Monday

21

April 2014

Caesar Soup

Written by Rachel, Posted in Appetizers, Bread, Cheese, Fruit, Herbs, Lunch, Meat, Pork, Sides, Soups, Toasting, Vegetables

I have to confess something to you. A bowl of caesar salad in my vicinity will not last long. I have a hard time sharing it… I will, but I might rather eat the whole bowl by myself.

Enough about my caesar sharing issues.

Are you like me, and kinda stuck with the idea that lettuce can only be used in a salad or on a sandwich? Let’s break that mold.

How about a nice bowl of lettuce soup… Um, it’s way better than it sounds… and than the color might make you think (sorry, now we know, lettuce makes for a brown soup).

We all know that a good caesar salad dressing has tons of garlic. (Ahem, this is true of most of my favorite foods.) I mean, it’s good for you, and it tastes so gooooooood. Why not?!

Apple and basil are not part of a traditional caesar. Oh well. They go well in this recipe, so let’s ignore tradition for a moment.

Then the lettuce is wilted in. Just like that. Kinda fun. We usually want lettuce to be crisp, cold, and fresh. Most people turn their noses up at wilty lettuce. Snobs. (Hey, me too. Who wants a bowl of wilty salad… unless it’s meant to be wilted! Then we’re singing a different tune.)

You know that loaf of bread that is now stale and is not acceptable for peanut butter and jam? Good. Let’s rip it apart and toast it up. It’s seasoned with a little bit of olive oil, some salt, and pepper. Crunchy is good here, so don’t under toast.

No one wants soggy croutons.

Because they’re totally going into the soup. Yep. We’re doing this. The soup was blended and strained so it’s creamy and smooth. Then it is topped with that bacon you’ve been snacking on, those croutons you can’t stop eating, and the parmesan cheese you keep sneaking tastes of. (Oh, just me? Cool.) Plus, don’t forget about adding a drizzle of your favorite olive oil.

And just like that, it’s ready.

Creamy and dreamy, with a bit of zip.

Boom, bang, done did. (What?!) Let’s eat!

Happy Eating!

Caesar Soup

Recipe Type: Soup, Lunch, Side, Main, Quick and Easy, Foodie

Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 37 mins

Total time: 52 mins

Serves: 2

Ingredients

2 slices bacon
1 T olive oil
1 apple, diced
1/2 t dried basil
1 stalk green garlic, diced
6 cloves garlic, diced
to taste salt
to taste pepper
1 t dijon mustard
1 T balsamic vinegar
6 C lettuce, washed and torn
4 C vegetable stock
2 C bread, torn
1 T lemon juice
2 T mayonnaise
olive oil, for topping
parmesan cheese, grated, for topping

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 350F.
Cook bacon and drain on a paper towel lined plate.
Heat a soup pot. Add oil. When oil is hot, add apple, basil, green garlic, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
Add dijon and balsamic vinegar, and cook 1 minute.
Add lettuce and wilt down for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add stock and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes.
Toss bread with some olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and toast for about 10 minutes, turning once.
Remove soup from heat. Add lemon juice and mayo. Blend with a hand blender or regular blender (regular: remove the plug from the lid and cover hole with a clean towel). Strain, taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve topped with croutons, a drizzle of olive oil, bacon, and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese (add the croutons immediately before serving).

3.2.1269

Wednesday

11

December 2013

5

COMMENTS

Three Bean Chili – In the Kitchen with Rachel O – Video

Written by Rachel, Posted in Beans, Beef, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, In the Kitchen with Rachel O, Legumes, Main Dishes, Meat, One Dish Dinners, Soups, Vegetables

Beans beans beans. I love beans. I wonder if I have too many foods that I love. Nah. I just had this awful thought, “What if I hated as many foods as I love!?” That would be terrible. Let’s not even go down that path. Shudder…

I have made chili about one million different ways. Long before I knew I liked to cook, eons before blogging was even a thing, I liked to make chili. Back then I thought it tasted good. I have no idea if it actually did, since I don’t time travel (I think that that’s the second time I’ve mentioned time travel on here in a short time… I’m cool with that… Tim should be very proud). I suppose that as my chili recipe has evolved, so has the taste. It’s a good thing to learn, grow, change, don’t you think? I mean, if we go deep for a minute, would I want to be the person I was a year ago, 5 years ago, 10, 15, or 20 years ago? Heavens no. I’ve learned, I’ve changed, I hope that I’ve become a better version of myself. As we mature, that’s what tends to happen.

