Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Glad to be back — I have been out of commission for the past week due to a gallbladder infection…ick.  December has been a riot thus far, first bronchitis then the gallbladder infection — thankfully the new year is only a few days away so I will be leaving all bad ju-ju behind. :)

I reviewed my resolutions from last year and realized that I have again only achieved a little less than half of my goals so this year opposed to making long-term goals (Running a 10K) I’ve made short-term, easier to reach goals (Run 1 mile/day for 5x a week).  One of my main goals for this year is to lead a healthier lifestyle, through exercise, a proper diet, and a peaceful spirit.  Seeing that I am only in my twenties and I frequently deal with malfunctions with my immune system, the only logical response would be to keep my body in better condition –Your body is your temple…


What are some of your New Year’s Resolutions?
I had a wonderful Christmas — I redecorated my kitchen so now it feels more like a real kitchen opposed to a small cramped horrible mess. I’ve been having a BLAST with my favorite present of all — my new Sony alpha 550 dSLR camera, all thanks to my one and only of course :) !! One of the upsides of being sick was being able to spend plenty of time with Collin’s family and grandparents (Hi Pearl!).  We spent time playing cards, watching movies, playing video games and of course, eating.

I did not have much time to cook but I did make this delicious soup from a leftover ham bone that Collin’s dad gave me!  Perfect for the weather we’re having here in Dallas, can you believe that it’s actually snowing? Anyways, the trick to making this soup delectable is making a stock out of the ham bone first — this is easily done by placing the ham bone and scraps in a large pot of water and simmering at a medium low heat for 1 1/2 to 2 hours with some onion, a bay leaf and for this stock I used turnips and carrots as well.

I always love using leftover bones, especially ham bones and chicken carcasses — they always make such a savory broth.  By keeping your broth at a low medium heat (the soup should be at a very slight boil), it slowly draws out the proteins (flavor) from the bones, thus ending in a rich decadent broth.  Because I am using mostly root vegetables in this soup, I simply used the scraps and remains of turnips, carrots, rutabagas and onions and later strained them out of the soup — this will add body and character to your broth as well. After straining your broth, don’t forget to reserve the ham meat for the soup!

Ingredients for Winter Vegetable Soup:

(serves 8-10)

  • 8 cups ham broth (see directions above)
  • 1/2 cup cauliflower, cut into small florets
  • 1/2 cup carrots (I used baby carrots), diced
  • 1 cup cabbage, thinly shredded
  • 1 medium rutabaga, peeled and diced 1″
  • 2 turnips, peeled and diced 1″
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon cream
  • 1 tablespoon parsley, minced
  • 1 tsp white pepper
  • salt and pepper to taste

In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil at medium heat.  Place the onions in the pan once oil is heated and begin the “caramelization” process.  It is important to cook the onions at the prefect heat, do not burn them, it will ruin the flavor completely!  The key to caramelization is gradually cooking the onions down so that the sugar slowly begins to oxidize, producing a nutty and sweet flavor.  The onions will slowly turn a pale yellow, then eventually a rich brownish yellow or caramel color.  Once it reaches this state, remove from heat and set aside.

Meanwhile, heat your ham stock at medium heat in a large deep bottomed pot.  Add the cabbage and rutabagas and turnips and cook for 30 minutes, or until very soft.  Next add the carrots and cauliflower and cook for an additional 20 minutes.  By adding vegetables in at different times, it will give your soup a range of texture opposed to soft goopey vegetables at the end.  Since cabbage, turnips and rutabagas tend to taste better when cooked very soft I chose to add them first, then kept a slight firmness and crunch through the carrots and cauliflower.

Add the cream and white pepper along with the caramelized onions, and cook for an additional ten minutes — season with salt and pepper to taste.  I cannot stress this enough, always add salt at the end of cooking soups, this helps keep the delicacy of the broth as well as avoiding the common sin of “over-salting” food.  I like to add salt literally pinches at a time, and taste after each addition until I achieve what I feel is the best flavor.  I always say its better to undersalt food than oversalt it! Garnish with some fresh parsley and you are ready to go :)

Aaaah, nothing hits the spot like a good hearty vegetable soup — many thanks to my neighbor Michael for the beautiful cauliflower, it was by far the best one I’ve had all year.  The best part about soup is that it tastes even better after sitting in the fridge for a couple days, all the flavors marinate and develop into full and rich broth.  For once, leftovers taste better than they did initially!

This will probably be my last post for this year, I am looking forward to the New Year — I have good feelings about 2010 :)   I hope everyone has a very safe and Happy New Year, see you next year yall!!!!!

36 Comments

  1. Posted 30 Dec ’09 at 11:16 am | Permalink

    Love your photos! You always do such a good job of capturing the process, along with the end product.
    I always use my ham bones to make a traditional Quebec-style pea soup, but I think I just might branch out and try something a little different next time… thanks for the inspiration. :)

    • Posted 30 Dec ’09 at 12:03 pm | Permalink

      Thank you so much Isabelle :) Quebec-style pea soup eh? That sounds REALLY good, any chance I could butter you up for the recipe?

  2. Posted 30 Dec ’09 at 11:27 am | Permalink

    Mmm, soup…

    Happy new year!

    • Posted 30 Dec ’09 at 12:02 pm | Permalink

      Soup makes every belly happy :) Happy New Year Kristan!!!!

  3. Posted 30 Dec ’09 at 11:29 am | Permalink

    Just had to say I love the family photos, so fun and loving :) I’m glad you had a wonderful Christmas.

    I don’t know if it’s our apron or potholder, but I love the little small picture of a blue pattern you mixed in, it’s like an food inspiration board hehe.

