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Soothe Me Like Love

February 15, 2015 By Marge Perry

Marge Perry's Chicken Congee

Young love is jubilant and invigorating. If tended to properly, it flourishes and is productive; with age it quiets and grows stronger.

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We have been together a certain number of years. We share joys and sorrows; triumphs and losses: life’s inevitable experiences. When we need to, we remind ourselves how fortunate we are that our life together is filled with much more of the good stuff than the bad.

We spent yesterday, Valentine’s Day, sitting in a dingy gray hospital room beside someone we love as she approached her death. A shiny red heart-shaped balloon, tied to the chair on a long, skinny ribbon, bobbed above our heads, the only splash of color in this muted room. Sorrow, hushed like her strained, breathy voice, resigned itself to the intrusive beeping of the ever-quantifying machines. Sorrow, weighty like the disease in her limbs, rested on our shoulders, slumping us into the hard vinyl seats of the visitors’ chairs.

Sharing sadness does not take it away, but it soothes us. It offers us respite and comfort. It is our warm bowl of soup on a bitter cold night.

 

Simplified Chicken Congee

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1 teaspoon canola oil

1 tablespoon minced ginger

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut in 1-inch chunks

1 cup long grain rice

4 cups low sodium chicken broth

2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce

½ teaspoon salt

4 ounces snow peas, halved

1/3 cup chopped scallions (green only)

 

  1. Heat the sesame and canola oil in a large pot over medium high. Add the ginger and cook, stirring, 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the chicken and cook without moving until it releases easily from the pan surface, about 2 minutes. Stir and cook until it is barely pink on the outside, about 3-4 more minutes. Add the rice, stir to coat, and add the broth plus 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 30 minutes.
  2. Stir in the soy sauce and sugar snaps; cook 1 minute. Taste and add the salt if needed; stir in the scallions and serve.

Makes 4 servings

Nutrition for each serving: 388 calories, 11 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 28 g protein, 42 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 623 mg sodium

 

 

 

Filed Under: Poultry: Chicken, Cornish Game Hen, Turkey and Duck, Recipes, Soup

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Comments

  1. Susan says

    February 15, 2015 at 3:24 pm

    So sorry Marge.
    You write so beautifully. Can feel your pain.
    And this recipe does sound so soothing…..
    will make it….and think of you…
    Susan

    • Marge Perry says

      February 16, 2015 at 6:56 am

      Thank you, Susan.Your unwavering support here means a lot.

  2. Kristin Hollon says

    February 15, 2015 at 3:42 pm

    Sending love…

    • Marge Perry says

      February 16, 2015 at 7:10 am

      xoxo

  3. Louise says

    February 15, 2015 at 5:32 pm

    Dear Marge,
    I’ve followed you for years and love your cooking style and approach to cooking. This includes your recipe above.
    I am so sorry for the sorrow you are enduring. Having lost both my husband and my mother two years ago (6 weeks apart), I can completely understand what you are experiencing.
    My heartfelt thoughts are with you and your family.
    Louise

    • Marge Perry says

      February 16, 2015 at 7:09 am

      Thank you so much, Louise. I can’t imagine the pain you have gone through with such a brutal double loss; I am so very sorry. Two years is a short time and an eternity; I hope that you are beginning to emerge from the fog of grief and find solace, pleasure and peace (perhaps in cooking, as
      i do.)

  4. Lindsay says

    February 15, 2015 at 10:04 pm

    Beautifully written as always, thinking of you and your loved ones

    • Marge Perry says

      February 16, 2015 at 7:09 am

      Thank you, Lindsay. I always love hearing from you

  5. Jamie says

    February 16, 2015 at 8:36 am

    Beautifully, beautifully put, Marge. Heartwrenching, heartwarming.

  6. Jaya Sarkar says

    February 16, 2015 at 9:47 pm

    Dear Marge,
    My sincere sympathies and heartfelt prayers..The person may be physically gone,but the moments lived will forever be embedded in heart.But yes it is like a reunion with the Father,so have faith and be strong.

    • Marge Perry says

      February 16, 2015 at 10:41 pm

      Thank you so much Jaya. It is wonderful to hear from you xoxo

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