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So it’s real.  This winter, here in Seattle, is never going to end.  Ever. I walked the boys in the triple stroller to Metropolitan Market today and the world  seemed divided into two wintry camps; those that think what appears to be triplets are a momentary spectacle and those that find their existence barely tolerable.  Usually there is a third camp that finds them adorable or at least interesting (in a good way).  This third camp, for today, was all but lost with that all-too-familiar damp, chilly breeze that greeted them first thing this morning.

So today, the boys and I made soup.  That momentary cure for the what-shouldn’t-still-be-winter-blues.  Screaming hot bowls of tomatoes, onion, herbs, quinoa and peas.  Please.

We had onions, celery, half a yellow squash, peas and cooked quinoa at the house so our sole goal for the store outing was to get a large can of stewed, crushed tomatoes and a box of vegetable broth.  I call these our “$5.00 outings”.

At home I put the big cutting board on the ground and let the boys chop away at the veggies with their plastic knives.  A mess was made and fun was had.

In the end I sauteed an entire yellow onion with 3 sticks of celery and the chopped squash.  Added the can of tomatoes, box of broth and about 3 cups cooked quinoa.  Threw in a tablespoon sugar, big splash vinegar, 2 tsps salt and a bunch of fresh ground pepper.  Last, zipped up the flavor with some Tony Chacheres.  Let this all come to a boil and then added half bag of frozen peas.  Done.  Took 15 minutes start to finish.

A little avocado, feta and green onion garnish (because I happen to have all that laying around) to finish it off and a tasty-hot-healthy-quick lunch was had by all.  Beat it, Seattle winter, you’ve worn out your welcome. Please?

Today when my three little men went down for their nap the feeling of having two glorious, WWOZ-filled hours all alone to cook filled me with such joy as to be nearing the ridiculous.  (what’s more ridiculous I was missing the little rats by the time they woke up)

This afternoon, oddly enough, there was food in the fridge (I swear food vaporizes the second it hits our front door) so I knew I had something to work with.  The half eaten loaf of garlic rosemary bread from Essential Baking and the over abundance of sweet onions made the decision: Roasted Onion Sandwiches W/Quinoa & Feta.   They were simple and delicious.  Even Bill used the word delicious, which he reserves the right to use only on special occasion, much to my internal chagrin.  He’s just not one for dramatics.

First, I drizzled a good amount of olive oil on a cookie sheet (save a bowl, do it all on the sheet). Then I sliced big slabs of onion and rubbed them around on the pan, flipping to coat both sides.  Add whatever other roast able veggies you may have; today I had a tomato and half an orange bell pepper.  Oiled them as well.  Then I sprinkled everything with a good amount of salt, freshly ground pepper and herbs.  I had some marjoram and thyme handy, but use whatever fresh or dried you have handy.

Preheat oven to 420 and throw those dudes in for 15 minutes, flip and then roast for 15 more.

Next, I heated a cup or two of quinoa in a bowl (if you don’t have it pre-cooked, you’ll have to make it ahead of time) and tossed it with some feta, olive oil and herbs.

Finally, I grilled the bread and topped it with a slab or two of the onion, then the other veggies, then a nice pile of the quinoa-feta mixture. To finish it off I mixed some horseradish and stoneground mustard together and drizzled it over the top and added fresh chopped radish for some texture.

Roasted onion have such a surprising sweetness to them.  That sweetness combined with the saltiness of the feta, texture of the quinoa and radish and spiciness of the horseradish made this sandwich really well rounded, without doing the same thing to our waistlines.

By the time we ate and cleanded up the boys were chatting with each other from their cribs.  This meant I had an extra 15 minutes to do some emailing b/c everyone woke up happy.  The day stretched on into the evening and no restaurants were calling my name.  Just some basketball playoffs in the man cave (can you believe the Hornets beat the Lakers yesterday!!!!) and a good glass of red.  Ahhhhhhhh.