Butternut Squash and Leek Pie

(recipe from Cook Your Way to the Life You Want by Christina Pirello)

Filling
2 tsp. oil
2 to 3 leeks, split lengthwise, rinsed well, and thinly sliced
Soy sauce
1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and diced
1 cup cooked chestnuts, coarsely minced
3 Tbsp. plain almond milk
About 1/4 cup coarsely minced walnuts, pan toasted, for garnish

Walnut Pastry
1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
Pinch sea salt
1/2 cup walnuts, finely minced
1/4 cup walnut or corn oil
About 4 Tbsp. water

Make the filling:  Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium heat.  Add leeks and a dash of soy sauce; saute until limp, about 5 minutes.  Add squash and a dash of soy sauce; saute, stirring, until mixed in with leeks and shiny with oil.  Stir in chestnuts and milk, and season lightly with soy sauce.  Cover, and simmer over low heat until squash is soft, about 15 minutes.  Remove cover, and simmer until sauce reduces and thickens.

Make the pastry:  Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350F.  Oil a rectangular tart pan with a removable bottom.  Combine flour, salt, and walnuts in a medium bowl.  With a fork or pastry cutter, cut in oil until it is the texture of wet sand.  Slowly mix in water until dough gathers into a firm ball.  Roll dough between 2 sheets of parchment to create a rectangle that is about 1 inch larger than the pan.  Transfer rectangle to the pan and press, without stretching, to fit into crevices of pan.  Trim away excess crust flush with top rim.  Pierce in several places with a fork.  Fit a piece of foil over crust, pressing for a firm fit.  Fill crust with dried beans or pie weights to prevent crust from bubbling.  Bake 17 minutes.  Remove from oven, lift foil and beans (you may reuse the beans for pie weights), and allow crust to cool.

To assemble:  Spoon filling evenly into cooled pastry.  Garnish with toasted walnuts, and let stand about 15 minutes before slicing.

(Note:  I used a frozen pie crust!  I just baked the crust a bit, filled it with the filling, and baked more following directions on package.  Super tasty!  The chestnuts, leeks, and squash are delicious!)

Greek Eggplant Dip

(recipe from The Vegan Gourmet)

2 lbs. eggplant (2 medium)
1/4 cup diced white onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley leaves
1 Tbsp. minced fresh oregano leaves (I used 1 tsp. dried oregano)
3 Tbsp. fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1/3 cup olive oil
1 baguette or crusty loaf of bread

Preheat the oven to 400F.  Do not peel the eggplants, but pierce them in several places with a fork.  Place the whole eggplants in an ovenproof glass dish.  Bake for 40-50 minutes, until very soft.  The skin may scorch slightly.  Remove the eggplants from the oven and set aside to cool.  When they are cool enough to handle, cut in half lengthwise and scrape the pulp from the skin.

Place the eggplant pulp in a food processor and pulse to coarsely chop; do not puree.  Drain off any liquid that may separate from the pulp.  Add the onion, garlic, parsley, and oregano and pulse to combine.  With the machine running, add the lemon juice and olive oil.  Don't overprocess - the resulting mixture should be a thick, slightly chunky puree.  Transfer to a serving bowl and chill for several hours.

Serve with sliced or chunked bread (toasted if desired).

(This was a hit at the island Christmas party, 2018.)

Fall Mushroom Soup with Savory Herbs

(recipe adapted from Edible Maine magazine)

5 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
2 yellow sweet onions, diced
Kosher salt
3 leeks, cut into thin rounds
1 1/2 lbs. button or cremini mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
1/4 cup sherry
4 cups vegetable broth
Fresh ground pepper
1/2 lb. maitake mushrooms (or any fancy mushroom blend), cleaned and cut bite-sized
3 sprigs oregano (or similar amount dried)
3 sprigs thyme, leaves picked from stems (or similar amount dried)
3 sprigs rosemary, leaves picked from stems (or similar amount dried)
1 cup unsweetened plain almond milk

