Category Archives: vegetables

Tuscan (inspired) soup

Posted on by
2

tuscan soupI always feel soup is in order when the days get colder.  Here is a soup I like to serve on a Saturday for lunch.  Served with a big chunk of crusty bread and plenty of fresh grated parmesan it is a welcome meal in front of the fire while it is freezing outside. It is also a great way to enjoy all those winter greens available this time of year.  Experiment by substituting or combining kale, swiss chard or spinach.ingredients in bowls

TUSCAN SOUP (serves 4)

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup diced carrots
  • 1 celery stalk diced
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced or pressed in a garlic press
  • 1 chopped tomato or 1 cup tomato coulis
  • 6 cups vegetable or chicken stock
  • 1 teaspoon each oregano and basil
  • 1 cup zucchini diced
  • 4 (loose) cups baby kale
  • 1 can (15 oz) white beans

Heat the oil in a large stockpot, add the carrots, celery and onion.  Cook until soft, about 10 minutes.  Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.  Add the tomato or tomato coulis, stock and herbs and bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to low and simmer covered 10 to 15 minutes.  Add the zucchini and simmer another 5 minutes.  Add beans, simmer another 5 minutes.  Off heat add the kale, cover and let sit 10 minutes.  Serve with grated parmesan.bowls and linen

NOTE:  This soup is great as a vegetarian meal but for you meat eaters, if you want a more robust meal you can add 8 oz of cooked sausages or grilled chicken when adding the beans.serving soup

From my kitchen to yours,

CK, la fille du boucher

Tomato Coulis

Posted on by
5

tomatoesTomatoes will not be in season for another six or seven months.  As I look at the sleeping garden outside I dream of the taste of a freshly picked tomato – the classic taste of summer.  In the meantime I make do with what is available in stores.  Once in a while my local farm stand will have a basket of tomatoes at a reduced price, which are not as great as their August counterpart but are perfect for tomato coulis. The beauty of the recipe is that you can use tomatoes that are a bit “beat up”, cutting around the “bad” parts.  This tomato coulis keeps in the fridge for about 2 weeks and freezes beautifully – It involves simple ingredients cooked together and can make a perfect base for sauce.  It can also be used as followcutting tomatoes

  • substitute a cup of coulis in a recipe that calls for one chopped tomato in a soup or stew
  • add one tablespoon of tomato paste for every cup of coulis and reduce at a simmer for 15 minutes for a quick tomato sauce
  • puréed in a blender and use as a light sauce for fish or chickentomatoes on cutting board

TOMATO COULIS (makes about 10 cups)

  • 5 to 6 pounds tomatoes washed, cored, blemishes removed and chopped
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 medium onions chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon oregano
  • 1 tablespoon basil

Heat the oil in a large pot or dutch oven.  Add the onions and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.  Add the garlic, stir for a minute.  Add the tomatoes, salt and herbs.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 45 minutes.  Take the cover off and cook for another 15 minutes.  The coulis will be watery and thinner than a sauce.   Use immediately or cool down and pack in containers.photo-46photo-45

NOTE:  when I see tomatoes on sale or have a lot of tomatoes about to go bad that is when I make coulis and often use different kinds in the mix: cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, etc.  Instead of regular onions you can substitute leeks, red onions or shallots.

From my kitchen to yours,

CK, la fille du boucherpreserving tomatoes

Roasted Carrots and/or Parsnips

Posted on by
1

Want a simple side dish? Something so easy it practically cooks itself, bringing out all of the natural flavors? Try roasting vegetables.  In this case I opted for carrots and parsnips.  This time of year they are in season and you can find many varieties of carrots at the farmer’s market.  All you need is fresh carrots, best quality olive oil, coarse sea salt, and herbs, and you have a great side dish.

Roasted Carrots or/and Parsnips

  • 2 bunches carrots or parsnips or a mix of the two
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
  • 3 tablespoon fresh thyme chopped

Preheat oven at 400 degrees.

Cut off tops and bottoms of carrots and parsnips.  Peel and cut into fat matchsticks about 2 inches long.  To do so, cut the vegetable in half or third depending on the length.  Keep the bottom part intact and quarter or halve the top part depending on its thickness. You want the matchsticks to be close in size so they all roast evenly.

In a bowl, toss the vegetables with the oil, salt and herbs.  Transfer to a baking sheet and roast in the oven 15 to 20 minutes or until tender and golden, turning the vegetables once or twice during cooking time for even browning.  

NOTE: In the spring when baby carrots are available, roast them whole. Try different herbs or flavored oils; experiment and have fun!

From my kitchen to yours,

CK, la fille du boucher