Green Lentil Horseradish Apple Soup

It's Soup Group 2014 and my contribution this year is a Green Lentil, Horseradish, Apple Soup.  What it lacks in beauty (ever tried to photograph a bowl of brown mush?), it makes up for in taste.  The horseradish was a surprising ingredient for me to include.  Prior to the soup, my only experience has been served alongside roast beef.  And in that instance, I disliked it greatly.  Thankfully, a friend made this soup for me to try a few years ago and only out of politeness did I eat it.  Shocked at how tasty it was, I'm a convert now.

Morocan Carrot and Lentil Soup

In February of 1998, I went to an Oscars party at the Hard Rock Cafe with some coworkers.  It was the first time I watched all the nominated films in advance.  I wanted to look like I knew what I was talking about.  When I ran out of people to watch movies with, I started seeing the films on my own.  What a revelation that was!  Movies could be enjoyed by yourself.  I was young and hadn't sorted out my own comfort or interests.  It was the beginning of something very special.  It helped that the films nominated that year were relatively mainstream: Titanic, Good Will Hunting, L.A. Confidential, As Good As It Gets and The Full Monty.

Roasted Yellow Pepper Red Lentil Soup

We are stormed in today here in the Kale Eats kitchen.  The roads are covered with ice and our plans for a family Christmas cancelled.  Luke was quite sad that we couldn't make the trip to visit family, stating that he just didn't feel festive without this tradition.  In a spirit of making the best out of a free day at home I suggested we head to the kitchen together.  The kids plan to make some Christmas cookies but I thought we'd start with a healthy soup.

Beet & Sweet Potato Soup

Going to work everyday is never going to be my favourite thing to do.  I'd happily stay home with my kids and give back to the community in different ways if it were up to me.  Unfortunately for me, the life we have built relies on me bringing home a pay cheque and thus my dreams of baking muffins every morning and feeding the homeless go unrealized.  Truthfully, if I must work, I am exactly where I want to be.  Surrounded by amazing co-workers and a job that both challenges and satisfies me, I have no reason to complain.

Butternut Squash Apple Soup

When it comes to sharing recipes here, there are certain criteria that must be met.  Firstly, it must taste great.  Secondly, I need to have made it with great success at least two times, most often more.  Thirdly, it needs to be something worth talking about.  Maybe it's a technique that is new to me or using an ingredient that is less common.  Perhaps it's ridiculously good for you and still tastes decadent.  It could be my kids were over the moon about it, making it family friendly without being mainstream.  If we knew eachother in person, these are the recipes I would need to stop you and tell in great detail why you need to make it.

Carmelized Vichyssoise and Pecan Gruyure Scones

There has been an absence of posts here lately.  I've got no great excuse for the lull.  We are a busy family (as usual), but that doesn't generally stop me from finding time to write here.  I suppose the full schedule has led to a little less creativity in the kitchen.  We've had more meals that would satisfy the kids than most readers here.  Sometimes catering to their carb loving ways allows my energy to be focused elsewhere in the organization of family life.

Thai Charred Corn & Coconut Soup

We've had this soup three times in the last few weeks.  The fresh local corn screams summer time while the warm soup leans us toward fall.  Jos has been packing it on her lunch at school too.  Since it's only the second week of school, I'm going to do my best not to complain about packing kids lunches here.  Honestly, although I love all things food, even I tire of creating food that will survive a school day and be quickly consumed.

Asparagus Cashew Soup

It's been a quiet weekend here in Kale Eats kitchen.  Jos was off camping with a youth group and Don was working.  That left just Luke and I to fend for ourselves.  We spent some time bickering about what to do.  He was happy to lay on the couch and play video games.  I thought we should go outside and enjoy the weather.  Eventually he decided he wanted to go across town and play tennis with some friends.  I said, "sure, let's go!"  Excited to get outdoors I was already putting my shoes on when he dropped the next sentences: "I think I can go without you mom. Just the kids can go. Not to worry, you don't need to get over protective." 

Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup

Our power went out last week during an ice storm.  Fourteen hours without heat or electricity made for an interesting day.  The kids read books and played board games.  We built a fire with very wet wood in our fireplace.  In the winter we take care to have dry wood available for fire building, but that pile was completely used.  Instead there remained an outdoor pile used for summer campfires.  I'm not sure what made me warmer, the fire once built or the sweaty effort of trying to keep the fire going. 

Buttercup Squash Tomato Soup

It's the end of the hockey season for Luke today and that can only mean one thing: spring is on it's way!  Except, this year it really hasn't made much of a showing in these parts.  Oh well, that just means more warm soup on lazy Saturdays at home.  One of my favourite soups, this buttercup squash tomato is made in such a short time with so few ingredients, I feel a little magical pulling it together. 

