I am remiss in not reporting back about how much book club members loved this soup. We had been discussing mushrooms in detail earlier and, my turn to host, this was on the menu. Everyone went back for more, requested the recipe and so on.

OT: The book I chose that month was PRAYERS FOR THE WILD-BUILT by Becky Chambers. It’s a lovely sci-fi novella about a planet where everyone’s lives are fulfilled, but still asks the question: what do humans need? I read it during a rather turbulent and stressful year (seriously, just pick one recently); at the end, I and other readers felt peaceful or calm for the first time in forever. In any event, your soup was the perfect meal to share. Thank you.

Amen, Karen. All your words are good ones and this soup, I can tell, will smell wonderful. There were definitely food issues for me towards the end of 2017 and, boy, that chocolate/butter/sugar express train was brutal. So I’m starting 2018 as I mean to continue. There’s even an Instant Pot in my kitchen, which opens up all kinds of different cooking. So grateful for all you’re doing out here. I wish you a year that provides everything you need.