Written by When I saw the prompt of “eyes” pop up, I immediately thought of potatoes. And when autumn arrives around here, it’s also a time for potato leek soup, which is one of my favorites. Potatoes have been touted as America’s most popular vegetable and even as the first vegetable to be grown in space, with the help of the University of Wisconsin. As a kid, my favorite preparation of potato was always the mashed kind with a bit of butter. Fast forward to today, and it’s almost impossible to choose when potato dish I love most. They’re all good. A super cheesy potatoes au gratin is another fave, though I far prefer Philippe’s version over the kind with the weird greasy cheese I had as a kid. And yep, fries and tater tots are definitely a happy treat on occasion. But really, anything fried or with cheese gets an unfair advantage. So a simple combo with leek is a lovely thing indeed. I’m not really sure I even knew what a leek was a kid since we mostly ate vegetables out of cans.
I often envy Philippe’s Parisian childhood when it comes to food. He wasn’t served chicken fingers and mac & cheese, he was served the same food that the adults were eating. Healthy food that made him grow up to have a true appreciation of food in general and an interest in preparing it. I grew up learning how to use a microwave and how to combine a can of cream of mushroom soup with a can of green beans. Thankfully, even if I still can’t prepare it, I’ve learned to appreciate good whole foods. And I’ve had the joy of experiencing new foods that I’ve never tried before, having gotten more courageous in my eating habits over the years. But don’t get me wrong, if you put a plate of tater tots in front of me, I will not be insulted. I will devour it like a hungry kid and make no apologies. No matter how much my tastes grow up, I still enjoy an occasional indulgence that reminds me of my youth.
I think that life is all about finding the best balance. I’ve seen so many people jump on fad diets, decide to be vegan for a few weeks, or refuse to ever eat dessert. That last one confounds me. In truth, when it comes to everything in life, taking an all or nothing approach is not always the best path. It’s the bits of things that we love, enjoyed bit by bit that bring harmony to life. I adore watercolor, but I simply don’t have much time in the day. Still, I make a bit of time and produce a tiny something each and every day. It’s a little treat that I allow myself no matter how crazy or hectic the day becomes. And I’m always happier for it. Finding those perfect combinations in your life is part of learning how to truly live it with joy. It’s never those exceptional things you’d expect. Far more often these happiness combos come in a ridiculous, almost stupidly simple fashion. Sometimes, it’s just leek & potato.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Terra Cotta, Yellow Ochre, Leaf Green, and Cobalt Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. |
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Lovely painting! I specially like the skin of the potato.
Me too. The potato and leek are both spot on!! Your cookbook is going to have great illustrations when you finish (or start) it!
Thanks, Kaye! 😃💕 Hehe… yeah, it’s “started” however that works. Not sure yet how it will all come together, but still trying to have it available in early November somehow.
Thanks so much!! Sharon! Yeah… the skin is the best part!! 😃💕
Love your potatoes and leeks, and as always I love reading your philosophies on life. Balance isn’t always easy, but it’s definitely the goal to seek.
Thanks, Sandra! 😃💕 Yeah, I think balance is the hardest thing to achieve in life, but so worth it when you do!
You are absolutely correct…taking the time to do a little painting each day takes care of that craving to create and in itself creates a bit of joy.
Exactly, Mary!! 😃💕 So thrilled you agree!
I saw your sketch and thought, ‘oh boy, potato leek soup’. It looks wonderful! My favorite soup.
Yay! hehe… yeah, it’s awesome isn’t it?? One of my favorites as well! 😃💕
Enjoyed your blog and the doodle wash. Appreciating the simple things are really important and frequently overlooked. Thanks for the good reminder, Charlie.
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 I know I tend to carry on about this same idea, but I think it always bears repeating. hehe
I am pretty certain that in your next life you will be a pastry chef! Maybe run a shop called Let Them Eat Cake! With a little leek and potato soup on the side.😁
haha! Really? 😃💕 Thanks, Lisa! I’m sure it’s another life though as in this one I’m rubbish at cooking an egg. 😊
Ah, we had leek soup last week! Yum.Your veg look good!
Thanks so much, Susan!! 😃💕 Leeks are the best!!
About the art its zubilent work Charlie.
Potato wah kya bate hene.i loved it although made by any type . nice.
Thanks so much, Snehlata!! 😃💕
My favorite hypocrite is the person who comes to my house to scavenge the junk food closet, and indulges in all kinds of stuff she insists she never eats. So I really like when you talk about how your taste has grown up but you’re willing to go back to your childhood loves and eat Tater Tots.
These leeks look lovely – please don’t tell Phillipe I’ve never cooked them as I have no idea how to do that. But they are a really pretty vegetable.
hehe… thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 Yeah, I don’t think anyone has truly grown up enough to stop enjoying a bit of junk food every now and then! That would be horrible!! lol
Lovely doodlewash today! Awesome shadow work.
Thanks so much, Tom!! Glad you liked it! 😃💕
Ok, the painting is, as usual, wonderful; very evocative. Now, how about Phillipe’s recipe!!! You can’t just tease us with pictures!
hehe… this month is all a bit of tease, but the recipes are coming next month!! Stay tuned! 😃💕
I love leek and potato soup! MMMmmm I may have to bug my mom for her recipe and make this soon, as the temps are fiiinally starting to drop here.
Yay! You totally should, Jill!! 😃💕 And in November, I think this will be in the little mini illustrated cookbook we’re making of Philippe’s recipes!
Yes! I’m following along each time you post a yummy recipe, I love cookbooks. I have all mine displayed along the back of my counter. (Plus when I see them everyday I actually remember to use them!) Same with art books, addicted to creation I think. lol
I don’t think I have ever had a leek… hmm, I’ll just add that to the ever growing list of things to try.
Yep… add it to the list!! Leeks are amazing!! 😃💕
I’m playing catch-up (again! lol) and starting with this delicious side-dish of yours! 😀 I remember spending hot hours in the late summer helping mama with the canning and preserving of our wholesome foods. She and gramma and usually an aunt or three would all get together at each other’s homes and get everyone’s canning done over those days. From the time we could behave (or moderately follow instructions) we kids would be tasked with hulling the strawberries, schucking the corn cobs, snipping the green beans … and more. I followed that process myself until I began working full time and then the grocery store cans became the norm. Now, we buy frozen because it is as close as we can get to the home grown taste. 🙂
That’s such a wonderful story, Von! 😃💕 Totally had the same thing here. My grandmother always had fresh vegetables and we were tasked with helping to prepare them. Then the cans came back most of the time when I was home. But I couldn’t get that fresh taste out of my head. Frozen definitely works best to get a bit of that back!
ok, you’re so up my alley this week. I love leek and potato soup, but then ANY soup is on order here. As long as it’s piping hot, even in the summer. I’m notorious for liking to burnt the top of my mouth kinda hot soup!
Thanks, Jennifer! 😃💕 LOL yeah, we have an Instant Pot that makes soup wonderfully well, but damn it’s hot!! Have to wait several minutes before I can eat it!
OOH, the instant pot, what would I DO without one. We get costco chickens and put the bones (2) and add baby carrots and celery pieces, the heads, bums and skins of onions, 1tbsp peppercorns and 1tsp salt. 120 min later YAY, bone broth! TaDa, two, two, TWO meals in one. (Ok, probably more like 6 meals, lol.) Awesome for you and you get to do something easy with chicken bones!
Great idea!! We’re going to try it!!