She's consistent, at least.

I stayed in the little kitchen all day. Well, when I was at the grocery store I wasn't in the kitchen, but when I was home I was pretty much in the kitchen. I decided to make chicken stock from scratch, even though we just had chicken soup a couple of weeks ago, and we had Indian chicken over the weekend. So many of you said chicken soup again, and, I do what I'm told. So, homemade stock from Ina's new book, Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics (and how cool is it that Ina Garten and I have the same book designer [Marysarah Quinn]?), and curry chicken soup from The Silver Palate Cookbook, with really nice parmesan-garlic bread from the bakery.

(One note about the grocery store? WOW is it expensive. Things have really, really gone up there. My store just recently had a remodel, so maybe they are trying to pay for that, but I think I'm going to have to shop somewhere else. Sigh. I fear it's the same everywhere, though. . . . Bring on the plans for a Victory Garden this summer.)

I thought I might make a Dutch apple pancake for dessert, but I forgot to get milk. I thought the eggs looked so pretty in the bowl, though.

I listened to Blind Pilot radio at Pandora (thanks Bee [who knew I love the Avetts and recommended this]! It was seriously perfectly what I wanted), then sat in the nook while the stock bubbled, and looked around at stuff. It looked wintry, but warm. Quiet. I was missing my friend JoEllen and hoping she'll move to Portland.

After a few hours, out came the yellow curry. Can you smell this?

How about this? Mmmmm.

By the time the soup was ready (oh, and you might want to skip the step about putting the broth and rice and onions and carrots through the food processor and instead do it in the blender in a couple of batches, unless you enjoy having hot soup pour out of the food processor all over the place, including the top of the partially opened dishwasher and the floor, but it definitely adds time to the "time you'll spend in the kitchen" if that's what you're going for), it was quite dark. But I was happy. Thank you so much for all the recommendations. I'll be returning to those comments for more days like this — thank you!

Comments

[Kelly]

A beautiful post! The grocery store is becoming a dangerously expensive place. It is discouraging to be sure. ~Kelly

unDeniably Domestic

[Cherry Tree Lane]

I'm going to do the blender idea--i think that it will be better....

[Sarah]

Food has gotten crazy expensive here. I have passed on green onions (which I ALWAYS bought) for more than a month now because they are 3 bunches for $4. That's crazy talk. Bell peppers in orange or red? $3 each.

It does somewhat illustrate the argument about how do "poor people" afford to eat though. Our local McDonalds offers the double cheeseburger meal with fries and and a drink for $2.99.

So you can choose an entire meal or a pepper.

Totally ridiculous.

[Lasso the Moon]

mmm. Yummy. I love the food processor story. oh, I have so been there! (And my results were not nearly as pretty.)
Anna

[TWB]

Okay, my mouth is watering right now.

[Bridgette]

Mmmmm, it smells wonderful. And about the price of groceries, it's everywhere, the prices are just unbelievable.

[elsie]

my husband is taking early retirement next week as an alternative to getting layed off. We have always been a power couple with dreams of being a crafty homey couple--so i am quite nervous about all this together time. i am hoping to just jump into the life you paint on your blog! what do you think? is this possible in northern suburban nj? ps. my neighbor just sold her house for mor that i paid for my house and they tore it down to build a little mini mansion. i think i am maybe in the wrong neighborhood for my dream :(

[Bee]

I'm so thrilled I could introduce you to Blind Pilot. :) Aren't they so perfect?

[Georgefam05]

OH, your photos are so totally cozy...i love your little pantry with the jars inside! The soup looks delish!

[Kris Van Allen]

See, that looks fantastic, but I am too scared to try stock again...tried it once, and when I went to strain the veggies from the broth, I forgot to put anything under the colander, and poured EVERY drop right down the kitchen sink. Nothing I could do then but stand there and laugh!

[Gemma]

Has anyone checked out Ready Made magazine this month? There are a bunch of ideas for entertaining on a budget - actually all the current mags are featuring budget minded ideas, which is timely! I am also getting ready for my own garden this summer and would love to hear any tips from more experienced people!

[Leigh]

Oh yummmmmmy! I adore Ina, and your pics are gorgeous! There is something about blues!

[Samantha]

Looks like fun! Yummy fun.

You got me in the mood for soup with that last recipe, I have been eating different soups ever since. That's a really good thing too because I was really getting in a rut with what I was eating! I have been on a lifestyle change/diet since Thanksgiving and I have lost 23lbs, but after a couple of months with the same menu I was TIRED of it! Since the soup kick I have dropped another 5 lbs! THANK YOU for the cooking inspiration!

xoxo,
Samantha

[Gemma]

http://www.kitchengardeners.org/

A neat site for home gardening :)

[erin]

right there with you on the victory garden, g.f. even if it's just for tomatoes and basil, that would be PLENTY good enough for me, posing a nice challenge to my black thumb and by-then extremely pregz constitution. also, you are making me want to give my uncute 1970s kitchen a cute little makeover instead of just saying, "meh, someday we'll remodel".

[marsha]

I have four silver palate cookbooks: New Basics, Good Times, the original white one, and Great Good Food.Not a Chicken Curry soup recipe in any of them :>(

It must be an added recipe in the anniversary addition! I do NOT need another cookbook, but I might just have to get it.

Your photos are fantastic. During the holidays I keep a BIG glass crock in my kitchen and it's filled with little colored lights. I think I may have to put it back on the counter. Love your lights.

BTW, I just listened to your interview on Craft Sanity and I'm looking forward to getting your book!

[Julie Phillips]

Hi Alicia,
I have Rhode Island Red hens and they lay beautiful brown eggs. I'll bring the eggs if you invite me to your dinner! LOL.....
Have a great weekend.
Hugs
Julie

[Emma]

Smells good!!
Make sure you post the Dutch Apple Pancakes they sound divine...my dutch man will love me forever if i make them for him on V'day!

Keep on cooking.
Emsx

[vivienne]

This post is making my mouth water and I have just had dinner.

[corrin]

I'd know that Nielsen Massey label anywhere. I work for the agency that designed it. Haha.

[Aunt Amelia's Attic]

What a busy bee you are!

And I'll bet there'll be lots of Victory Gardens, this summer.

Aunt Amelia
"Whatever improves the lace and makes it more beautiful is right." ~ Sister Judith

[T2]

I loved your photo of the eggs. That would look great framed in a kitchen, or printed on fabric and sewn onto the cookbook cover from your book!

Thanks for introducing me to Ina's cookbooks. After seeing all the great things you make from them, I've started taking them out of the library and I think they'll become a permanent part of our kitchen.

[anthropoet]

Posie is one of my favorite blogs. Now you're posting about one of my favorite chefs! Thank you for the great article

[Tina]

Gorgeous! I can't smell but I sure do want some. I just said the same thing about groceries an hour ago. A bag of very simple things came to over $70. Almost everything was on sale. One applice was $2.40. One apple!!! I wanted to try it because it smelled so good but criminy!

[Holly]

How funny is this?
I did the exact same thing today... grocery shopping and homemade chicken stock.
Ah it must be cold outside.