The ice and biting wind kept me pinned down in the apartment all day- it is a pleasant place. I can simulate work by toggling periodically over to the company email, and on the whole, it is a pleasant way to pass a day that would otherwise feature slipping around, perhaps a fall or two, that sort of thing.

I am convinced that is why Old Jim did not make it to Willow last night, though both Johns- with and without- managed appearances despite the treacherous footing. I managed to not fall on my face going in either direction, so I consider the night a success.

At the moment I am listening to National Public Radio, streaming out of Central Michigan University, to take my mind off the ice here. They are having snow, which is supposed to arrive in these parts as freezing rain tomorrow. I don’t know if that will affect the vague plan to drive south this afternoon, but I will let that sort itself out, once the Saturday stuff is done.

I checked the numbers- we are 1% of the way through 2014 already, and I don’t even feel like I have really woken up yet.

I have a bit of a dilemma this morning. I rise early due to long habit, and so do many of my pals, including those in the Far East who stay awake late. So there it is a lively back-and-forth in a much smaller group, including a long-time Trotskyite cell and some assorted Luddites.

Both sides of the spectrum are endlessly entertaining, and there is certainly plenty of really important things on which to comment. It takes time to respond, and often- like this morning- I have the equivalent of a couple essays on the events still unfolding in Antarctica, the roll-out of the Affordable Care Act, and two interesting Executive Orders regarding mental health and the Second Amendment.

As you know, I have views on all three, but the ones I have this morning are not particularly objective. Nor is there any attempt to be so, which is why they are so much fun to write. Regrettably, they do not meet the playful and whimsical style that I would prefer for you to have with the morning scone.

So we will let that lie for the moment. I never had the intention for The Daily to be a food column, but there we are. Aside from a general inclination to support local food, and avoiding processed crap in general, I am not a “Foodie,” though I imagine it could seem that way sometimes.

I actually am compiling the recipes into a thing I call the “Cloak and Dagger Cookbook,” which is intended to harvest the culinary predilections of America’s shadow warriors and their spouses. It has been a wild assortment. Someone reminded me of that sausage-bacon-bomb recipe we published a few years ago- literally a heart attack on paper- I am eager to collect the things in a manner that will both entertain and appall.

I am going to get to that this year, as one of the Resolutions, the other two being the compilation of the complete book on our pal Mac Showers (“Spooks and Spirits with Mac”) and the one about the decline and fall of my folks, Raven and Big Mama.

There is nothing particularly political about any of them, which given the nature of Homeland Security surveillance these days, is probably a good thing.

Accordingly, the latest entry in the Cook Book comes from an associate in Huntsville, Alabama, that would be worthy of inclusion on the Willow’s ever evolving and seasonal menu. It is really good, and would be perfect served in those pumpkin bowls that were ridiculed in one the savage parody of the Williams and Sonoma Holiday Catalog:

Williams-Sonoma says: “Ceramicist Barbara Eigen has been designing unique pieces, often inspired by nature, since 1997. Our Harvest Pumpkin Collection is a perfect example of her lifelike work. The tureen and accessories add organic whimsy to your Thanksgiving table.”

Price: $40 for a set of four individual tureens
Notes from Drew: This is actually one of the more reasonably priced items in the W-S catalog, as long as you don’t consider it a waste to spend $40 on four pumpkin bowls that you will use three times per decade. I used to buy terrible gifts like this for people all the time. HERE ARE YOUR PUMPKIN BOWLS! NOT BAD, EH? Because, honestly, what can you do with a pumpkin soup bowl besides put pumpkin soup in it? If you put tomato soup in it, God will murder you.

The full and savage ravaging of W&S is at: http://deadspin.com/5959212/the-haters-guide-to-the-williams+sonoma-catalog

But getting back to avoiding politics, here is something tasty that would fit in those bowls delightfully. Bon appetite!

“Vic, That picture of the Willow Burger yesterday got me hungry, which reminded me of the soup I had the other day, which then spurred the thought that you might enjoy something to take the chill of at the Refuge Farm and impress the Russians. You’ve provided so many wonderful recipes, I wanted to reciprocate.

Enjoy!

Agent Huntsville”

Butternut Squash and Coconut Soup‏

Ingredients:

2-3 tsp coconut oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tsp finely chopped or shredded ginger
1-2 tsp red curry powder (to taste)
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 medium butternut squash, peeled and chopped into 1-in. pieces (about 4 cups)
2 cups homemade broth (chicken or veggie)
1 (14oz) can coconut milk
1lb medium shrimp, peeled and de-veined (optional)
1/4 cup shredded coconut (optional)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
lime wedges
toasted pumpkin seeds

Directions: Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic and ginger. Cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant and onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

Stir in curry and salt and cook for 1 minute longer.

Stir in squash, broth and coconut milk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until squash is tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

Stir in shrimp and simmer just until cooked through, about 2 minutes. Stir in or top with cilantro, shredded coconut or toasted pumpkin seeds. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

Copyright 2013 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com
Twitter: @jayare303