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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories 10 things to know for Tuesday Commissioner's apology for text incident doesn't sway family Since You Asked: State requires headlight use in bad weather Emergency Services Kitchenware, sheets would ease stress of starting over for mom and son Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services Man wearing fake beard robs Medford bank Police still hunting for third suspect tied to bomb threats, high speed chase Josephine County scrambles to house juvenile offenders Emergency Services Politics and Elections State certifies recount showing failure of GMO-labeling measure Time running out for O&C funds GMO vote recount still shows little change GMO labeling votes recounted under careful watch in Jackson County Kent Bush: First Amendment doesn’t mean what you think it means Education Ruch school class focuses on the natural environment Bethel Church helps families at McLoughlin Middle School Logos may offer students 'fifth year' at RCC or SOU St. Mary's plays host to youth robotics tournament A lesson in giving Environment Biologist resigns over LNG reporting failure Bird flu discovered in Winston backyard flock Jackson County holds back on enforcing GMO ban for now No fish, no funding for problem dams Most residents speak against gas pipeline State News Oregon to step up water quality checks on farms Questions remain in death of Oklahoma teen Impostor makes off with Salvation Army donations in Corvallis, Albany Faith-healing couple sentenced to 10 years for death of diabetic daughter Uber suspends operations in Portland for 3 months Nation - World Obama makes Maduro’s ‘insolent Yankees’ line harder to sell Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Emile Victor Caloz Donna J. 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Food for Thought: Wintertime wining and dining Religion news: Judge rules boy can be given transfusion, despite parents’ religious objections Kitchen Call: The comfort of creamy soups Food Food for Thought: Wintertime wining and dining Kitchen Call: The comfort of creamy soups Community blog: Baking contest finalists combine cookies, candies Community blog: 'Cookbook Book' digests genre's past 300 years Community blog: Liver pat� an easy nosh for Hanukkah and beyond Home and Garden Bathtub or shower: What’s best for you? Home Help: Home safety tips for a safe and happy winter season How NOT to install drywall Dear Monty: Siblings dispute inherited real estate Home Help: Create a happy homemade holiday Health Health Watch: Small diet changes can make a big difference Community blog: Removing Barriers Is Good Insurance Health Watch: Change up your treadmill workout Community blog: A Dark Night of Healing and Hope Community blog: The Promise of Hope � and Health - Fulfilled Hiking Biking Faith Churches, synagogs host seasonal events Bethel Church helps families at McLoughlin Middle School Milestones and Achievements Fans, friends and family welcome home victorious SOU team at airport Wedding: Boldt-Mahon Order of Elks national office revokes Medford lodge's charter Jackson County's new health building complete, will serve clients in February Ashland celebrates 'Wild' screening with Cheryl Strayed Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories In the Pocket releases 'I Got News' Live Music in Local Clubs Celebrate winter solstice with the Bad Film Society Southern Oregon Repertory Singers present 'The Holly and the Ivy' Tomaseen Foley's "A Celtic Christmas" returns to the Craterian Theater Theater ACT presents reading of 'The Quality of Life' Meet the real Jacob Marley This Nutcracker ballet will have a superhero twist Plumbing the depths of meaning TMTO presents 'A Christmas Carol: The Musical' Music In the Pocket releases 'I Got News' Live Music in Local Clubs Southern Oregon Repertory Singers present 'The Holly and the Ivy' Tomaseen Foley's "A Celtic Christmas" returns to the Craterian Theater Seattle rock band Smokey Brights plays Howiee's Community Events Celebrate winter solstice with the Bad Film Society Tomaseen Foley's "A Celtic Christmas" returns to the Craterian Theater Stefan Baumann and Eugene Bennett highlight Third Fridays Dancing People Company celebrates the solstice Dance to the Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra Dining Food for Thought: Wintertime wining and dining Coffee shops roll out holiday-inspired drinks Over Easy serves 'pop-up' brunch Sundays Ooblies Artisan Waffle Sandwiches Brunch at Loft Brasserie Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Our View: One more try for Josephine safety levy ... Man wearing fake beard robs Medford bank ... Former Ashland student saves surfer from pounding waves ... Our View: One more try for Josephine safety levy ... Man wearing fake beard robs Medford bank ... Former Ashland student saves surfer from pounding waves ... Kitchen Call: The comfort of creamy soups Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 22, 2014 @ 12:26 pm Posted Dec. 22, 2014 @ 