EASY GOING VEGGIE SOUP!

We just celebrated the fall equinox about two weeks ago and it has delivered us into a glorious fall season. The weather is begging us to walk and enjoy the outside.

People are sitting in the park and others are walking their dogs – it is a friendly, easy-going time of the year before we rush pell-mell into the upbeat holiday rhythm. There was a man playing his saxophone in front of the gazebo and since we are America's home town, well, it was a play on New Orleans, another great American town.

Already there are some homes showcasing their fun and scary Halloween decorations and we can see hints of fall colors in the leaves. They are, for the most part, still on the trees. The Farmer's Market is also showcasing – edibles and more edibles. This week's harvest promises tomatoes, chard, beets, eggplant, peppers and green beans. Ah, sounds like soup to me!

I have recently discovered a quick and easy soup that is both delicious and hearty. It calls for any number of veggies. Using what you have on hand is the best way to go and that way it gets the refer ready to load up with next week's abundant harvest. Use onions, garlic and celery as your base veggies and add any others you want according to your taste and whatever is on hand.

 

EASY-GOING VEGGIE SOUP

1 qt. plus one 8 to14 oz. can Organic Vegetable broth

14 oz. can White Beans, drained and rinsed

Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper

Onion or leek, chopped

Potatoes-2 small red or white, cut into 1” cubes

Garlic-4 cloves, chopped

Carrots-2, chopped

Celery-2, chopped

Mushrooms-about 6 large chopped or one small can, drained

Green Beans-one handful cut into 1” slices

Spinach or chard – chopped 1/4” Chiffonade style

Parsley, 1/3 cup, minced

Leftover rice or pasta, heated

Prepare all veggies into separate bowls and set aside.

Using a heavy soup pot, saute veggies in about ¼ cup olive oil and in this order: start with onion and or leek, and saute for about 5 minutes, then add the potatoes, garlic, carrots and celery. Mix well with the oil, and saute for another 5 or so minutes. Then add mushrooms, and green beans for another 5 minutes and finally, add the spinach or chard. Be sure to stir well to coat with oil – add more oil only if needed (but not too much!) Stir well as the mixture cooks and cook only until moderately tender but not done.

Add the broth and season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer on low for about 20 minutes until all veggies are cooked fork-tender. Add the can of beans and heat for about 3 minutes. Turn off the flame.

Serve over rice or cooked pasta. I do not add these to the soup because they seem to absorb the liquid but instead serve this way: put the rice or pasta in each bowl, spoon a portion of the veggies and then gently ladle the soup. Serve with cheese toast or bread and butter.

BREAKFAST ANYTIME...

One of my favorite things for dinner is....breakfast! Who doesn't like being a little mischievous by having pancakes for dinner? And of coarse, so many of us love the quickest, easiest meal of all: cereal!

My search for the perfect granola has ended miserably. I have tried so many with very dim results: too much sugar, not enough raisins, too much crunch, not enough crunch and the list goes on.

The granola recipe I offer to you has an incredible amount of ingredients which can be modified as needed for your own personal tastes. I admit that this granola can be a bit pricey but once you have the ingredients you're good to go for a few batches. This recipe asks that you make the full batch the recipe calls for and if you wish, some can be frozen for later use.

I promise you one thing: you will love this granola for either breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Enjoy!

Crunchy Yum Granola

(adapted from an adaption of La Brea Bakery's orignal recipe)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees

Mix:

4 c. old fashioned rolled oats

¾ cup raw pumpkin seeds

¾ cup raw sunflower seeds

1 cup raw almonds, coarsely chopped

½ cup almond meal (check Trader Joe's brand)

½ rice bran (see Bob's Red Mill brand)

1 Tbsp cinnamon

2 tbsp nutmeg

¼ tsp ground cloves

Stir together then heat in a saucepan:

(do not boil)

2 tsp vanilla extract

¾ cup safflower oil

½ cup pure maple syrup

½ cup honey

In large bowl, pour hot mixture over granola mixture and toss until well mixed. Spread on cookie sheet and bake 30 minutes, checking every 5-10 minutes. Be careful because it can go from browned to burnt in a few minutes.

