Frances Lanseros
Frances Lanseros
Frances with her oldest daughter Jennifer and her youngest son Albert.
Click Meeza for a better view.
Did we mention Frances has a wolf? Nineteen years ago, she came across an orphaned wolf pup on a trip out West. On the strength of her experience raising wolf-dog hybrids as a girl, she was able to save her new pal Meeza from a dire fate. Meeza loves Frances, and though she has no such love for the tabby cat, she still lets it sit on Frances’s lap. Meeza is very gentle and watchful, and when Frances has schoolchildren over to learn about organic gardening or yarnmaking, Meeza sits right at Frances’s side. Sometimes the children are allowed to touch Meeza’s luxurious, silky soft coat with Frances’s hand right over theirs. We would love to pet Meeza also. How beautiful her eyes and markings are...
Frances Lanseros’s Sweet Potato Soup
This soup is thick and delicious like split pea, but with a beautiful golden color kids love. Great on a rainy day.
2 medium sweet potatoes (yams), peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
1 large onion
2 cloves garlic (or 1⁄2 tsp. granulated garlic)
1 bay leaf
salt to taste
1 tsp. thyme
1⁄8 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 Cups chicken broth (or 2 tsp. chicken soup base in 2 Cups hot water)
1 Cup low fat buttermilk
1 Cup skim milk
1 Cup ham, chopped
1 TB. lime juice (1⁄2 fresh lime)
3 TB. chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
In a large pot, combine potatoes, onion, garlic, bay leaf, salt, thyme, cayenne and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are tender. Remove the bay leaf, pour the soup in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Return the soup to the pan, add the buttermilk, milk, ham and lime juice and heat gently. Do not boil. Serve once hot, sprinkling each serving with cilantro if desired.
Serves: 6-8. Prep. time: 10 minutes. Cooking time: 25 minutes or so.