In a medium, heavy-bottomed soup pot with a cover, warm 3 Tbsp. olive oil over medium-low heat.  Add the onions and a big pinch of salt and give a stir.  Cover.  Let cook for 5 minutes.  Add the leeks and let cook for another 10 minutes.  Add the button mushrooms and another pinch of salt and let cook for 10 minutes, checking periodically to make sure that nothing is browning.  All the vegetables should be sweating in their own natural juice.  Add the sherry and turn up the heat to medium-high.  Let boil for 2 to 3 minutes until the alcohol is cooked off.  Add the vegetable broth.  Bring to a simmer and let cook for another 5 minutes.  Turn off the heat.  Put half of the mixture into a blender and blend to a slightly coarse texture.  Return to the pot and season with salt and pepper.

In a medium sauté pan, melt remaining 2 Tbsp. olive oil over medium heat.  Add the maitake mushrooms, herbs, and salt to taste.  Sauté until tender.

Add the sautéed mushrooms and herbs to the soup pot with the almond milk.  Stir and warm.

(I added a bunch of fresh chopped tarragon to the soup as well because I had on hand.  Sautéed it with the mushrooms, and instead just added the other dried herbs directly to the soup with the broth.  Was delicious!)

Cauliflower Sautéed with Peaches and Cardamom

(recipe from The Vegan Gourmet by Susann Geiskopf-Hadler and Mindy Toomay)

4 cups chopped cauliflower
2 medium shallots, slivered
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 lb. peaches (2 medium)
1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
Several grinds black pepper
2 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley leaves

Combine the cauliflower, shallots, and salt with 1/3 cup water in a heavy-bottomed skillet.  Cover and cook over medium heat 7-10 minutes, until the cauliflower is barely fork-tender.

Meanwhile, peel the peaches and slice the flesh from the pits into bite-size chunks.

When the cauliflower is barely tender, stir in the peaches and sprinkle the cardamom and pepper evenly over the contents of the skillet.  Cook, stirring gently but frequently, for 3 minutes or so, until the peaches are heated through.  Toss with the parsley in a bowl and serve hot or at room temperature.

(Really good and interesting.  I took an old vegan cookbook - so old it didn't have any recipes with kale! - and cooked my way through the whole of it.  Many recipes were so-so, but there have been a few stunners like this one, truly odd and delightful.)

Winter Ruby Salad with Pomegranate Dressing

2 cups thinly sliced Napa cabbage
2 cups thinly sliced red cabbage
2 cups thinly sliced arugula
1 cup seeded and chopped small sweet salad peppers (I used 1/2 cup red bell pepper, 1/2 cup peppadews)
1 cup thinly sliced basil
1 cup pomegranate seeds
1 red grapefruit, peeled, sectioned, and chopped
2/3 cup Pomegranate Dressing (below) (I only used 1/3 cup)

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss gently.  Let stand 10 minutes and serve.

Pomegranate Dressing
1/3 cup avocado oil (I used olive oil)
1 shallot, minced
1/3 cup pomegranate juice (I used orange juice)
1 tsp. honey
1/8 tsp. sea salt

Combine all ingredients and whisk well to emulsify.  Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.  Makes about 2/3 cup.

(Such amazing flavor!  Refreshing and delightful.)

Sweet Potato Curry with Chickpeas

• (recipe from dryman.com)

1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
6 oz. baby spinach or baby kale
Two 15 oz. cans chickpeas
1 red onion, diced
2 yellow bell peppers, diced
2 sweet potatoes, diced into 1/4-inch cubes
1/2 cup frozen corn
1 large carrot, peeled and diced
7 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. minced ginger
2 heaping Tbsp. curry powder
1 tsp. salt
30 oz. can crushed tomatoes
15 oz. can light coconut milk

Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil, onion, carrots, and bell peppers. Sauté for 8 minutes, stirring often until the onions are translucent.

Add in the rest of your ingredients.

Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer. Cover and cook for about 30 minutes until the sweet potatoes are tender.

(OMG!  So delicious!)

