These pictures were taken over the weekend. The lakes and ponds that dot the city of St. John’s still lay frozen and lifeless. Winter has been a hard one this year, and so drawn out that it feels like a ruthless spell. The snow, piled high by numerous snow storms since December, seems pretty snug and content to overstay its welcome.
Our Little One has been patient. The playground being frozen equates to an apocalypse in her little mind. She often refers to us being on Neptune. “This is not planet Earth, Mama. This is planet Neptune because everything is frozen.” I don’t have the heart to disagree.
When the sun seems strong outside, it is often paired with an equally strong windchill. A walk, a jump, a skip on the fluffy snow is enough to make her forget about the disaster of a snowbound playground. And of course feeding the ducks and pigeons around the lake.
She knows feeding birds and animals will gain her new friends. “Let’s feed them their lunch, Mommy.” Off to Quidi Vidi Lake we go to meet the residents. The ducks: ever hungry, ever noisy, and boisterous. The balance of the cold frozen lake and the sound of quacking bills is stark, hopeful, and equally inspiring.
The crocus’ in our front yard lay buried six feet under, in cold hard snow. Woollens are not put away just yet. Neither are our lined boots, nor are fireplaces or hot bowls of soup. I won’t complain, even though I want to see my green back yard dotted with pesky little yellow dandelions. There are a lot of other things in life that are far more serious than the long hard winter inflicted upon us. For now, I will just hope that our dinner is warm and comforting enough to keep us happy and content inside.
Chicken Shitake Broth – served with noodles and fresh vegetables
Ingredients:
- Chicken: 4 drumsticks
- Dried Shitake Mushroom: 6-8
- Ginger: 1 inch sliced
- Star Anise: 2
- Cinnamon : 1 stick
- Black Peppercorns: 1/4 tsp slightly crushed
- Chicken Broth: 5 and half cups
- Carrot: 2 peeled
- Scallions: 2
- Basil: optional
- Boiled Egg Noodles: for two persons
- Ginger: a few julienned for garnish
- Salt: to taste
Method:
- In a shallow pot bring the chicken broth with the shitake mushrooms, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, black peppercorns and 1 whole peeled carrot to boil.
- Once it starts boiling for a few minutes add the chicken.
- Bring to boil then let it simmer till chicken is completely cooked.
- Once cooked let the soup cool then refrigerate over night.
- When ready to serve gently heat the chicken soup and strain the soup.
- Put the broth back to heat up. Taste to check seasoning. Add salt if needed.
- Separate the mushrooms, chicken and the carrots.
- Discard the spices.
- Finely slice the mushrooms and set aside.
- Julienne some carrots and slice the scallions and set aside as well.
- In a serving bowl arrange the chicken, noodles, carrots, sliced mushrooms, scallions and basil and pour boiling hot broth and serve.
looks delicious….surely tastes equally good….loved your post…hope spring to spring in soon !
Thanks Piyas! The broth is delicious – light and comforting, but I’m not so sure about spring, springing in anytime soon! 😦
How lovely the snow is! I suppose it is a bit of a novelty for us here in Oz 🙂 The broth looks wonderful and perfect for our upcoming winter (and your current one, it would seem! ).
Thanks Deepa! 🙂 When it snowed right before Christmas I looked at the snow with so much love….little did I know, he snow had attachment disorder! I’m ready for a break up! Yes, the broth is simple to make but it sure makes a great comforting dinner on a cold night.
Your little one is beautiful isn’t she. The broth looks clean and hearty, I like the use of star anise. I quite fancy a vegetarian version x
I am biased about my Little Girl, I would definitely say, she is a little beauty! 🙂 Thank you Deena! I think a vegetarian version will be equally delicious, with the use of vegetable broth and tofu. I love the bit of basil on top, no matter what it is a bit of basil makes all the difference…again biased! 😀
Lovely post. We are ahead of you with the arrivals of spring. I say arrivals as it has done so a couple of times…
I’m calling it SPRINGTER! 🙂
The amount of snow you still have is unbelievable! I hope you’re enjoying balmy spring breezes soon. In the meantime, I’d go for a second bowl of that beautiful soup.
We has rain last night and this afternoon. A lot of it has disappeared from the side walks but it seemed to have made no difference to my front and back yard. I feel so sorry for my plants! And yes, that broth is nothing fancy but just a bowl is never enough! 🙂
Lovely essay – evocative prose and pictures; reminds me I must come to NL and finish off hiking the East Coast Trail. Great recipe – it look very healthy, not to mention colourful. Have put the ingredients on my shopping list.
Thank you! Yes, you must come back in the summer and finish your hike! This island is so incredibly breathtakingly beautiful. The soup is a simple joy – clean and fresh and hot and comforting. Hope you like it. 🙂