Right.

Well.

Quite the week then, isn't it? Have you ever been overseas when something catastrophic happened back home? I can't say I recommend it. I've spent the past few days sweatily glued to my computer, refreshing Twitter and ABC to figure out what was going on, occasionally going out to an Amsterdam peacefully going about their daily business. It's surreal and upsetting, though nowhere near as surreal or upsetting as the flooding of Australia's third largest city. Aside from donate money there's not much to do except have faith, hope for the best, and eat soup.

The added bonus of soup, of course, is that it's very cheap and filling and comforting. It will energise you and free up the rest of your disposable income for better uses. And this is a particularly good soup, indeed, the best of soups for such occasions. It's a rough approximation of an Italian egg drop soup, where you simmer together chickpeas, macaroni, stock and sliced spring onions with a bit of nutmeg, stir in some sliced greens, and finish by drizzling in a few beaten eggs. In the end it's creamy in a carbonara-ish way, and deeply comforting, and super quick. I wound up reducing the amount of liquid in this, making this more a brothy stew than a proper soup, but I prefer my soups that way.

Soon we will rally the cake stalls. For now, we have soup. And my cat pulling a face. But mostly soup.

Egg drop soup
Adapted from Serious Eats. Serves 2-3

3 cups stock + 1 cup water
Half a bunch of skinny spring onions, or two fat ones, white parts sliced
2-3 handfuls baby spinach, or sliced silverbeet, or kale, or similar green
3/4 cup small macaroni
A tin of chickpeas, drained
3 eggs, beaten

Put the stock, water, spring onions, chickpeas and macaroni in a pan along with a hefty sprinkle of nutmeg. Bring to a strong simmer, cover and cook until pasta is done. Stir in greens, cover, and cook for 2-3 minutes until bright green. Slowly pour the beaten eggs into the soup, stirring constantly, and cook for a minute or two. Serve with a sprinkle of parmesan. Feel grateful.