After mixture has cooled, remove from pan and add any variation or all of the following dried fruits:

½ cup dried apricots, chopped

½ dried figs, chopped

½ cup raisins

½ cup Craisins or golden raisins (or check Trader Joes mixed raisin snack)

Store in zip lock bags. Can be stored in the bags or in the freezer.

PASTA FOR BREAKFAST?

I am always on the lookout for new and exciting breakfast ideas. It is so very easy to get stuck in a rut with the same ole, same oles: eggs, cereal, toast. One thing I like to do is take a rice stir-fry with veggies from last night's dinner and have that with an egg and fruit on the side. That way I am getting veggies first thing in the morning!

So I am on a campaign to find some new healthy breakfast ideas and am asking you, my readers, to email some ideas to me which I can try and then possibly print in this column. I love your ideas and those of you who have written to me have had some good ones.....thanks so much for your input.

I do make another breakfast recipe which is famous in Los Angeles at Hugo's restaurant and this is a great way to use chilled pasta (yes, pasta for breakfast!). If I make a pasta dish which calls for a half a pound of pasta I then cook the whole pound and chill the rest for this yummy dish. If I get all ingredients chopped and ready to go the night before, it is a slam dunk! Enjoy!

MAMA PASTA like Hugo's

Warm Pasta 6oz (can be leftover, then heat slightly)

2 Eggs, beaten + 1 TB water

1 TB Olive Oil

1 TB melted Butter

4 cloves minced Garlic

1 tsp of Mixture Herbs (see below)

2 TB parsley, minced

Grated Parmesan cheese

Herb Mixture: mix ¼ tsp each of onion powder, oregano, garlic powder and a pinch of cayenne. Add pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well. Then use one tsp. of this mixture.

Get all ingredients ready as this goes fast!

1. Heat oil and butter in pan over medium-low temp.
2. Add garlic and 1-2tsp Herb Mixture, stir and saute for 2 min.
3. Add parsley, then warmed Pasta, stir to mix and warm.
4. Add beaten eggs with water and stir until almost cooked.
5. Add Parmesan cheese, finish cooking, serve immediately.
6. Serve with fresh cut fruit

ENJOY!

 Seasonal Yummies

Cooking in harmony with the seasons is one of my favorite things to do. I never know what I am going to get when I shop at the Farmer's Market and I adjust my menus accordingly. What I love is that I am being “seasonal”. So what summer flavor shall we go for now?

Let's try beets. I love beets and using the whole plant is glorious not only for the planet but for my tummy. This recipe for beet greens is very unusual - it will twang your taste buds and leave you surprised. As far as the actual beets go, I love them steamed, peeled, chilled and then sliced thinly drizzled with olive oil, sea-salt, and lemon.

Now for tomatoes...For summer try this ice cold Gazpacho. And you can see that this recipe uses many seasonal veggies including bell pepper, red onion, cukes, and parsley. I say “yum”. Oh, btw, this is scrumptious when served with fresh grilled salmon or *crab cakes (*see my blog site for recipe)

 

Beet Greens with Anchovies

One bunch beet greens - leaves and thin stems only

2 oz. can of anchovies packed in olive oil, chopped (do not drain)

Olive oil

Garlic, 2-3 cloves, minced

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

One medium tomato

2 TB water

Grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp poppy seeds

1. Soak the beet greens and wash thoroughly to get off the grit. Dry them well then stack the leaves one on top of the other and roll them up into a tight cylinder resembling a cigar. (Do this in 2 or 3 one inch stacks).

2. Using a very sharp knife, cut the leaves horizontally to create ribbons about 

1/4” thick - this is called Chiffonade.

3. Chop the anchovies and put them along with their oil into a medium sized skillet with the garlic and pepper flakes. Add more oil if needed.

4. Grate the tomato and put it along with its pulp, juice and seeds into the skillet. Add water and the greens. Stir well.

5. Cover and reduce heat to medium low, stirring occasionally cook until they are very tender and the flavors have melded - about 20 - 25 minutes.

6. Serve hot with some grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of poppy seeds.

Your mouth will be amazed at the fresh salty medley of tastes - a walk on the culinary wild side! ENJOY!

