A hot soup to end a long and cold day...

Mitä kuuluu? Kiitos hyää.  Entä sulle? Ei mitään erikoista.

(How are you? I'm well thank you. And you? Nothing special)

But it was really cold this morning and it's not even winter yet.

This day was really long and to think it's only the start of the week.

So when I got 'home', I opened a can of ice cold beer while preparing dinner... creamy vegetable macaroni soup.

And I have a new discovery! Single bulb or elephant garlic.  I've never seen it before. It is apparently not a true garlic but a cousin of leek.
 
Anyway, I sauteed the garlic, 1/4 of a big white onion chopped, until translucent and fragrant.  I then added 1 cup of dried macaroni, stirred it into the garlic-onion mixture, added 3 cups of water and allowed to boil.

When the water started boiling, I turned the heat low and added chopped potatoes about 1 medium size or the size of an Asian fist :-p.  Adjusted the heat to high until it has returned to boiling and then turned it low again.

When the pasta and potatoes are half-cooked, I added 1 cup of mixed veggies (carrots, peas, red peppers, corn), about a cup of diced tofu (I used the marinated one that tasted like sausage.  I bought it from the organic shop in the city center, and I'm still trying all the available varieties), and a veg stock cube.  I added more water from time to time to prevent the mixture from drying out.

When the vegetables and pasta are cooked, I seasoned it with salt, black pepper, and some dried herbs.  To finish, I added one cup of fresh milk, and a tablespoon of butter.  I think it could serve 2-3 persons but I just had the last of it. 

Se oli herkullista (It was delicious!!!)

Chi mangia bene italiano

"Those who eat well, eat Italian." I got that from Italianni's in Trinoma and saved it on my phone a couple of months back.  I finally found the right opportunity to share it with you.

Two night's ago, we had a pre-Christmas dinner with UP and Pep friends.  I prepared pasta arrabiata and meatless "meatballs".

Again, photo is not mine.  You can click on the image to view its source.

Creamy Vegetarian Macaroni Soup

I arrived here an hour past midnight.  Naturally, one would simply sleep and rest the entire morning and that's exactly what I did.  At about 10am, I decided to do a short asana and simple pranayama practice.  This weather is very good for sitting practices... it helps calm and clear the mind.

At 1pm, I decided to go to Tung Chung to buy the ingredients for this evening's dinner and tomorrow's lunch.  So even though rJ and his flatmates won't be home until about 9pm, dinner is ready.  I'll be going back to Tung Chung in a while though to meet a UP CHK colleague.

I believe I've made this soup in the past and posted the recipe here.  Earlier today, I googled "Filipino sopas recipe" and checked the ingredients just to make sure I had the basics in mind.  What's new with this evening's soup is the chopped cabbage.  I don't think I used that in the previous recipe.  I have to check.

Anyway, here it goes...

Saute minced garlic (about 5 cloves) in oil, then add 1-2 handfuls of chopped white onion.  Stir for 1 minute until onion becomes translucent and aromatic.  Add 350g chopped vegetarian/fake chicken (or tofu).  Stir.  Add 1 L water and bring to boil.  Once boiling, add 350g elbow macaroni and cook for 5-8 minutes.  Add 2-3 cups of vegetable cubes (carrots, peas, corn kernels... I used the frozen mixed vegetables because it's cheaper).  Stir in 2-3 vegetable stock cubes.  Mix well.  Add water if necessary.  Add 2 handfuls of chopped cabbage. Stir and simmer for one minute.  Stir in evaporated milk until desired consistency and milkiness is achieved.  Add 2-3 tablespoons butter.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Add a little bit of sugar to bring out the flavor and it's ready.

Perfect for this cold weather.

Tomorrow... felafel sandwich with garlicky yoghurt dressing.

Photos next time.