Category Archives: Soup

Recipe, Soup

Enhanced Won Ton Soup

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This is the starting block to myriad variations!

1 head Napa cabbage, shredded
8 oz sliced mushrooms
4 oz diced white onions
2 quarts reduced sodium chicken broth
4 Tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce
2 Tbsp grated ginger
2 Tbsp minced garlic
1 package frozen pre-made chicken won tons
1 lb peeled, deveined, tail-off cooked shrimp
1 bunch scallions, sliced
Toasted Sesame Oil, for garnish

In a wok or large skillet, add 2 tbsp olive oil and heat until just about smoking. Add shredded cabbage and toss to coat. Add 1/4 cup water and cover to allow cabbage to wilt and soften. Stir frequently, about 10 minutes. Remove cabbage and add onions and mushrooms to remaining liquids. Cook until mushrooms and onions are tender. Remove and place aside.

In a large cooking pot, add broth, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. Bring up to a simmer. Allow to simmer for 5-10 minutes to flavor the soup broth. Add shrimp and won tons. Allow to heat through 10-15 minutes.

To serve: In a soup bowl, place some of the sauteed cabbage, then some of the mushroom/onion mixture (how much is up to you). Ladle over the broth (and won tons/shrimp). Again, as much as you like. Then, top with sliced scallions and a drizzle of Sesame oil.

Serves 8-10.

(Note: pre-made chicken won tons may be purchased at most markets including Oriental/Asian markets, Trader Joe’s, Lidl, and other local supermarkets.)

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Soup

Homemade Egg Drop Soup

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So easy to make, you’ll wonder why you order take away!

4 cups low sodium chicken stock (or make your own)
2 tsp grated ginger
2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp turmeric (for colour)
2 tbsp corn starch mixed with 4 tbsp water
4 eggs (beaten)
sliced green onions for garnish

Bring stock to a boil and reduce heat to medium low. Add grated ginger, onion powder and turmeric and allow to simmer for 5-10 minutes. Mix in corn starch slurry and allow to simmer for one more minute. Then slowly drizzle in beaten eggs in a spiral, not stirring the soup to allow the eggs to form larger ribbons in the soup. Simmer for 2-3 more minutes to cook the eggs. Serve in bowls with sliced green onions for garnish. Serves 3-4.

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Breads, Recipe, Soup

Chicken Vegetable Soup & Cheesy Garlic Biscuits

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Perfect for a cool (or cold) evening’s dinner. Fresh vegetables, dark meat chicken, stock, and Cheesy Garlic Biscuits (instead of crackers) make this a satisfying meal for any member of your family!

Chicken Vegetable Soup

2 quarts chicken stock
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 large carrots, cut into coins
3 ribs of celery, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
2 medium onions, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium potatoes, peeled, diced
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp Italian seasoning
salt and pepper to taste

In a 350F oven, roast off chicken thighs. Remove and allow to cool, then cut into bite size pieces.

In a soup pot, heat olive oil until just smoking. Add onions and garlic, and toss to coat. Cook 2 minutes, then add celery and carrot. Stirring occasionally, cook for 4 additional minutes. Add potatoes, Italian seasoning, and stock. Bring to the simmer and add chicken. Allow to cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serves: 8.                        

Cheesy Garlic Biscuits

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup skim milk
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp sugar
1 cup Mozzarella/Cheddar/Monterey Jack cheese blend, shredded
1 tsp garlic powder
3 tbsp melted butter

Preheat oven to 450F.

In a mixing bowl, place flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir to combine. Add milk, mayonnaise, sugar, and beat on high speed until batter is smooth. It should not be pourable thin , it should be spoonable. Using a rubber spatula, fold in 3/4 cup cheese shreds.

Lightly grease 12 muffin tins (you may also use the liners if desired, or a silicon muffin pan). Spoon enough batter to fill each tin no more than 1/2 way (they WILL expand as they bake).

In a small bowl, combine melted butter and garlic powder. Using a brush, lightly paint the top of each biscuit with mixture. Then, using the reserved cheese, sprinkle the top of each biscuit.

Place on rack in the middle of the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow to cool slightly on a wire rack before removing from pan. Serve warm with soups, roasts, stews, or broiled meats.

Makes 12 biscuits.

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Recipe, Soup

Cranberry Wild Rice Soup (Lighter Version)

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This recipe has been ‘lightened up’ slightly and is a wonderful soup that, while meat-free, is able to satisfy the carnivores in your life!