GAZPACHO

3 ripe tomatoes, peel and chopped into small chunks

1 red onion, chopped finely

1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped small

1 red bell pepper seeded and chopped

3 stalks of celery, chopped

3 TB chopped fresh parsley

3 TB chopped fresh chives

4 cloves of garlic, minced

1/8-1/4 cup red wine vinegar (taste as you add)

1/4 cup olive oil

2 TB fresh squeezed lemon juice

2 tsp honey (dissolved in the lemon juice)

salt and pepper to taste

6+ drops Tobasco sauce to taste

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

4 cups tomato juice

croutons (optional)

Combine all the ingredients and blend slightly with immersion blender or in food processor. You want it to be chunky. Place in non-metal, non-reactive container, cover tightly and chill overnight. Serve with croutons. Serves 8-10

More Grillin and Marinades, Sides

Summer is officially here and I can smell the succulent aroma of BBQ in the air. Time to get together with friends and family to grill all the goodies: from hot dogs and steak to corn with an array of veggies.

One of my faves is skewers of marinated filet with chunks of green peppers, onions, and cherry tomatoes. Instead of filet you can use shrimp or even a firm fish that won't fall apart on the grill such as Halibut or Swordfish. You can use either a wet or dry marinade. Be sure to soak the skewers for about ½ hour and put foil on the exposed tips so they don't burn during grilling.

The classic side dishes are many and here are some of my recipes that I use for both picnics and BBQ's.

TRICIA'S POTATO SALAD PLENTY FOR A POTLUCK or BBQ

(USE ½ RECIPE FOR FAMILY SIZE!)

Russet Potatoes – 6 – boiled, see below

Eggs – 6-8 Hard-boiled

Mayonnaise about 1 cup

Apple Cider Vinegar about 1/8 cup

Honey about 3 Tb.

Red Onion, ½ – 1, chopped

Celery – 6 stalks, chopped

Sweet Relish – One 10 oz. jar

Green Olives with Pimientos (small) – One 10 oz. Jar drained

1. Cut potatoes into thirds, boil for 15 minutes, check with fork then continue to boil about 15 more minutes – keep checking with fork. Potatoes should be fork tender but firm. Drain & let cool in a colander. When cool, *peel and then chop into about 1/2” chunks and put into large bowl. *It doesn't matter if all the peel comes off and you can leave peel on if you wish.

2. Put about 3 Tb. Honey in a bowl and add about 1/8 cup apple cider vinegar. Mix well to dissolve the honey. Add about a Cup of Mayo. Add salt & pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings. Then mix in Relish and set aside.

3. Cut eggs into quarters, then into chunks and add to potatoes. Add the chopped onion and celery, then add drained olives (whole).

3. Pour on dressing. Mix very carefully so not to break up potatoes and eggs. Salad should be just a little too moist and will absorb overnight.

3. Adjust seasonings. Let sit out, covered, about 2 hours for flavors to blend. Refrigerate. Best served the next day.

BASIC DRY MARINADE

Salt, Pepper, Garlic and Onion Salt and your choice of Lemon-Pepper, Red Pepper, Dry Herbs or even some Dry Mustard. Rub onto meat, poultry or seafood before grilling.

WET MARINADE – my favorite for meat, chicken or fish

Fresh chopped garlic (2-3 cloves), Ketchup, Soy Sauce, Lemon Juice, Dry Parsley, Dry Herbs, Orange Juice, Salt & Pepper to taste. Mix, put into zip lock bag and add meat. Marinate for ½ – 2 hours before cooking.

GRILLED VEGGIES

Cut firm vegetables such as yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, potatoes, corn on the cob, and green onions. Toss with olive oil, dry herbs, salt and pepper and chopped fresh garlic then put on the grill. Be sure to cut large enough pieces so they don't slip through the grill slats.

ENJOY!

 

Grillin Marinades

Grillin, Chillen and More....

This week we celebrate (again!!) Father's Day and the first day of summer. It is the time to get our grills ready for “Chillen 'n Grillen” and much more. Cooking outside is BBQ and has become an American tradition. It can include Ribs, Chicken, Fish and even a Crab Boil! There are as many side dishes as there are main dishes – enough for the whole summer!

Essential to the grilling is the marinade and again, there are many. Today I have included one for chicken, one for fish, and one for meat. Each of these can be adapted to whatever ingredients you have in your cupboard as marinades are supposed to be quick and easy. You can use each marinade for any meat or fish you like.

