Rutabaga and Avocado Soup — Une soupe au rutabaga et à l’avocat
P. woke up with a headache.
“I had too much wine last night,” he said looking quite sleepy when he walked into the living room.
A few friends had come for dinner the night before, so this did not really surprise me.
“Did you know that we were going into daylight savings today?” he then added.
No, I didn’t. We had in fact both forgotten, and so had our friends.
Sunday thus started quite funnily: noon arrived although we felt it could still only be 10 am, unsettling us for the rest of the day to say the least. With the amount of food I had prepared the previous days, I actually really did not feel like preparing much of anything. But then I knew that we would get hungry later in the day, so I dragged myself into the kitchen and paused for a second to think about easy possibilities.
I would make soup – now you will really think that this is pretty much all we eat, won’t you?
But it is true that in cases like this one, all I actually crave for is the simplest foods, when I can taste each ingredient. Soups typically fall into this category.
Since I had purchased a few rutabaga, I decided to use them in my soup.
I think that like parsnip or celeriac, rutabaga is a far too often forgotten vegetable. While many would not know what to do with it, others would also have bad memories of its taste. But like many root vegetables, it has much too offer. Think a tasty vegetable very low in saturated fat and cholesterol, a good source of Thiamin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphorus; a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Potassium and Manganese: wonderful nutrients to give you a boost of energy, a vegetable excellent sauteed, or used to flavor vegetable broths and mixed in soups.
My soup used two fairly large rutabaga roots along with a bunch of fava beans — frozen at this time of year — zucchini, potato and celery branch. I made it with a homemade vegetable broth prepared a few days before, and once the soup was cooked, I mixed in half of an avocado to give it a little creaminess and keep the soft yellow-green color of the soup. Cheerful and scrumptious!
Topped with fried slices of Spanish chorizo, it made an excellent late Sunday lunch for us, leaving plenty more for later in the day if we felt like it.
Take my word, it is the kind of food that does not involve too much thinking, but still feeds healthily well, especially on days when you start on the wrong foot.
After one bowl of soup each, rhubarb and berry crumbles completed our meal.
“Thank God for leftovers,” I thought to myself. Always nice when your head is functioning in slow mode.
PS: You might have noticed the new design of my blog, which will be complete in a few weeks when I finish a few pages (links and recipe index). Until this is done, bear with me! It might not be perfect for a short while — will it ever be?
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La nouvelle présentation de ton blog est vraiment très sympa !
… où sont les liens des autres blogs de cuisine ?
Comment by cindylola — On March, 11th, 2008 at 11:18 am
love the new colours bea! =)
very pretty banner with the flowers.
Comment by evinrude — On March, 11th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Hi Béa! I am your fan, and already done some of your recipes (framboises & peaches jam was a sucess) but most of all, as a photographer, I admire your amazing work in photography. Concerning your new design, its nice … thanks for giving us your wonderful work in the Tartine Gourmande
P.S.: I am also a gourmande AHAHAH
Comment by Ana Bile — On March, 11th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
It looks so beautiful, but again, I would never expect less from you. Lovely colors, getting ready for Spring. I love it!
Comment by Aran — On March, 11th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Ton blog a mis ses habits de printemps assorti à ta soupe, c’est très réussi.
Comment by Vanille — On March, 11th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
NO BODY can do it better than you. I have been a great fan since a couple of months.
You are just simple amazing.
Comment by caroline — On March, 11th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Amazing!!! °_°
I love a new theme of your blog, It does feel the spring
Last comment… Beautiful blog, recipes and photos!
Ginger ~♥
Comment by GingerbreadGirl03 — On March, 11th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Il est très joli ce nouveau design, il va falloir que je songe à actualiser mon billet du we dernier, qui présentait justement votre blog avec l’image de votre ancienne bannière !
Comment by Lydie — On March, 11th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
love the look of your blog, it is so cheery!
Comment by kat — On March, 11th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
A new look!! Oh how delightful! It’s Perfect!! LOVE IT!
Comment by bron — On March, 11th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I’ve been meaning to say thank you for the veggie broth. I tried it several weeks ago. Enjoyed it plain and then used it in some simple veggie soup. Most Excellent.
This looks like love soup too.
And I see you’ve brushed in Spring! Very nice!!
Comment by MyKitchhenInHalfCups — On March, 11th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Ce nouveau design te va comme un gant ! Bon courage avec les derniers réajustements techniques. Je suis toujours aussi fan !
Comment by Clea — On March, 11th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
J’aime beaucoup ce nouveau design!
Comment by Thérèse — On March, 11th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Du vert… du printemps… et un tout nouveau design… les beaux jours ne sont plus très loin… tant mieux car la journée a été bien bien grise…
Comment by b comme bon — On March, 11th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
How very pretty! like a fresh shower…But I do admit I liked your old look as well. I thought it was rather stylish…
:- )
Shy
Comment by Shy — On March, 11th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Très class, coloré et frais, tout à ton image !
Comment by Elodie — On March, 11th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Sublime, je suis toujours émerveillée par tes sublimes photos …
Comment by Fabienne — On March, 11th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Deux ingrédients que j’aime mais que je n’ai jamais mélangé!
