With my other pregnancies when Proeun would ask me if I was craving anything I would jokingly say, “yes, something someone else cooked.” Now I see my role as nurturer spreads beyond breastfeeding, cuddling and warm feelings to the very physical act of feeding my children as healthy food as possible to nourish their minds and souls.
Though I see my job in a different light honestly it doesn’t make it easier to do when you are dead tired from being up all night with your newest toddler who happens to be teething or your 3 year old who has a fever again and kept the 5 year old up. Yeah it’s not easy getting up in the morning and cooking a meal you can feel good about feeding your children.
That’s where having simple, healthy, fast dishes if a great help. Here’s one of my favorites.
Tomato Soup
1 cup water
1 cup cashews
1 medium onion
Blend until smooth.
Add 2 cups water (I normally add only 1, I like a thicker soup)–Blend again.
1/4 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp salt (eliminate if using canned tomatoes)
1 tsp basil
2 TSBP oil
1 TBSP honey
4 oz tomato paste
1 qt canned tomatoes
If using fresh tomatoes, cook tomatoes in a kettle for a few minutes until soft. Add rest of ingredients to blender. Whiz to incorporate. Heat in a kettle, do not boil.
I use the tomatoes I canned last summer. I didn’t make any tomato paste but if you did that would add another fabulous element to this dish. It takes like 5 minutes to whiz it up. Even a tired mom with morning sickness can handle that.