Winter Cold: Try Cock-a-Leekie Soup

With Winter not easing up at all this February in Toronto, it is nice to have a tasty soup to warm up with.  This recipe is fairly easy and does not require blending like most of other recipes that I have shared.  It serves 4 hearty portions and takes about 45 minutes including prep time.  Per Wikipedia this soup is French in origins, but it has also been called "Scotland's National Soup."  I can confirm it is both tasty and not that hard to make.   Hope you enjoy.

Cock-a-Leekie Soup

Cock-a-Leekie- Soup
Ingredients:
	2 TBSP of Vegetable Oil or Canola Oil
	2 Cups (500ml) Sliced Leeks (white and light green parts)                     Which is Approx 2 Medium Leeks
	2 Boneless Chicken Breasts, Cubed in 1/2 Inch Pieces
	6 Cups (1.5L) Sodium Reduced Chicken Stock
	3/4 Cup (175ml) Long Grain Rice
	1 Strip of Lemon Peel (1/2 cm wide and about 5cm long)
	1 Dried Bay Leaf
	TT Salt
	1/2 TSP Pepper
	1/4 Cup (63ml) Chopped Fresh Parsley
Steps:
	1) Cut bottom end off of leek and top of leeks after the light green parts.  Discard bottom and top. Cut leaks in half to split open.  Rinse leeks in hot water to ensure sand/soil is removed from inside and let drain in a colander.
	2) Slice leeks into large strips about 1cm wide and 4 cm long. Measure 2 cups.
	3) In a stock pot or large saucepan heat oil over medium heat.  Add Leeks and cook for 5 minutes.
	4) Add cubed chicken pieces and continue to fry about 4 minutes or until the chicken is no longer visibly pink.
	5) Add chicken stock, rice, lemon peel, and bay leaf; bring to a boil and then cover and reduce heat to low.  Cook 25 minutes and until rice is tender.
	6) Fish out bay leaf and lemon peel discard (use tongs or a slotted spoon).  Season with salt to taste and pepper.  Add parsley and serve.
Soup will last up to 3 days in the fridge, although the rice will lose its consistency and expand. It is best to serve and eat after preparing.

Ingredients for Cock-a-Leekie Soup

Step 3: Sauteing Leeks on Medium-High Heat

Step 4: Add Chicken and Fry for 5 Minutes

Step 5: Add Chicken Stock, Rice, Lemon Peel and Bay Leaf

 Step 5: Almost Finished Cooking 

Cock-a-Leekie Soup with Garnish of Parsley

Additions and Suggestions:

• Unlike a lot of soups I have prepared in which I have suggested various garnishes often sour cream, shredded cheese or home made bacon bits, I have no suggestions for this soup. 

What I've learned in making this soup:

• Leeks have a more subtle taste than onions and they are part of the same family of plants that include both garlic and onions.  They are great boiled into soups or fried in butter/oil as part of a stir fry.  It is best to eat the white parts and light green parts.
• Leeks are a good source of many vitamins including vitamin A, B6, Folate. K and minerals including manganese and iron.  Leeks have been eating by people since at least the second millennium BCE including by Egyptians and Mesopotamians.
• When preparing leeks it is best to cut off the bottom and top just where it stops being at the light green and to thoroughly rinse in a colander to get the sand/dirt out.  
• When cutting the peel of a lemon it is best to use a fresh lemon that is scrubbed and to use a sharp paring knife.  

Have a favorite soup for Winter?  Have an addition to this recipe?  Please share it below. 

Toronto Zoo is Winter Fun

During the Winter holidays Mrs. Shopaholic, friends, and I visited the Toronto Zoo on a warmer Winter day.  We all love the Zoo, but had never been during Winter.  We were all pleasantly surprised and it was a lot of fun.  If you are looking for a Winter activity and don't mind bundling up then this is great one.

For more information about the Toronto Zoo see their website.  The Zoo is open every day of the year except for Christmas.  Adult admission is $23 a person and parking is $10 a vehicle.  It is possible to get to the Zoo by TTC (Sheppard 85 East Bus from Don Mills Subway Station, bus alone takes 38 minutes per the TTC.  So, I would not recommend it. 

Winter Zoo Fun:

The Zoo bills says that each visit you will see something new.  The following things I have never seen at the Zoo during our usual summer visits:

• The arctic wolves singing and moving about.  We were listening to the Polar Bear zookeeper and the nearby wolves started singing. 

• The Hyenas.  For years I have walked by the Hyenas and have never seen them standing or moving.  In the summer you can only make out vague details of them sleeping in their dens.

Hyena

• Pandas moving.  We saw Toronto Zoos famous addition back on the Victoria Day weekend when they came to the zoo.  Neither of the pandas moved and were not worth the line to see them.  In Winter they were both moving and we ample elbow room too see them.

Lady Panda - Er Shun

• The Giraffes were also active and strangely licking the metal chain link fences.  Don't they know their tongues could get stuck to it?  Everyone had that one kid in primary school who did this.  

Masai Giraffe and her calf born Oct 18, 2013

• The pavilions were a lot easier to get around in and you hardly ever had to line up to view an animal.  One of the highlights was the Australian Great Blue Jay who got up close with us.

• Lastly, the Polar Bears usually put on a good show regardless of time of year.  The key is catching them at Noon when the Zookeeper is feeding them.   

Lady Polar Bear

Arguing over a Salmon

Some other fun facts that I learned about the Zoo:

• On Boxing day they have a Christmas for the animals.  The zookeepers are out and giving special treats for the animals.  It is meant for families and the zookeepers make themselves far more available than usual.  Also, they offer half priced admission.  
• On New Year's Eve they throw a family oriented party complete with stage and show for children.  They have live band, magicians and a proper stage setup in the entrance courtyard of the Zoo.  They do a New Year's eve countdown at 8:00 PM for kids.  
• The Giraffes will be moving in 2014 to Elephants former domain.  
• The Zoo will be re-opening for Victoria Day Weekend the Eurasia loop (Camels, Reindeer, Wild Horses, Snow Leopard, etc).  Although, it will only be accessible by Zoo Mobile.  (*Lame*)  

Reindeer out for a Stroll

Cons of Visiting the Toronto Zoo in Winter:

• Some of the African large mammels (hippotamus, antelopes, zebras, lions and cheetah) were not on display outside or inside.
• The food at the zoo is not that good and over-priced.  Only 2 of the 5 restaurants were open and mind you I think I'd rather go hungry than eat at a Mandarin Express.   I'd suggest bringing a sandwich or snacks.  
• The African penguins were not swimming about as their pool was frozen.  Although, I don't know why a penguin would be indoors for winter.
• In the Malayan Woods pavilion the butterflies must have all been hibernating and not flying about.

Comments? Thoughts? Suggestions?  Do you have a favourite animal to see at the zoo?  Please add your comments below.