Enjoy and experiment!!

 

GRILLED CHICKEN

Italian salad dressing – 16 oz

1 TB Tabasco sauce

¼ – ½ fresh lemon juice

Combine the salad dressing, Tabasco sauce and lemon juice in a jar and shake well to mix.

1. To marinate chicken: take the chicken you will use and put into a gallon zip lock bag with the marinade. Chill in refer for 2-6 hours.
2. On a very hot grill, place chicken and grill as you usually grill. When you turn the chicken over, baste with a little more marinade.
3. Served with steamed rice and a fresh, crispy green salad.

GRILLED SALMON

½ cup soy sauce or Tamari sauce

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup olive oil

¼ to ½ cup water

2 fresh minced garlic cloves

2 squeezes of fresh lemon

salt, garlic powder, and lemon pepper to sprinkle on the fish

1. Rinse and pat dry the salmon filets. (about 1-2 lbs.)
2. Season with dry seasonings. Set aside.
3. Dissolve the sugar in the soy sauce, mix well then add all other ingredients. Mix well by shaking in a jar.
4. Pour marinade over the fish and marinate in the fridge for about 2 hours.
5. Spray your grill with olive oil spray and heat. Place salmon on heated grill and cook for about 7 minutes on each side. The fish should separate easily with a fork and be slightly flaky.
6. Enjoy!

GRILLED STEAK OR CHOPS

¼ cup soy sauce

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

1/4-1/3 cup olive oil

2 Tb Worcestershire sauce or ketchup

2 Tb Dijon mustard

4 cloves garlic, minced

freshly ground pepper to taste

1. Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl then pour over steaks and cover.
2. Place in fridge for about four hours or overnight.
3. Let steaks come to room temp then season with dry seasonings such as garlic powder or any dry steak seasoning.
4. Place on hot grill and cook until done to your liking.
5. Serve with baked potatoes and salad.

The Best Un-Meatloaf Ever!

There are obvious and delicious benefits for eating a humungus amount of veggies and for many, that includes the main dish or entree. Vegetarian meals are becoming more popular, especially dishes made with soy and soy products.

One such item is called Tempeh and in the store it is available in an 8 ounce sealed package that is seriously hard to imagine in a meal! However, Tempeh, like Tofu, is made from soybeans. One difference is that Tempeh is a whole soybean food and because of the fermentation process it undergoes, it has a very high protein, fiber and vitamin content.

Tempeh is used internationally in vegetarian cooking and is considered an authentic meat substitute. Why? Because it closely resembles certain meats in both texture, flavor and use. My recipe for Un-Meat Loaf is a filling, healthy and delectable entree which promises to satisfy even the most serious meat lovers. Serve this with rice and veggies for a great meal. Enjoy!

 

THE BEST UN-MEATLOAF EVER

One 8 oz. package Tempeh

1 cup vegetable broth

olive oil

Onion- ½ chopped or one medium chopped

Mushrooms – Shitake or Crimini (or even one small can) chopped chunky

Garlic – 6 cloves rough chopped

Celery – 3 stalks, rough chopped

Parsley – ¼ C minced (dry okay)

2 slices bread minced and crumbled

2 eggs

Ketchup – about ¼ cup

Soy Sauce – about 2 TB

Garlic powder

Salt and fresh ground pepper

1. Break Tempeh into 4 or 5 pieces and drop into pot of boiling broth, gently simmer for about five minutes, drain (you can save broth for steaming veggies at another time) and cool. Set aside in large mixing bowl.
2. Chop onion, mushrooms, garlic, celery, and parsley.
3. Heat medium skillet with olive oil and sautee onion until soft, then add all other veggies and sautee for about 10 minutes until all is tender. Set in a bowl and put into freezer to cool down for about 5 minutes. **Be sure to set a timer on this so you do not forget it!
4. Crumble Tempeh in the bowl, then add the cooled veggies and add eggs, bread crumbs, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper and mush together with your hands in the bowl.
5. Oil a loaf pan and put mixture into pan then flatten and even out with your hands.
6. Bake for about 30 minutes until firm. (check after 20 minutes)
7. Let set for 5 minutes, slice and serve.