Category Archives: Soups

Cauliflower Kale Soup

29 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by in Fall, Healthy, Lunch, Soups, Vegetables, Winter

≈ 13 Comments

Cauliflower kale Soup, kale soup, cauliflower soup, cauliflower, kale, kale chips, fall soupsI came across this recipe as I was perusing the latest Williams Sonoma catalog. They gave this recipe as a way to advertise the Vitamix blender, and it looked delicious. I usually don’t follow recipes to a T, but I couldn’t think of a thing I would change so I made it as directed. I was right; this soup recipe is perfection. It is so creamy and velvety, you would not believe there is no cream or butter used. Roasting the cauliflower gives a wonderful depth of flavor, and the kale makes for a beautiful green hue that confirms you are eating right.

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I hate to admit it, but I feel that using the Vitamix makes the difference in the silky texture. You can use a regular or immersion blender, of course, but if you can invest in a Vitamix I guarantee it’s worth every penny. Finished off with crispy kale chips and toasted pine nuts, this soup is one I will be enjoying all fall and winter.

Ingredients:

(Adapted from Williams Sonoma)
  • 1 large head cauliflower, trimmed and cut into florets
  • 5 Tbs. olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • 1 large bunch curly kale, stems removed, leaves torn into
      1-inch pieces
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 7 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted

Preheat an oven to 450°F.

Toss the cauliflower with 2 Tbs. olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and roast until the cauliflower is tender and the edges are browned and crisp, about 20 minutes. Reduce the oven to 300°. Toss a quarter of the kale bunch with 1 Tbs. of the olive oil and season with salt. Place on a baking sheet and roast until the kale is crispy, 10 – 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven over medium heat, add 2 Tbs. olive oil and cook the onion and celery, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Add the cauliflower and broth, increase the heat and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in the remaining kale, increase the heat to medium and cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes.

Working in batches, puree the soup in a Vitamix blender until smooth. Return the soup to the pot and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper. Top with the crispy kale and pine nuts and serve immediately.

Asparagus Soup

31 Friday May 2013

Posted by in Healthy, Soups, Spring, Vegetable Mains, Vegetables

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asparagus soup, asparagus, soupJust when you think you are tired of soup, comes this fresh and easy seasonal recipe that uses what is plentiful at the market these days. If you need another excuse to pick up an extra bunch of asparagus, well here it is. Just a few simple ingredients make this a quick dinner option – especially when the days are longer, warmer, and the last place you want to be is cooking in the kitchen. The asparagus really shines in this light and earthy soup that tastes of spring. Serve alongside fresh, crusty bread, or a grilled cheese sandwich.

asparagus soup, asparagus, soupIngredients:

  • 1 tblsp olive oil
  • 2 tblsp butter
  • 1 shallot, chopped
  • 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and chopped
  • 4 cups homemade chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 cup loosely packed spinach leaves
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley
  • salt, pepper

Heat butter and olive oil in a large stock pot. Add the shallot and a generous pinch of salt, and cook until softened and translucent. Add the chopped asparagus and cook for 1 minute. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer, and continue cooking until asparagus is tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, add the spinach and parsley and blend with an immersion blender. Return the soup to the stove and heat through, season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

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Lentil Barley Soup with Escarole

15 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by in Healthy, Mains, Soups, Winter

≈ 10 Comments

lentil soup, barley, escarole, soup, barley soupWe are ending the last week of winter (thank God!), and although we’ve had some nice spring teaser days, a warm bowl of hearty soup still fits the bill this time of year. As I am fully ready to start seeing wonderful spring produce at the markets, I can’t help but to make my last rounds of winter greens. I bought a head of escarole, had lentils and barley in my pantry, and figured a little soup would do me good. Escarole is great because it holds up nicely when added to soups, as it retains its body and adds wonderful texture and contrast of flavor. It’s great when paired with sausage, although if you wish to make a vegetarian version just leave it out and it will still be delicious and hearty.

Ingredients:
  • 2 sweet Italian sausage links , removed from casing
  • 2 tblsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 carrot, choppedescarole
  • 1 celery stalk, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tblsp tomato paste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 cups escarole leaves, roughly chopped
  • 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 2/3 cup green lentils
  • 1/3 cup pearled barley
  • pinch cayenne pepper
  • salt, pepper

Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a medium-sized dutch oven or stock pot. Add the sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. When browned, remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and add the onion, carrot, and celery. Cook until vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook one minute longer.

