Stream of Consciousness

     It's snowing here for the second time in a week.  Fortunately it's one of those snows that only accumulates on the grass and not on the paved surfaces.  But it brought to mind what it must be like in the Winter in Alaska where snow is common place.  And that brought to mind what the locals there do when there's a death in the family.  And that made me wonder what they might prepare for the mourners to eat after the funeral.  So I consulted the book Death Warmed Over to find out.
     Not surprisingly they serve fish, not unlike the chowder that I wrote about earlier this week.  Here is the recipe for Tlingit Fish Soup:

TLINGIT FISH SOUP

2 Tbsp EVOO                                                   1 1/2 cups milk

1 large onion, chopped                                   1/2 cup flour

2 carrots, peeled & chopped                         1 lb halibut, salmon or cod cut into chunks

1 head garlic, peeled & minced                     frozen spinach, thawed & squeezed dry

4 qts chicken broth                                         salt & pepper

     In a large stockpot heat the oil over medium heat.  Saute the onions and carrot until the onions are translucent.  Add the garlic.  Cook for five minutes.  Add the broth.  Bring to a boil over high heat, then decrease the heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes.

     In a small bowl mix 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the milk with the flour.  Stir until a paste forms.  Slowly add the remaining milk to the flour mixture.  Stir until smooth.  Add the flour mixture to the broth, stirring constantly.  Add the fish and the spinach.  Cook until the fish is heated through.  Add salt and pepper to taste and ladle into bowls.

Serves 8 to 10