Chestnut Soup for Anna

Not only is December chestnut season, and not only do I love them and all excuses to make chestnut recipes, but my dear friend Anna has just given birth to a beautiful son, and the only thing she has ever asked from me (from a culinary perspective) is for Chestnut Soup. Okay, that’s not quite the whole story, she actually said that the soup was so good that it inspired her to want to bathe in it, and gee, could I make that happen? So when her son was born, I knew just what to do, and I bet you have already guessed that it involved this Chestnut Soup for Anna. You know how you’re supposed to bring presents and casseroles etc. when your friends give birth? And then everyone brings lasagnas all at once, right at the beginning while the mother and the mother-in-law are still hovering close by? Well, that’s not when I stop in with food. I wait. I wait until the mothers have left and maybe dad is back to work and then I bring soup. In perfect single serving containers and I fill the freezer with it. So for Anna, it had to be Chestnut … Continue reading

Green Bean Casserole

No proper Midwestern Potluck would be complete without Green Bean Casserole. The most common version features canned green beans, canned mushroom soup and of course, French’s Fried onions and is shared at church picnics and Thanksgiving tables all over; there’s a reason it’s so popular, it’s really easy, the ingredients are easy to keep on hand, and with all that salty goodness, people always eat it up. While I’m not saying the shelf stable version doesn’t serve its purpose, this particular menu is about elevating some classic potluck favorites. And don’t worry, I’ve kept the French’s onions. And since I’ve had many versions over the years, I feel quite confident when I say that this version of Green Bean Casserole definitely takes the prize. I’ve substituted in fresh green beans and homemade cream of mushroom soup, but not to worry, it’s still quick and easy and the extra effort of the modifications will speak for themselves. The fresh green beans make it bright in color and are a serious upgrade from the canned version. Making the mushroom soup makes it much more flavorful and a bit healthier. Of course, the element that stays the same is our signature old school … Continue reading