Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Before I let you all in on this amazing recipe, there's something you need to know. I have been looking for this recipe for 6 years. 6 YEARS!!!!! I first had the pleasure of consuming this deliciousness a little over 10 years ago, in a little tea house down the street from my work. For the next 4 years I would be a regular at this little tea house. Sometimes, even on the weekends, I would venture back to the little town in which I worked in, just to have another bite of this treasure. I tried to recreate it's lovliness several times (failing miserably) before giving up, getting in the car, driving to the tea house, and buying a large batch to keep for the week.

And then, the dreadful day came when that sweet, charming, little tea house closed its doors and stopped serving that amazing Hungarian Mushroom Soup. Little did I know, that the next 4 years would be the most disappointing in my rather small culinary world. If you're familiar with "How I Met Your Mother," then you could easily compare my desperation to that of Marshall's and 'the best burger in the world.' I can't tell you how many people I've ran into who've said "Oh! I know THAT soup! That soup is at ****." But no. I have literally consumed EVERY Hungarian Mushroom soup that I have ever (and I mean EVER) come across. Still, Nothing. I finally decided to take a stab at recreating it myself...again. And again, many...many let downs.

Until now....

I give you THE BEST HUNGARIAN MUSHROOM SOUP EVER!!!!!!!!!!!! You're Welcome!

                                                              
                                                                  Ingredients:
                                   
                                       1 Cup Crimini Mushrooms, thinly sliced
                                       1 Cup Portabello Mushrooms, thinly sliced
                                       2 Cups Vegetable Stock
                                       1 Cup Whole Milk
                                       1/2 Cup Greek Yogurt (preferably Fage)
                                       2 Cups Onion, chopped
                                       5 Tablespoons Butter
                                       4 Tablespoons Flour
                                       1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
                                       2 Teaspoons Lemon Juice
                                       1 Teaspoon Dried Dill
                                       2 Teaspoons Fresh Dill, finely chopped
                                       3-5 Teaspoons Hot Hungarian Paprika (depending on your heat preference)
                                       1/4 Teaspoon Thyme
                                       1/4 Teaspoon Marjoram
                                       1/2 Cup Parmesan, freshly grated
                                       Salt and Pepper to Taste

Saute the onions and 2 TBS of the butter in a frying pan for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until onions are tender. Add the mushrooms, 1/2 cup of vegetable stock, paprika, thyme, marjoram, dried dill and soy sauce. Cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until mushrooms soften and become dark in color.

Melt the remaining butter in a large saucepan. Whisk in flour, and keep whisking until sauce thickens, about 3 minutes. Add the milk and continue cooking over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, allowing the mixture to again thicken, stirring every so often. Combine the mushroom mixture to the milk mixture.

 

Add the remaining 1 1/2 cups of vegetable stock and lemon juice. Cover and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.

 

Remove from heat. Just when boiling stops, stir in yogurt, cheese, salt, pepper, and fresh dill. Serve hot.

 Enjoy!!!!!

*****SIDE NOTE*****

The thinner you can slice the mushrooms, the better. Also, if you're thinking about using regular Paprika instead of Hungarian, DON'T. It IS what makes this soup. It used to be kind of hard to come by but now they sell it at your local Safeway :) yay

Don't Say The V-Word!!!!!

It's Monday February 10, 2014 and we all know what that means!!!!!!!

4 more days until Val......wait shhhhhhh! Are you crazy? Don't say that word!!!!!! I HATE that word!! Hell, I hate the whole day!!!!! Hallmark, ugh!

We all hate it. It's no surprise anymore. Everything is expected!!!! Single women hate it because that someone special doesn't exist. Men hate it because they have to think. Married couples hate it. Yes, that's right single ladies, it does NOT change just because you're married, which makes you hate it even more.

"It's too much of a show," we say.

"How original," we say.

"Hallmark."

Yet, let me ask you a question! In a world full of so much ugly hate, why is it so bad to be "forced" to celebrate love? I'll tell you why! Because we are selfish.

