Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Miso Vegetable Soup/Coconut Macaroons with Chocolate

Who isn't fascinated by all the containers of miso at the international markets? I know I am! Miso, made from soybeans, is savory and salty and can impart that flavor we have borrowed from Japanese culture, umami

I was searching for something new and different to make this week. I admit to having a bit of cooking ADD; I don't really enjoy making the same things over and over, hence my tendency to rarely use recipes or write down the components of my own concoctions. It's all about improvisation in my kitchen (which does make it challenging to write these missives as they involve planning and commitment to specific ingredients; but for you all I adapt and change). So this week I'm making a miso vegetable soup; a rich broth with green onions, sesame oil, mushrooms (shitake and others), ginger, carrots, cubed tofu, bok choy, and more (see, sometimes I just can't commit in advance!). I think just a teensy touch of wasabi is in order as well (I promise it will not be overly spicy). Oh, and there will be some noodles in there too! I'm really excited about working with a totally different flavor profile this week.


If you want to make this soup even better, and you are a fan of Putting an Egg On It (I am very much a fan of this), I suggest topping your bowl of miso soup with a simple poached egg. SO GOOD.

I want to make another dessert this week and the power of suggestion put coconut and chocolate on my mind. So there will be fluffy coconut macaroons, drizzled in lovely dark chocolate. Really, I can't wait for this week's stuff.

As usual...

Soup
1 quart/$8     2 quarts/$15     3 quarts/$22     4 quarts/$28

Macaroons - $5/doz
(Payment via cash, check, credit, or Paypal) I'm taking orders till Wednesday evening. Orders taken via emails, text messages, carrier pigeon, smoke signals, etc. Pickup/delivery will start as usual on Friday afternoon/evening and Saturday. Delivery available for an additional $2 to City and inner ring suburbs.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Tomato Basil Bisque/Zucchini and Red Onion Cheesy Flatbread

I'm so late with the soup notification this week! I think my faculties are dulled by the stupid, relentless cold weather. Or at least that's what I'll blame.

This week I'm thinking about comforting food. I'm thinking about a creamy tomato basil bisque, full of chunks of tomatoes with a background full of tomato and vegetable aromatics, and a touch of cream for richness. I'm hoping the scent of the basil will make us all think of summer and warmth and gardening; frankly, anything that doesn't involve temperatures below freezing.

To accompany the soup how about a zucchini and red onion cheesy flatbread?

Are you hungry yet? I am!

Soup
1 quart/$8     2 quarts/$15     3 quarts/$22     4 quarts/$28

Flatbread$4/each
(Payment via cash, check, credit, or Paypal)I'm taking orders till Thursday morning because of the latest of this post. Orders taken via emails, text messages, carrier pigeon, smoke signals, etc. Pickup/delivery will start as usual on Friday afternoon/evening and Saturday. Delivery available for an additional $2 to City and inner ring suburbs.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Creamy Cauliflower Potato Pea Soup (Aloo Gobi Mattar...sort of)/Granola!

My very favorite Indian dish is Aloo Gobi (spiced potatoes and cauliflower), and it occurred to me that I could make a delicious, creamy (dairy-free) out of the same ingredients as in this comforting dish. And why not add some sweet peas for a bit of texture while I'm at it? Turmeric, cumin, coriander, cayenne, ginger, and more will flavor the soup with warm, super savory spices and a bit of spicy heat. Coconut milk will provide the rich creaminess. Seriously, my stomach is growling just thinking about this soup!

As an extra this week I'm makkng granola, which I would not recommend pairing with your soup, unless, of course, you want to munch on some as a dessert. My granola is full of oats, quinoa, chia seeds, pepitas, dried cranberries, coconut, raisins, dried apples, and pecans. Coconut oil and honey will bind it all together. Oh my! It's going to be available in a limited quantity only, so orders for it will be first come, first served. Order early!

Soup
1 quart/$8     2 quarts/$15     3 quarts/$22     4 quarts/$28

Granola
$4/small (but not too small) bag 


(Payment via cash, check, credit, or Paypal)
I'm taking orders till Thursday morning because of the latest of this post. Orders taken via emails, text messages, carrier pigeon, smoke signals, etc. Hopefully the weather will allow the usual schedule of pickup on Friday evening and Saturday. Delivery available for an additional $2 to City and inner ring suburbs.