Community News

Egg Drop Soup Delivers Comfort in Just Minutes

A favorite at Chinese restaurants across the country, egg drop soup is typically made with simply seasoned chicken or vegetable broth and filled with delicious silky ribbons of egg, which are created by whisking raw eggs into simmering broth. The direct translation in Chinese is "egg flower soup," because the egg creates large and small swirls in the soup in a flowerlike pattern.

Need a great reason to make this soup? February 1, 2022, welcomed the Chinese New Year! What better way to celebrate the beginning of The Year of the Tiger than by enjoying a delectable bowl of egg drop soup? Besides, between the chilly winter weather and cold and flu season, everyone needs an easy, affordable, healthy and comforting soup this time of year. You'll be thrilled to see how easy this is to prepare. It cooks in a mere 10 minutes, significantly faster than making chicken noodle soup. In fact, this soup might become your new staple recipe for soothing the sniffles.

The name "egg drop" comes from how the soup is made, but it has another fun meaning for me. When my kids were young, I would organize parties involving the classic "egg drop" science experiment. The kids were asked to construct some type of container that will keep a raw egg from cracking when dropped from ever-increasing elevations. So, what do you serve at this kind of party? Egg drop soup, naturally.

Consequently, my kids have such fond memories associated with egg drop soup that the recipe I'm sharing is from my youngest son, Billy. It's his specialty and has been a family favorite for years.

BILLY'S EGG DROP SOUP Yield: 4 (1½ cup) servings 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth 1½ teaspoons soy sauce 3 eggs 1 teaspoon sesame oil, optional Chili garlic sauce, to taste, optional 1– 2 green onions, thinly sliced 1. In a medium soup pot, bring the broth and soy sauce to a gentle boil. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, lightly beat the eggs. 2. Once your stock has come to a simmer, reduce heat to low. Stir the stock to create a whirlpool, then gradually drizzle in the eggs as you continue to stir the stock. The egg will turn into those magical little ribbons.

3. Remove from heat and add the sesame oil and garlic chili sauce, if using (highly recommended!). Ladle into bowls and garnish with green onion. Many restaurants serve thickened egg drop soup using cornstarch, but our recipe makes the equally delicious thinner version. If you'd prefer a thicker version, simply follow these easy steps: In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup of cold water until smooth. Slowly stir the cornstarch slurry into the simmering stock before adding the eggs. Proceed with the rest of the recipe as written. Besides feeling like a culinary hug, this soup is also a blank canvas to add ingredients for variety. To boost www.JasonCoblentz.com the flavor of the broth, add a chicken bouillon cube and/or

This soothing soup is perfect for winter add 1/4 teaspoon each dried weather and Chinese New Year celebrations. ground ginger and garlic powder. To the soup, you can add a drained can of corn, a block of cubed firm tofu, sauteed mushrooms, a cup of fresh or frozen peas, minced water chestnuts or a few handfuls of crispy bean sprouts for texture. So, the next time you seek respite from the chill and feel the urge to order takeout, skip the delivery and head to your kitchen for a bowl filled with comfort. Enjoy! *** Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, party-planning, recipe developer and content creator of the website "Divas On A Dime — Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous!" Visit Patti at www.divasonadime.com and join the conversation on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at divapatti@divasonadime.com © 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.

ADDICTION SCREENINGS If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, take the first step towards overcoming addiction. Call today for free screenings or referrals. 1-800-431-1754 COVENTRY PUBLIC LIBRARY HOMEBOUND SERVICES The Library Homebound Service is a program designed to assist Coventry residents who have a temporary or permanent physical impairment that would prevent them from coming to the Library. The Homebound Coordinator visits private homes on a monthly basis and will deliver books (large type or regular print), DVD’s, audiobooks & periodicals to the patron. Contact the Library Homebound Desk at 822-9463 or email dyoung@ coventrylibrary.org for more information. SIGN UP FOR IMPORTANT TOWN INFORMATION ALERTS CodeRed is a very helpful service in which you can receive important town information in a timely manner. Alerts include important town matters, COVID-19 vaccinations, weather emergencies, sex offender notifications, etc. To sign up for automated calls and/or texts on your cell phone or landline, register your phone numbers at the town’s website, www. coventryri.org or through the Coventry Police Dept. website, www.coventrypd.org RI COMMUNITY FOOD BANK If you are in need of food, you can call the RI Community Food Bank at 942-6325 or you can visit www.rifoodbank.org for a complete list of open pantries statewide. WEST WARWICK FOOD CUPBOARD The West Warwick Assistance Agency operates a food cupboard at 1293 Main Street serving all West Warwick residents living at or below three times the federal poverty level. We are open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10AM-2PM, unless there is a town-wide parking ban in effect. We offer standard amounts of core groceries based on household size as well as self serve selections of produce, bread and assorted other noncore grocery items we have on hand. If you have any questions, feel free to call us at 828-0310, and no appointment is necessary to visit our facility. WEST WARWICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS MENTORS NEEDED West Warwick Public Schools is in need of in person volunteer mentors for students in Grades K-12. The time commitment is 1 hour per week. Anybody who is interested in volunteering can call or email me, Dana Papitto, Mentor Coordinator, at: (401) 825-6530 or dpapitto@ww-ps.com

COVENTRY PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE SPOTLIGHT: CURBSIDE PICKUP Did you know that Coventry Public Library is still offering Curbside Pickup? Take advantage of this service and stay warm in your car while we bring your holds out to you! Place your holds online or by calling 822-9100. Not sure what you want? Call us - we can help! When you are notified that your hold is ready, call us to schedule a pickup time. Then, when you arrive, give us a call and we will bring your items out to you. For more information, call 822-9100 and press 1. HOPE LIBRARY HOURS Hope Library, 374 North Road, Hope, is open on Mondays & Fridays from 10AM-5PM, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays from 10AM-8PM & Saturdays from 10AM-2PM. The Library is closed on Sundays. For more information, call 821-7910. MARINE CORPS LEAGUE The Marine Corps League will hold their meeting the 1st Wednesday of each month at 7PM at VFW Post 9404, 29 South Main Street, Coventry. Members join in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving traditions and interests of the United States Marine Corps.

JOIN CUB SCOUT PACK 13, CENTREVILLE Adventure is waiting! Build Yours. Join Cub Scout Pack 13, Centreville. We meet every Wednesday at 130 Legris Avenue, West Warwick. Please contact James Mclellan at 401-5235723 or jimmac54@cox.net Find us on Facebook, Pack 13 Centreville.

PAWTUXET VALLEY ROTARY CLUB The Pawtuxet Valley Rotary Club is looking for individuals or businesses who are interested in helping the local communities of West Warwick, Coventry & West Greenwich! For more information please email pvrotaryevents@gmail.com or call 401-589-1321.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT In need of medical equipment? The following locations are good resources: Robert J. Allen Masonic Medical Equipment Distribution Center, 116 Long Street in Warwick (across from St. Rose & Clement Church). Open Fridays from 9AM12PM, pre-owned equipment - loaned at no cost. 451-0184. Ocean State Center for Independent Living, 1944 Warwick Avenue in Warwick. In need of wheelchairs, grab bars, walkers, transport chairs, toilets, wheelchair ramp, etc.? Call 738-1013, Ext. 13 or visit www.oscil.org COVENTRY SENIOR CENTER WEDNESDAY BINGO CANCELED FOR FEBRUARY The Coventry Senior Center, 50 Wood Street, Coventry, will not hold Bingo on Wednesdays in February for health & safety reasons.