We want the very crap we hate so much. We want the Hallmark holiday. The Hollywood production. The flowers, the gifts, the jewelry, the treats, the chocolates, the....love? But what is love, really? Love is not Hallmark, and I think we all know that.

Love is bringing your wife home a bouquet of her favorite flowers and taking her by the hand and hip and dancing in the kitchen, not because it's what she wants (of course she loves it) but because your daughter is watching you from the family room.

She's looking at her daddy love her mommy and she will remember that moment forever. She will want a love like that.

Love is making dinner for the single mother (or father) who lives in 20A. To see the look on the children's faces when they see that someone else is thinking of them. Someone wanted to bring them joy, feed them a home-cooked meal and share stories. They will remember that forever.

Love is taking your nephew shopping for that special someone in his life. Showing him the tricks of the trade and how to treat a woman. Teaching chivalry.

Love is taking your best friend to dinner and telling her what an amazing human being she is. How she's influenced you, taught you, motivated you.

Love is taking your kids to your grandpa's grave and placing flowers on it to say "I love you." To teach them that love is everywhere.

 

Love is taking chocolates to Betsy Joe, the 98 year old woman in your church who no longer has loved ones around to remind her she's loved.

Love is inviting Christie, the 45 year old divorcee from your "Women Against Violence" class, on a hike. Or taking Joe from your AA class to grab a cup of...Joe!

You get the point. The fact is simple. You can find a million reasons to HATE Valentine's Day, but there are so many other reasons to love it. Make it not a holiday about glitz and glam, but kindness. Showing love in "unoriginal" ways and teach your kids the same. They will forever be thankful for it.

On another note. Love yourself. Ladies, I'm talking to you. Love is a two way street and it starts with you. Love who you are, in the skin you're in, and others will follow.

Be a better example to our little girls. Teach them to have self respect and end the hatred but also teach them not to expect so much from our partners, and to share that responsibility. Make daddy a special dinner. Get up early and make your boyfriend breakfast before he goes to work. Show HIM you're thinking of HIM too!!!!

Show love. Share love. Speak love.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please spread the love. Share this with friends, family, loved ones. End the pity parties, love is much more fun!

20 Things I Learned In My Twenties

At the first of every year, I make it a habit to think about the things I've learned in the previous year. Whether it is something of importance or just a simple reminder, I find it rewarding to reflect on lessons I have learned. This year, however, marks a big milestone for me as I am rapidly approaching my 30 years of being alive. And so, I have decided to write a list, of not all the things I've learned in my twenties but the important things. So here we go....

20 Things I've Learned In My Twenties (the hard way)

The following is not in any particular order. 

1. Not everyone likes me. I don't know why this took me so long to understand. I mean, how could you not love this face and charming personality? You must have some sort of disease if you can't like me!!!! I took it so personally when others didn't like me. And then I realized two things. One: I don't like most other people and for no particular reason other than the fact that they "aren't my kind" of people. Two: I REALLY don't like the people who don't like me. That still makes me laugh. I was so worried about WHY someone didn't like me that I never stopped to think "I don't like you either."

2. Silence is a beautiful weapon. Now, I'm not one for violence. I don't like cattiness, drama, or grudges. BUT, there is something oh so magical about your silence when others want so desperately for you to fight back. It is REALLY hard to do in certain situations which brings me to..

3. You really can't fix stupid. I'm sorry, but it's true. There are people who are naive, and then there are people who are stupid. Stupid people stir pots. They cross boundaries and they say the DUMBEST SHIT EVER. Things that make your blood boil. This is where #2 comes in REAL handy. It has nothing to do with "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." It's much more simple. People who cross your boundaries are people who do not DESERVE your attention. Period.

4. Money is gross. No really, do you know where some of those dollar bills have been??? I do because I watch Breaking Bad. 

