Frost & Harvest

Kuntry Boy and I got to get outta town for a couple of days recently...and upon our return THIS is what I saw! Excuse me whilst I weep aloud. Sniff, sniff.

Apparently, while we were gone Western Washington experienced her first frost. Well, at least those of us at higher elevations. I can't speak for the lowlands, but I suspect that they may have been spared this time around. But just wait...it's coming for ya.

We've had some very nice fall days, but recently it has turned c-o-l-d. As in itchy skin, chapped lips, and warm up the car in the morning cold. Yuck. I've been dreading this. But I've also been preparing myself for it. And it's time I suck it up.

So yesterday I donned my jacket and earwarmer and poked around in the garden, desperately clinging on to the memory of warm soil.

Sadly, it's time to say good bye to most of my flowers for the year. But I rest assured knowing that my tulip and lily bulbs are cozy underneath a bed of dirt and poo and will be there to bring in the spring after cooling their roots for the winter.

I do have a few beds that still contain some cheeriness...a few varieties that don't mind a little chill like snapdragons, stock, bachelor buttons, sunflowers, and sweet peas. But it's only a matter of time. ;)

Fortunately it's not all doom and gloom in the garden (hmm...am I coming off a little melodramatic? Maybe a bit whiny?) ;)

Anyway, while I was poking around and inspecting the carnage I came across this lovely sight!

Wow! How exciting! Red potatoes ready to be harvested! I was so stoked about this because even though I've been an obsessed gardener for years, this was my first year trying my hand at growing food! As I rooted around I came up with 11 or so of these babies. And a few were BIG! Too fun!

In the same bed as these guys I also grew leeks and onions...so guess what I made for dinner tonight? That's right! Potato leek soup! You are so smart. ;)

Unfortunately, my onions were not as successful as the potatoes or leeks. See these three little baby onions? Yeah, they're more like shallots. Oh, well. I still used 'em. And another grown up onion from the store. Darn it. But it was still fun to use ingredients from the garden to make dinner tonight!

And guess what the best part is? Kuntry Boy LIKED IT!! ***Bells, whistles, party blower, ah-ooo-ga*** Mark this day on the calendar! It's not often that one of my experimental meals gets rave reviews. Or even a "thumbs in the middle". But he kept going on and on about it! Of course, he had to doctor it up with lots of pepper and saltines, but he even does that to Ivar's clam chowder so I didn't take it too personally. ;)

I found the recipe for it at http://www.pinchmysalt.com/. I picked it 'cause it looked like the most straightforward recipe, yet still flavorful. Emeril had a mouthwatering recipe, but Mr. Meat and patatas isn't usually a fan of meals with a "gourmet spin".

Definitely go check out the site, but here's the gist of it:

Sautee up (in 3tbsp. butter) 1 onion (chopped) and 3 leeks (thinly sliced) until just golden brown.

While that's cookin', thinly slice up 6-8 potatoes (depending on the type/size of potato being used).

Once the onions and leeks have turned golden, add in the potatoes and enough chicken broth to just cover the potatoes.

Continue cooking on medium heat until potatoes soften.

Use a masher to, um, mash the potatoes until you reach the desired consistency.


Add in 1 cup (or so) of heavy cream (or half and half or milk). I used heavy cream. 'Cause now that it's getting cold I need some extra insulation. At least that's what I tell myself each winter. ;) Also add in any seasonings you dig...I used sea salt & pepper and a little garlic sea salt too. Can't go wrong with garlic, right?

Cook on low to medium heat for about 15 more minutes to let the soup thicken and then serve up and enjoy!


Since I didn't think the heavy cream was enough of a sin I also sprinkled some cheese on top. Oh, yeah...and I also dipped some fresh bread into it. I'm doomed. Better put the scale away for a few months. Why can't I have the metabolism of a Weimaraner? ;)

.