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Alicia Montoya's avatar

Dears! I’m really struggling to keep my head in a good place since last week. I know we all are so I just wanted to say thanks for being here and for this awesome recipe, Michelle. It literally comforted me deeply and filled me with warmth and that happiness that delicious, filling, nutritious food leaves you with. Definitely much-needed and appreciated.

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Michelle Albanes-Davis's avatar

We’re all right there with you. I’m so glad the soup helped 💜

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Jack McNulty's avatar

I share in your feelings about cooking, and your thoughts about building community around our table. I feel for you and what's currently happening in America, although I'm certain the spillover effects will dramatically affect my life in Switzerland. In many ways, it does feel as if we've been imprisoned for no reason...and interestingly, you chose to quote Václav Havel and I embrace another philosopher who was unjustly imprisoned - Viktor Frankl. Both individuals demonstrated what humans can accomplish even in the darkest of times... We can as well!

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Ally G's avatar

This wonderful stew is simmering on the stove as I write this. Tastes amazing, and it's not done yet. Like our democracy. There will be no MAGA family holiday visits this year. Nope, nope. I'm done being polite and respectful. We are fortunate to have good friends and neighbors in our blue haven who share our political views, and with whom we will continue to share good food as we commiserate over the disastrous election outcome. Every meal is a victory.

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Michelle Albanes-Davis's avatar

Boundaries are so important. Civility is no longer the move when people vote for a dictator. Good for you.

“Every meal is a victory” AMEN.

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Debbie Gloom's avatar

I am feeling so down after the election too. I'm trying to stay in a virtual hand hold with all those who voted correctly (not for the winner to be clear). I would have cried a lot but thanks Lexapro for the dulled emotions. I am THIS close to making crispy shredded tofu.. Maybe tomorrow if I have a light work day or after work. I moved the recipe to my tablet today & have everything. And also close to the mac & cheese mix, last ingredient is on the way by mail, citric acid. Usually I am just throwing together really simple things like rice & steamed veggies & beans.

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Michelle Albanes-Davis's avatar

These are good goal meals. But take all the time you need. It’s rough out there ❤️

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Anna Schott's avatar

Didn't come here expecting to see a Havel quote, god I love him. The soup sounds delicious too!

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Michelle Albanes-Davis's avatar

He’s one of my forever favorites. Felt needed ❤️

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Cathy's avatar

Made this for dinner tonight with one of our "Frankensquashes;" very tasty!! I added extra lime zest, smoked paprika, and white pepper to make up for it not being butternut squash.

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Michelle Albanes-Davis's avatar

Awesome! Love your frankensquashes lol

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Lisa K. Obrien's avatar

Thank you, Michelle. This is exactly what I needed today.

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Michelle Albanes-Davis's avatar

Me too 💔❤️

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Patty's avatar

Thanks for the hopeful inspiration…

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Michelle Albanes-Davis's avatar

I needed it as much as the rest of us

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Diane Hanson's avatar

The quote was an uplift Thank you We will all work to make our lives better regardless of politics

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Michelle Albanes-Davis's avatar

You know I always think of your family and Levi's time in Czechoslovakia when I read Havel ❤️

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John Lovie's avatar

"I used what I had in the fridge to make a soup for my wife." Same. 🍲💚

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Michelle Albanes-Davis's avatar

It’s the best first step ❤️

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Mel Boultbee's avatar

I am Canadian and even I felt a loss of hope after the results of the US election. I enjoyed reading the Vaclav Havel quote.

Canadian politician Jack Layton said this before he passed away from cancer, "My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world."

That soup recipe looks delicious. I know I will be cooking that one soon.

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SueJ's avatar

Jack Layton was a great Canadian. I'm in Michigan but family roots are Ontario, where we're concerned with that province's politics these days too.

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Melissa's avatar

Thank you for the Vaclav Havel quote. I need that and need to share it (someone else pointed to a poem called Hope is a Sewer Rat which has a similar sentiment.

https://www.tennesonwoolf.com/hope-is-a-sewer-rat-caitlin-seida/

The soup looks delicious, BUT (!) what if someone doesn't like squash? At all? That someone is me. I don't like squash. Would there be any kind of substitute? Sigh.

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Michelle Albanes-Davis's avatar

Also thanks for sharing that link ❤️

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Michelle Albanes-Davis's avatar

Sweet potato or even yellow potatoes would work great!

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Coleman Rogers's avatar

I made this soup and pickles earlier this year, it was delicious but the pickles were a little strong. I need to try again, as the chilly wind and rain settle in on us in the south of Portugal.

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Michelle Albanes-Davis's avatar

Yes! You can always cut the vinegar with a little water to mellow them out

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Coleman Rogers's avatar

My wife loved the soup, although I reduced the water so it was a little more like stew and served it over rice. I was too wiped to make pickles, so I had kimchi with mine. Oh, I had a half of a red pepper I needed to use so my base was red onion, red pepper and celery. So stuck on mirepoix! Will def make this again. I gotta dig into Hungry as Hell before we go shopping.

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Michelle Albanes-Davis's avatar

Red pepper is a great addition 🔥

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Kari Bentley-Quinn's avatar

I make a similar butternut squash soup except I don't use the soy or tamari so I'll give that a go. Hey, better than quaaludes and Valium! *cries*

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Michelle Albanes-Davis's avatar

Better is a strong word lol

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