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Monday, February 22, 2010

Smoky: Remembered

In college, I had a good friend named Michael Mitchell, but everybody called him Smoky. He was one of the most laidback, kind, and generous people in our posse (yes, we had a posse ... it was the late 90s, after all). Everybody loved Smoky. But about a year after I graduated from Arkansas State University and moved to Memphis, I got a disturbing phone call. Smoky was dead — killed in a drunk driving accident. His best friend was driving after a few too many drinks, and their vehicle collided with another car on their way home. That was in 2002 ... or maybe it was early 2003.

Smoky has been greatly missed. I'd share pictures but all of my Smoky photos were taken in the days before digital cameras ... or at least before I had one. I will, however, show you Smoky's tribute soup — Smoky's Chipotle Split Pea Soup:

It's another cookbook recipe and it's dedicated to my pal Smoky. The chipotle peppers lend the soup a smoky flavor, and so I named the soup accordingly. I have no idea if Smoky actually liked split pea soup. I know he liked French fries. But regardless as to whether or not he liked split pea soup, I'm sure he wouldn't have minded having one named after him.

By the way, that red stuff on top is sriracha. It's not in the recipe. I just have a thing for split peas with sriracha. It's an odd but delicious combination.

I served Smoky's soup with an Earth Balanced slice of this Rustic Multiseed Wheat Bread:

The recipe was in the February issue of Vegetarian Times, in the No-Knead Bread section. Just as it sounds, this delicious loaf required absolutely no kneading. Instant yeast is used for a quick rise, and I subbed whole wheat pastry flour for all-purpose in their recipe. For the record, this loaf had the best rise I've ever gotten using whole wheat pastry flour. And it's delicious. I think I've found my new go-to bread recipe.

14 comments:

  1. I'm sorry to hear about your friend, but I'm sure he would be honored to be remembered in your cookbook. Can't wait for it!

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  2. I too have been known to eat a bowl of sriracha on split peas. I am a sucker for chipotle, so I'm sure this soup will be right up my alley!

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  3. Soup looks great. Sure hope the book is almost finished.

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  4. I am sure your friend would be honored to know that you named a recipe after him. It looks like a good one!

    I like some weird combinations with sriracha too. My favorite is sriracha on roasted potatoes.

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  6. Sorry about your friend, it's great you name a recipe for him! Mmmm bread.

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  7. Sweetheart, I am so, so sorry to hear about Smoky. Losing a friend is devastating. That soup looks like a good tribute -- and good food is always heartening. xoxo

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  8. Terribly sorry about your friend, but Smoky's Chipotle Split Pea Soup looks like an amazing way to remember him. Can't wait for the book.

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  9. So sorry to hear about your friend Smokey. Soup looks good though. xoxo

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  10. i just sent Smoky a happy thought. I'm sure he'd love that a Crunk recipe is named after him!

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  11. Looks like a warm and comforting dish. :)

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  12. i'm so sorry to hear about your friend, Bianca - but i think it's so sweet of you to remember him with a rock'n recipe. smoky split pea soup = one of my favorites. i had never had split pea soup before becoming vegan, and i'm so glad i finally tried it - it's wonderful! i love that you put some sriracha on top - that's so awesome & delicious! hooray for one rock'n whole wheat loaf, too. nice!

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  13. Wow, what a tragic loss. I can't imagine losing a friend that way. What a nice way to remember him :)

    I love Split Pea soup so this recipe is right up my alley!

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  14. Mmm this looks great :) I'm learning how to appreciate savory meals more ;) Lately I've been going over-board on my sweet tooth... but this will change ;)

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