The short version: Soup is the story, coffee is the instructions. Both are how I take care of my people. The soup serves 12, takes about 2½ hours in an 8-quart pot and freezes well.
Family soupRelatives are relatives. Family is family. One you're born into. The other you show up for. When plans fall apart, the soup doesn't. I make a double batch, leave the door open, and whoever walks in gets a bowl. That's how I treat my circle, and it's how I work: show up, do it right, send you home with leftovers.
Bring your own container for takeout.
Chickpea Parmesan soupServes 12. Adapted from Melissa Clark, NYT Cooking.
* 2 lb chickpeas, soaked
* 1 onion and 2 whole cloves
* 6 garlic cloves
* 4 bay leaves
* 2 rosemary sprigs, plus 2 tsp chopped rosemary
* ⅔ cup olive oil
* 2½ to 3 tbsp kosher salt
* 2 Parmesan rinds, plus 1 cup grated Parmesan
* 28 oz can diced tomatoes
* 4 carrots and 4 celery ribs, chopped
* Zest of 2 lemons and ½ tsp black pepper
* 10 cups water
How to make itStud the halved onion with cloves. Put it in the pot with the chickpeas, garlic, rosemary sprigs, bay, oil, rinds, water and 2½ tbsp salt. Bring to a boil.
Cover and simmer low for 1 to 1¼ hours, until tender.
Add the tomatoes, carrots and celery. Simmer 30 minutes. Fish out the rinds, bay and stems, then taste for salt.
Mix the grated Parmesan, chopped rosemary, lemon zest and pepper. Heap it on every bowl.
French press coffee, explained rightNobody explains this right, so I did. You need a French press, coffee ground coarse like breadcrumbs, hot water that isn't boiling, a spoon and a timer.
* Take the plunger out. Use 2 heaping tablespoons of coffee per cup.
* Add a splash of hot water to wet the grounds. Wait 30 seconds.
* Add the rest of the water and stir once.
* Put the lid on with the plunger up. Walk away for 4 minutes.
* Push down slowly. If it fights you, grind coarser.
* Pour it all out right away. Left in the press, it turns bitter.
Rinse the press the second you're done. Old coffee oil makes every pot after taste like an old couch.
Want the printable?Sunday Briefs comes every Sunday at 11:11. If you want help with the thing you keep circling, book a Creative Burn, or request a trip and I'll plan the one you keep not taking.