Comfort food

With the Winter months throwing a chill in the air - I think about the food I want to eat and what I love when its cold is soups and stews.  Most of the time when other people make it, although I have been known to make some tasty meals in a pot - when  I am in the mood and the stars are lined up .  So some of my favorite soups in no particular order are

 the french seafood soup Boullaibaisse  a delicious mix of seafood and fish made with reduction of bones of fish and shellfish and it comes with the rouille , which is a garlic safron mayonnaise on toast or more likely on the side. First time I ever had the rouille on toast and one of the best boullaibaisse I have ever tasted was in Napa at the Chandon Restaurant when Philippe Jeanty was cooking - aahh what an afternoon that was, fish soup and sparkling wine with fruit & dear husbo sharing adventures.  sweet.

In any french seaside town you can try their fish stew or buy at the market., like this one in the North of France close to Brittany

Naturally with comfort food comes comfort interiors and this fascinating place is a hotel in Montreal. old place in the old town.  Perfect for winter eating.

Another soup I love is tomato soup served here at the Sofitel Hotel in Redwood city - when its made from fresh tomatoes its delish hot or cold. and I have sweet memories of fresh made mushroom soup,
asparagus soup and leek soup. Ok I am making my mouth water.

Also a mix of broth and ingredients is an adored way to share food with family and friends. Last winter my husbo made this tasty fish in a light broth for a relaxed Sunday lunch with friends. I also love crab chowder,  the one that is chock full of crab made with crab reduction and very little potato.

So many soups so little time  others I love are Coconut soup and Japenese Udon  & Vegetable.
I think I could spend a whole year trying a different soup everyday Chicken soup with wontons, Lemon Grass chicken soup Jewish chicken soup with perogin,.  What is your favorite soup? do tell
and what do you eat it with ?  Do you like marrow in your soup?  I remember having marrow bones and we kids fighting to have the marrow on toast . Of course no soup is complete without bread, breadsticks or crackers ... and to end a nice piece of cheese.

I capture the castle

Every day we celebrate with food. On seeing 'Julia and Julie' I realized how many movie's circle around food.  'Its Complicated' another food movie.  The decor is delicious but its the food that captures us.
I love to photograph food - to capture the castle, as it were.  I saw somewhere that someone clever is planning to improve their photo skills by taking 100 photos. Maybe I should post 2010 photos this year about food - to bring the eye of the lens to the soul of my life - food is all about color, texture, taste, sensation, beauty  - in a word delectable.

What better way than to get in the groove but with oysters, at the beach, served with mignonette sauce.
Like Julia said - people in France get to eat french food every day!

Chocolate is the best way to begin

Champagne & Chocolate - what more should be at the ball ?