Happy Friday! It’s been a busy week, but I finally have some time to sit down and share some of my cooking with you. This week’s French Fridays with Dorie recipe is really more of a template than a recipe. It’s called Spur-of-the Moment Soup, aka Stone Soup and although Dorie gives specific instructions for her carrot version, in the introduction she gives us permission to use whatever vegetables we have on hand or feel like using.
In the spirit of the recipe I decided to use this opportunity to clear some leftover random vegetables out of the fridge. I replaced the pound of carrots with broccolette (I did dice up one carrot) and the small potato with a large sweet potato. The recipe tells us we can puree the soup or not. I chose not to with the vegetables I used, but I am sure a puree would be delicious with other veggies.
I love that this recipe gives us a template for making a soup out of whatever vegetables we want. I am sure I will turn to this recipe whenever I feel the need to use up leftovers. The resulting soup is hearty, healthy, and delicious.
I also finally made the Spice-Poached Apples or Pears from a few weeks ago. I used Bosc pears and followed the recipe exactly. The result was a light and tasty dessert that we all enjoyed.
From Scratch 
BREAD!! I forgot to add bread to the menu!! Bet it was good with the bread. And the pears look tasty.
The soup looks delicious:) The spiced pears looks terrific. Great job.
Both dishes look beautiful, Karen. I like the color and texture that the broccolette gave the soup. I have not made that spiced pear recipe, but I have a few pears on hand, so I might have to give it a try. It looks so pretty. I hope you have a great weekend.
I love that Dorie encourages us to use whatever we have. Your chunky version looks great. And the pears too. When I made that, my apples disintegrated so I ended up with apple sauce. I have some pears on hand to try this again soon. Have a great weekend.
Yes – anything that helps clean out the fridge is a winner in my book!
Glad you enjoyed. Have a wonderful weekend.
Everything looks wonderful and delicious. Adding the bread on the side
really makes for a great meal. Have a great weekend.
looks like a lovely and healthy dinner!
The little green specks that float up to the top look so pretty, Karen. I had an apple that I thought giving the “spiced pear treatment” but I should hold out and make the recipe as written. It looks so comforting!
OMG, what a great way to wrap up dinner! I absolutely loved the spice-poached pears, we are going to make lots of that this winter! 🙂 Your bread with the soup looks especially inviting!
Don’t you just love those pears? I fretted about the expense of the Star Anise and have used it three times since this recipe. Now, back to the soup. I love that you cleaned out your refridgerator, just as Dorie directed, and left the food chunky. And,of course, the bread. Always, the bread. nice Post.