In a few days my Spring Break will be over and my daily inspirations, fun field trips, and regular blog posts will all come to an end. But for now, I'll just pretend this is how it usually is :: lots of time, lots of sleep, a clean house, and good weather. I have even had moments when I actually forgot I was a teacher in my usual waking life... amazing to see how easy it has been to slip back into my SAHM mode.
Over the last couple months I have enjoyed having Tom Kha Gai, a popular Thai soup, at a variety of restaurants. I woke up this morning feeling inspired to try to make it myself.
Many of the ingredients are new to me - lemongrass, serrano chilies, galangal, fish sauce, straw mushrooms, coconut milk.
This is galangal, the primary flavor of Tom Kha Gai soup. Along with the lime juice added right before serving, it gives the soup that punch that makes everyone say, "Wow! Yum!"
This looks like a picture of the soup. But it is actually a picture of my PortMeirion soup tureen. This Tureen was given to me as a wedding present eight years ago and this is the first time I've used it. Reason enough to get up this morning and make this soup!Of course, it was fun to go shopping for the ingredients, exploring a new part of town and trying out new markets. But in the end, I was too hungry to be taking on a new recipe that was pretty involved and also try to incorporate Annabelle into the cooking event. The galangal and lemongrass were impossible for her to chop, the chilies were too spicy, and so on. Sometimes Annabelle shocks me with her view of things...
Me :: I'm sorry for being grumpy. Sometimes when I cook I don't want to play, I just want to get it done.
(pause)
Me :: I don't want you to think I don't like to cook, because I do!
Annabelle :: Yes, I understand. My Self says, "I don't like to cook either."
Me :: Really?
Annabelle :: Yes. "But oh well!" says my body. And then it makes me do it anyway.
I think I was still dazed from thinking about how deep those words were as I got her in the shower, dressed for bed, and teeth brushed. Then we climbed into bed so I could sing her little bedtime prayer to her before Dave came in to read her a story.
Me :: I had a nice time with you today.
Annabelle :: (smiling, kisses me on the forehead) Yes, I was taking care of you!
Me :: (stunned and silent while I wonder to myself if that is actually true)
Annabelle :: Tomorrow we will go to the zoo, then the museum, then the park, and then the toy store. Goodnight!
