Warmth

As the frigid temperatures return to the Northeast, we all need to do things to warm our bodies and souls. I have returned to my seasonal work for the university and am focused and busy for hours each day at my desk, while the girls are at school. Periodically, Freddy will pounce up and pester me mercilessly, impeding my typing, playing with the mouse (How appropriate!), and pacing in front of the computer screens. I finally placed his cat bed in the corner beneath the heat of the light.

Eventually, he settles in and allows the warmth to lull him to sleep. He cat naps. I return to work.

 

This particularly cold winter made me realize that we all need to do a few small but special things to care for ourselves as winter wears on. Perhaps, light a special candle as the day begins to dim. Or, enjoy an afternoon tea or hot chocolate with a small treat gifted over the holidays. Make a fire in the fireplace and keep it blazing all day and into the evening. Watch a favorite movie under a down comforter. Dance to Pandora as you complete a chore or cook dinner. Prepare a large pot of soup and homemade bread. No matter how small the act, the goal is to do something out of the ordinary or extra special that warms the spirit.

Last summer, our family went to France and Belgium for a week. I was thrilled to be showing the girls Paris, when my younger daughter got sick the very first day with a nasty intestinal bug. It continued the entire trip and an additional two weeks upon our return home. It was the sickest she had ever been. I love to eat my way through Europe, and my daughter's hopes for crepes each day were dashed. Crepes always intimidated me. Last week, I decided it was high time I try making crepes myself as a treat for her and a means to warm my soul.

 

In line with my endless pursuit of adding more vegetables and fruit to our diet, I prepared zucchini crepes. They were easy to prepare and turned out fantastic.

They were thin. delicate, and golden. We ate them with powdered sugar, pear applesauce, and a bit of whipped cream.

I believe the pan, a French crepe pan from de Buyer, was a large reason for the success. And a cake spatula worked exceptionally well for turning.

You can learn how to make crepes, too. And, I highly recommend the recipe below for a taste of Paris or a bit of winter warmth or simply to try a new experiment in the kitchen this winter.

Zucchini Crepes

½ cup unbleached, all-purpose flour

¼ cup whole wheat pastry flour

1 tbsp. butter, melted

1¼ cups milk

2 eggs

¾ tsp table salt

½ cup grated zucchini

Combine all ingredients with a tabletop or hand-held blender. Rest batter in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Yield: 10 8-inch crepes

Epilogue: I realize after writing this post that there are a number of foods that intimidate me such that I avoid preparing them. This winter seems like the perfect time to tackle a few of these holdouts. Given how much I enjoy working in the kitchen, a challenge or two is just what I need to stoke the fire. To be continued....