Kinda like a good chili. The recipe changes over the years. Ingredients are added and subtracted, cooking times speed up and slow down. The chili itself gets deeper and richer as time passes, gently simmering over the fire. A great metaphor for our lives I think. I want to be chili. With a depth, a richness, a savory quality that can only come from years of well seasoned living.

This is a well seasoned, deep chili. It can cook for a shorter time or you can let it go for longer. It’s simple, yet rich. It’s hearty. It will fill you right up, but might leave you wanting more, because it tastes so good. It’s perfect with your favorite cornbread. Um, but then what isn’t? Cornbread is one of those foods that I could eat forever. I like it cold the next day, standing in front of the fridge with the door open, starving, needing a snack. It is the perfect solution to that problem. It’s great heated up in the toaster with a fried egg for breakfast. Or, with the leftover chili. That’s always a good idea.

Here’s to lives and food that have depth, richness, and are well seasoned.

Happy Eating!

Three Bean Chili

Recipe Type: Main Dish, Dinner, Soup, Chili, Hearty, Stove Top, One Dish Dinner, Easy, Meat, Beef, Legumes, Beans, Vegetables

Cuisine: American

Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 77 mins

Total time: 1 hour 32 mins

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

1/2 lb. ground beef
1 C onion, chopped
1 serrano pepper, ribs and seeds removed, diced
3 cloves garlic, diced
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 C black beans
1 C kidney beans
1 C cranberry beans
1 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1/4 t ginger
1 t chili powder
1 t sweet paprika
2 T tomato paste
2 T balsamic vinegar
2-3 C vegetable stock (beef or chicken would work too)
1 T honey
1 t butter

Instructions

Heat soup pot and add beef. Break up and cook for a few minutes. Add onion and serrano pepper, and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Add garlic, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, and tomato. Cook for 2 minutes.
Add beans, seasonings, stock, and honey. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 30-60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and stir in butter.
Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
Serve with your favorite cornbread.

Happy Eating!

Wednesday

11

April 2012

1

COMMENTS

Rachel’s Borscht – Episode 18

Written by Rachel, Posted in A Cooking Show with Rachel O, Abundant Harvest Organics, Legacy, Soups, This Week's Feast, Thoughts, Vegetables, Vegetarian

I missed Oma this past weekend especially. She used to make a traditional Easter bread called Paska. I thought of her as I made it. Since I’m missing her, since I have some beets to use, and since the weather is cool right now, I’m making Borscht for this week’s episode of A Cooking Show with Rachel O. Oma made the best Borscht. Mine is not as good. I’m not sure I could ever make anything as good as she did. Not being self-deprecating, she was just a great cook.

Borscht traditionally has things like cabbage, beets, beef, dill, and potatoes. This version has more veggies (why not?!) and no meat or dill (I didn’t have any). From this week’s Abundant Harvest Organics box, there are: parsnips, carrots, beets, cabbage, spring onions, fresh garlic, tomatoes, and a daikon radish (from an older box: potatoes). Like I said, not traditional, but still so good! Top it with a dollop of yogurt or sour cream, and serve it with some good bread, and there’s dinner. Perfect for a chilly spring night.

I also made my own vegetable stock for the soup. My friend, Elizabeth, asked if I would show how to make some of these things I often have on hand (like stocks). So in this episode, I’ll not only show you how to make Borscht, but also Vegetable Stock.