Comment by Flo Bretzel — On March, 11th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
I came upon your blog about a month ago and now visiting it has become part of my daily routine. Beautiful new look – lovely photos and delicious recipes as always. Thanks for sharing your many talents!
Comment by valérie-jeanne — On March, 11th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Except beatiful recipes, your new layout is stunning!
Comment by Tea — On March, 11th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
tasty~
love your photo forever~
Comment by YOYO Cooking — On March, 11th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
I just LOVE your photographs, your cooking is a work of art! I found you at flickr and now found out about your blog! Keep it up, I admire your art very much (both cooking and photography)!
Comment by Luciana — On March, 11th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
It’s official…. you need to move to San Francisco and move in with me specifically so that on mornings when I wake up hungover and having lost an hour you can make me soup. That’s it. pack your bags!
Comment by EB — On March, 11th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
This sounds like a great introduction to spring time eating! I love aguacate and have some ready to be had… might be doing this! Thanks!
Comment by Flanboyant Eats — On March, 11th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
whoa! i love both the soup AND the new look. lovely!
Comment by michelle @ TNS — On March, 11th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
that soup sounds absolutely delicious… a friend’s new year resolution was to eat more advocado so i might just have to try this to temp him…
love the photos as always.
Comment by shawn cornell — On March, 11th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
New design and masthead, I love it and the color, I can smell spring just by coming here. Pictures are tooo beautiful as always. When get I get to your level?????
Comment by Rasa Malaysia — On March, 12th, 2008 at 12:14 am
I love the new look of your blog. Great!
A wonderful recipe!
Cheers,
Rosa
Comment by Rosa — On March, 12th, 2008 at 1:05 am
What a pretty blog…Everything looks so fresh, so cute. Nice receipes, beautiful pictures and texts…You are a fantastic writer !!! Sweet colors, evrything is perfect !
Comment by Caro — On March, 12th, 2008 at 4:35 am
Such gorgeous photos & work as usual! And I absolutely love the new look of your blog!
Comment by MariannaF — On March, 12th, 2008 at 5:03 am
Love the revamp – the colors really complement your style of photography Bea!
Comment by Sophie — On March, 12th, 2008 at 6:15 am
ouahhhhh c’est top beau chez toi !!! Ce design est vraiment génial, tout comme ce billet..quant a tes photos, je ne me lasserai jamais de les voir! biz
Comment by Claude-Olivier — On March, 12th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Bea, the new look is lovely and refreshing. Getting ready for spring, are you?
We have so much soup here at home (specially in wintertime) that our friends now they’ll have soup when coming around. Not that they ever complain!!
Comment by Suzana — On March, 12th, 2008 at 6:59 am
Très joli nouveau décor! Et j’ai hâte de connaître ta recette!
Comment by Ninette — On March, 12th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Un tres Beau Design, Béa! Parfait pour l’arrivée du printemps
Ca fait toujours du bien de changer, n’est ce pas? J’adore les fleurs!Ma touche préférée.
Comment by Warda — On March, 12th, 2008 at 8:32 am
I love your new banner:) Your website is beautiful!
Comment by Anticiplate — On March, 12th, 2008 at 9:16 am
looks good Bea, springtime is in the air!
Comment by fiordizucca — On March, 12th, 2008 at 9:57 am
J’adore le nouveau look et la guirlande de petits fleurs sur la photo est absolutly charming. Great job Bea
Comment by Sophie — On March, 12th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Love your new look Bea! As usual you have a great eye.
Comment by janie — On March, 12th, 2008 at 11:14 am
I love the new header! It’s nice and springy! ; )
Comment by Anali — On March, 12th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Oh! surprise en ouvrant ta page, un nouveau site! Oui, ça sent le printemps. décidément on se sent bien chez toi. A+, Tristan
Comment by Tristan — On March, 12th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Coucou! You’re blog is sooo beautiful! If you have written a cooking book with those lovely photos and recipies, I would love to buy it!
Comment by Seema — On March, 12th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Great new design, very fresh just like your recipes! bravo encore et encore
Comment by Elise — On March, 12th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Many many thanks everyone. You are the best audience! I am glad you enjoy the new design. It is always risky to try new things when old ones have been working for you, right? I can tell you that it took me quite some time to finish it. I started SOOooooo long ago that I am now glad to have it finally done! Boum, fini ! And now, tell me, is it Spring yet???? I REALLY cannot wait! J’ai vraiment hâte, pas vous ?
Comment by Béa — On March, 12th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Did the soup help your hangover? We actually posted for great hangover recipes/foods and I’m just curious. This soup looks lovely. Thanks for a really nice combo for a soup recipe! – amy @ http://www.weareneverfull.com
Comment by We Are Never Full — On March, 15th, 2008 at 11:53 am
The new design is fabulous!
Comment by Amy — On March, 15th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Tes photos sont vraiment extraordinaire ! Tous comme tes plats !
Franchement un grand bravo, c’est une vraie réussite !
Je ne m’en lasserais jamais !
Comment by Audrey — On March, 17th, 2008 at 4:08 pm