Millet Soup

(recipe from May All Be Fed: Diet For A New World by John Robbins)

3 1/2 cups vegetable stock
1/2 cup millet
1/2 small cauliflower, cut into small florets
1 medium carrot, coarsely chopped
1 rib celery, with leaves, sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp. dried rosemary
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. dried basil
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
3 green onions, with tops, finely chopped
2 cups soy milk (I used almond milk)
3 Tbsp. tamari
2 Tbsp. nutritional yeast flakes, optional

Put the stock and millet into a large pot.  Bring to a simmer over medium heat, cover, and cook for 12 minutes.

Stir in the cauliflower, carrot, celery, garlic, rosemary, thyme, basil, and pepper and return to a simmer.  Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are almost tender, about 8 minutes.

Stir in the mushrooms and green onions, cover, and simmer until the mushrooms are tender, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the soy milk, tamari, and yeast flakes, and bring just to a simmer.  Serve immediately.

(This is a delightful and easy to make soup!  I recommend adding spinach also at the end with the mushrooms and onions - makes it more colorful.  This soup keeps well in the fridge for several days.)

Julie Wilson's Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup

(recipe modified from The New York Times Cook Book via a newspaper clipping)

1 cup (about 1 1/2 oz.) dried mushrooms such as shitake, morels, chanterelles or oyster mushrooms
5 cups hot water
2 Tbsp. butter (I used coconut oil)
1/2 cup wild rice
Salt to taste
1 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped onions
2 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 cup finely chopped leeks
2 1/2 Tbsp. flour
1/4 cup dry white wine
3/4 cup vegetable stock
Fresh ground pepper to taste
1/4 tsp. Tabasco sauce
1 cup half-and-half (I used canned coconut milk)
3 oz. fresh mushrooms
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 tsp. dry sherry
1 tsp. finely chopped thyme leaves, or 1/2 tsp. dried
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley

Put the dried mushrooms in a mixing bowl and add 4 cups of the water.  Let soak 20 minutes or longer.  Drain but reserve the soaking liquid.

Squeeze the drained mushrooms and run under cold water to remove any soil or sand.  Squeeze dry.  Trim off any rough stems.  Chop coarsely.  Set aside.

Line a mixing bowl with a sieve.  Line the sieve with a double thickness of cheesecloth and pour the mushroom soaking liquid through it.  Set aside.

Meanwhile, bring the remaining 1 cup of water to a boil in a small heavy saucepan and add 1 Tbsp. of the butter and the wild rice.  Add salt and cover closely.  When the water returns to the boil, simmer about 50 minutes, or until the rice "blossoms" and the water is absorbed.  Add a little more water if necessary as the rice cooks.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a soup pot and add the onions, garlic, and leeks.  Cook, stirring often, until the onions are softened.  Add the chopped soaked mushrooms and sprinkle with flour.  Cook over low heat, stirring often, about 4 minutes.  Add the white wine, vegetable stock, salt, pepper, Tabasco and the liquid in which the mushrooms soaked.  Bring to the boil.  Simmer uncovered over low heat about 1 hour.  There should be 5 or 6 cups of soup.

Strain the soup, reserving both the liquid and the solids.  Ladle the solids, a little at a time, into a food processor and blend thoroughly.  Return the soup to the pot; add the reserved liquid and half-and-half.

Meanwhile, cut the fresh mushrooms into thin slices.  There should be about 1 1/2 cups.

Heat the remaining Tbsp. of butter in a small skillet and add the sliced fresh mushrooms.  Sprinkle with lemon juice and cook, stirring, about 1 minute.  Sprinkle with sherry.

Add the sliced mushrooms and wild rice to the soup and bring to the boil.  Add salt and pepper.  Sprinkle with thyme and parsley.  Serve hot in hot soup bowls.

(This is the soup my father makes every year for Christmas.  It is elegant.  I made it this year, and tried a vegan adaptation with the coconut milk, which turned out pretty good.  A few modifications: 1. I strained my mushroom soaking liquid thorough a coffee french press.  2. I blended the solids and the liquid together in a Vitamix. (My dad says he doesn't blend his.)  3. I used dried thyme, and added it earlier, before simmering the soup.)