12:26 pm » Social News By Linda Bassett More Content Now Of all the soups from literally thousands of recipes I could possibly put on my home menu, I find creamy ones serve both comforting and celebratory purposes. Both types are easy on the cook as preparation basically consists of sweating a bunch of vegetables until tender, then simmering them in vegetable, chicken, beef or even veal stock until they are just at the breaking-apart point. The food processor or the stick blender does the rest of the work with the celebratory ones turning out slimmer and silkier, the comforting ones heartier and thicker at the end. The cook runs the machine to start the work, then finishes it by pouring in cream, milk and half-and-half until the consistency is right. After a return trip to the burner for warming, it gets an imaginative garnish with anything from homemade croutons to fresh popcorn. The comforting-style soup soothes, served in tall mugs. Sipped slowly in front of a blazing fire, it tastes just as good at the kitchen table where the pot and ladle sit nearby to furnish second helpings. An antidote to wicked winter weather, these soups can be made of single or multiple underground-growing vegetables, from carrots to sweet potatoes to celery root. They take on extra flavor with the addition of juices from tomato to grapefruit and dried spices from cayenne to curry. They can turn out homely or exotic. They eliminate the craving for tea or coffee, adding higher nutritional value and eliminating anxiety-inducing caffeine. The celebratory soup gets a holiday dinner off to a glittering start. Ladled from a beautiful tureen into shallow soup bowls or pretty teacups, the surfaces can be enhanced with a sprinkle of finely minced chives or citrus zest, or a scant teaspoonful of sour cream. Use an elegant vegetable, like artichoke hearts or avocado, in the starring role, although Yukon gold potatoes work, too. SOOTHING CREAM OF CARROT SOUP WITH GINGER Makes 6 servings Switch the carrot with sweet potato, the ginger with smoked paprika, or substitute orange juice for the cup milk for a whole new soup. Keep seasonings spicy for extra warmth. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped 1-1/2 pounds carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped 3 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger 6 cups chicken stock 1 cup whole milk 1 cup half-and-half salt, freshly ground black pepper, to taste In a pot, melt butter over low heat. Add onions, and cooking, stirring, until tender, about 15 minutes. Raise the heat to medium-low, then add the carrots and ginger; cook, stirring, until carrots are falling apart soft, about 20 minutes. Add chicken stock to the pot. Bring just to a boil, then lower to a simmer, stirring from time to time, about 20 minutes. Remove soup from the heat. Allow to cool slightly. Add milk. Transfer to a blender or food processor; blend in batches if needed, until it forms a smooth puree. Return the soup to the pot, add the half-and-half, season with salt and pepper. Heat, but do not bring to a boil. Serve hot garnished with croutons or a green herb like parsley or cilantro. ELEGANT CREAM OF AVOCADO SOUP Makes 8 servings 3 large ripe avocados, peeled, pitted, and diced 1-1/2 cups heavy cream 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon grated onion 1 garlic clove mashed with 1/2 teaspoon salt until it makes a paste 1/4 teaspoon or more to taste, chili powder or cayenne pepper salt, ground white pepper, to taste 5 to 6 cups chicken stock Pulse avocadoes until smooth with cream, lime juice, onion, and garlic, in a blender or food processor. Season with chili powder or cayenne. Bring stock to a boil in a large pot on high heat. Turn heat down to low. When stock simmers, add the puree. Whisk until smooth. Taste for any seasoning needed. Serve hot or cold, garnished with sour cream, crushed corn chips or minced cilantro leaves. COOK’S NOTES A Kitchen Call reader commented on the piece I wrote a few weeks ago about gluten-free eating. She offered additional information on celiac disease as well as a helpful website. I’m happy to include her advice here: “It’s very important to note that for those with celiac disease, food prep needs to be considered as well. That is, porous utensils, such as wooden spoons or rubber spatulas, cutting boards or colanders which have been used for “regular” cooking should not be used — rather the cook must use tools [specifically] dedicated to gluten-free food. Just a speck of gluten can wreak havoc. http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/settingupthekitchen/tp/GlutenFreeCookwareUtensils.htm” Linda Bassett is the author of “From Apple Pie to Pad Thai: Neighborhood Cooking North of Boston.” Reach her by email at [email protected]. Read Linda’s blog at LindABCooks.wordpress.com. Follow Linda for quick recipes on Twitter at @Kitchencall. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 22, 2014 @ 12:26 pm » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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