The CLOUD: sitting in the dentist chair. I'm not kidding - it's the biggest, darkest cloud EVER for me. I would rather experience natural childbirth over and over and over again. It scares me so badly that my hands and feet immediately fall asleep when they lean my chair back.
Anyway, I went in for my teeth cleaning and exam (my first in 4 years - I KNOW - don't judge me) And because it had been so long some of the plaques (GROSS ... I brush and floss at least 5 times a day! I'm a fanatic!) had gotten on my actual bone beneath my gums. HORRID. So I had to go in the next day for a deep cleaning. They completely numbed my entire mouth and jaw (a blessing for which I am extremely grateful even though the needle brought tears to my eyes and at one instance sent a shock that made my entire body jump!) then went to work. I came home SO weak from
1) not eating
2) not sleeping in anticipation
3) anxiety
and was immediately STARVING. I tried to drink water and it drizzled out my mouth like Tim Allen in "Christmas With The Kranks". So I waited and waited. Finally I found I could speak without sounding like an infant, so I thought I'd break a piece of bread into little crumbs and eat it. Didn't work. When I attempted water again, most of it went down my throat rather than my shirt so I immediately went to work preparing something more liquid than solid. After a search of the cupboards and fridge came up empty of satisfying liquids, I pulled out a Costco-sized bag of broccoli and looked up recipes. This is the one (found at savvyvegitarian.com) I settled on, with some variations:
VEGAN CREAM OF BROCCOLI SOUP
3 medium broccoli stalks, peeled, and florets (about 6 cups)
4 cups unsalted vegetable soup stock (recipe below) OR 4 c. water + 2 unsalted veggie bouillon cubes
1/2 cup loose chopped parsley
1/2 tsp powdered or crushed dried rosemary
1 tsp dried powdered or crushed dried thyme
2 Tbsp olive oil
Optional: 1 - 2 cloves garlic, crushed
Optional: 1/4 cup diced yellow onion
2 Tbsp chick pea flour (besan) as a gluten free low GI alternative to wheat flour
2 cups unsweetened rice milk or unsweetened plain almond milk (low GI), fortified with Vitamin B12, Calcium and Vitamin D
1/4 tsp salt or to taste
Fresh ground black pepper
Directions:
Peel broccoli stems. Chop stems and florets into small pieces
Chop parsley, reserving 2 Tbsp to mince as a garnish
Place broccoli into stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until tender - about 5 minutes
Optional onion &; garlic: peel and crush garlic cloves, dice onion. Sauté on medium heat in 1 tsp olive oil for 10 minutes. Add to pot
Place broccoli, liquid, parsley, thyme, rosemary, and salt in blender or put solids through a foodmill, or mash and strain. Puree until smooth. Set aside
White sauce: Heat the olive oil in the soup pan. Add the flour and cook on low for ten minutes.
Stir in rice milk or almond milk with a whisk, bring to a boil then simmer till thickened, stirring constantly with the whisk (approx 10 minutes). This is important - otherwise your sauce will be lumpy. If that happens, blend it or put it through a seive
Stir in broccoli puree. Adjust salt if needed, and grate pepper in to taste
Heat gently (don't boil). Serve immediately, garnished with minced parsley
My variations:
1) I doubled everything else and dumped in the whole bag of broccoli without measuring.
2) Didn't have the herbs so I just didn't put them in
3) I just used water - no broth, but I added about 1/4 cup
Sole
4) I used my freshly ground whole wheat flour instead of chickpea flour
5) I used my homemade soymilk
I'm not a vegan, but after eating this soup I could certainly be persuaded!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Oh you poor dear! At least one good thing came out of all this because this sounds like a very tasty recipe! Will definitely give it a go!
ReplyDeleteFor the record...I HATE going to the dentist too. I am a fanatic about my teeth as well, and go twice a year for check ups. My hubby and best friend here haven't been for YEARS. No toothaches.
ReplyDeleteI hate , after hearing what you said, to think of the plaque building up on their teeth.
Okay....I had written a nice little note and it went bye bye while I was typing. Huh? Trying again. As a former dental assistant to an endodontist, oral surgeon, ortho and general dentist I can sympathize with your plight sweet lady. It was so sad to see how many folks had been traumatized as children going to the dentist. With all the knowledge and technology today there is no reason you should feel that needle going in. That being said, you made soup out of a lemon situation, and I love the recipe! I will have to try it soon as I have fresh rosemary and thyme waiting to be plucked for some delicious treat. Thanks for the recipe! Hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteSounds delicious! I'm a soup fanatic and make broccoli leek soup all the time. Pretty much every week in fact. I'm going to give this one a shot. Oh and sorry the dentist was so painful. So many people have such traumatic experiences there... xoxo
ReplyDeleteMmm that sounds yummy. I hate the dentist too, I have terrible teeth so whenever I go I get lectures. It's unfortunate because I get the lectures but then they tell me it's unavoidable because of the shape on my teeth. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteYour soup looks wonderful! I prepare a "green soup" weekly and this recipe will be a nice change from the norm.
ReplyDeleteEntertaining story, and I can empathize with you anxiety. I've worked in the medical field for nearly 30 yrs and I still feel light headed when I'm at the doctors (can't deal with the blood draws..)
oh the dentist freaks me out! i can handle shots and pain, but not in my mouth!! no way
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try this! I have a ton of broccoli that needs to be put to good use. Now you've got me worried. I haven't been to the dentist for almost 3 years. Waaaaay over due. So not looking forward to it.
ReplyDelete