Add the tomato paste and stir until combined with the vegetables. Season the vegetables with salt, pepper, and a pinch of cayenne. Add the chicken stock and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then add the lentils, barley, and cooked sausage. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 25-30 minutes, partially covered, until the lentils and barley are tender. Add the chopped escarole and stir in until wilted, cook 2 minutes longer, remove the bay leaf and serve.

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Potato and (Jarlsberg) Cheese Soup

25 Friday Jan 2013

Posted by in Appetizers, Mains, Soups, Vegetables, Winter

≈ 13 Comments

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On a cold, blustery winter day, what tastes better than a bowl of hot soup? Rich, hearty, and creamy potato soup comes to mind when the temperature dips, and it sure does hit the spot. Here I’ve combined the elements of a basic potato soup with the decadence of nutty Jarlsberg cheese, a delicious pale ale, and of course – bacon – because it makes everything better.

Ingredients:

  • 4 slices of baconsoup4
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 stalk celery, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 large russet potatoes, unpeeled and chopped
  • 12-oz beer, pale or amber ale
  • 3 cups chicken stock 
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1.5 cups grated Jarlsberg cheese
  • 3 tbsp chopped parsley, save 1 tbsp for garnish
  • salt, pepper to taste

Directions

In a large stock pot, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel. When cool, break into small pieces and set aside to use as garnish. Add the onion, carrot, and celery to the bacon drippings in the pan and sauté until softened. Add the beer and cook until the liquid is reduced to about half. Add the potatoes, season the vegetables with salt and pepper, then add the chicken stock. Simmer until the potatoes are soft, about 20 minutes. Turn off the heat, add the parsley and then purée the soup using an immersion blender. Now stir in the cheese until melted. Stir in the milk – heat the soup if necessary but do not boil. Garnish with crisp bacon bits and parsley.

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Chocolate Stout Chili

13 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by in Fall, Mains, Soups, Winter

≈ 6 Comments

Chili is one of those recipes that can constantly be refined. The many variations of types of chili make picking a favorite recipe just as hard as picking a favorite song.

chocolate chili, chili, beer chili, chocolate stoutWhen I make chili, I tend to stick to whatever spices and ingredients I have on hand. I don’t usually go for unusual, “secret” ingredients like chocolate, coffee, or cinnamon.  Feeling slightly adventurous, and (as usual) striving for perfection, I decided to use chocolate beer as a “secret” ingredient. Rogue Chocolate Stout, which I picked up in the beer section of Whole Foods, was the perfect two-in-one ingredient in this recipe. The chocolate beer adds a mysterious full flavor, and a slight sweetness that is offset from the usual smoky spicy flavor of chili. I nailed this one – you can now call me a chili expert.

Ingredients:
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 red pepper, chopped
  • 1 fresh jalapeno, chopped
  • 1 small garlic clove
  • 2 lbs ground turkey (1 lb white meat, 1 lb dark meat)
  • 2 tblsp chili powder
  • 2 tblsp ground cumin
  • 1 tblsp ground coriander
  • 1 tbslp smoked paprika
  • 1 tblsp chipotle powder
  • 1/2 bottle (12 ounces) of Rogue Chocolate Stout , or any other chocolate flavored beer
  • 2 chipotle chili’s in adobo, chopped, plus 1 tbslp of the juice
  • 1 (15 oz) can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 (4 oz) can chopped green chilis
  • 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans
  • 1 (15 oz) can navy beans
  • 1/2 (15 oz) can black beans
  • salt, pepper, olive oil
  • sour cream, shredded cheese, and sliced jalapeno for garnish

In a large pot, sauté the onion, red pepper, and jalapeno until soft. Add the garlic, cook one minute longer and then push the mixture to the sides of the pan. Add the ground turkey, season generously with salt and pepper, and cook until the turkey is no longer pink. Add all the spices and stir everything together. Pour in the beer and let most of the alcohol cook off. Add in the tomatoes, chipotle chilis, green chilis, and all the beans. Bring everything up to almost a boil, and then simmer for about an hour, partially covered.

chocolate chili, chili, beer chili, chocolate stout