Monday, July 2, 2012

4th of July & Cream of Peanut Soup

click on photo to enlarge!


The photo collage above is a sample of my flags of Maine photo collection. Snapping photos of the American flag has become a bit of a hobby of mine. I really think our flag is beautiful.


For those of you that don't know the history of the American flag, the stripes represent the original 13 colonies. Stars were added as states joined the Union. The location of each star also represents each state, an interesting fact that I learned a few years ago. The last star added was Hawaii in 1959!


The bottom middle photo is an original flag with 45 stars! Wouldn't I love to own that!


I thought it would be nice to add a classic American colonial recipe to celebrate Independence Day! What better way than Cream of Peanut Soup from the Kings Arms Tavern. If you've never been to Colonial Williamsburg it's a trip worth the experience. Jane Vobe opened the King’s Arms Tavern in 1772, and it became one of the town’s most genteel establishments. She once described it as a place “where the best people resorted.” Still true today! I also highly recommend making reservations.


Cream of Peanut Soup 

from Kings Arms Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg

   
photo from Colonial Williamsburg


Ingredients:


¼ cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 celery ribs, finely chopped
3 tablespoons flour
8 cups Chicken Stock* (or low-salt canned chicken stock)
2 cups smooth peanut butter
1 ¾ cups light cream or half-and-half
Finely chopped salted peanuts, for garnish

Instructions:


In a large saucepan or soup pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and celery and cook, stirring often, until softened, three-five minutes.

Stir in flour and cook two minutes longer.

Pour in the chicken stock, increase the heat to high, and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until slightly reduced and thickened, about 15 minutes. Pour into a sieve set over a large bowl and strain, pushing hard on the solids to extract as much flavor as possible. Return the liquid to the sauce pan or pot.

Whisk the peanut butter and the cream into the liquid. Warm over low heat, whisking often, for about five minutes. Do not boil.

Serve warm, garnished with the chopped peanuts.


Enjoy!


P.S.  Check out Bee Haven Acres for wonderful recipes and fantastic Give-Aways!  Good Luck!

29 comments:

  1. its an unusual soup for me but I can see how it would be delicious!... love the flags... you have a wonderful July 4th!

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  2. Love the flags...we have a large flag from the boat my father-in-law was on in WWII. He was stationed in Newport News, VA and skippered a boat that towed targets for target practice of big guns. Our daughter had it framed several years ago with a photo of her grandfather and the men he served with and also a photo of the boat with the flag flying. It is a treasured piece of history.

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  3. Oh, this sounds delicious!!! I love peanuts, and peanut butter, and I love soup - and this soup combines them both. An exotic recipe for over here, but I think it is well worth giving it a try.

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  4. Oh that sounds good.
    I've never had soup with peanut butter in before :)

    Love the flags!!
    There's something about that red, white, and blue that just tug at my heart ... every time :)

    Smiles :)
    Kerin

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  5. This is a very tempting recipe. When I finish with my summer "soup storm" I will give it a try.

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  6. Loved the lessons on the flag and am copying the recipe as we speak! Looks just wonderful for Fall!!

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  7. Love the flag collage... very nice pictures!! And the peanut soup sounds yummy. Happy 4th of July and have a wonderful week!
    Jutta

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  8. I love your flags! It makes me so proud to see them flying in my neighborhood. Love this recipe, too! Thanks! I'm having a giveaway...stop by when you can!

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  9. I love your photos of our flag. You should take some time out from your entertaining this week and find a few more flags around the neighborhood. The soup sounds delicious.

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  10. Mr. Dog Trot and I had the pleasure of enjoying a lovely meal at the Kings Arms Tavern years ago, however we did not try this soup. Thank you for sharing the recipe. Wonderful flag photos, I just love the American flag, it's colors and all that it stands for. Have a happy fourth, Julie.

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  11. I also love our flag! Forever in peace may she wave! (Hey, that's not my line, I stole it from George M. Cohan!)

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  12. Happy 4th July!!!
    The soup looks delicious!

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  13. Hi! That mosaic is so beautiful! I particularly like the bunting on the fence, the double flags flying, and the barn. Oh I just like it all!

    Not sure about the peanut soup...although, I do like peanuts and I do like soup. I should be adventurous and try it!

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  14. Bunting on the fence? Obviously, I combined two photos...

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  15. Thank you very much for your blog visit to Amish Stories, and I hope you have a very nice July 4. Never had Cream of Peanut Soup so thats a new one on me folks! Richard

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  16. Beautiful flag mosaic! Love the red, white and blues!
    Soup looks amazing, I've never had peanut soup. I have to try it!
    Have a happy fourth of July.

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  17. I've never heard of cream of peanut soup before! It sounds wonderful. :)
    Hope you have a very Happy 4th!
    Hugs,
    Zuzu

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  18. Hi lovely lady.
    I love all your Beautiful Flags for this 4th.of July.
    I also hope you have a wonderful Day with your family tomorrow.
    XXOO Diane

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  19. I love your flag collage, Mary! I never heard of peanut soup but it sounds delicious. I've been to Wiliamsburg, VA a few times ..wonderful place to visit! I've always love the King Arms Tavern pumpkin muffins that they would have in their bread basket.

    Have a Happy 4th of July!

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  20. What a great soup---I love historic recipes like this!!

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  21. What an interesting background to this recipe and it sounds delicious. Love your collage and Happy 4th to you!

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  22. Somehow I'm thinking this soup would be really good in a few months...it's just SO hot now!
    Happy July 4th to you and yours.

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  23. What a beautiful collage of patriotic color! Our flag is really beautiful!Love that you chose a hastoric recipe to share ... I wonder ... what would you serve with this soup?

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  24. Wanted to drop by again and say hello, and I hope that you folks had a great Independence day. We are dry and very hot over here, but we are staying tough and trying to ride out all of this heat. Richard from the Amish settlement of Lebanon,pa

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    Replies
    1. How nice of you! So happy you stopped by! I hope your 4th of July was wonderful too!

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  25. The peanut soup has to be delicious.

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  26. Sounds lovely, just a wee change of stock and it would be perfect for me :)

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  27. My kids love peanut butter - I should try this soup on them!

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I'm thrilled you've stopped by and I always enjoy your comments! Thank you!