Tuesday, March 13, 2012

potato leek


Ingredients

  • 1 large or 2 small leeks, about 1 pound
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 20 black peppercorns
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 strips bacon, chopped
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 5 cups chicken stock
  • 1 to 1 1/4 pounds russet potatoes, diced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup creme fraiche or heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons snipped chives

Directions

Trim the green portions of the leek and, using 2 of the largest and longest leaves, make a bouquet garni by folding the 2 leaves around the bay leaves, peppercorns and thyme. Tie into a package-shaped bundle with kitchen twine and set aside. (Alternately, tie 2 leek leaves, bay leaves, peppercorns and thyme together in a piece of cheesecloth.)
Using a sharp knife, halve the white part of the leek lengthwise and rinse well under cold running water to rid the leek of any sand. Slice thinly crosswise and set aside.
In a large soup pot over medium heat, melt the butter and add the bacon. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is very soft and has rendered most of its fat. Add the chopped leeks and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes. Add the wine and bring to a boil. Add the reserved bouquet garni, chicken stock, potatoes, salt and white pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are falling apart and the soup is very flavorful.
Remove the bouquet garni and, working in batches, puree the soup in a food processor or blender. (Alternately, if you own an immersion blender, puree the soup directly in the pot.) Stir in the creme fraiche and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Serve immediately, with some of the snipped chivessprinkled over the top of each bowl of soup.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Peanut Butter Vegetable Chicken Soup


servings 8

Ingredients

  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups diced, cooked chicken meat
  • 1 cup peeled and cubed potatoes
  • 1 cup diced carrots
  • 1 cup diced zucchini
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1 cup canned whole tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • salt to taste
  • ground black pepper to taste

Directions

  1. In a large stock pot, combine the broth, chicken, potatoes, and carrots. Bring the soup to a boil, and then reduce heat to medium. Cook for about 10 minutes, till vegetables are tender.
  2. Add zucchini, broccoli, tomatoes, celery, onion, green pepper, and garlic. Simmer for about 8 minutes.
  3. Add peanut butter, parsley, salt, and pepper; stir until peanut butter is fully blended. Simmer for 3 minutes longer.

Butternut Squash Bisque


servings 4-6

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 3/4 cup diced carrots
  • 4 cups peeled and cubed butternut squash
  • 3 cups vegetable stock
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • ground nutmeg to taste
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)

Directions

  1. Heat the oil and melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Cook and stir the onion in the butter and oil under tender.
  2. Mix the carrots and squash into the pot. Pour in vegetable stock, and season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until vegetables are tender.
  3. In a blender or food processor, puree the soup mixture until smooth. Return to the pot, and stir in the heavy cream. Heat through, but do not boil. Serve warm with a dash of nutmeg.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Cream of Wild Mushroom Soup


Ingredients

  • 5 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms
  • 5 ounces fresh portobello mushrooms
  • 5 ounces fresh cremini (or porcini) mushrooms
  • 1 tablespoon good olive oil
  • 1/4 pound (1 stick) plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 1 carrot, chopped
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme plus 1 teaspoon minced thyme leaves, divided
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts (2 leeks)
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1 cup half-and-half
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions

Clean the mushrooms by wiping them with a dry paper towel. Don't wash them! Separate the stems, trim off any bad parts, and coarsely chop the stems. Slice the mushroom caps 1/4-inch thick and, if there are big, cut them into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
To make the stock, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large pot. Add the chopped mushroom stems, the onion, carrot, the sprig of thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until the vegetables are soft. Add 6 cups water, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Strain, reserving the liquid. You should have about 4 1/2 cups of stock. If not, add some water.
Meanwhile, in another large pot, heat the remaining 1/4 pound of butter and add the leeks. Cook over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, until the leeks begin to brown. Add the sliced mushroom caps and cook for 10 minutes, or until they are browned and tender. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute. Add the white wine and stir for another minute, scraping the bottom of the pot. Add the mushroom stock, minced thyme leaves, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the half-and-half, cream, and parsley, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and heat through but do not boil. Serve hot.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

tomato orzo


Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup each chopped carrot, celery and onion
  • 1/8 teaspoon each dried basil, oregano and thyme
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 can (19 ounces) ready-to-serve tomato basil or hearty tomato soup
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/3 cup uncooked orzo pasta

Directions

  • In a small saucepan, saute the carrot, celery, onion, basil, oregano and thyme in oil for 8-10 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender.
  • Add soup and broth. Bring to a boil. Stir in orzo. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10-12 minutes or until orzo and vegetables are tender. Yield: 2 servings. 

Friday, March 2, 2012

home made beef chili

1 pound lean ground beef or lamb
1 (15 oz) can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can of tomato sauce
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 large white onion, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
4 garlic cloves. crushed
2 tablespoons Mexican chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 green chili, seeded and diced
2 teaspoons sugar
2 cups water
1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon butter
1 tablespoon flour

1. In a 9-inch non-stick skillet on medium heat add onions, bell pepper and garlic. Add ground beef and cook until meat is no longer pink. Drain grease.

2. In an 8-quart pot add water, tomato sauce, tomatoes, kidney beans, pinto beans, cilantro, meat mixture, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, chili, sugar and butter. Mix well, stir in flour mixing well.

3. Reduce heat to low and allow chili to simmer for 30 minutes.