Cranberry Wild Rice Soup (Lighter Version)

3 tbsp unsalted butter
1 large carrot, diced
1 celery stalk, sliced no larger than 1/4″ pieces
1/2 cup onion, minced
3 tbsp all purpose flour
3 cups organic vegetable stock
1 1/2 cups cooked wild rice
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 cup skim milk or fat free half and half
2 tbsp dry sherry
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Melt butter in stock pot over medium heat; sauté the carrot, celery and onion, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender (about 8 minutes). Add the flour and stir until smooth. Gradually stir in the vegetable stock, whisking as you go to avoid lumps from forming. Increase the heat to medium-high and stir until soup is thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the rice and cranberries. Reduce the heat to barely a simmer, cover, and stir occasionally, until the cranberries are plump and soft (about 15 minutes). Add remaining ingredients. Stir occasionally until heated through. Season to taste and ladle into bowls. Top with a teaspoon of grated Parmesan cheese as a garnish. If desired, serve with toasted baguette rounds.

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Recipe, Soup

Potage Aux Carottes with Balsamic Reduction

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Continuing with the “French Connection,” Potage Aux Carottes is merely “Carrot Soup.” Thickened with rice instead of cream or flour, this is great served hot on a cold winter day, or served chilled on a hot summer day. An excellent way to get your veggies, and the balsamic reduction adds a sweet, yet savory tang that has to be tasted to be believed!

Soup:

1 tbsp olive oil
6 scallions, white part with a most of the green, cleaned and thinly sliced
4 cups peeled carrots, thinly sliced
2 tsp dried thyme leaves, crumbled
1 tsp cracked black peppercorns
2 bay leaves
6 cups vegetable stock
1/2 cup brown rice
Sea salt

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat for 30 seconds. Add scallions and carrots and cook, stirring until carrots are softened, about 7 minutes. Add thyme, peppercorns and bay leaves and cook, stirring, for an additional minute. Transfer to pot. Add hot stock and stir well. Bring to simmer.

Stir in rice. Cover and cook for 35-40 minutes or until rice is to your liking and carrots are tender. Discard bay leaves.

In food processor or blender, puree soup in batches.* Season to taste with sea salt. Ladle into serving bowls drizzled with Balsamic Reduction swirls.

Balsamic Reduction:

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp dark molasses

To make balsamic reduction, combine the vinegar and molasses in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook, and stir occasionally, until the amount is reduced by about half and the mixture is of a maple syrup consistency. This should take about 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate to further thicken as it cools. When ready to serve your soup, drizzle each serving with a swirl of the balsamic reduction

* N.B. –  if you’ve never processed soup in a blender before, please for safety’s sake, cover the lid and spout with a kitchen towel before pulsing the blender on. Hot soup can be painful, and it will find a way out of the container!

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Recipe, Soup

Rustic French Onion Soup

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Nothing can compare to a warm serving of French Onion Soup…especially if it’s homemade! This recipe has been modified from Julia Child’s French Onion Soup recipe…you can adjust the ingredients to your own tastes.

INGREDIENTS:
5-6 cups of yellow onions, thinly sliced
3 tbsp butter
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
3 tbsp flour
2 quarts beef stock or beef bouillon
1/2 cup dry white wine or dry white vermouth
Salt and pepper to taste
Rounds of hard-toasted French bread (1/2″ – 3/4″ thick) store purchased or homemade (Rustic Herb Bread (recipe here) is good for this soup)
1 to 2 cups grated mozzarella or 4 cheese Italian blend

It is important to know that (1) sweet onions cannot be used for a good, quality French Onion Soup and (2) it will take 2-3 hours from start to finish. Attempting to rush the preparation will leave you with burnt onions or a sub-par soup.

In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter and oil, then add onions. Reduce heat to low.

Stir onions into oil and butter, then scatter salt and sugar overtop. Allow onions to cook down and caramelize, intensifying flavour and reducing in volume. Once the onions take on a medium caramel colour (this will take 40-50 minutes), add flour and stir to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw flour flavour. (The flour will also provide a slight thickening to the soup.)

Ladle in the beef stock/bouillon (you can make your own, use canned, or a stock from paste or cubes…though homemade stock allows you to control the strength, flavour, and sodium). Stir the liquid into the onions after each addition. Once the stock/bouillon has been fully incorporated, add the wine or vermouth, if so desired. (If you choose to cook without alcohol, add an additional 1/2 cup of beef stock.) Season with salt and pepper to your own liking.

Keeping heat on low, allow soup to simmer for 30-45 minutes, allowing flavours to meld. (If you wish, at this point you can allow the soup to cool, uncovered in the refrigerator and then cover and freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw and bring back to the simmer.)

Use an oven safe serving dish (if making in large volumes) or a oven safe bowl or mug. If making in volume, cover bottom of dish with toasted rounds; if making individual servings, place 1-2 toasted rounds of bread in the bottom of the bowl or mug. Ladle over the French Onion Soup (the toasted bread will float to the top). Scatter shredded cheese over top of soup and bread, and place under a broiler set on low until the cheese melts and browns. Serve immediately. Bon Appetit!

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