‘Um, Crystal…is there butter in this soup?’
‘Maybe. I mean, it’s quite possible.’


I shared this soup with my book club last week. We meet once a month to (sometimes) discuss the book that we (sometimes) read. Mostly, we just chat, eat good food and drink copious amounts of wine.

Last week’s meeting was special not just because we ate amazing soup. It was also our 2 year anniversary meeting–the meeting where we chose and planned books for the following year. We’re a militant…ahem…I mean organized group. Before meeting, we compiled a list of book recommendations. Then, we met to vote and organize hosting dates. Due to the large number of members, we found ourselves planning until March 2011. It was somewhat surreal.

When we started book club, I was just excited to read good books with smart ladies. It’s evolved into much more than that. Over the last two years, we’ve shared many celebrations–graduations, new babies, weddings. We’ve also shared many tears and tales of frustration. It’s interesting because most of us see each other only once a month. Despite that, we’ve grown to know each other fairly well. For some reason, our book club has this veil of intimacy. Maybe it’s the books we’ve read or just the combination of personalities. Whatever it is, we’ve felt comfortable enough to share our stories. Each month, we learn something new about each other. We speak candidly without fearing judgment, controversy or grudge-holding. Though it hasn’t been said, we seem to understand that we won’t always agree and that that’s okay. It’s not that we’re all BFFs…it’s more that we just really respect and admire each other.


For me, book club has been about connecting and creating community with other women. It has been about humbling myself and realizing I don’t know everything about life. It’s been about looking to the experts in my group for support and direction. And, it’s been about the books (I guess). And the food. And the wine.

I look so forward to meeting with this group of amazing ladies every month. I feel so much stronger, independent and smarter after spending an evening with them. That’s what friendship should feel like, right?


So this last Thursday, we met on my back deck. Amid candlelight and twinkle lights, we chatted. We ate this amazing soup and a few other things that were also quite tasty. We organized until March 2011. There was wine, a new baby, a lot of laughter and a few tears.

And, though there was (a lot) of butter in the soup, I think it’s fair to say we all left a little more connected to the world…or at least to each other.

Squash Soup with Mint Pesto

Adapted from epicurious
I have also made this recipe using yellow squash. The original recipe calls for a pistou, but I’ve found the pesto is much more flavorful.
3 small butternut squash (about 3 cups cubed)
3 yukon gold potatoes, cubed
4 carrots, sliced
1 large white onion, diced
1 stick butter
5 cups chicken broth
2 cloves garlic
3/4 cup mint leaves
1/2 cup Italian parsley
juice of 1 lime
1/4-1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 T salt
Preparation:
Melt butter in large pot. Add onions and cook until translucent. Add squash, potatoes, carrots and broth. Boil. Reduce heat and simmer until squash is soft, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
In batches, blend soup until smooth.
Season with salt.
For pesto, process garlic in food processor. Add mint, parsley and salt. Add 1/4 cup olive oil and lime juice. Process. Add more olive oil to desired consistency.
Serve soup with a dollop of pesto.

Time: 45 minutes
Serves: 6 large bowls, 10-12 small bowls
Menu: pasta, salad
Drink Pairing: Chardonnay


Eat Meat?: Bacon crumbles would be a great topping to this soup.


For my book club ladies–because they asked for the recipe. And, ’cause they’re pretty much amazing.