Fettuccine with Zucchini, Roasted Peppers, Almonds, and Mint

(recipe adapted from The Vegan Gourmet by Susann Geiskopf-Hadler & Mindy Toomay)

Roasted whole red peppers from a jar (the equivalent amound of about 2 large red bell peppers)
1/4 cup slivered raw almonds
1 lb. zucchini (about 3 medium)
1 medium white onion
2 Tbsp. olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. dried red chili flakes
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup minced fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup dry white wine
3 Tbsp. fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1 lb. dried fettuccine

Cut the peppers into thin 1-inch strips.  Set aside.

Place the almonds in a single layer in a dry, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat.  Shake the pan frequently.  Soon the nuts will begin to turn golden brown, emitting a wonderful roasted aroma.  Immediately remove them from the pan and set aside.

Wash and dry the zucchini and cut into 1/4-inch rounds.  Trim off and discard the ends of the onion, peel it, and cut it in half lengthwise.  Place each half cut side down on your work surface and slice lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices.

In a large pot, bring several quarts of water to a boil for the pasta.  Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Saute the onion, garlic, and chili flakes for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion begins to turn golden.  Add the zucchini and salt, then saute about 15 minutes over medium-high heat, stirring frequently.  The vegetables should be nicely browned.  Stir in the mint and bell pepper strips, then add the wine and lemon juice.  Stir and saute about 1 minute.  Cover the pan, turn off the heat, and allow to stand about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta in the boiling water until al dente and drain well.  Toss the hot pasta with the zucchini mixture and almonds in a warmed serving bowl until well combined.  Serve hot.



 

 

Okra, Corn, and Tofu Gumbo

(recipe from The Vegan Gourmet by Susann Geiskopf-Hadler and Mindy Toomay)

1/4 cup unbleached flour
3 cups uncooked long-grain white rice (or brown rice)
Pinch plus 3/4 tsp. salt.
1 lb. fresh okra
2 cans (4oz. each) whole green chiles (or use several (5-6) small fresh chiles)
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 medium white onions, coarsely chopped
2 medium carrots, coarsely chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
1 cup chopped celery
1 lb. firm tofu, diced
2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
1 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. cayenne
2 tsp. filé powder (I omitted this)
2 medium fresh tomatoes, coarsely chopped

Place the flour in a dry, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat and brown for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.  You must keep the flour moving to prevent it from burning.  If the flour begins to blacken (not brown), turn down the heat a little and begin again with fresh flour.  When the flour is uniformly dark tan in color, remove it from the pan and set aside.

Cook the rice according to the package directions

Meanwhile, trim off the stem ends of the okra and slice the pods crosswise into 1-inch pieces.  Set aside in a bowl.  Remove the stems and seeds of the chiles and slice them into long, thin strips.  Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a stockpot.  Saute the onions, carrots, bell pepper, and celery for 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until they begin to brown.

Add the tofu, corn kernels, okra, green chiles, chili powder, 1/2 tsp. salt, and cayenne to the browned vegetable mixture.  Lower the heat to medium.  Stir and saute for 10 minutes, then distribute the browned flour evenly over the vegetables and tofu and stir it in.  Add 3 1/2 cups of hot water, the remaining 1/4 tsp. salt, the filé powder, and the tomatoes.  Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a rapid simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.  Serve hot over hot rice.

Fruitcake Bars

(recipe from David Lebovitz)

6 Tbsp. flour
1/8 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
6 Tbsp. packed, light or dark brown sugar
2 cups walnuts, almonds, or pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped
1 1/2 cups dates, pitted and coarsely chopped*
1 cup dried apricot halves, coarsely chopped*
1 large egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

*Use any combination of dried fruits that strikes your fancy.  The dates really do make the recipe, but I've tossed in a scoop of dried sour cherries or cranberries, or candied ginger as well, with great results.  Just stick with the total quantities listed above.

Line an 8-inch square pan across the bottom and up the sides with two sheets of aluminum foil, making a big criss-cross with the sides overhanging.

Preheat the oven to 325F and position the rack in the center of the oven.

In a large bowl, toss together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Add the brown sugar, walnuts, dates, and apricots.  Use your fingers to mix the fruit, and separate any pieces sticking together.