Vietnamese Meatball Soup

While vacationing in Arizona Josilin wrote a blog of our daily adventures.  Her best friend also wrote one while visiting San Francisco at the same time.  At the end of our day it was fun to choose what Jos wanted to upload and share with her friend; and even more fun to see what she had to share with us.  I am amazed at how social media savvy these young girls are and can't help but wonder what their futures will hold.

Arugula Fennel Hazelnut Soup

It's a long weekend here in the Kale Eats kitchen and we're enjoying every minute of it.  Funny how one extra day makes you feel like you've got more time on your hands.  My winter walks were a little longer, our board game playing have been multiple and a pot of homemade soup for lunch seems reasonable.  Of course when a soup comes together this simply, I have no excuse not to be making it any day of the week.

Fennel Blood Orange Pistachio Kale Salad



 

It's a beautiful winter day here in the Kale Eats kitchen.  Freshly fallen snow and a good blast of sunshine streaming in the window.  I can't decide if it's a good day to snuggle up in doors or better to brave all that snow and get a dose of Vitamin D.  Luke was so excited to see the snow this morning.  It's hard not to join in a child's enthusiasm.  Of course all that snow meant shovelling for me and sledding for him.  Who wouldn't want to go sliding down a hill right about now?

Rutabaga Apple Soup

I am a fan of the underdog.  Whether you're the formerly homeless NFL player, the first openly gay premier or a visible minority on a reality show- I've got your back.  I'm not sure when this fascination started, but it's been a long standing part of my personality.  In my twenties it was actually a friend who pointed it out to me.  We were watching Survivor and she said, "don't tell me who you're cheering for.  I know already.. it's the African American girl."  (It was).   Most days my hopes and dreams for the little guy comes in handy in my line of work.  I worry about people's lives and advocate when I think they can't do it for themselves. 

Almond, Sweet Potato, Chickpea and Greens Soup

Every winter I host a soup party.  Much like a cookie exchange, the women invited bring containers of soup to send home with participants.  We spend the night sampling all the soups over wine and laughter.  At the end of the night, each lady leaves with a basket full of soup to fill her freezer and hopefully, keep her warm til winter ends.

Carrot, Parsnip and Apple Soup

Keeping things real simple here for you and me.  I don't know about you but these last few days before Christmas always sneak up on me.  In spite of all the work to be done, I simply refuse to get stressed out about it.  Don has always been a huge fan of Christmas and every year he reminds me to enjoy every moment.  Watching the kids' holiday concerts, decorating the house and baking ridiculous amounts of cookies truly is a blessing.  The ability to spoil our children and those we love is not something to complain about.

Thai Coconut Mushroom Soup

It was a dear friend's birthday last week.  She is an amazing mother of four children and a true friend to me for the last twenty years.  I volunteered to bring lunch to her home to celebrate the big day.  With an 18month old underfoot, it's sometimes easier to avoid fancy-shmancy restaurants.  With the other three children at school, she put the big guy down for a nap and we settled in to this tasty soup.

Roasted Carrot Soup with Dukkah Spice

 

 I hate when Don is right.  Doesn't really matter what it's about, I just kinda figure I should win most arguments we have.  Funny thing is, he agrees with this.  Most times if I put up any sort of resistance, he will relent and say "you're right."  Now don't go thinking I'm some sort of bully or that he is any kind of pushover, both are far from the truth.  It's more that over the years we have both come to this realization.  My memory is far better than his, so he always trusts my version of history.  I read a ridiculous amount of news articles in various papers, so my knowledge of current events is usually greater.  And when it comes to food?  Well, it's fair to say most days he wouldn't dare disagree with my thoughts on what makes a good meal.

Seafood Gumbo

When it comes to favourite meals in our home, seafood is always the top of the list for both Don and Josilin. Since the kids were young, Don has told them both that in order to be a true to their Cape Breton heritage, they must love fish. But it is the one protein I struggle to cook the most. My favourite preparation is fish tacos, but the other three all say “you can’t taste the fish!” They want their seafood flavours to shine and dominate. I kinda want them hidden.

Roasted Eggplant, Tomato & Black Bean Soup

 What to make to make in the inaugural use of my new Le Creseut dutch oven?  Spoiled this year with a beautiful gift of a dutch oven I was both nervous and excited to create something in this magical cookware.  Does it really make things better?  Well, the verdict is out on that but I will choose to believe all things made in this pot will taste better than any version before.