Tuesday, December 8, 2015

“Escarole Soup” For "Soupy Tuesday" & "Saint Nicholas Day"


“The love of our family soups, flows strong and deep, leaving us memories to treasure and keep.” by Campbell’s

Welcome to a delicious “Soupy Tuesday.” For those of you that are new to my blog…For the next few months I will be sharing a recipe for a delicious easy soup. As the days get cooler and eventually colder, everyone enjoys a hot bowl of soup. If you would like to see a special recipe for soup or have one that you want to share just email me at (angellite13 [at] optimum [dot] net) or post something in the comments below. I will be happy to give you a shout out. Hope this keeps you warm and cozy for the next few months…

We are in the second week of Advent already. Advent is the religious countdown to Christmas. It seems to be a magical time. During the Advent season, Christians all over the world start to prepare for the birth of Jesus. In celebration of His birth, there are many preparations, such as decorating your house, your tree, wrapping gifts, cards to write, meals to plan, and cook, plus baking cookies, gingerbread houses, and lastly who will be attending Midnight Mass. 



"San Nicola or St. Nick"
I noticed that this past Sunday was December 6th! That was the feast of St. Nicholas. Whether you call him, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, Santa Claus, St. Nick, or any other names that are used for him, Santa is still the hero of millions of children in the whole world. He has a reputation for secret gift giving. Legend states that one of the old Christian traditions surrounding St. Nicholas’ feast day is for kids to leave their shoes out overnight in front of the fireplace, on the windowsill, or outside their bedroom door, so that St. Nicholas can fill their shoes with special fruits, candies, and other small gifts or treats. Another cute part of this tradition is for kids to leave carrots or hay in their shoes for St. Nicholas’ donkey to eat. St. Nicholas takes the hay and carrots for his donkey and replaces them with small gifts and treats for the children. That is how he became the model for our modern day Santa Claus, which also comes from the Dutch name called Sinterklaas. St. Nicholas (San Nicola) is the patron saint of Bari, in Italy, where his relics are buried in the Basilica di San Nicola (Basilica of St. Nicholas). Therefore, I hope that your shoes contain many goodies from St. Nicholas!


"Cooking With Nonna"
My recipe this week is “Escarole Soup” This recipe is a traditional dish that my mom used to make every year for St. Nicholas day when I was young. It’s origin is Italian and you can add white kidney beans and tortellini to the soup. I also posted this recipe on “Cooking With Nonna” a few years ago. If you log on to “Cooking With Nonna,” Rossella Rago who hosts the site, has this recipe listed under Soups and shares my recipe with all of her readers and followers. Thank you Rossella…(If you click on “Cooking With Nonna” it will bring you to the recipe)

                             “Escarole Soup



Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 pound of escarole, chopped and washed
A pinch of salt
4 cups low-salt chicken broth
Freshly ground pepper
Grated Pecorino-Romano cheese

Directions:
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add the escarole and sauté until wilted, about 3 minutes. Add a pinch of salt. Add the chicken broth, cover and simmer about 5 minutes. You can add a can of white kidney beans (washed and rinsed to get the salt off) plus/or cooked Tortellini. Serve with crusty Italian bread and top with grated Pecorino-Romano cheese. 


*********There will be no blog post on Friday of this week as I am starting my 12 days of "Christmas Around The World" on Sunday December 13th through December 24th (Christmas Eve) So make sure you come back on Sunday to see what country I post first...I can't wait! I love Christmas anywhere!!! 

 
*******Also I would like to wish our Jewish friends and readers a very “Happy Chanukah” The Festival of The Lights is when a traditional menorah or candelabra, is used to light each candle of the eight nights of the holiday! Enjoy!





