11 November 2008

Energy Food Challenge and Celeriac/Roquefort Soup

En français ici.
This is my mom training in Amish country (near where she lives), preparing to bike ride 109 miles in Tucson November 22nd to raise money for research in blood cancers. Nearly a million Americans are battling blood cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma, and 53,000 people each year die of these diseases. Leukemia alone causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults. I'm very proud of my mom, who is not generally a very sports-oriented person, so when she asked me to consider asking the blogging community to support her, I said yes right away.


What do food bloggers have to do with blood cancer research (aside from general human solidarity, of course)? Well my mom is going to need some good energy food to get through the ride and she would love to have your suggestions. So I'm launching an Energy Food Challenge! Post your energy food recipes (main dishes, snacks, drinks, etc.) on your blogs before the 22nd, and I'll do a round-up right here to give my mom a proper send off. Go ahead and use this logo and send me a link with your entry. Even if you don't have time for that, feel free to leave your ideas in the commentary section and I'll pass them along.


In France, one of the meals that's supposed to make you strong, especially when you're growing, is soup. (Did you see that seamless transition there??) I had been pondering what to do with a big ugly celery root I got in my CSA, never having cooked with one before, when Camille heroically came to my rescue by mentioning a celeriac and roquefort soup that she posted about (here). Hoping that the roquefort would be incentive enough to overcome D's dislike of both celery and soup (supposedly), I decided to try it out. It was delicious!! I looked at a couple recipes and added some of my own touches to come up with this:

1 large celery root (celeriac)
2 large potatoes
1 onion
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup dry cider (apple juice or beer would probably work too)
3 cups vegetable stock
1 apple
1 cup light cream or 3/4 cup milk and 1/4 cup butter
100-150g roquefort or other blue cheese
salt, pepper (as desired)

bacon/lardons (optional) to garnish


Peel and chop the celeriac, potatoes and onion. Sauté in the hot oil about 10 minutes until the onions are translucent.

Add the cider and the stock. Bring to a boil, cover and let simmer 20-25 minutes until the celeriac and potatoes are tender.

Add the apple (peeled, cored and chopped) and cook another 5 minutes. Blend the soup, using whatever method you prefer.

Add the cream and crumbled cheese. Heat lightly and stir until smooth. Salt and pepper as desired (I found the soup did not need salt, but I guess it depends on the cheese you use), and serve warm with the garnish of your choice.

18 comments:

giz said...

WTG Hopie - this is a great cause. I do some work with a group here in Canada that creates awareness around bone marrow transplant (tx) and raises money for one of the finest blood disease cancer hospitals in the world. Psychgrad and I just attended their annual gala - we'll be posting about it very soon.

PG said...

Congratulations on initiating your first event. A very worthy cause indeed. We'll definitely participate!

Jill@SimpleDailyRecipes.com said...

Count me in!

Katharine said...

Thank you so much for your rally for support, Hopie. I am touched to the core by your loving event!

So far here's what I'm doing (remember I'm a crazy American - but we did redeem ourselves on Nov 4, so maybe not so irreparably crazy):

I drink Acai juice and powdered wheat grass daily (ugh).

I am avoiding potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and peppers (the belladonna family) because some people report that these foods aggaravate a tendency to arthritis (which I feel in my knees).

I haven't given up my daily cup of tea, nor my occasional glass of wine, but I figure if Norwegian mountain bike racers can stop for cigarette breaks (I've seen photos), I can at least have a bit of wine and tea!

During a long race I drink Recharge for electrolytes, which is a natural form of Gatorade, recommended by my midwife for my labor with my first born, Hope! (Good thing too, it was 33 hours :)...and worth every minute and more, of course)

Thank you again for thinking of me and for me! I'm looking forward to your ideas, tips and experiences.

My grateful regards,
Hope's Mom,
Katharine

PS Can't wait to try that fabulous soup. Not finding celery root here in the grocery store. Perhaps you can smuggle some in your Christmas suitcase! Love, Mom

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

A great event and cause! I'd love to participate, but I'm not sure that I'll have the time ;-S (anyway, I'll see if it's possible)...

Cheers,

Rosa

Anonymous said...

I think I've got just the thing...

And I love what you did with the soup! The apple cider and bacon are a great idea!

Hopie said...

Giz - Thanks for your encouragement! Good for you for working with that group. It's such an important cause.

Psychgrad - Thank you! Can't wait to see your entry!

Jill - Yay!

Mom - You're more than welcome! Good to hear about what you're doing already. As for the celery root, I might have a hard time getting it past customs ;-) Maybe you should plant some in the garden next year!

Rosa - Thank you! I'd love to see your ideas if you have time :-)

Camille - Thanks! And thanks for the inspiration for the soup!

Joie de vivre said...

I love the dual language format you've started. I will have to think about "energy" food not being very sporty myself, but while hiking, I like to pack a homemade trail mix with yogurt pretzels, M and M's, raisins, nuts, etc. Good luck to your Mom!

Anonymous said...

What a great cause and I love the recipes you shared. Your mom is a rock!

Anonymous said...

This is a fantastic challenge idea! Can't wait to participate.

Hopie said...

Joie de Vivre - Trail mix is good stuff. I agree!

Kathy - Thanks for your kind words!

Trisha - Yay! Can't wait to see your entry.

Ivy said...

Hi Hopie. I'm back and thanks for the invitation. I wish I could visit Paris which I am dreaming of since I graduated school. However, I only made it up to Grenoble. Maybe next time. Congratulations on hosting your first event and hope I will find some time to participate with a recipe. Good Luck to your mum.

Sam said...

Hmmm my first comment seems to have disappeared!

Good luck to your Mom, is that 109 miles in one day?

I have my entry photographed I'll let you know when it's posted.

Sam said...

My entries posted!

Hopie said...

Ivy - Maybe next time in Paris then :-) I hope you find time to participate, but in any case thanks for your good wishes!

Sam - Yup 109 miles in one day! Thanks for participating. Your recipe looks great.

Cicero Sings said...

You are very brave to do an "event" ... and such a worthy one. I've thought and thought but just don't have a recipe that would truly fall into this category.

When we are on long hikes or skiing, we take along dried fruit (mangos, apples, dates and figs) and nuts (walnuts, almonds) to keep us going.

Does your Mom have a camelback (water supplier you can sip like a straw while you ride without stopping) for her journey so she has a ready and easy supply of water to keep her hydrated?

Anonymous said...

It's up! Go, Hope's mom!
http://croquecamille.wordpress.com/2008/11/20/energy-food-challenge/

Anonymous said...

My energy food post is up! Thanks for the fun challenge. Best of luck to your mom. Here's the link:
http://thezest.wordpress.com/2008/11/21/from-the-hearty/