I hope you enjoy it as much as we always do. And, make lots, it’s even better the next day!!!

Happy Eating!

Rachel’s Borscht – Episode 18

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes

Yield: 6-8

Rachel’s Borscht – Episode 18

Ingredients

2 carrots, quartered and chopped
2 parsnips, quartered and chopped
1 daikon radish, quartered and chopped
4 large or 6 small potatoes, chopped
7 beets, peeled and chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1 spring onion, chopped
1 fresh garlic, chopped
1 small cabbage, shredded
8-11 C veggie stock (or 6 C stock, 3-5 C water)
2 T olive oil
1 t salt
pepper
1 T balsamic vinegar
1/4 C white vinegar
1 T honey
1 T fresh lemon juice
yogurt, for topping

Instructions

Heat soup pot. Add oil. Add garlic, onion, and tomato. Smash tomatoes with potato masher. Cook a few minutes. Add all remaining veggies, except cabbage. Add salt, pepper, and white vinegar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes, or until veggies are getting tender.
Add honey, balsamic vinegar, and 8 C stock. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook 2-4 hours. Add 2-3 C more stock after an hour or two of cooking.
(Add 2-3 C water, if needed, bring to a boil.) Add cabbage. Cook 30 minutes more.
Add 1 T lemon juice.
Serve topped with a dolup of yogurt.

Notes

The white vinegar is supposed to set the color of the beets, so they don’t bleed as much. It didn’t work in mine. 🙂 Borscht normally has beef and beef stock. I didn’t have any today, so I made a vegetarian version. It also normally has dill. I didn’t have any of that either. Borscht is always better the second day. I don’t know why. It just is.

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/rachels-borscht-ep-18/

This episode was sponsored by Abundant Harvest Organics, Bari Olive Oil Company, and Molly Jenson.

Friday

25

November 2011

0

COMMENTS

Thanksgiving Soup

Written by Rachel, Posted in Dinner, Holiday, Inspired By, Leftovers, Main Dishes, Meat, Poultry, Soups, Vegetables

Did you eat a lot yesterday? I sure did. It’s one of the best meals, in my opinion, and it only happens once a year!! But it’s the day after, and maybe you’ve already had a leftover dinner for lunch, exactly the same way it was last night. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with that. But, if you want to spice up your leftovers, I’ve got a few ideas for you.

Thanksgiving Soup (I’m hoping to make this again this year, if my family will let me! It was really great with my brother-in-law’s sourdough bread!)

Crostini

Slice leftover rolls or bread about 1/2″ thick. Top with whatever you’d like (suggestions below). Bake at 400F for about 10 minutes, or until bread is crispy, and toppings are warmed and bubbly (if cheese).

Cranberry and Parmesan

Turkey, Cranberry and Parmesan

Olive Oil, Rosemary and Cranberry

Caramelized Onion and Cranberry

Caramelized Onion and Turkey

Sweet Potato and Gruyère

French Toast using the extra rolls or bread from dinner, dip in egg mixture (whisk together egg, milk and cinnamon). Cook until egg is set and toast is crispy. Serve with leftover cranberry sauce, or sauteed apples and maple syrup.

Winter Veggie Salad

Turkey Club Pizza

Flatbread Pizza If you have leftover mushrooms from making the stuffing… here you go! Or, top this pizza with Alfredo sauce, turkey, cranberries, some kale or spinach and some parmesan or gruyère, and voila, Turkey Alfredo Pizza.

Honey Mustard Turkey Sandwiches

Turkey Parmesan Dip leftover turkey in egg whites, then into bread crumb mixture in recipe. Cook until heated through and temperature reaches 165F (and outside is crispy). Serve with rice pilaf, wild rice, fettuccine alfredo, pasta with olive oil… or whatever your favorite pasta or rice dish is.

Shepherd’s Pie with Turkey Use leftover turkey (instead of beef) and mashed potatoes mixed with mashed leftover sweet potatoes.