Beat the egg and vanilla in a small bowl, then mix it with the fruit and nut mixture until everything's coated with the batter.  Spread the mixture in the baking pan and press gently to even it out.

Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top of the bars are golden brown and has pulled away just-slightly from the sides of the pan.  Cool the bars in the pan, then lift out.

To cut the cooled bars, use a heavy sharp knife, such as a bread knife, for ensuring neat, clean slices.

Storage: The bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

(I used 1 cup dates, 1 cup apricots, and 1/2 cup dried cranberries for my fruit combination.  For nuts, half walnuts, half pecans.  I also used coconut sugar instead of the brown sugar.  These bars are so good!  Not too sweet, like a little energy nugget.)

Dried Cranberry, Apricot, and Fig Stuffing

(recipe from Bon Appetit magazine)

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
3 cups chopped onions (about 1 pound)
2 cups chopped celery (4 to 5 stalks)
1 lb. Granny Smith apples (about 2 medium), peeled, cored, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh sage
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh marjoram
1 cup (or more) vegetable broth
1/2 cup diced dried apricots
1/2 cup dried sweetened cranberries
1/2 cup diced stemmed dried figs
6 cups (generous) 1-inch cubes day-old pain rustique or ciabatta bread with crust
6 cups (generous) 1-inch cubes day-old cornbread
2 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp. fine sea salt
1 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper

Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat.  Add onions and celery.  Saute until tender, about 12 minutes.  Add apples and all herbs.  Saute until apples just begin to soften, about 3 minutes.  (DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead.  Transfer to medium bowl, cover, and chill.)

Mix 1 cup broth and dried fruit in bowl.  Let soak at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours.

Preheat oven to 350F.  Divide bread between 2 rimmed baking sheets.  Bake until bread is crusty but not hard, reversing sheets after 5 minutes, 10 to 12 minutes total.  Transfer to a very large bowl and cool.

Butter a 13x9x2-inch baking dish.  Stir vegetable mixture into bread.  Whisk eggs, salt, and pepper in a small bowl to blend; whisk in broth and dried fruit mixture.  Add egg misture to stuffing, tossing to combine evenly and adding more broth by 1/4 cupfuls if dry.  Transfer stuffing to prepared baking dish.

Bake stuffing uncovered until cooked through and brown and crusty on top, 50 to 60 minutes.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

(I made this for Thanksgiving dinner 2017 in Vermont with Sage and her parents.  It was tasty, and a big hit!  You can make it using regular bread for all 12 cups, but the cornbread adds a bit of character.)

Sweet Potato & Lentil Soup

(recipe from Pure Ella via Kris Carr)

2 Tbsp. coconut oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 medium carrots, diced
1 1/2 cups red split lentils, rinsed
6-8 cups of water
2 medium-sized sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
2 tsp. ground cumin seeds
1 tsp. turmeric powder
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
1 Tbsp. sea salt (I used 1 tsp.)
Fresh ground pepper, to taste
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, to taste

Heat the oil over medium heat in a large soup pot.  Add the onion and cook until it softens, about 5 minutes.  Add the garlic and carrots and cook, stirring for a few minutes.  Add the lentils, water, sweet potatoes, spices and seasoning.  Stir and bring to a boil; reduce the heat, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes, until the lentils and sweet potatoes are tender.

Taste and adjust the seasoning.  Stir in the cilantro or parsley just before serving.

Chipotle Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Lime

(recipe from Where Women Cook magazine)

4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
pinch of salt
3/4 cup sour cream (I used canned coconut milk)
2 Tbsp. olive oil
3-4 canned chipotle chiles in adobo (smoked jalapenos), finely chopped
3 Tbsp. adobo sauce (from the same can)
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. garlic powder (I used a clove of fresh garlic)
2 limes, juiced
pinch of pepper

Place cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot with salted water to cover.  Bring to a boil, and cook until soft or a fork can easily break them.

Drain the sweet potatoes and return them to the pot.  Mash with a potato masher until desired consistency.

