Soups

The Mother of All Grains: Quinoa (Quinoa Soup with Beans)

The Mother of All Grains: Quinoa (Quinoa Soup with Beans)

  What does it take for quinoa to get a little respect?     There is a strong case to be made for quinoa. The United Nations, after all, proclaimed 2013 “The Year of Quinoa.” Nutritionists extol quinoa’s nutritional virtues. It’s a complete protein and…

Lemony Carrot and Cauliflower Soup

Lemony Carrot and Cauliflower Soup

  Virginia Woolf said of soup: ” Soup is cuisine’s kindest course.” That is certainly the way I feel about soup. I confess that I enjoy making soup often and find comfort in eating it. I almost always begin a dinner party–even a casual one– with…

Tomato and Bean Soup with Harissa and Honey

Tomato and Bean Soup with Harissa and Honey

    This healthy Middle Eastern soup is wonderful. It’s spicy–flavored with a robust harissa paste. It’s full of flavorful and protein-rich Rancho Gordo Marcella white beans. It’s filled with good-for-you greens. It’s just what you need to warm your soul–whether you are caught in…

A Mushroom-Spinach Soup With A Whole Lot of Character

A Mushroom-Spinach Soup With A Whole Lot of Character

      “When I was born I was so ugly the doctor slapped my mother.” –Rodney Dangerfield   Close your eyes and this soup is absolutely delicious. Stare at it in your bowl…not so much. How do you write about (let alone photograph) a…

Give Yourself A Hug: Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Give Yourself A Hug: Broccoli Cheddar Soup

For me, it’s Snickers bars, refried beans, candied corn, and vanilla ice cream. (No. I don’t eat them together.) We’re talking about comfort food today, or, as the dictionary defines it:  ” food that is enjoyable to eat and makes the eater feel better emotionally.”…

Broccoli Cheese Soup

  What’s not to love about broccoli? First, it is not kale.  (I rest my case.) Second…no wait! Gimme a moment. I can think of something. Really. Love it or hate it, nobody, it seems, takes a neutral position about broccoli. In fact, there are…

Moroccan Harira Soup on a wet morning

  It has been raining here in southern California. Wet. Glistening. Rain. After the long drought and precious little rain from last year’s fizzle of an El Nino, it is a delight to just stand outside and get drenched. Juliet? Not so much. The pup…

Caldo Con Queso (Spicy Cheese and Chile Chowder)

I just enjoyed two bowls of this soup for breakfast. According to a Hatch Valley Chile Festival site: “Hot chile peppers burn calories by triggering a thermodynamic burn in the body, which speeds up metabolism.” I’m not sure about the thermodynamic burn part. Sounds kinda…

Vegetable Soup with Spinach and Farro

        I found this soup recipe on the Washington Post site and the ideas of pureeing some of the chickpeas as a technique to increase the creaminess of the soup broth and of adding farro to give the soup substance intrigued me. In…

Lentil Soup with Spinach

I love fall. I love the crisp cool edge that creeps into the mornings. I love the changing colors of the leaves on my Japanese Maple. I love the songs of autumn.  If you need a little fall “fix,” here is a great rendition of…