Turkey Pot Pie Cook up some leftover veggies, and potatoes. Add some flour to the oil (at the side of the pan, so the flour doesn’t get all lumpy) and whisk together (30-60 sec). Add some milk or stock (slowly), whisking. Once it’s thick, pour into a pie plate or individual ramekins. Top with leftover pie crust (if you bought it, I think they normally come with two, so if you didn’t make two pies, now you don’t have to take up space in your freezer for that lonely extra one). Bake at 350F or 375F until the pie crust is done, about 30-35 minutes. (You could also top with sliced leftover rolls or bread drizzled with olive oil. Bake at 375F or 400F until bread is toasty.) (Or, you could top with mashed potatoes. If the potatoes are already warmed up, just bake until slightly browned on top… you could even add cheese to the potatoes!) Or, just substitute turkey for the chicken in this Chicken Pot Pie recipe!

Fajitas Saute some green peppers and onions and reheat leftover turkey. Assemble on tortillas with some salsa and Greek yogurt

A few goodies about some of what you’ve been eating

and why you can feel good about Thanksgiving dinner (ahem, most of it, cough, the first helping… not judging here, I’m sure I had at ~~seconds~~ thirds of ~~something~~ everything on the table).

Cranberries are low in calories, a good source of vitamine C, soluable and insoluable fiber, manganese and copper. They’re high in anti-oxidants. They help prevent urinary-tract infections and kidney stones. (1) They also contain a natural vasodilator which opens up the bronchial tubes (good for the entire breathing apparatus). (2)

Turkey is a good source of protein, selenium, niacin, vitamin B6, zinc and vitamin B12. It’s high in the amino acid tryptophan (which is a building block of the brain compound serotonin, which may help improve sleep quality – after dinner nap anyone?!). (1)

Potatoes are a good source of potassium, vitamines B6 and C, niacin, pantothenic acid and dietary fiber. Potatoes also have a moderate amount of protein (about 2.5 grams in a medium potato). Unlike corn or rice, which have about the same protein content, potatoes contain lysine, an essential amino acid often lacking in grains. Most nutrients, fiber and protein are found in the skin (so scrub well, eat organic if possible and enjoy those skins!). (1)

Yams/Sweet Potatoes (traditionally the orange colored sweet potato) are a good source of dietary fiber, potassium, vitamins B1, B6, C, manganese and carbohydrates. Yams are known to be a superfood for women because of the amount of B vitamines (among other things) they contain. (1)

Green Beans are known to help with rheumatism, and promote the normal function of the liver and pancreas. (2)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Soup

Ingredients

3 T olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 sm. zucchini (optional), chopped
1/4 C green beans, chopped
1/2 t ginger (dried)
1 t poultry seasoning
1/2 t dried thyme, crushed (or 1 t fresh, chopped)
1/2 t dried rosemary, crushed (or 1 t fresh, chopped)
to taste pepper
to taste salt
3 cloves garlic, diced
2 T balsamic vinegar
1/2 C turkey gravy
1/2 C mashed yams/sweet potatoes (I used my Roasted Garlic Yams)
1 1/2 C leftover turkey, chopped
32 oz. turkey stock
32 oz. water (or use more stock), plus 1 C or so, if needed
1 C rice spaghetti noodles, broken in pieces

Instructions

Heat soup pot. When hot, add olive oil. Add onion and cook over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, or until beginning to be translucent. Add zucchini through salt and cook for about 5 minutes over medium low heat, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
Add balsamic vinegar and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in gravy, yams, and turkey. Then add stock and water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 30-60 minutes.
Add pasta and cook until noodles are to desired doneness (or according to package's directions).

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/thanksgiving-soup/

Sources: (1) Encyclopedia of Healing Foods, 2005, Murray, Michael N.D., Pizzorno, Joseph N.D., and Pizzorno, Lara. (2) Eating for Health, 2008‚ Bauman, Edward M.Ed., Ph.D.