    • Posted 30 Dec ’09 at 12:02 pm | Permalink

      Thanks Angie!! It was a close up shot of my apron :) And it’s funny you say that cuz it’s hanging up on my spice board which I commonly refer to as my inspiration board! I hope you had a good Christmas too and Happy New Year!

  4. Posted 30 Dec ’09 at 12:33 pm | Permalink

    what a heart-warming gathering, joy!
    same as the soup! as usual, it looks as good as it tastes!

    • Posted 4 Jan ’10 at 8:33 pm | Permalink

      Thank you so much lulu :) Happy New Year to you and your family!!

  5. Posted 30 Dec ’09 at 12:50 pm | Permalink

    Wow Joy, this soup looks delicious and beautiful! I want some!

  6. Posted 30 Dec ’09 at 2:49 pm | Permalink

    Happy New Year Joy :)
    soup looks delicious

    • Posted 4 Jan ’10 at 8:29 pm | Permalink

      Happy New Year Linda!! I hope you are doing well and any plans on cooking more for 2010??

  7. Posted 31 Dec ’09 at 12:35 am | Permalink

    Happy New Year Joy! Cheers!

  8. Posted 31 Dec ’09 at 10:00 am | Permalink

    What a lovely soup Joy. Happy New Year to you and it’s good to leave that infection behind and start your 2010 with positive energy. Have a great year ahead.

    • Posted 4 Jan ’10 at 8:31 pm | Permalink

      Thank you Divina!!! You are right, I am planning to start off 2010 strong and will end strong this time too :) I wish you the best for 2010!!!!

  9. Posted 31 Dec ’09 at 11:19 am | Permalink

    Happy New year and wishing you & your family all the best for the coming year.

    • Posted 4 Jan ’10 at 8:30 pm | Permalink

      Thank you so much anncoo for your kind words — I hope you have a prosperous and healthy new year for 2010 :)

  10. Posted 31 Dec ’09 at 11:43 am | Permalink

    Sorry to hear you were sick.. glad you are feeling betth.

    Have a Happy and Healthy New Year!

    • Posted 4 Jan ’10 at 8:28 pm | Permalink

      Gelareh thank you so much for your kindness — I hope you have a prosperous new year for 2010!

  11. Posted 31 Dec ’09 at 12:58 pm | Permalink

    Aww.. hope its fully gone and away! Pictures are stunning as always.. Happy New Years Joy!

    • Posted 4 Jan ’10 at 8:27 pm | Permalink

      Paul, thank you for your concern and kind words — Happy New Year to you too!!

  12. Posted 31 Dec ’09 at 1:58 pm | Permalink

    Photos are beautiful! How exciting to have received a DSLR for Christmas!

    Wishes for happiness and blessings in the coming year.

    • Posted 4 Jan ’10 at 8:27 pm | Permalink

      Thank you Christine for your kind words — the dSLR is a-m-a-z-i-n-g I just can’t seem to put it down!! I hope you have a wonderful new year and wish you health and prosperity for 2010 :)

  13. Posted 1 Jan ’10 at 2:15 pm | Permalink

    So sorry to hear you were sick. I hope you have fully recovered. Looks like a lot of fun in your family. Very happy for you. And I love that delicious-looking soup. Would be so perfect for me in this cold weather. Wishing you a very Happy & Prosperous New Year! Please take care, ok?

    • Posted 4 Jan ’10 at 8:26 pm | Permalink

      Aw MaryMoh Thank you so much for your kind and well wishes — you are always so thoughtful and kind :) Happy New Year to you too and my goal for 2010 is to not get sick at all!!!

  14. Posted 3 Jan ’10 at 1:13 am | Permalink

    Soup looks awesome! Happy 2010, I expect more fantastic photos soon… ;-)

    • Posted 4 Jan ’10 at 8:25 pm | Permalink

      Thanks Lindsay :) I am looking forward to playing with my new toy(s)!!!

  15. Posted 3 Jan ’10 at 3:16 pm | Permalink

    I hope you feel better soon! Happy 2010!

    • Posted 4 Jan ’10 at 8:24 pm | Permalink

      Thanks Erin!!! Happy New Year to you too ^_^

  16. pearl
    Posted 3 Jan ’10 at 8:35 pm | Permalink

    Happy New Year – thanks for the great pics of xmas!!! I love the Mario Wii.
    The soup sounds wonderful and I know I have a ham bone in the freezer – so will try this ,this coming week!!!
    Stay healthy.

    • Posted 4 Jan ’10 at 8:24 pm | Permalink

      Thanks Grandma Pearl! I am glad to hear you are enjoying your Mario Wii — the new version is so fun!! I hope you enjoy the soup and I wish you a healthy and prosperous New Year :) Miss you lots and kick some butt in golf!!!!

  17. Karen
    Posted 3 Jan ’10 at 10:06 pm | Permalink

    Joy…Not only did the soup look great … it tasted wonderful!
    I made it for friends and we all agree it was very tasty. Thank you for the in depth instructions as well as the picture! I will be back for more recipes…

    • Posted 4 Jan ’10 at 8:22 pm | Permalink

      Karen — it makes me so happy that you actually tried one of my recipes :) !!!! And it makes me even happier that you got great results — Hope to see you back soon!

  18. Posted 4 Jan ’10 at 9:42 pm | Permalink

    hope you are better soon – happy new year, joy!

    • Posted 6 Jan ’10 at 11:15 am | Permalink

      Thanks so much kms :) I am much better now and ready to be back in action hahaha Happy New Year to you and your honey too !!!!

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