I have tried several times during the past two weeks to write a blog post but my heart just isn’t in it. I told you that my sweet mother suffered a stroke on October 8th and passed away on October 11. My family is heartbroken and at the same time joyful because we were able to be with her during that time, and for the first 2 days we could talk to her with the confidence that she knew we were there with her. I was sitting by her side, talking to her, and she pulled my hand to her lips and gently kissed it. I told her that I loved her too. My mother received in-patient hospice care at Legacy Hopewell House and if you would like to know a bit about hospice care you can click on their link. I will tell you more about our experience with hospice care in an up-coming post. We will forever be grateful to them for the loving care they gave my mother and every member of our family.
On one of the days we were at Hopewell House we took a short break for lunch and walked to a little pub down the street. MCMENAMIN’S TAVERNS are popular casual restaurants around Portland where good food and service can be counted on so it was our choice for a quick lunch. My daughter recommended their West African Chicken-Peanut Soup. I was curious about it because I had cut the recipe out of the FoodDay Section of our local paper several years ago and always wanted to try it. We all ordered it and unanimously thought it was delicious. I haven’t felt like cooking but this recipe is so good and so quick and easy to put together that I took the time to make it. I made a few little changes that are in caps in the recipe. I like a little more heat and I’m sure there was coconut milk in the soup served in the restaurant so I added about one cup and it was perfect. Next time I’m going to double the recipe because it was even better the next day.
- 1 cup diced cooked chicken
- ⅔ cup diced onion
- 1-1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons dark sesame oil
- 1-1/2 teaspoons curry powder (2-1/2 TEASPOONS)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ TEASPOON CAYENNE PEPPER
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 CUP COCONUT MILK
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 cup chopped stewed tomatoes, drained
- 3 tablespoons chunky peanut butter (1/3 CUP CHUNKY PEANUT BUTTER)
- In a large pot, saute the chicken, onion and garlic in the sesame oil until the onion is tender, about 10 minutes. Add the curry powder, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes, and saute 1 minute more.
- Add the chicken broth, coconut milk, tomato paste, stewed tomatoes and peanut butter, stirring until well combined. Heat until very hot, but not boiling. Serve immediately
So touching Cathy…take care..and thank you for taking the time to share.
I am sure your mom was so proud of your talents and sharing them all.
Thank you, Monique.
Cathy recently posted..West African Chicken-Peanut Soup
The image of your mom gently kissing your hand brought me to tears. I lost my mom way too early, many years ago, I know how it hurts.
I have always wanted to try an African peanut soup, it sounds wonderful!
Thank you, Sue. It was a moment I will never forget. We were so blessed to be able to have it. I do hope you try this soup. It is so good and I’m going to make another large pot of it this week. It’s a tummy warmer to be sure.
Cathy recently posted..West African Chicken-Peanut Soup
Cathy, my heart goes out to you and your family. The loss of a Mom hurts so much; mine has been gone for 11 years and I miss her so much. I found that Time was my best friend re grieving and the pain has lessened.
Thanks for the soup recipe; putting in on the menu this week.
J. Beatty – Texas
This recipe is really interesting, but what I wish to tell you is to be strong…your mom is always next to you…. a huge hug to you and to your family, blessings, Flavia
Thank you so much, Flavia. I know my mom will always be with me. I appreciate the hug.
Cathy recently posted..West African Chicken-Peanut Soup
This sounds tummy-warming, indeed – and we love all these flavors.
How you must miss your mum, but what a privilege it must have been to have been there with her, and what a comfort to your mother as well.
Cathy sending you hugs. I dread the day when I have to face the same. I don’t think we can ever really prepare ourselves. Sending you prayers and the hope that day by day the pain dulls but the sweet memories remain. Your soup looks wonderful. The cafeteria as my former employer (Tacoma General) made a peanut soup that was awesome. I have the recipe but haven’t ever tried it at home.
Cathy, bless you for taking the time to post. No matter what, your blog fans will wait for you to feel 100% Grieving is a slow process. You touch me, deeply, visualizing your Mutti kissing your hand. Hospice Care is such a blessing for families who must say goodbye to a loved one. I don’t know what I would have done without the Hospice care my mother received in her own home. This is where she wanted to leave her earthly body. We were all there, when my own Mutti passed– and it was sweet and peaceful. For that, I will always take comfort. So glad you could be there, with her.
With that said, the soup sounds both comforting and flavorful. Loved the idea of the coconut soup.