Stir in the sour cream, olive oil, chipotles, adobo, chili and garlic powders, and lime juice.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

(Note:  I boiled the clove of garlic with the sweet potatoes.  I then put the boiled potatoes and garlic into a food processor along with whole chipotles and all other ingredients and blended until whipped to a nice texture.  So easy!  Also, this recipe tastes amazing!  Such a different and delightful treatment of sweet potatoes. Yum.)

Chickpea Vegetable Stew

(recipe from Food & Wine magazine)

2 Tbsp. olive oil (I used coconut oil)
1 cup frozen pearl onions, thawed and halved
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 lb. fingerling potatoes, halved lengthwise
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp. finely chopped peeled fresh ginger
1 Tbsp. harissa
3 cups broth
One 15-oz. can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
3/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper
1 Tbsp. minced cilantro
Toasted bread, for serving

In a large saucepan, heat the oil.  Add the onions and bell pepper and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until browned, about 5 minutes.  Add the potatoes, garlic, ginger and harissa and cook, stirring, until the harissa darkens, about 2 minutes.  Add the broth and chickpeas and bring to a boil.  cover and simmer over moderately low heat until the potatoes are tender, 12 to 14 minutes. 

Add the coconut milk and bring to a simmer.  Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.  Sprinkle the stew with cilantro and serve with toasted bread.

(This coconut/ginger/harissa broth is delicious!  I think using any vegetable mix would work well with this stew - the broth is so yummy.)

Wild Rice with Butternut Squash, Leeks, and Corn

(recipe from Bon Appetit magazine)

1 1/2 cups wild rice
2 tsp. coarse salt
3 cups butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (from 1 1/2 lb. squash)
3 Tbsp. olive oil
6 Tbsp. butter, divided (I used coconut oil)
1 1/2 cups leeks, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups frozen white corn kernels, thawed
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

Rinse rice in strainer under cold water; drain.  Bring 6 cups water and 2 tsp. coarse salt to boil in a large saucepan.  Add rice; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer uncovered until rice grains begin to split and are tender but still slightly chewy, about 45 minutes.  Drain.  Spread on a rimmed baking sheet to cool.  Transfer to bowl.

Preheat oven to 350F.  Oil a rimmed baking sheet.  Toss squash cubes and 3 Tbsp. oil in a medium bowl.  Spread squash in a single layer on prepared sheet; sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Roast just until tender but firm enough to hold shape, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.  Transfer squash to bowl.  Cool.

Melt 4 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add leeks and 3/4 cup water; simmer until leeks are tender, about 7 minutes.  Add corn; simmer 2 minutes longer.  Add rice and butternut squash; simmer until heated through and liquid is absorbed, about 4 minutes.  Stir in 2 Tbsp. butter and parsley.  Season with salt and pepper.  Transfer to a bowl and serve.

Ginger Coconut Milk Soup

(recipe from 101 Cookbooks)

Two 14-oz. cans full-fat coconut milk
One 14-oz. can water (use the coconut milk can to measure)
2-inch knob of ginger, peeled and minced
3 large shallots, minced
1 tsp. salt, or to taste

Lots of seasonal vegetables, for example (use a bit of each to fill up the broth):
squash (summer or winter)
broccoli florets
asparagus, chopped
scallions, sliced
mushrooms, sliced

to serve:
lots of fresh lime juice and cilantro


In a large soup pot, over medium heat, bring the coconut milk, water, ginger, shallots, and salt to a gentle boil.  Dial back the heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Add the vegetables to the simmering coconut milk, and cook until tender. 

Can be served alone, or over egg noodles or rice.  Finish with a generous squeeze of lime juice and lots of cilantro.

(This is my new favorite soup!  I've made it a couple of times now, it's so easy and flexible!  Just add any veggies you have on hand to the broth, really.  I add the lime juice and cilantro right into the soup pot at the end.  I've used broccoli, butternut squash, asparagus, mushrooms, and scallions in varying groupings, but I can't imagine many veggies that wouldn't taste fabulous with this savory, tangy coconut broth.)

