Showing posts with label fire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fire. Show all posts

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Dandelion Greens with Onions and Garlic

Dandelion Greens with Garlic and Onions

1 pound dandelion greens
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 -2 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper
4-6 Tbsp oil

Let me start out by reminding you to pick dandelion greens that do not grow near the road. Make sure you choose greens that have not been sprayed with any pesticides either. Remember these plants are considered to be weeds by many.

Discard the dandelion roots and wash the greens well in salted water. Cut the leaves into 2-inch pieces. Cook the greens in salted water until tender, about 10 minutes. This also helps remove some of the bitterness. In a skillet, saute the onions in the oil for a few minutes. Add the garlic and continue cooking until the garlic is fragrant (but not browned) and the onions are tender and translucent.

Drain the greens and add to the garlic and onions. Toss with the oil. Season with salt and pepper. You may wish to sprinkle the greens with a little red wine vinegar before serving, or pass it around for individuals to season their own plates.

Creamy Carrot Soup with Dill

Creamy Carrot Soup with Dill

2 Tbsp oil
2 medium leeks, white and light green parts only, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups peeled, chopped carrots
5 cups broth (vegetable or chicken, or a mixture of broth and water)
1 cup milk or nondairy milk (almond or rice, but not soy)
salt and white pepper
2-3 Tbsp fresh dill
sugar to taste (optional)
nutmeg

In a soup pot, heat the olive oil. Cook the leeks over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Add the carrots and garlic. Cook until garlic is fragrant. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat. Simmer until the carrots are tender, about 15 minutes.

Ladle the vegetable pieces into a blender. Add enough liquid to puree. Do this in small batches if necessary. Puree for 2-3 minutes, until completely smooth and creamy. Return to the soup pot and add the milk and chopped dill. Add salt and pepper and a pinch of nutmeg. Heat thoroughly. Do not boil.

Quick Vegetarian Chili

This chili is chock full of protective ingredients, it's quick to throw together, and it's pretty darn tasty.

I used:

1 650-gram bag frozen beans (barbunya) +
1 small can red kidney beans
1 medium onion, chopped
6 cloves of garlic, minced
2 banana peppers, seeded and chopped
1.5 cups frozen corn
1 can diced tomatoes
1 small can tomato paste
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons chipotle chile powder
2 tablespoons chili powder (I can't get this ingredient here, so I left it out)
salt and pepper to taste

Optional: 1 cup TVP (textured vegetable protein), reconstituted for 10 minutes in boiling water (another ingredient I wasn't able to acquire)

1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped

Start by cooking the onion in a heavy soup pot. Soften for about 5 minutes. Add the pepper and soften for another 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 3-5 minutes. Adding a little salt will let the allow the vegetables to "sweat" and should be added when the peppers are put in.

Stir the spices into the onions and peppers. Add the diced tomatoes and tomato paste and stir well. Put in the beans and add enough water to cover them. Allow the beans to simmer until they are thawed and tender (if using frozen). If only using canned beans, add beans and corn at the same time. Simmer for 20-25 minutes. Chili is better the longer it simmers, but you can certainly eat it after 25 minutes. If using cilantro, add it at the end of cooking so the flavor stays fresh. Check for seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste.

The chipotle powder adds a really deep, smoky flavor, plus a touch of warmth. I used a type of frozen bean because they are more common than canned and I didn't have time to cook dried beans. You can use any combination of beans that you want. I had red kidney beans and a type of white bean with flecks of red. They're known as "barbunya" here.

Corn Chowder I and II

Corn Chowder for Mabon

There are several ways you can spice up this delicious chowder. You can give it some southwestern flair by adding chorizo instead of bacon, and seasoning it with cumin and chile. Or you can keep it traditional, with bacon and even potatoes.

Version 1

2 T oil or butter
1 T flour
1 large onion, diced
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 stalks celery, chopped
1 medium potato, peeled and cubed (small)
4 cups stock
6 slices bacon, cut into small chunks
3 cups corn kernels, fresh, canned or frozen
1/2 cup cream
salt and pepper to taste

Heat the oil or butter in a soup pot. Add the bacon and fry for 2-3 minutes before adding onion and celery. Cook the onion and celery for a few minutes. Add the garlic and stir, cooking 2-3 minutes more. Sprinkle in the flour and stir to combine, cooking another 1-2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the stock and bring to a simmer. Add the corn and potato. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer until the potato is tender, 15-20 minutes. At this point you can puree a ladleful or two of the soup and return it to the pot. Stir in the cream and check the seasoning. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.



Southwest Corn Chowder

2 T oil or butter
1 T flour
1 chorizo, casing removed
1 large onion, diced
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small chile, deseeded
1 - 1 1/2 teaspoons (t) ground cumin
1/4 - 1/2 t ground chipotle powder
4 cups stock
3 cups corn kernels
salt and pepper
1/2 cup cream
chopped fresh cilantro

Heat the oil or butter in a soup pot. Cook the chorizo, crumbling with a wooden spoon. Remove the cooked sausage and reserve. Drain all but about 2 T of oil. Cook the onions and chile for 5 minutes, then add the garlic. Cook 1-2 minutes, then stir in the flour. Add the spices, salt and pepper, and stock. Simmer for 3-5 minutes. Add the corn and simmer the soup for 10-15 minutes. Again, you may choose to puree a cup or cup and a half of the soup before stirring in the cream. After stirring in the cream, add the reserved chorizo. Garnish with chopped cilantro.

As with the black bean soup, you may also garnish with sliced green onions. You can also sprinkle on some grated Monterrey Jack, and/or some chopped canned green chiles. Yumyumyum!

Z's Family Cornbread

Z’s Family Cornbread

My mom has been making this cornbread for years. I think the recipe actually came as part of a grade school project when I was in the third grade. I don’t know who to credit; I just know it’s delicious and it goes wonderfully with the soup.

3/4 c. cornmeal
1 c. flour
1/4 c. sugar
1 tablespoon (T). baking powder
3/4 teaspoon (t. ) salt
1 cup milk (1 1/4 for buttermilk)
1 egg
2 T. shortening

Mix ingredients and pour into greased baking pan.
Bake at 425 for 20 minutes.

Decorate your altar and/or table with vines and miniature squash and light candles of orange, purple and yellow. Raise a glass of wine or beer and give thanks for the second harvest.