Till Next Time……

Copyright © 2015 “Family Plus Food Equals Love” All Rights Reserved

10 comments:

  1. Hi Dottie welcome back! I hope you had a relaxing break.
    I have never made Escarole soup and it certainly looks good. I have often heard of Rossella Rago, she is very popular!
    I have been doing Christmas shopping recently, getting all the presents for Christmas. We don't celebrate S. Nicola in my region but many other regions do. My sister who lives in Slovenia with her husband even gets chocolate from her employer on that day. I think it is rather sweet.
    I grew up with St. Lucia instead who would bring me some presents and sweeties on the 13th of December.
    This month is such a busy one isn't? I love that we can be so creative in the kitchen, it is a busy but fun month for us cooks!
    Take care e have a good rest of the week xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Alida,
      Yes, I am back..had a good time off, but was preparing for the 12 days of Christmas Around The World. Oh, you and the family will love this soup.Yes, Rossella and her Nonna are very popular and she is such a lovely person. So glad that you have been getting your Christmas shopping done. That is what is so different about Italy, every region has different traditions. Thank is so nice that your sister's boss gives her chocolates on St. Nicholas Day. Yes, I also grew up with St. Lucy on December 13th. She is the saint of the eyes. I agree dear friend, December is a very busy month, but also fun too. So many things to cook, bake and enjoy! Thanks again for your comment, be well, safe, and have a great rest of the week...
      Dottie xx :)

      Delete
  2. Good evening Dottie ,
    My family loves Escarole soup , it is deliciously tasty .
    You can make a very tasty soup without have meat all times . This is the time of the year when the mugs is on the counter and soup on the stove .
    Glad you are back and hope your break was relaxing .
    I will get back in the swing of things after the holidays , family here from all over ,oldest daughter birthday is next Saturday and pitting the finishing touches on Christmas .
    I will be here to enjoy the 12 days of Christmas , I will be posting twice a week ... hopefully [giggling] .
    Have a great week my friend , stay warm and safe .
    :) Nee

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Nee,
      Thanks for taking time to visit my blog..I am so happy that you and the family love this soup. I can smell the delicious soup on the stove, say me a cup please..My break was nice, but was preparing for my blogs "Christmas Around The World"..It takes so much research and I wanted to have most of them done, so I am not overwhelmed every day. Do miss your blog...but I understand there is only so many hours in a day. Happy Birthday to your daughter, that sounds like fun. So enjoy the rest of your week too, and will see you on December 13th.
      Hugs, xx Dottie :)

      Delete
  3. It's good to see you back, Dottie!
    I've never had Escarole Soup and it sounds really delicious. I would like it just the way it is, but with tortellini sounds very tasty also. And it's great that it's a light soup and easy to make. Perfect for this time of year when it's so busy.
    Here's to your 12 days of Christmas! You always have interesting posts, and I'm looking forward to reading them all. Could the first one be Christmas in Italy???? :-) Take care and have a great rest of the week, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Pam,
      Thanks for your comment. You should try this soup, I know you would love it. Yes, I am even getting excited about Christmas Around The World. I am not saying which will be the first country that I will post...But it could be Italy...or maybe not! Have a great week dear friend...
      Dottie :) xx

      Delete
  4. I haven't made this soup in ages! And it's a really good one. Yours looks particularly fine -- really excellent. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear John,
      Thanks for your comment...I agree it really is so good and a perfect easy soup for the family. We love it so much that when my son comes home from upstate for a visit..he asks me to make it every time. Enjoy!
      Dottie :)

      Delete
  5. One of my all time favorite soups Dottie! :) I love your blog...every time I come here....every post is so very warm and informative and inspiring...and makes me smile...and so hungry! :D lol Thank you for sharing your wonderful Recipes, family stories and history with us all! <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Joe,
      Thank you for your comment. I know it is one of your favorite soups, had to post it for you. Your words are so sweet and I am so happy that you are enjoying not only this post but all of the others as well. I am thrilled that my words and recipes make you smile. :) (and hungry) It is my pleasure to keep writing my stories and my recipes for you as well as all of my readers....Thanks again for taking the time to visit..Don't forget to come back on Sunday as "Christmas Around The World" starts for 12 days...Enjoy and blessing to you and your mom, who I hope is doing well. Ciao, caro amico!
      Hugs, xx Dottie :) <3

      Delete