Friday

21

October 2011

2

COMMENTS

For Oma and Her Borscht – Beet and Beef Borscht

Written by Rachel, Posted in Beef, Dinner, Gluten Free, Inspired By, Legacy, Lunch, Main Dishes, Meat, One Dish Dinners, Potatoes, Soups, Vegetables

This post is for my Oma, who will probably never read it, as I’m quite certain that she’s not online.

My Oma is a wonderful cook. She’s one of the best, in my opinion. When we were little and we’d go to visit, she would have Chicken Noodle Soup for those of us who hadn’t yet discovered the wonders of Borscht. I didn’t know what I was missing! Her Borscht is amazing! She has two different kinds: Beef Borscht (I don’t know if that’s the real title, it might also be called Winter Borscht) and Sommer Borscht (pronounced like Zumma). I had the Sommer Borscht recently for the first time and it’s oh so good. She also makes Zwieback (the buns being made by me in the above photo), which I have memories of making with her as a small girl. I’ve made them since, as a grownup, and while they’re not quite the same, they’re pretty good (I have her Zwieback recipe, in her handwriting, so they’re as close as they can get!).

Oma’s Borscht is made differently than mine, but they’re the same idea. A meat and potatoes soup that has a dollop of sour cream on top. I make mine with beets (which I’m told she doesn’t) and she makes hers with dill (which I don’t). There may be other variances too, but those are the main ones.

I think Borscht came from a time where people used what they had out of necessity. I used what I had (beets) because I wanted to (and because it’s the only way we like beets in our house). This is how I normally cook, and why most of my recipes are uniquely my own. Some are inspired by a magazine, a blog, a cookbook. Others are concocted by standing in front of the pantry cupboards, or the fridge with the door open (I used to get in trouble for this as a kid) summoning my creative culinary skills to create something delicious. Either way, I’m often inspired to use things that we already have, often that have come in our Abundant Harvest Organics produce box, in a fresh, creative way.

I’ve made Borscht many times before, but until recently, had never written it down. So, here’s my most recent version, probably slightly different from any other, but good none-the-less.

Happy Eating!

Beet and Beef Borscht

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours, 17 minutes

Yield: 4

Beet and Beef Borscht

Ingredients

2 T olive oil
1/2 - 1 lb. (stewing) beef*
4 carrots, chopped
4 celery stalks, chopped
4 lg. or 8 sm. radishes, chopped (opt.)
3 med. - lg. potatoes, chopped
1 onion, chopped
8 sm. beets, peeled and chopped
1 clove garlic, diced
1 T (or more) red wine vinegar
1 C crushed tomatoes
2 - 4 C water
4 C beef (or chicken, or vegetable) stock*
to taste salt
to taste pepper
1 C cabbage, chopped
Greek yogurt (for topping)

Instructions

Heat soup pot. Add olive oil, then beef. Cook beef 3 - 5 minutes.
Add carrots through beets, cook for about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic, cook 1 minute. Add the vinegar, to deglaze the pan, cook about 1 minute more.
Add tomatoes, water, stock. salt, and pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook 1-2 hours, adding the cabbage in the last 30 minutes or so. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
Serve topped with yogurt.

Notes

*To make it vegetarian, omit beef, and use vegetable stock.

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/for-oma-and-her-borscht/

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Soup Archive

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Caesar Soup

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Three Bean Chili – In the Kitchen with Rachel O – Video

Happy Eating!

11

1

Rachel’s Borscht – Episode 18

Happy Eating!

25

0

Thanksgiving Soup

A few goodies about some of what you’ve been eating

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sources: (1) Encyclopedia of Healing Foods, 2005, Murray, Michael N.D., Pizzorno, Joseph N.D., and Pizzorno, Lara. (2) Eating for Health, 2008‚ Bauman, Edward M.Ed., Ph.D.

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For Oma and Her Borscht – Beet and Beef Borscht

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