For the last five days I have been on the couch, yes on my lonely couch hunched over sick as a dog. Read on my food lovers…
Only yesterday I realized I had only one sock on. Oh people it was horrible, my girls wanted nothing to do with me, hubby really couldn’t help me…the sickness had taken over and I had been beat. I knew sickness was near, I could feel the trickle in my throat signaling future bouts of cough, but I pushed it aside. I felt the sinus pressure building but once again I pushed it aside…me sick, no way no sir I had a party to plan. After all my daughter only turns 11 once in her life and we were going to celebrate no matter what..man was I ever in for it. I carried on, cooked all day, prepped her cake, decorated our tiny apt and waited for my family to arrive. As we sat down to eat I felt my sickness sit down beside me “oh I thought, just her enjoy her cake, allow my family to drive off happily and I will welcome you in, gladly” As if he seemed to accept my offer I enjoyed our food, lit her candles, sang happy b day, snapped millions of pics while she opened her presents and enjoyed a lengthy goodbye with my family as they left.” Hubby and Chuls quickly agreed to clean up so I could take a nap. I laid down knowing I would not soon get up, five days later I am just regaining my ground. It’s funny when your sick your normal routine changes dramatically. I found this very disturbing as I like most have many things on my “to-do list.” I ate watermelon at midnight, drank so much water I almost had an accident for not having the will to get off the sofa and even had a piece of b day cake for breakfast.
In my inability to sleep the whole night, I would find myself turning on the tv to keep my mind occupied, I must admit to watching 2 very good movies and loads of infomercials (who knew they could be so entertaining?) One night or should I say morning at 2am I tuned into a home shopping channel and now find myself waiting for 5 pieces of jewerly the lovely hosteess convinced me I would never find at a lower price. I agreed and my credit card took the hit, all while I slurped more medicine hoping to get at least a couple of hours of sleep before they began showcasing the fall fashion lineup.
I would awake at noon feeling less refreshed and realizing I craved my daily life of making breakfast, washing clothes , running errands and just merely having the ability to complete these tasks which I nag about daily. I also found myself missing my other life, my daily escape to visit with my food loving friends. I missed my brewing witch, my rambling dude, my med student comic relief, my spicy mamacita and all my daily reads who effortlessly share their life, cuisine and world with me.
I decided to end my misery and soothe my body, soul and mind with a quick pick me up soup. I bring you a soup from a outstanding Mexican Chef, Thelma Morgan, who I met in one of my midnight bouts of sleepless nights. I was clicking aimlessly though all my channels in a effort to watch anything that did not involve my credit card. This is when I found Thelma, cheery eyed making soup from chayotes (I loved her instantly) and spinach. I tuned in for the complete show only to enjoy her so much I recorded the series. The next day I had 3 new shows waiting, so I warn you she may show up from time to time. So in my need to recuperate to return to my sorely missed, sorely unappreciated life which I now hold in highest regard I bring you Sopa de chayote con espinacas. Chayotes as Chef Aaron Sanchez describes “are like if a squash ran into a apple” and I totally agree they are earthy with a sweet backdrop. I only recently began enjoying these green gems here in Edinburg and am horribly upset with myself for not searching them out earlier. Eat chayote either raw or cooked in salads, fluff into rice, add to your braised meats or in a tasty soup. This soup is uncomplicated, easy to make, but provides the punch to get your body going. This is comfort soup. Soup that requires no fuss only a warm corn tortilla or crusty bread. Enjoy it by the bowlful or as I did by the glass making it super easy to watch mindless television on the sofa. My girls say they resemble little old ladies smiling in mischief, lol. Enjoy! Sweet Life!
Sopa de Chayote y Espinaca
by Chef Thelma Morgan
Cocina
serves 4
- 2 chayotes peeled
- 2 cups spinach
- 4 tomatillos
- 1/2 onion
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 quart chicken stock
- salt and pepper
- Place peeled chayotes and chicken broth covered in medium stockpot over medium heat until chayotes are soft, about 5-7 minutes.
- In a blender combine tomatillos, onion, and garlic. puree until smooth. add water if needed to help the process.
- Add the oil to another saucepan and heat to medium high, add mixture from blender and cook mixture until well incorporated about 4 minutes.
- Remove the chaoytes and lower temp of broth to medium.
- Meanwhile slice your chayote and return to stockpot with chicken broth.
- Add the tomatillo mixture to stockpot and stir to mix well.
- Add your spinach and serve.
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(oh and lastly all pictures and words are mine, yes mine, don’t be sleazy and steal work..it’s copyrighted, yup all mine…love ya! Sweet Life)
Bonnie! You know, sometimes I think things happen for a reason… I’ve been feeling not so well over the last week – having a hard time fighting this nasty bug off, so when I went to my blog this morning and saw a post from you, naturally I clicked on your link to check YOU out ;o) Am I ever glad I did!! When I read your post about the bug that got you (great writing by the way), followed by this amazing get well recipe I knew instantly this is what I need to get me back on my feet!!
