I'd declare tomorrow night Soup Night, what with another *%^&ing snowstorm coming and all, but instead my mom and I are off to see Jersey Boys. I couldn't help but think as I watched last week, my mom must see this. So she is. Or will be... Can't wait!

But for any of you who will be knocking 'round your kitchen, trying not to look out the window, here are a couple of the batten-down/snuggle-up soups I'll wish I were eating. Man, nothing chases away a bad mood like a pot of soup - comforting (and simple) to make, plus nutritious and tasty. (It takes only a hint of smoky bacon or a splash of rich cream to make a so-so soup pretty damn fabulous.)

Top of the list - I have been loving the Sunday Suppers at Lucques (by Suzanne Goin, terrific book) watercress soup recipe I posted a couple of months ago - salty, buttery croutons afloat in silky, spicy deliciousness. I crave it. And I've found the basic recipe to be quite adaptable - we've had arugula and asparagus versions so far, both lovely.

Chicken soup with bacon, asparagus, and truffle oil is also delicious - fragrant, flavorful, quick to pull together. And one of our all-time favorites, which requires a few extra steps but is quite worth it, fish soup with grilled bread and rouille, oooh, pretty insanely good. Grilling the bread adds a hint of smokiness, while the rouille rounds it all out with a spicy-garlicky kick. Ka. Pow. Yeah.

Of course, New England clam chowder is always warm and filling on a cold spring's night. Especially this version, chock full o' bacon and creamy but not thick. With warm crusty bread, or even popovers (rarrr...), it could be almost pleasant to ride out (frozen) April showers. Almost.

And oh, here's a must-read for those of you who already embrace (or at least aspire to) the art of eating (very) well without weighing 400 pounds. Moderation, anyone? As Jason Perlow, a founder of the foodiest of forums - eGullet - notes in the article, “I think you can still keep the food very interesting, but do it in moderation. That’s what the food community of the future is going to have to be.” Or, as the livin' large Food Network star and New York chef Mario Batali said, “You can’t eat a large portion of a pig and lose weight.” Damn, forget a quest for measured pleasure, THAT should be the tag line for this blog!

Oh man, I almost missed a terrific night last night. I was soooo tired, and not feeling all that great, but John and I had tickets to the musical Jersey Boys, playing at the Orpheum, so I had to motivate. I spiffed up a bit, but I admit - I bitched and moaned all the way there. (I'm not a big fan of the whole Broadway musical thing, plus I was feeling lousy, plus I tend to bitch and moan in general...) But once the music started up - wowzers! I was completely blown away. By the end my tired ass was dancing in my seat and my face hurt from smiling (they dropped enough f-bombs for even me to crack a smile, wink). Fabulous, I can't recommend it highly enough. "Oh, What a Night!"

Today? Fish Soup Friday, yep. No kids tonight, always a good chance for fish (since neither are fans, to say the least). And I'm wanting something simple, light, and nutritious. A slice of grilled bread, rubbed with fresh garlic, gives the soup a substantial feel. Roasted broccoli alongside rounds things out nicely.

Happy Weekend!

If you're looking to brush up on your moderation skills for the New Year (Lord knows I am, ha), I highly recommend a read (or re-read!) of French Women Don't Get Fat, The Secret of Eating for Pleasure by Mireille Guiliano. A fast, blast of a read, packed with a ridiculous amount of common sense, you'll put the book down with a smile on your lips and a sensible (and thankfully un-American, in this case) perspective on the delights of preparing and savoring simple, real food and treating your body with respect. The Moderation Bible, as it were. C'est bon.

In that vein, I offer a couple of fish recipes, from the gorgeous Balthazar Cookbook. On the days I most fully embrace moderation, I turn to fish. I've said this before, I know, but it's quick to cook, and delicious to eat, and afterward I feel satisfied and nourished and not at all weighed down. The first recipe is for Cod Mitonee, a crisp-sauteed cod filet served over a thin slice of toasted, crusty bread, floating in a simple, aromatic broth (the lovely pic is from the book). I'm quite sure the recipe would work well for any of your favorite firm, white fish.

The second recipe is also gorgeous-yet-nourishing, Warm Salad of Grilled Trout. Wilted greens under grilled fish, studded with crunchy walnuts and drizzled with tangy balsamic vinegar. Lordy.

Enjoy, ye Masters of Moderation! (Recipes posted in comments, below.)

I try to make fish or seafood at least once a week. Good to get those Omega 3s, plus the variety of choices offers delicious meals that are light on calories. The kids love shrimp...but not much else. Sigh. So if I've got a hankering for un-shrimp, I'll make it on a night when it's just John and me for dinner. Like tonight. I bought a lovely piece of halibut today, thinking I'd make a quick brothy soup. Something French-ish, with tarragon, and little cubes of potato, and a handful of peas. Which would have been great, but when I set out to actually prepare it I changed my mind and went for some lusty Italian heat, baby, to match today's weather. White wine, tomatoes, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, and lots of garlic. Ladled over a slice of crusty grilled bread - absolutely delicious, light yet filling, and on the table in 15 minutes. Good combo, huh? (Recipe posted in comments, below.)