Lemony Gumbo Z'herbes

(recipe from Food 52)

2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped celery (reserve any leaves for later)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne
1 large clove garlic, minced
4 cups water or vegetable stock
2 lbs. assorted greens: collards, turnip, beet, mustard, chard, kale, or spinach, coarsely chopped
All the celery leaves from your head of celery, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves (I used dried)
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary leaves (I used dried)
2 bay leaves
One lemon
1 to 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce (I used soy sauce)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 scallion, finely chopped

In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat until shimmering.  Add onions, celery, bell pepper, and salt and sauté, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned.  Stir in garlic and let it sweat with the other vegetables for a minute or two.  Add water or stock; raise heat until it comes to just below boiling.  Add greens and celery leaves a little at a time, until they are all wilted into the soup.  Add thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves.  Halve and juice the lemon, and add juice as well as both lemon halves into the soup.  Add 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce.  Reduce heat to low and simmer soup, covered, for at least 1 hour.  The vegetables will become mushy and the soup will be very green.  Taste and add salt, pepper, or Worcestershire sauce, if needed.  Fish out bay leaves and lemon halves and discard them. 

Serve sprinkled with scallions.  Can serve over rice.

(This soup is delicious!  I added more onions, celery, and bell pepper than called for, and added the scallions right into the soup instead of as garnish.  The flavor is spicy and lemony and packed with soft greens.)

Escarole and Edamame Salad

(recipe from Gourmet magazine)

2 cups frozen shelled edamame
1 Tbsp. red-wine vinegar
1/2 tsp sugar (I used honey)
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1 1/2 lb. escarole, trimmed and cut crosswise into very thin strips (8 cups)
1/3 cup finely chopped mint
2/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (I omitted this)

Cook edamame in a 3-quart pot of well-salted boiling water for 5 minutes.  Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.  Drain edamame again and pat dry.

Whisk together vinegar, sugar, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper in a small bowl until sugar and salt are dissolved.  Add oil in a slow stream, whisking until combined.

Toss together edamame, escarole, and mint in a large bowl.  Add cheese and drizzle salad with dressing, then toss again.  Serve immediately.

(I am in love with this salad!  It is simple to make and very fresh tasting.)

Kabocha Squash, Fennel, + Ginger Soup with Spicy Coconut Cream

(recipe from dollyandoatmeal.com)

1 kabocha squash, halved and seeded
1 large leek (or 2 small), white and light green parts sliced
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 small fennel bulb, cored and sliced (reserve some fronds for garnish)
1 knob of fresh ginger (about 3/4 of an inch big), peeled and roughly chopped
2 tsp. fresh oregano (or 1 tsp. dry)
1 bay leaf
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. coconut oil
5 cups filtered water (or broth)
1 tsp. fine grain sea salt
freshly ground pepper
1 cup spicy coconut cream (recipe below)
1 1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

spicy coconut cream:
1 can organic coconut milk
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
a couple pinches of salt
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

To make the coconut cream, whisk the coconut milk with the lemon juice, salt and pepper.  Taste and adjust accordingly, adding more lemon, salt or cayenne. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 375F.  Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.  Rub a good amount of olive oil over cut side of squash; place cut side down on baking sheet and place in oven.  Cook squash until fork tender, about 50-65 minutes.  Let the squash cool until it's ready to handle.  Scoop squash out into a bowl and set aside.

In a large soup pot, heat olive oil and coconut oil over medium heat.  Add sliced leeks and oregano, and saute until leeks are soft; add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.  Add the fennel and ginger, and cook for about 5 minutes, until fennel is soft and ginger is fragrant.  Add the kabocha, bay leaf, water, salt, and pepper.  Stir.

Turn the heat up and bring soup to a simmer, cook for roughly 30 minutes, stirring every so often.  Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of the spicy coconut cream.

In batches, puree soup in a blender or food processor until smooth.  Transfer soup back to the pot and bring to a low simmer.  Stir in lemon juice and taste for seasoning, adjust if necessary.

Serve soup with a dollop of leftover spicy coconut cream, poppy seeds, or chopped fennel fronds.

(Such amazing flavor!  I used about a cup less broth, and liked the heartier consistency.  My first time using kabocha, and I thought it had an incredible depth of flavor - my favorite squash soup thus far.)