Browsing Tag

soup

Farmers’ Market Gazpacho

August 12, 2013
farmers-market-gazpacho

When fresh markets, farm stands and gardens are overrun with ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and onions, I could eat gazpacho every day. I love to make runs downtown to the Union Square Farmers’ Market to check out the fabulous local produce. I look for the juiciest tomatoes I can find to make this refreshing and zesty gazpacho. There are no hard-and-fast rules in making this recipe. You can adjust the amounts and types of vegetables to your liking.

This soup is a celebration of freshness – in the body and in the season.  

What are some of your favorite ways to use your farmers’ market bounty?

farmers-market-tomatoes

Farmers’ Market Gazpacho

Serves 2-4

Ingredients:

  • 5 ripe tomatoes, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup tomato juice
  • 1/4 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup celery, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1 medium garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 cup cucumber, seeded and diced
  • 4-5 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped (more whole leaves for garnish)
  • fresh ground pepper, to taste

Directions:

  1. Place the tomatoes and tomato juice in a blender and process until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl.
  2. Add the chopped bell pepper, celery, red onion, garlic, cucumber, basil and black pepper to the soup and stir well. Cover and chill in the fridge overnight. This allows for the flavors to meld. 
  3. To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with whole basil leaves. Enjoy. 

 

6 Comments

Winter Lentil Soup

January 29, 2013
winter-lentil-soup

It’s been a long winter. They always are. Long and dark. The darkness is probably the most challenging thing about living in Ireland, but it also makes us appreciate the light.

This soup is one of our latest favorites at home. When bubbling on the stove, hints of flavors from onions, carrots, cumin, curry and cinnamon fills the kitchen. And as you dig in you will immediately be struck by its creaminess, which is enhanced by the lentils.

Lentils are a great legume for a quick and easy meal because they cook in a very short amount of time and require no pre-soaking like other pulses do. They have a velvety texture and delicate flavour – perfect for purées and soups. They are low in calories, virtually fat free, but very filling because of their high fiber content.

In addition to providing the body with slow burning complex carbohydrates, lentils can increase your energy by replenishing your iron stores. They are one of the yummiest sources of folate (also know as folic acid) – just one cup of cooked lentils provides you with almost 90% of your daily recommended intake! Folate functions to support red blood cell production, helps prevent anemia and allows nerves to function properly.

This soup is a real crowd pleaser that will warm the hearts of anyone you serve it to, most importantly, yourself! It comes together in a snap yet is deeply flavorful. Just the thing for a cold night.

That’s it for today. Go make this soup now. And while it’s cooking on the stove top, why not check out my new online store!

lentil-soup-winter

Winter Lentil Soup

Vegan & Gluten-free
Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 tsp. cumin
  • 2 tsp. curry powder
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh ginger, minced
  • 4 carrots, diced
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup red lentils (I used red split lentils)
  • dash of cayenne pepper
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Add the coconut oil to a pot over medium heat.  Add the yellow onion and sauté for five minutes, until translucent.
  2. Add the cumin, curry powder, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, and carrots and sauté for an additional 2 minutes.  Add the vegetable broth, lentils, and cayenne pepper and bring to a boil.
  3. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. (If too much of the liquid has evaporated, you can add more vegetable broth or water).
  4. Use an immersion blender or high speed blender to achieve smooth consistency, if so desired. It also makes for a nice chunky soup. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve hot.
3 Comments

Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup

October 3, 2012
coconut-curry-butternut-squash-soup

It’s a bright and crisp autumn day. The kind of day that is cheery but demanding of a colorful bowl of tasty soup, so that’s what I whipped up! The colder weather feels as if it is here to stay. There has been an ever so slight transition that is hard to grasp, a certain feel to the air. Even though the sunshine has managed to pop it’s head through the clouds, I can’t seem to get warm. To combat this I’ve wrapped myself up in a cozy sweater and I’m cooking up a storm in my kitchen.

Rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants – butternut squash in the perfect addition to an autumn meal. It delivers an ample dose of dietary fiber, making it an exceptionally heart-friendly choice. It provides significant amounts of potassium, important for bone health, and vitamin B6, essential for the proper functioning of both the nervous and immune systems. What’s more, with only a 1-cup serving, you get nearly half the recommended daily dose of antioxidant-rich vitamin C.

This is the perfect rich and creamy warming meal. Bright & vibrant, but also comforting. The butternut squash provides something sweet, the garam masala and curry bring a smoky flavor and the coconut milk is lush. I like to include live enzymes with every meal so I serve this soup along side a green salad and perhaps a slice of sprouted organic whole grain bread. This recipe will yield a generous pot of soup that you can invite friends over for or you can portion up left overs for lunch or you can freeze some for other quick meals.

coconut-curry-butternut-squash-soup-vegan-gluten-free

Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup

Vegan & Gluten-free

Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 tsp. coconut oil
  • 1/2 tsp. cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp garam masala
  • 2 tsp. madras curry powder
  • 1/2 medium onion, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups butternut squash, peeled and chopped
  • 1 cup light coconut milk
  • 3 cups vegetable broth
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1.  Add oil to a medium soup pot on medium heat. When oil is hot add onion, garlic and sauté. 
  2. Add cumin, garam masala, curry and mix well cooking another minute. Add broth, light coconut milk, butternut squash and cook covered until squash is soft, 12-15 minutes.
  3. Remove cover and using an immersion blender , puree soup until smooth. Season with salt and fresh pepper.
10 Comments

Carrot Ginger Soup

May 2, 2012
carrot-ginger-soup

Carrots and a hint of fresh ginger are blended to create this simple yet tasty soup. Perfect for lunch or dinner. This soup is a celebration of freshness – in the body and in the season. Using the beautiful local produce that I purchased from the farmers’ market, I was feeling inspired to create something that tastes clean and bright, especially after all of the rain and cold temperatures we’ve been experiencing in Ireland.

This soup is simple and healthful in so many ways. First and foremost carrots are one of the best dietary sources of beta-carotene. An antioxidant nutrient, beta-carotene boosts the immune system, protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals, helps your reproductive system function properly and provides a source of vitamin A.

Carrots stimulate the production of immune cells that protect the body from all types of infection; guard against cardiovascular disease; reduce inflammation, and slow the aging process. They are especially important in building healthy skin, tissue and even teeth! And the rumors are true: carrots improve eyesight. Research has also established that eating a beta-carotene-rich food at least once a day significantly reduces the risk of macular degeneration.

Ginger root has been used as a natural remedy for many ailments for centuries. Now, science is catching up and researchers around the world are finding that ginger works wonders in the treatment of everything from cancer to migraines. Ginger is most commonly known for its effectiveness as a digestive aid. By increasing the production of digestive fluids and saliva, ginger helps relieve indigestion, gas pains and stomach cramping. Ginger root is also used to treat nausea related to both motion sickness and morning sickness. Ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties help relieve pain and reduce inflammation associated with arthritis, rheumatism and muscle spasms. Ginger’s therapeutic properties effectively stimulate circulation of the blood, removing toxins from the body, cleansing kidneys and nourishing the skin.

raw-carrots-ginger-soup

Freshly grated ginger gives this sweet carrot puree a little added heat and flavor. For some crunch, add a garnish of toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds.

Carrot Ginger Soup

Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, divided
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 tsp. freshly grated ginger
  • 1 pound carrots, coarsely chopped
  • 1 medium potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • Sunflower seeds (optional)

Directions:

  1. Heat 1/2 cup broth to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until tender, about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Stir in ginger, carrots, potato and remaining broth and heat to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
  3. In batches, carefully puree in a blender. Add water or broth if needed to thin to desired consistency. Reheat soup if necessary. Garnish with sunflower seeds, if so desired.
7 Comments