Comfort and Love, Joy and Abundant Living
You surely know by now that Two Chums is all about love, joy and abundant living. We’ll get to that in a minute. First let’s talk about comfort. The comfort here relates to a comfort food …potato soup.
Part 1 – Comfort
When I was young, anytime anyone in our family was sick or under the weather for any reason, my grandmother would treat the problem, not with the proverbial chicken soup, but with potato soup. She would peel and cut up a potato into 1/2-3/4″ cubes and then chop an onion. These would be placed into a pot with some salt and pepper and enough whole milk to cover them. The milk would then be heated and simmered until the potatoes were cooked and the onions were tender. A couple of pats of butter were added and once they had melted the soup was served. To me this was, and is, a definition of comfort. I couldn’t imagine ever having any potato soup as satisfying as this version was. That is until a couple of years ago when I happened to have a very delicious and very, very satisfying bowl of potato soup in a little bistro in Charleston, South Carolina.
The server seems to have been related somehow to the chef and when I expressed how much I was enjoying the soup she beamed and happily explained exactly how it was made. It turns out it is a version of the technique my grandmother used. The potatoes and onions are simmered in chicken stock instead of milk. Then when they are tender, everything is poured into a food processor or blender with some heavy cream in place of the butter my grandmother used. It is all then pureed until it is smooth.
It is then served up in a bowl and drizzled with white truffle oil. It is like eating creamy liquid mashed potatoes that are perfectly seasoned and just plain scrumptious! Try it….you’ll no doubt agree and hopefully feel some comfort too.
Potato Bisque
2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
1/2 onion, diced
2 cups chicken stock
1/2 -3/4 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper to taste
white truffle oil
Cook potatoes and onion in chicken stock until soft. Puree in a food processor or blender with cream. Adjust seasoning. Serve with a drizzle of white truffle oil.
Part 2 -Love, Joy and Abundant Living
This week it has been one year since we embarked on this adventure called Two Chums. We couldn’t let this week end without “marking the moment” and acknowledging what a year it has been. We have enjoyed sharing with you each day some of the things that we have learned about love, joy and abundant living. We are still learning. We love to hear from you and to share with all our other chums the things you share with us. Most of our Savvy Secrets come from you. And your comments and questions have provided inspiration for many of the posts we’ve done. You are the reason we’re here and that we show up each day. Having this website takes more time and demands more work than we could have imagined starting out on this adventure, but we love doing it. You, our chums, are the joy in all of it. You make all the time and work so very worth it. And together we have had a wonderful first year, full to the brim with abundant living…who could ask for more? Thank you, thank you, thank you for being our chums, for allowing us into your lives and for enriching ours each and every day 🙂
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oh, i remember *so* fondly (perhaps a little *TOO* fondly) that wonderful potato bisque w the truffle oil. and I’ve tried and tried to recreate it – even having heard the waitress’ instructions, I have *still* not managed to pull it off. But the stock – I don’t think I was doing that. I will try with some vegetable stock.
and happy blogiversary!
ps – is there a certain kind of potato you think is best for resulting in a creamier soup?
Thank you Bettye. Are you going vegetarian these days? Is that why the vegetable stock instead of the chicken broth? If I don’t have any on hand that I’ve made myself I always use Better Than Bouillon Chicken Broth which comes in a jar and is actually a paste that you add to water. It has the most flavor and more natural ingredients. It also comes in a Vegetable flavor as well. As for the potatoes I usually use russet because that is what Nanner always used in her Potato soup but I also really like the taste an texture of Yukon Gold potatoes. You might try those and see what you think. Let us know how it goes:)
I’ve made the decision to be vegan…starting with food, but will eventually work it further into my life – clothing, etc. So that’s why the veg broth…and will try using almond milk for the cream. it won’t be *quite* the same, but it will make some cow somewhere in the world very happy.
Wow!… that is a major change. Can’t imagine you never eating fried chicken or ice cream again but respect your decision. Let us know how the soup turns out with the vegan changes. Other vegetarians may be interested as well.
Don’t worry, if not chicken, I’ll find *something* to fry 🙂 And there’s vegan ice cream. I’ll manage.
I did make the soup the other night…veg broth is not the same as chicken, and *nothing* is the same as real butter, but…it was comforting. I think the truffle oil would def help cuz that gave it such a richness.
Happy Anniversary you Two Chums! I love you both and LOVE reading your posts each day! It certainly brings JOY to my day! I think the world could all benefit from reading them. Here’s to many more years of ABUDANT LIVING!
Thank you Amanda! And thank you for all the help you’ve given and contributions you have made to us this past year 🙂 Mommy
Happy anniversary!
Thank you Ting 🙂
At first I wondered how the Two Chums’ posts might hold any interest, for me: I don’t cook, I don’t have young children or grandchildren, and I’m not “handy”. I read them, at the beginning, Robin, to hear your voice and to see a slice of your life.
Now, I share recipes and tips with my housekeeper and my friends.
I enjoy your posts — words and pictures..
Joyeux Anniversaire, to an old chum and to Two new Chums.
Happy Anniversary, Two Chums! I love readings your posts. Thank you so much for sharing your lives with us. I have tried several of your recipes this past year, and all of them have now become our favorites. Thank you again!
Blessings,
Punita
Thank you for your kind words Punita and for “visiting” us at Two Chums. We are so glad you do 🙂
I am so glad to have found your blog, Happy anniversary!! And many more to come.
Lara
Thank you Lara. You have been a big help to us by checking our spelling. We really do appreciate it. Thanks for “visiting” us at Two Chums 🙂
And may I add my “Happy Anniversary” to both of you. My glory, has this first year ever flown by.
Not every topic interests me (particularly those days of Children & grandchildren) but I still enjoy supporting both of you and those rare moments of sampling the goodies. I sure could use some potato soup on this cold, rainy, winter SoCal day.
Sending much gratitude for your abundance in the giving you share with your chums. My heart is RICH in knowing the two of you!
Richard Horner,
supporter at large
And we are rich for having you, Dick, as one of our supporters and “chums”. I am grateful to Jackie for opportunity to know you. Thank you for all your kind words and the funny ones too. Keep those great comments coming. They put smiles on our faces 🙂
Congratulations Chums. I can’t believe how many ideas you keep coming up with. You both truly have an abundant life and the Love and Joy is evident in everything you write. I am so thrilled that I get to keep up with my cousin and her life and I share so many ideas with my family and friends. Keep up the great work. I look forward to your website everyday and I truly miss it when the weekend comes.
Happy Anniversary! I love learning all your secrets about fun things that make life richer! And some bring back memories for me too. Thank you for your heartfelt efforts in putting together this wonderful blog.
xoxo
Dear Jackie (and Robin),
Love your blog. Don’t always have much time to investigate but when I do, I always learn something and find joy! I have learned to check your site first when looking for recipes. Most recently (holidays) made both your fudge and chocolate fudge sauce. Yummy! Had a friend’s daughter with us over the weekend from USC asking if had more of that amazing fudge sauce she had a month ago while here (i did)! Much love to you both…
Hello, dear one,
Always so good to hear from you. Thanks for all of your support. Much love to you from both of us!