Practice makes perfect

and a recipe for Corsican bean soup that you won’t tire of having over and over again

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow last week.

The furry rodent popped its head out, and the prognosticators declared six more weeks of winter await. Meanwhile, Canada’s Wiarton Willie saw things differently, and an early spring may be around the corner. It’s a coin toss as to which one got it right, but we’ll be anxiously watching the weather forecast to figure it out.

Groundhog Day, on February 2, marks a rather unusual rite that actually has its roots in Europe. Candlemas Day, February 2, is the Christian festival of lights, falling midway between the start and end of winter. German legend had it that if a badger saw its shadow on Candlemas, more winter lay ahead. German-speaking immigrants who came to Pennsylvania brought the folkloric ritual with them. And so a tradition was born.

This year, February 2 also marked the 30-year anniversary of another Groundhog Day legend - the 1993 movie starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. Even if you haven’t seen the movie, you probably know the storyline. Phil Connors, a jaded weatherman from Pittsburg, travels to Punxsutawney to cover the annual Groundhog Day festivities. But instead of a one day assignment, Phil gets caught in a time loop, reliving the same day over and over again. In the process, he evolves from a self-centred, arrogant jerk to someone who begins to understand that every decision he makes creates a new reality and ultimately a present that is full of promise.

The movie has led to many discussions about its meaning. One such meaning describes Phil’s journey as that of Buddhist Samsara, or karma. Karma dictates that every action has a consequence, and those actions lead to new pathways. It’s only when we stop and consciously recognize how the power of our actions - and our mindset - can create positive momentum, that we can change what happens next.

Author Paul Hannah puts it this way in his book, The Wisdom of Groundhog Day:

We have the choice to make today and every day either sad or happy, dull or inspiring, meaningless or fulfilling. You can bring whatever mindset you choose to the next 24 hours. This is an extraordinary gift that we often overlook, and there is no better example of its priceless value than Groundhog Day. You can make today better than yesterday; you can improve your life one day at a time.

Practice makes perfect

In the movie, Phil laments that, of all the days he could have lived over and over again, this was not the one he would have chosen. Stuck in a small town, in the middle of a snowstorm, with people he doesn’t even like. This isn’t just Samsara - it’s a broken record playing “I Got You Babe”.

What would happen if you had to live the same day over and over again? And what would it take to make into the best day of your life? Phil can’t change his circumstance - he can only change himself. After trying every measure, and going through cycles of anger, gluttony, abandon, and despair, he is left with the essence of what matters most.

The beauty and joy of watching Groundhog Day again is the simple reminder that approaching each moment with fresh eyes grounds us in the present moment. As Hannah goes on to say: “Trapped in time, Phil can and indeed does try every possible way to live until he discovers the ideal one based on creativity, compassion and contribution.”

Will we have an early spring or six more weeks of winter? Time will tell, but in the meantime I’m going to take a page from Phil and live for today. After all, who knows when I’ll need to relive today over again?

Corsican bean soup with ham and greens

adapted from Food+Wine magazine

serves 8 generously

Last week I talked about the beauty of bringing dried beans to life and promised to share more recipes that use beans and their delicious liquor. To save time, of course you can use canned beans instead. Either way, this warming, filling soup will make plenty for more than one meal. It’s something you’ll look forward to eating again and again.

Note: if using dried beans, start the soup early in the morning or the day before you plan to make it.

Ingredients

1⅓ cups dried beans, or two 397 ml cans cooked beans, drained and rinsed (see headnote)

2 tablespoons olive oil

8 cups chopped green cabbage

2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 inch cubes (about 2 cups)

1 large bunch Swiss chard, stems trimmed, leaves roughly chopped

2 medium leeks, white parts only, chopped

2 large carrots, cut into ¼-inch-thick rounds

1 large garlic clove, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

14 cups liquid: water, bean liquor, beef stock, vegetable stock or a mixture

1 bouquet garni (1 bay leaf, 2 thyme sprigs, and 3 flat-leaf parsley sprigs, tied together with kitchen twine)

2 x 397 ml can whole peeled tomatoes, drained and finely chopped

1 ham bone

8 ounces pork cheek or boneless pork shoulder

1. If using dried beans, place beans in a bowl; add cold water to cover. Cover bowl; let soak 8 hours or overnight.

2. Drain beans. Transfer beans to a large pot; add water to cover by 2 inches. Add bouquet garni; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 15 minutes. Drain.

3. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high; add cabbage, potatoes, chard, leeks, carrots, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until vegetables are wilted, about 10 minutes. Add 14 cups liquid to cover vegetable mixture, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently while preparing beans.

4. Add drained beans and bouquet garni to vegetable mixture in Dutch oven. Add tomatoes, ham bone, and pork cheek. Bring to a boil over high.

5. Reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until beans and vegetables are very tender, about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Remove and discard bouquet garni and ham bone. Ladle soup into bowls and serve.