Carolyne Roehm’s Cream of Chestnut Soup

This time of year I am always reminded of how much I love my Carolyne Roehm Winter Notebook. The images and recipes never fail to excite and inspire. I think Carolyne’s Cream of Chestnut Soup would make a wonderful addition to any holiday meal.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped shallots
1 cup Sauternes
4 cups chicken stock (veal stock is preferable if available)
1 can (15.5 ounces) pureed chestnuts
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Chopped parsley or chervil for garnish

In a medium saucepan, heat butter on medium heat. Add shallots and sauté for 10 minutes. Add Sauternes and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

Add chicken or veal stock, bring to a boil and reduce heat. Add chestnut purée and whisk until smooth. Add cream, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper and simmer for 15 minutes. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley or chervil.

Makes 6 servings

Nathan Turner + Carolyne Roehm

I mentioned last week that I had to miss Carolyne Roehm's chic book party given by host extraordinaire Nathan Turner at his fantastic LA shop. Luckily, Nathan graciously emailed me photos to share with all of you.

The beautiful Carolyne Roehm signing copies of A Passion for Blue & White

Flickering candles, gorgeous white flowers and, of course, blue and white porcelain

Property developer John Bersci and the lovely Mary McDonald

Carolyne's books artfully stacked on blue and white fabric

Nathan Turner and the always fashionable Sally Perrin

More candles and flowers

Mary McDonald and Carolyn Roehm

Miguel Flores-Vianna holding the adorable Nacho, Carolyne Roehm and Nathan Turner

Beautiful blue and white

Home

I should be asleep right now, but instead I am wide awake! Jet lag is terrible. My two favorite definitions of jet lag are (1) When you arrive and your luggage is in better shape than you are; and (2) Nature's way of making you look like your passport photo. Right now both definitions describe me pretty well.

I am thrilled to be back home in Scotland and I am looking forward to joining my husband in Edinburgh today. We are staying at one of our favorite hotels and having dinner at Khushis, Edinburgh's first Indian restaurant. No trip to Edinburgh is complete with out a side trip to Harvey Nichols, lucky for me it's a stone's throw from the hotel.


If only there were some way to magically transport myself back and forth between two continents, life would be so much easier. It just so happens that I am missing three great parties in NY and LA. Darn! Had I known about these events when I booked my ticket back in August I would have stayed on for a few more days.

Yesterday was breakfast with Charlotte Moss to introduce her latest China pattern with Pickard (Espalier); tonight Nathan Turner is hosting a party in honor of Carolyne Roehm's new book A Passion for Blue & White at his store in LA; and next week Becca Cason Thrash is hosting a launch party at The Carlyle for PaperCity's new book Domestic Art. Becca Cason Thrash! I have always wanted to clink a cocktail with Becca, although the stress of what to wear would probably do me in for a year.



Nathan has promised to send me photos and I will post them for all to see. Oh how I would love to meet Carolyne! I can't wait to add this book to my GROWING library. If I get photos from the other events I will post them as well.

Postscript: Please forgive any typos. Also, someone recently posted a comment about going to Edinburgh and I accidentally rejected the comment instead of posting it. I am so sorry. Please post again.