Split Pea Soup

Split Pea Soup

Serves: 4 adults

4 slices bacon

1 large onion, chopped

3 carrots, peeled and chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

5 cups chicken broth

2 cups split peas

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

Saute bacon in a pot until browned, then add onion and saute until translucent.  Add carrots and garlic and saute for 3 minutes.  Add chicken broth, split peas, bay leaf and rosemary (make sure the peas are covered with broth).  Bring to a boil then turn the heat down and simmer covered until the peas are tender, about one hour.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Split Pea Soup

Radish Leaf Soup

Don't throw out those radish leaves, make this fantastic soup instead!  From epicurious.com

Radish Leaf Soup

1 tablespoon butter
1 large chopped onion
Leaves from 10-15 radishes, washed
5 medium potatoes (about 1.5 pounds), peeled and chopped into 1 inch pieces
3 cups of water or broth
2/3 cup milk

Melt butter in saucepan then add onions and saute until translucent.   Add radish leaves and saute until wilted.  Add potatoes and water.  Bring to a boil, then turn heat down and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.  Use an immersion blender to puree the soup.  Alternatively a blender can be used.  Season soup with salt and pepper to taste.  Garnish with a splash of cream (optional).

Radish Hors d'oeuvres

I don't often make hors d'oeuvres, but I had about 15 radishes and I didn't know what else to do with them, so I made some snacks for the Steeler's game.

Chive Cream Cheese Stuffed Radishes

10-15 radishes

1 teaspoon chopped chives

3 tablespoons cream cheese

splash of milk

Chop off the ends of the radishes so they can stand up.  Reserve the greens for radish green soup (recipe in next post).  Use a melon baller or a small knife to core the radishes.  Reserve the cores for radish deviled eggs (for recipe see below).  Mix the chives, cream cheese and milk together so you get a frosting-like texture.  Use a pastry bag or a plastic baggie with the corner cut to deliver the cream cheese to the cored radishes.

Radish Deviled Eggs

8 hard boiled eggs
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
2 tablespoons diced radish
2 teaspoons diced chives
Salt and pepper to taste

Remove shell from eggs and cut in half.  Remove yolks and put in a bowl and mix with mayonnaise, mustard, radishes, chives, salt and pepper.  Spoon out mixture into hard boiled egg whites.

Ratatouille!

Ratatouille 

A simple (and very yummy) vegetable stew.  I used tomatoes and summer squash that I had frozen earlier this summer.  It was fantastic!  Serves: 4 adults

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 medium eggplants, unpeeled, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 summer squash or zucchini, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 bell peppers (any color), cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4-6 tomatoes (fresh, canned or frozen), coarsely chopped (about 6 cups)
• 1/2 tablespoon thyme
• 1 fresh rosemary sprig
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/3 cup minced fresh basil

Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onions and saute until tender. Add eggplants and garlic and saute 5 minutes. Add summer squash and bell peppers and saute for an additional 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, thyme, rosemary and bay leaf. Bring to a boil then reduce heat. Cover and cook until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes. Stir in basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 

Chicken of the Woods Pasta

The mushroom man at the Strip District Firehouse farmer's market had "chicken of the woods" wild mushrooms.  I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try a new local food, so I bought a pound.  I sauteed the chicken of the woods mushrooms with roasted butternut squash and crimini mushrooms in olive oil and butter.  I served this mix over my homemade pasta with fresh parsley.  The chicken of the woods mushroom tastes a lot like like chicken.  Unfortunately it tasted a little bit like dried out chicken breast, so if I buy it again I'll add white wine to moisten the mushrooms.  If you're looking for a healthy alternative to chicken, don't hesitate the try the "chicken of the woods" mushroom!  

Garlic Lentil Soup

Garlic Lentil Soup

4 cloves of garlic, chopped
4 cups water
1 cup french lentils
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon fresh parsley (use less if dried)

Add water, garlic, lentils, and oil to a stockpot.  Bring to a boil and simmer until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes.  Use an immersion blender to blend the soup.  Then stir in thyme and parsley.  Add salt and pepper to taste.