Take your time, blogging, Cathy. I’m sure you will keep her memory alive by sharing all the ways she influenced you. Blessings, Debby
Foodiewife recently posted..Cornmeal and Ricotta Waffles
Delicious! I can’t wait to make this soup. It sounds like pure comfort food and it will remind me of our lunch. What an agonizing week that was (not that this week has been much better) but the memories will keep us going. Those first two days with Gramma in the hospital will be what keeps me going right now. She knew we were there and she knew we loved her. And thank goodness fr Hopewell House. I don’t know where we would be without their support and kindness! Love you, Mom! <3
Erin @ Making Memories recently posted..Le BonBon French Macaron Giveaway
I am sending you a lot of strength and hugs through this tough time, I have been there and it truly is not easy.
Rhonda recently posted..Pork and Poblano Stew
This sounds very good.
Cathy, please accept my deepest condolences. My heart is with you.
The soup is unusual and I’d love to make it when our weather gets a bit cooler…..
Barbara recently posted..Pumpkin Panna Cotta with Ginger Cream
That brought tears to my eyes. Again Cathy, I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ve made a version of this stew and liked it so much that it’s in my database. I’ll have to dig it out now that it’s soup season. Hang in there and so glad to see you’re cooking and sharing with us.
Lea Ann (Cooking on the Ranch) recently posted..Mushroom Bread Appetizer
Sounds very interesting Cathy and your shot of it looks very good.
Larry recently posted..County Ribs, Kraut, And Mashed Potatoes
Cathy, so sorry for your loss and please accept my deepest condolences.
Drink more of this comforting peanut soup. It’s very delicious too.
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Pumpkin Puree layered with Pepita Pesto
cathy, i’m so sorry for your loss, i’ve been thinking about you.
this soup looks just delicious!
teresa recently posted..Tex-Mex Pinwheels
What a difficult time, Cathy. My step-father received some wonderful in-home hospice care before he passed away. This soup sounds delicious and comforting.
Susan recently posted..Creamy Corn Muffins
Cathy, can’t wait to try his soup- thanks for posting. Blessings to you and yours as you grieve the loss of your mother.
Brenda Z recently posted..Avocado and Tomato Salad with Bocconcini
Again, So sorry for your loss. This soup looks comforting. I have been craving a curry based soup.
Penny recently posted..An Estate Sale
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss and I hope you are taking care of yourself.
This recipe looks delicious – I believe I’ve had something similar, but I seem to recall rice being in it so it was more like a thin stew with rice adding bulk. I like the heartiness of this version – there’s enough coolness left in the spring air to make it VERY appealing!
Red Nomad OZ recently posted..At the 2231 Kilometre Mark Across Australia!
This soup is so beautiful, the color just sings through the screen. I’ve been thinking of you Cathy. I know it is difficult, so take it easy and give yourself time.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Monday Musings ~ a Scary Crow
So sorry to read about your loss. How wonderful the time you had with your mother though. Hospices are such wonderful organizations and the people who work at them are truly special.
I am really looking foeward to trying this soup having had it many, many times at the local McMennamin’s here in Salem. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Take care of yourself.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
This soup looks delicious, I agree, make a double batch!
cindy recently posted..Almond Joy Meets a Peanut Butter Cup
Oh Cathy, I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. I lost my mom last year and I totally understand how you feel. It’s like there’s a piece of you missing when you loose your mom. It’s wonderful that you got to be right there with her at the end, you’ll always carry that sweet memory of her with you!
Love your soup, it looks wonderful!!
The Café Sucré Farine recently posted..Cait’s Wonderful Zucchini Bread
Cathy, it’s so great that you were beside your mother at the end. She obviously knew you were, and you can take comfort in that. The soup sounds fantastic. Perfect for fall!
Pam recently posted..Tate’s Bake Shop ~ Baking For Friends ~ a Chocolate Raspberry Tart and a Giveaway
My condolence for the loss of your Mother.
I made the vegetarian version of this soup. It was made with chickpeas. I thought the ingredients were the strangest combination of anything I had ever heard. I mean tomato and peanut butter, really? But someone I respect said it was so good, so I made it. I could not stop eating it. I am anxious to make your chicken version.
I’m so sorry.
I’ve been heartbroken too. I was out all last week because I lost my oldest horse. He was 26.
Take care,
Ramona
I used to work for McMenamins, and was looking for a similar recipe for this soup to make tonight. Was delighted to find it! What’s funny is I remembered the tweaks we gave the recipe, and they were adding coconut milk and a “huge scoop” of peanut butter! Excited for a yummy soup on a cold night.