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Deliciously Organic: Creamy Eggplant Soup and a Blogher Food Recap

Deliciously Organic

A blog devoted entirely to simple, wholesome, organic cooking.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Creamy Eggplant Soup and a Blogher Food Recap


"You write to live twice".

Shauna spoke those words last weekend at the Blogher Food conference in San Francisco. The conference brought together 300 food bloggers from around the world to mingle, share, and learn from one another. 

My weekend started with media training at Ketchum. I had my first experience trying to articulate my mission, even when asked difficult questions in an unnerving way. It was a fabulous and very humbling experience. If you need some training, this is the place to go. I made several friends at the training, too. It's amazing how much you can learn about someone during an afternoon of mock interviews and mutual critiquing!

I had the privilege of speaking on a panel with Marla, Amanda, and Natanya on Friday morning. It was a blast giving new bloggers tips and trying to pass on as much practical advice as possible.


Friday evening, Helen, Kristen, Stefania, and Jane threw a party at Blue Sky Studios. The studio was set in a lively hot shade of pink with plenty of food, drink, and laughter flowing.


Saturday after our morning session, Pete and the kids joined a group of us for a lunch-time excursion to the Ferry Building. Katie and Susan, two new friends, came along (if you haven't checked out their blogs, you really must).


Saturday was my birthday, so I got to pick our lunch spot. As we walked through the ferry building I saw "Prather Ranch Meat Company" selling grass-fed meat and organic trimmings. I got myself a huge preservative-free, hot dog, slathered it with mustard, piled on the sauerkraut, and smiled a happy birthday smile. Afterwards, we stopped by Miette for a few macarons and ate them on the pier while watching the Fleet Week airshow.




Saturday afternoon I attended the session entitled "Do you have a cookbook in you?" Before the session started, my daughters got to meet Shauna and Dorie. The girls were thrilled to meet two ladies they admire so much.


As I thought about this gathering of people who enjoy enjoy expressing themselves about food, I kept returning to the idea, "You write to live twice." How wonderful for me to tell you about the weekend, and "live twice".  

After a wonderful (and tiring) trip, I needed some comfort food. This roasted eggplant soup was exactly what I was looking for. The vegetables are roasted to bring out their sweet flavor and then combined with chicken stock, cream and spices. It's blended together to make a creamy, satisfying dinner.

Creamy Eggplant Soup
My husband and kids are not huge eggplant fans, but they loved this soup. So if eggplant isn't your favorite I encourage you to give this one a try. Serves 8
Adapted from Abundant Harvest

1 (32-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained
1 tablespoon organic whole cane sugar or sucanat

1 medium eggplant, peeled and cut into large pieces
1 small onion, quartered
6 cloves garlic, not peeled
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 cups chicken broth

1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
basil, for garnish

Preheat the oven to 350°F and adjust rack to middle position. Place tomatoes on an oiled baking sheet in an even layer. (This should take up about half of the baking sheet). Evenly sprinkle the tomatoes with whole cane sugar. Fill the rest of the baking sheet with the eggplant, onion, and garlic. Drizzle the olive oil over the eggplant, onion and garlic (rub the oil into the vegetables with your hands) and season generously with salt and pepper. Roast for about 45 minutes, until tender. When the vegetables are tender place them in a large stock pot (make sure and remove the skins from the garlic). Pour in the chicken broth and add the thyme. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Continue to simmer for 30 minutes until a knife can be inserted into the eggplant with little resistance. Puree the soup using a hand immersion blender or you can also blend until smooth in small batches in a blender. Stir cream into soup and season with salt and pepper if needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

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15 Comments:

Anonymous Heather said...

Carrie this is a great recap of this past weekend! Loved your pictures and your girls are adorable. It was so nice to meet you and I'm glad we got the chance to chat on Friday morning. I hope you and your family enjoyed San Fran.

October 14, 2010 at 10:18 AM  
Anonymous Kristen said...

You write to live twice... I loved that too.
I love your photos, Carrie and the one of your daughters and Dorie is priceless. How sweet is that?

It was wonderful to finally meet you!

October 14, 2010 at 11:03 AM  
Anonymous Brooke@foodwoolf said...

I truly love all that you captured here. (Especially the star struck look on your girls' faces standing next to Dorie!) You are an incredible woman, a beautiful person, and a true role model. I adore you!

October 14, 2010 at 11:28 AM  
Anonymous marla {family fresh cooking} said...

"Write once, live twice."
That is such a great quote, thanks for bringing it back to my memory. So much happened this past weekend it is such a blur. Kinda like a wedding weekend - a lot takes place & we need our family & buddies to help relive the memories.
Your re-cap is very happy & our friendship is so special to me. Always fun to see your precious little girls too :) The Eggplant Soup you share looks like a warming and comforting meal.
xo

October 14, 2010 at 12:27 PM  
Anonymous marla {family fresh cooking} said...

or how about me getting the quote right! LOL
"you write to live twice"

xo

October 14, 2010 at 12:29 PM  
Blogger Georgia | The Comfort of Cooking said...

Wow, these are wonderful pictures, Carrie! It looks like you had so much fun. Thanks for sharing all about your experience. I look forward to following your cooking adventures more, as I've just discovered your blog and am happy I did!

October 14, 2010 at 12:41 PM  
Anonymous chris said...

Carrie,
Shauna's quote stayed with me as well.

I am so excited to have met, chatted, and hang out with you. You and your family are lovely! I can't wait until our paths cross again.

And - BIG congrats on the book!!

October 14, 2010 at 5:37 PM  
Blogger She's Cookin' said...

It was great meeting you and having dinner at Le Colonial. So glad your daughters were able to meet their idols - what a cute pic with Dorie - they'll cherish that forever!

October 14, 2010 at 8:16 PM  
Blogger Mari Nuñez said...

It seemed to be a wonderful experience for all. I glad for your daughters!!!

The Creamy Eggplant Soup, is a must do. Looks fantastic!

Thanks for sharing this wonderful post and recipe.

October 15, 2010 at 5:26 AM  
Blogger Maria said...

It was so nice to finally meet you and your cute family. I hope you will come visit us in Utah soon!

October 15, 2010 at 6:13 AM  
Anonymous Amanda said...

What a delightful recipe!! I will have to try it out.

Thanks for being such a kind and thoughtful friend for this weekend... I really enjoyed your perspective and insights and smiles!

October 15, 2010 at 7:42 AM  
Anonymous Sue said...

Love that quote! Can you recommend a site for organic soups? I would like to start making once a week soup night for dinner! My husband loves soup!

Thanks so much.

October 15, 2010 at 11:43 AM  
Anonymous Deliciously Organic said...

Sue: My friend Molly has several great soups on her blog: www.organicspark.blogspot.com. I have several soup recipes on my recipe page on this blog. Also, the book "Nourishing Traditions" has a soup chapter with fantastic soups. Hope that helps!

October 15, 2010 at 2:08 PM  
Blogger The Urban Baker said...

Carrie, i love this post. I got chills reading it. it was such a fun weekend. I especially loved our intimate dinner on Friday night and just getting to know you better; one on one! I am printing this soup recipe...can't wait to make it. xxx p.s. would have loved a photo of the hot dog. now that is right up my alley!

October 18, 2010 at 11:34 AM  
Blogger Srivalli said...

Wonderful recap Carrie, it was great meeting you. lovely pictures

October 20, 2010 at 3:11 AM  

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