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.

Roasted Beet & Spinach Pesto Cheesy Melt

For someone who doesn't love them, there are quite a few sandwiches on this site.  Don's favourite food in the world is a sandwich and I try to keep things interesting with various veggie combinations.  Previously I would have told you my favourite is the Roasted Zucchini with Lemongrass Aioli.  He would have said his favourite is the Southwest Sandwich .  My friend Lori still talks about the time we carpooled to hockey and I brought along my Beet and Grapefruit Sandwich to enjoy.  As their family enjoyed subs from a drive thru, she threatened that she might just rip that sandwich right out of my hands!  All this to say, I thought I had peaked in my sandwich creations.  I mean, could I really find a better sandwich than those we already loved?

Poblanos stuffed with Romano Beans, Red Quinoa & Queso Fresco

 It's been a weird summer of weather for us, but this last week has been fantastic.  Warm sunny days and cool evenings for sleeping.  We've been dining outside as much as possible.  Jos is away at camp for the week with her best friend and I can't think of a better spot to be.  I was a die-hard camp goer as a kid.  It was the best week of the summer for me and eventually, my first job.  Working as a camp counsellor is a dream gig.  Sunshine, peers and little people who look up to you all day long- what's not to love?  It took a long time to get over the camp life, when I finally got a real job in my late teens.  If only life was as easy as summer camp.

Carrot Kohlrabi Asian Slaw

We're back from the wilderness and I'm craving raw fresh food.  Backpacking our food in was a lot of fun, but by day five, the fresh options are gone.  Dried fruits and veggies just can't shine a light to the taste of locally grown produce.  Coming home to a hot shower and a crisp salad was pure bliss.  A slaw of kohlrabi and carrots might sound a little dull, but this salad is anything but.  Crunchy and filling, it makes a perfect lunch for home or on the road.  Don likes his on a bed of lentils, to up the protein while I prefer it on it's own. 

Baked Breakfast Clafoutis

Life. Is. Too. Busy.  I know this and yet our schedule continues to be full.  I can't change what is on the calendar already, but it is my hope that things will slow down soon.  Purposefully doing nothing will be difficult but the rewards will be great.  Pausing to enjoy the quietness of the morning or the laughter of my kids in the backyard are number one on my list.

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." 

Persian Chickpea Rhubarb Curry

How utterly Canadian of me to talk about the weather, but it's hard to think of little else these days.  Although the calendar is creeping toward the end of May, the weather feels nothing like summer.   Josilin played soccer in the pouring rain and temperatures close to 3 degrees Celsius last week.  Prior to heading out she packed herself a little bag of essentials.  Two sweaters, a coat, a head warmer and her favourite blanket. 

Vegetarian Dolmades

Sharing an office at work is a little like living with someone. We share a space that's often where one goes to retreat from others.  It's been over five years that I've been shacking up with my sweet friend Norma at work and I wouldn't change a thing. Happily for me, we have a lot in common.  She loves food, children and a good laugh.  That's probably all I needed, but she's got even more going for her!  Generous to a fault, she gives her time, her ideas and compassion with me and all the clients we work with.  Every morning she greets me with a smile, asks how the kids are this morning and often, what is that beautiful lunch you just pulled out?  A grandma who has raised her own, I love to hear the wisdom she shares when I complain about my kids or hubby.

Spicy Ethiopian Fava Beans

Belonging to a book club has been one of the better decisions I have made.  For years I thought I would enjoy this experience, but with young kids and a shift working husband it just wasn't feasible.  In the fall of 2011 I took a leap and sent an email invite to eight women asking if they would consider joining me in a book club.  I thought maybe four would say yes, and we would have a quaint little discussion group. Instead, all women said yes and we haven't looked back since.

Cauliflower Brocoli Fritters

Trying to nourish this family during hectic days is not without challenges.  We are all so busy, I know I'm not touching on anything new here.  It is in these times that make ahead meals and snacks are what keep me sane; and feeding my family food I can stand behind.  There is no shortage of fritter, croquette and veggie cakes on this site.  Beyond tasting good, they also are fun to eat and so simple to make.  Handheld foods are always a hit with Don who prefers meals on the run throughout the day.  Although I prefer these on a bed of pea shoots with a nice drizzle of yogurt sauce, he's happy to grab a veggie cake cold from the fridge.

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. 

Cauliflower Farrotto

It's been awhile since I've been able to update here.  Between a fantastic vacation away, followed by a week of illness and mountains of laundry there's been little time for great meals.  I made this farrotto before we went away with great intentions of sharing it with you all upon our return.  Similar to risotto but made with the healthier and chewier farro, it's both nourishing and comforting at once.

Arugula, Rutabaga Barley Salad with Hazelnuts

Congratulations to Sarah on winning the giveaway for my 100th post!  Please be in touch with an address for me to mail the cookbook to you.  (random.org did the selecting)  Thanks to those of you who left a message and to the many who visited, but didn't comment.  I can't wait to see what the next 100 posts will bring.  Something tells me it will continue to include lots of salads like this one.  Rutabaga might not be your first choice for a salad topper, but you'd be surprised just how good it is.  Tossed with a little maple syrup the sweetness plays nicely against the peppery arugula.  The second go around I put some salty feta on top.  Although not pictured it was the perfect addition.

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.

Roasted Vegetable Hemp Seed Lasagne

A few years ago I was out for a walk when a car pulled up beside me.  I was certain the driver's next words would be: where is the gas station? funeral home? arena?  Living in a small town right off a highway means people end up here looking for staples.  Even if they've come to town intentinally, some landmarks  are not easily found.  A river runs through the town and so the streets are not a grid and some streets start on one side of the river and continue on the other.  It's not uncommon to give directions to any of these places and I was ready and willing to happily direct them.  However, on this day, the driver instead said to me: are you Josilin's mom?  Panic sank in.  What emergency was going on at my home that this random stranger had been sent out to find me?