Thank you so very much!
Lisa
well dang–sorry you’ve been feeling poopy! after reading this post, all i can say is forget chicken noodle soup–the next time i’m ill, i’ll be craving this!
Geez Bonnie, I do hope you’re feeling better by now!! Hate being sick but I do think I’d feel worlds better after a cup or three of this beautiful GREEEEEEN soup!
So sorry you’ve been under the weather, but at least you got a fabulous soup recipe out of the mix.
Alright then…chayote it will be in my soup next time…all in honouring an unenergetic person that rose above it all to also cook and blog about it…kudos…you are a very inspiring foodie to follow ;o)
All the very best and think of letting others help you a little more next time Ms. Super MOM ;o)
Ciao for now,
Claudia
@ Claudia, thanks foodessa…hugs
bonnie
I am so sorry to hear that you were sick at such an important time as your daughter’s b-day. However, this soup looks amazing and I love the description that Chef Sanchez gave to the chayotes. Too true. Hope you are feeling better.
What an awful sickness to have laid you out for five days. Ugh. As a mom, I know how hard that is…for you as well as your family.
Those pictures at the top remind me of an old man with no teeth. What funny veggies! The soup sounds like it would definitely hit the spot on a sick day.
Oh sweetie I’m sorry to hear you were so sick! And I can’t believe you mustered up the will to plan your daughter’s party in lieu of all this! you are one serious trooper.
I hope this fantastic looking soup does it’s job and cures you!
I could completely relate… I read every word of the account of your blurry 5 days. Poor you! Glad you are better, and what does chayote taste like?
Wow…Chayote, it’s been a while since I had it. I use to have it all the time in Brazil. My mom use to make souffle with it. Your soup looks delicious Bonnie. Have a great week.
Holding onto your soup recipe for the next time my husband and I aren’t feeling too hot, and hoping you are better soon! What a great mom you are for baking despite your illness!
you know I wish I could have been able to bring you my chicken soup – it’s full of antioxidants with enough jalapenos to open up those sinus passageways… I know, I have been plagued with bad sinuses as a doctor once told me, had 2 surgeries in my life and only in the last few years have I found how to really take care of ’em … ya gotta keep them open… I do it with washes, ya know… – yeah, this is your rambling dude and so sorry you were so bad off, but I know the feeling…. lovely soup, love to use chayote when I can…
I’m glad to hear you were able to celebrate Chuls birthday, she’s a lucky girl 🙂
I hope you’re feeling better now, your soup sounds like it would do the trick.
Dear Bonnie – I am so sorry you were sick as a dog and thrilled that you are showing a definite uplifting of spirits so much so that you took the time to write this lovely post and share such a nice and refreshing soup. I have never cooked with chayotes before and this combination with spinach and tomatillos is on my must try list.
Hugs, Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
Bonnie, glad to read your feeling better. The soup sounds great…I really like the spinach addition.
Love to read your blog…makes me smile. You’re very descriptive in your writing. I sense there is lots of love in your familia. 🙂
Carmen
Je suis désolée que tu sois malade. j’espère que tu te remettras très vite.
Je voulais te préciser que tes photos sont très gourmandes et toujours un plaisir pour les yeux.
Bon weekend et à bientôt.
Oh no! There is nothing better to combat sickness than a flavorful soup. I hope that you continue to get better and that each day brings you more vitality. Meanwhile, I will be making this soup and enjoying each sip/bite!
I’m so sorry you were sick, but what a great mom – a cake while sick. This sounds so restorative. I love how they look – like little old men without teeth!
Oh, I’m so sorry that you were sick – I hope you are starting to feel better now! This soup sounds so delicious!
I hope you are feeling better. Being sick is frustrating, particularly if you have a pile of work stacking up around you.
I adore chayote! I grew up eating them in soups. I think this soup looks delicious. Great for nursing a cold. For some reason it never occurred to me to add them to salads. I’ll have to try that out.
I’m so glad you are finally feeling better! It’s hard on everyone when mommy is sick. What a unique soup! It sounds like something I could drink (politely spoon) by the bucket full!
Well, I’m glad to hear you’re feeling more yourself now…I know it totally sucks to be sick =( They do look like mischievous viejas, LOL!! This soup sounds sooo tasty!! Take care of yourself, chica 😉
Oh Bonnie! You know, I knew something was going on with you-maybe it was the duration between posts or just my witchy senses (smile). I’m glad your’e starting to feel better though…
And your soup looks so simple and wonderful. I love soups like this-they remind me of my childhood. Plus, your idea of a warm tortilla next to this sounds awesome!
p.s. when I get sick, I watch movies and infomercials too-they’re funny sometimes (smile).