5. I am not a sinner. This is STILL a tough one for me. As most of you know I was raised in the Mormon church and as most of you know I am no longer with the church. Growing up, I was never really an "active member." To me, that meant much more than just showing up every Sunday, even that I did not do. I am not going to spend much time on this subject because, well, religion sucks. There I said it. What I believe to be true is MY business and if you're looking at me as someone who sins, you're judging up the wrong tree. 

6. Everyone is lying. Grandmas lie. Grandpas lie. Teachers lie. Husbands lie. Wives lie. Your pastor is definitely lying!!! Don't get me wrong, I've used some pretty good lies but there was something SO disappointing about learning that the very people I looked up to so much, were indeed LIARS! The saddest part is the lie itself, is usually something so ridiculous. So minuscule. 

7. High fashion really isn't as cool as it looks. I don't know if motherhood has done this to me or if it's my age or what but there is nothing more sexy and comfortable than a white t-shirt and some jeans. 

8. I love to be uncomfortable. I used to HATE putting myself out there. Trying new things, getting out of my comfort zone, confronting fears was so terrifying and I hated feeling vulnerable. However, in the last year, I have come to appreciate and love being in conflict. Now, there is a difference between STARTING conflict and being involved in conflict. I do not like to start it but I am no longer afraid of being involved in it. It is controlled chaos to me now, I thank motherhood for that. 

9. What is a struggle to me, is a cake walk for others and vice versa. This is hard to forget sometimes but something you NEED to understand. Just because you've experienced, doesn't mean you understand how others feel. So next time someone starts to tell you a story you've lived through, don't teach, listen. 

10. Not everyone has learned 1-9. 

11. Finding "the one" really isn't hard at all LADIES!!!! Ahem. You just have to stop being attracted to douche bags. Try it.

12. When someone starts walking down a dark path you've been down there's NOTHING YOU CAN SAY THAT WILL SAVE THEM. You really must let them learn the lesson on their own. It's hard, really hard. No matter how much you want to stop them and warn them and tell them it's the worst decision ever, you have to let them go. By all means, be there for them when they fall, but don't try to stop them, it will only push them further. 

13. Settling gives you cancer. I think that next to cancer, "settling" is by far the worst word in the English dictionary. NEVER settle. You can always reach higher, learn more, be faster, act better, love deeper. Never stop. 

14. Everyone has secrets and that's OK! Your best friend does not have to tell you everything. Your husband does not have to tell you everything. Your child does not have to tell you EVERYTHING. Some things are meant...just for you.

15. There is no greater way to wake than with a Blood Mary. 

16. Respect opinions. All of them. 

17. Being happy has nothing to do with me. I've always been a pretty happy person but some days I wish I were more happy and for a long time I thought that meant working on me somehow. Whether it was getting me time, or walking daily, or drinking more tea, taking on a new challenge. Yes, these are things that can help make you happy but do you know what REALLY brings true happiness. Doing things for others. It can be as simple as buying a coffee for the person behind you every Monday. Trust me, when you do something kind for someone else, you'll be aching with happiness. 

18. Parenthood does not come with instructions. I used to think there was an answer to every parenthood problem. There isn't. Sometimes you just have to trust your judgment and fly by the seat of your pants and hope that your children won't need therapy because of you. 

19. Your children are going to need therapy because of you. 

20. Photoshop, push up bras, spanx, and botox are totally overrated. I can personally vouch for all but the last but I'm claiming it anyways. Sure they make you LOOK pretty but there is nothing pretty about wearing a giant spandex band-aid with a pee hole. And you're certainly not fooling anyone.  I don't have to wear these things anymore because I'm married and it's my husband's fault that my body looks the way it does now anyways. But ***all the single ladies**** you have NO idea how beautiful your pre-stretch marked body is all by it's natural self. Wear your skin with pride, and don't let anyone tell you different. 

So there you have it. 20 things I learned in my twenties. I have half a year to get all the crazy out of me before I have to be 30 and serious ;) Hope you laughed at least once