, as I was actually executing a new recipe. Soooooo what part of me doesn’t listen? Apparently I have a well developed Inner Child who is also a bon vivant. Sigh. If you hear me wincing while you are reading this, it is because I cut my finger. My Inner Child not only doesn’t listen, but sometimes she is careless too.
Anyway I was in the kitchen monkeying around—-Ha, explains my choice of this delightful Franz Porcelain Teapot—with a new soup recipe. I had an idea to use a 16 oz can of pumpkin and a 16 oz can of coconut milk as a starter base. Aha texture, this soup needs texture. So I cooked 1 cup of Royal Blend Texmati mix with red rice and lentils in 2 cups of beef broth and a 1/2 cup of water. So far so good. It all started to slip sideways, when I had a flash of inspiration to use that 1 cup or maybe it was a 1 1/2 cups of finely chopped broccoli languishing in the fridge.
But I sucked it up and pulled it together. I cooked the Texmati mix and broccoli until done. Then I dumped in the pumpkin and coconut milk. Oh baby it was just the right consistency. Victory dance! Celebrate! Celebrate! Dance to the music! Of course I had to taste it. Gack! Double Gack! No problemo, Senora Mama Goose. It’s time to add a few spices. That’s another of my sub personalities talking—think Antonio Banderas, who can solve all problems with flourish.
That’s when resolve stepped off the path and rolled down into a ravine. It happens every time my Inner Child gets together with Antonio. Those two never measure anything. Out came the dashes of nutmeg and ginger, at least a teaspoon of salt. Then a touch of garlic powder, red pepper and smoked paprika and sprinklings of garam masala. Stop it you two! We have to measure! My pleadings only increased the frenzy of tastings. More garlic, another nutmeg sprinkle and definitely more garam masala.
This tale of woe does not have a happy ending. The soup was superb! I ate it out on my deck on a glorious evening looking at my gorgeous garden. But unless I take some of the soup to a lab, this recipe will never be replicated. What a shame.
Debra says
So, it you had a child’s teapot with the Puss ‘n Boots character from Shrek…that would have Been perfect for the post. (But I adore the monkey tea pot.) I am going to now have to channel my inner Antonio. LOL . Great post and I think all good cooks do this. It makes for some excellent one-of-a-kind recipes!
Carol says
You get points. You made me laugh. You are absolutely totally correct. I am still chuckling.
addie | culicurious says
I think the secret here is to get good at eye-balling what it is that you’re putting in. And also, keep the spices out until you can record them, and of course, take notes as you go. That has really helped me out quite a bit. As someone who develops recipes, it’s essential that I document what I do so it can be replicated and shared. However, I do have that same tendency of a dash of this and a splash of that. The only difference is that I have taught myself over the years to eyeball the amounts and keep pen and paper handy to jot it all down. If you’re really looking to get to that point, it’s totally doable with practice and patience with yourself. 🙂
Carol says
That is sage advice—pun intended. The pen and paper right THERE! Along with the measuring spoons.
Addie, thank you for your input—-there is hope. Smiles—–
addie | culicurious says
Great! 🙂 Glad I could be somewhat helpful!
mjskit says
I can’t tell you how many scrumptious soups I’ve made that will never be made again. 🙂 But that’s o.k. You enjoyed it, it provided you with a wonderful meal on what sounds like a very nice evening in a gorgeous backyard! And that tea pot – absolutely gorgeous!!! If I had any room left in my house, I would collect tea pots. I love your collection!
Carol says
Thank you. You made me feel better. I don’t room in my house for too many teapots either. The ones I present are ones I sell on my site and get to enjoy vicariously.
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
What a fabulous teapot. I adore monkeys! Having to stop and write things down can interrupt the spontaneity and the flow of creativity. It’s happened to me too. Or I think that I can remember the measurements in my head and quickly jot them down when I am finished. Only then I start to second guess myself. Was it a teaspoon of chili powder or just a half teaspoon? Ugh.
Carol says
The monkey are darling aren’t they. They are such cut-ups, that who wouldn’t smile at their antics.
The ol’ I will remember what I did does NOT work. But I keep thinking it will. I really learned my lesson this time.
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says
I have to admit, I’m not very good at figuring out what spices to add when something bland needs to be …. well… spiced up. I have a book called the Flavor Bible that helps with that. And that teapot is completely adorable!!!
Carol says
That sounds like a useful book to have in my kitchen. I will have to contact you to find out who the author is.
marcie says
Anything with coconut milk and pumpkin has to be good — what a great place to start! I like how you monkey around, Carol, and that teapot is adorable. 🙂
Carol says
That is exactly what I thought. How could I go wrong with those two ingredients as a base. And I didn’t—-
I am going to give myself another chance or maybe a couple/three chances.
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
You must have a helluva tea pot collection. And they are all good. The soup sounds totally fab, but I hear ya. Took me a long time to write it all down and then I always forget something. BUT-I’m getting better!
Carol says
There’s HOPE. Thank you. By the way I don’t collect all these pots. They are samples of the product lines that I sell. Those lines are available on my site under the tea ware tab.