Some of my newest friends . . . and CHEESE SOUP

You know you’ve read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.

–Paul Sweeney

Dragons, Liveships, wonderful characters, huge problems . . . FANTASTIC!

                                 Books 1 and 2 of an apocalyptic world

                       I loved Rosie's candid letters and emails.

                                  I found this stage script in our cruise ship's library!

             Great bedtime reading!  Thanks again, Nicole, for this fun book!

Romance and Disaster:  More than 1000 people died when a submarine torpedoed the Lusitania

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EATING with a LITERARY CHARACTER

Pan Zagloba, a character in Sienkiewicz’s WITH FIRE AND SWORD, declares, “There is nothing like a good, thick polevka to fuel the brain and good hot beer to carry it there.”

Zagloba "satisfied his first pangs of hunger with two large bowls of 'polevka' soup, a platter of sausage, and a huge tankard of hot buttered beer. . ." (page 760)

According to EAT SMART IN POLAND, polewka is “cheese soup or gruel made of hot milk, water and fresh curds”.  A recipe is provided on page 47, for those who demand authenticity.  

If you just want a guaranteed DELICIOUS cheese soup, here's one of my favourites: 

CHEDDAR CHEESE SOUP

          From:  THE FOUR SEASONS COOKBOOK by Charlotte Adams, c1971

3 tbsp minced onion

3 tbsp grated carrot

3 tbsp butter (can be reduced to 1 tbsp)

4 cups chicken stock (or vegetable stock)

½ tsp dry mustard

½ tsp paprika

¼ cup milk

2 tbsp cornstarch

¼ pound sharp cheddar grated

¼ tsp pepper

Salt to taste

2 tbsp chopped parsley

*Sauté the onion and carrot in butter over low heat for 10 minutes.

*Add the stock, mustard, pepper, and paprika.  Simmer for 15 minutes.

*Combine the milk and cornstarch.

*Stir into the soup and cook for 5 minutes.

*Add cheese and stir until melted.

*Taste for salt.

*Serve with parsley garnish. 

This is a FAMILY FAVORITE!