The Single Girl's Fridge

So the mutt stuck her very cold nose in my very tired face this morning and when I cracked open an eye I saw ... was it really ... a ray of sunlight coming through my bedroom window? I literally was outside before I realized I should probably throw something on aside from my pj's (sorry neighbors!) So after a morning spent walking, coffee-ing and throwing a frisbee for the mutt at the dog park I came home a little chilly and a lot hungry. I'm sure I had something delicious just waiting in my fridge!

Or not.

I was faced with dum..dum...dum ... "The Single Girl's Fridge" staring back at me--bottle of champage, Diet Coke and an unopened bag of spinach. Ummmm ... shit.

You see I kind of put myself on a budget, after dropping a grand on a plane ticket this week and all. What oh what could I squeak out of my kitchen to tide me over until I go over to my gay boyfriends' house for dinner where I know I'll be fed properly? After some further rummaging I found some stock, an onion and celery. This was encouraging. When I found a bag of frozen peas (who put frozen peas in my freezer?) I thought I just might be onto something. Especially when I remembered the immersion blender my sister got me for Christmas. Ding ding ding! I'd make some soup. Get this, it actually turned out! And I think it will tide me over for the gluttony that the GBFs said is coming tonight:

Wade: Jimmy's making dinner tonight and breaking out the deep fryer want to come over?
SSG: Um ... I GUESS I'll break from my healthy eating habits just this once, but only because it's you guys.
Wade: (After much hysterical laugher) Ok we'll see you at 5:30.
SSG: What's so funny?

Here's my serendipitous soup recipe! Ummm ... what to call it ... oh I know:

"What -to-Eat-Before-You-Go-to-Your-Cruel-GBF's-House-for-Dinner Soup"

1T butter
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 stalk of celery chopped
2 cups frozen peas
2 cups (or 1 can) of vegetable stock
2 cups of spinach
1 t lemon juice or vinegar
Salt & Pepper

Heat butter in saucepan over medium heat. When it's bubbly and smelling yummy and you're tempted to lick it right out of the pan, don't. Add in the onion and celery and 1/2t of salt and 1/4 t of pepper instead. Swirl the celery and onion around in the butter and I dare you not to recall some Thanksgiving memory (what is it about butter, celery and onion cooking on the stovetop?). After about 3 or 4 minutes add in the frozen peas and vegetable stock, kick that burner up to high until the whole thing starts to boil then cover the pan and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 5 or 6 minutes, add in the spinach and stir everything around a few times before covering the pot back up again. Let the spinach wilt (about 2 or 3 minutes). Turn off the stove. Now the fun begins. Break out that immersion blender that's been gathering dust (or that may just be MY immersion blender) and blend until desired consistency--try to keep it all in the pan, or if you insist upon getting it all over the place aim for the floor where your dog can clean it up for you. Add in the teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar, stir and serve with salt and pepper to taste. If you happen to have some left over sour cream from um, a frozen burrito that you ate the other day (hey, at least it was Amy's Organic!) then throw a dollop of that on top. I did and it was yummy.

2 Hefty Servings (or if you're like me and are constantly planning a 7 course dinner party that you never have, then it would serve 4 as an appetizer)

Hope you're having a serendipitous Saturday of your own!
SSG