green dill matzoh balls

4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or chicken schmaltz
1 cup matzo meal
1/4 cup seltzer water
2 tablespoons chopped dill
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more

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mix, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes, and then roll into balls. drop into boiling chicken stock, simmer for 40-45 min, or until tender and puffy.

recipe by Leah Koenig for epicurious

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I loved the dill in these! However, for me personally, these were not my favorite recipe. I have read that seltzer makes matzoh balls tender, but this recipe was more mushy than tender. Definitely edible, perfectly fine matzoh balls. I like a light, delicate “floater”, and I also like a dense and chewy “sinker”. This middle ground mush (a hoverer?) was not my favorite! Not sure if it was due to the proportion of eggs to oil to matzoh, or the seltzer, or what. This was my first time trying plain seltzer in matzah balls, and I am not sold on it.

I invested in a giant mess of discounted matzoh this year, so I will keep trying matzoh ball recipes throughout the winter. I’ll let you know if I find my ideal recipe!

Looking to use a whole mess of dill? Make these matzoh balls, and serve the soup with beet salad with dilled yogurt!

Looking to expand your Jewish cooking repertoire? This spicy melon berry and mint salad is surprising, and this latke recipe is traditional!

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roasted tomato gazpacho

Roasting fresh summer tomatoes makes their flavor even more complex. If you have some sweet, one-note tomatoes, roasting them adds depth. Gazpacho adds everything a sweet tomato needs – acidity, and a little garlic and herb flavor.

If you are thinking, “Haven’t you already posted about roasting tomatoes?” – well, technically, yes, I posted a roasted tomato dip in 2011. This gazpacho is like a yogurt-free version of that dip that celebrates bright summer flavors.

Gazpacho is like salsa – everyone does it differently. BA’s recipe calls for shallots; Alton Brown’s calls for tomato juice and lime juice; Barefoot Contessa’s is mostly cucumber; Andrew Zimmern’s calls for a ton of Worcestershire.

Bloggers put everything from mango, to celery and sugar, to cumin, to a huge jalapeño in theirs.

I know everyone likes it chunky, but I’m tagging this with “soft foods” because I prefer a totally blended gazpacho. It’s such a refreshing incredible summer sipper.

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– a few pounds of sweet and acidic tomatoes
– a clove (two if they are small) of garlic
– sweet and/or hot peppers (optional)
roast above on 450 til roasty

cool, peel, then add to blender or giant mortar and pestle) with:
– splash of olive oil
– splash of Worcestershire
– half a cucumber (optional)
– red wine vinegar and/or lemon juice (any sour will do)
– whatever fresh herbs you have in the house (highly recommend fresh basil, dill, chives, and thyme, if you have it!)
– pinch of salt and pepper
– (optional, bloody mary style) a little grated horseradish, tabasco or other vinegary hot sauce, and extra splash of Worcestershire sauce

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recipe by friedsig, based on recipes from rozanne gold and food network magazine

moroccan roasted vegetable soup

just adding this one ingredient (ras-el-hanout – a moroccan spice blend that’s complex and amazing) to a basic roasted vegetable soup is a total game-changer.

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roast one full cookie sheet of chopped veggies (I did carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, red potatoes, whole cloves of garlic, and butternut squash) coated in olive oil

roast an onion, too, or chop it raw and saute it in a soup pot or dutch oven.

when soft, add the roasted veggie chunks and a bunch of stock or broth of some kind, whatever you have in the house. also add ras-el-hanout to taste. the original recipe calls for a tablespoon, but my blend is very spicy with tons of cayenne, and barely a teaspoonful was enough.

when everything is totally soft, after simmering for a while, blend the soup and serve.

you can top with plain yogurt, and/or fresh mint.

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adapted by friedsig from the bbc

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almost exactly the same as the vegetable soup i normally make, but the simple addition of ras el hanout makes it taste totally new again. if you’re bored of the same old veggie soup you always make, definitely give this a try! i always make curried red lentil and squash soup, but coconut milk is getting really pricey, and this is a great alternative!

this is one of my newest vegan soup favorites. i will 100% be making this again soon.

15-minute broccoli, spinach, and green curry coconut soup

green curry paste (1T-1/3c, depending on your preference)
one can of coconut milk
3 cups of water
a pound of broccoli florets, chopped
a handful to baby spinach leaves
fresh cilantro leaves (coriander leaves)
salt and pepper

stir-fry the curry paste
if you’re using real Thai green curry paste, DON’T use a third of a cup unless you have a steel stomach – start with a tablespoon and add more later if it needs it
if the paste is thick, add a little water

when fragrant, add the water and chopped broccoli stems, and boil about five minutes

add the rest of the broccoli, salt and pepper, turn down the heat, and simmer until soft, about ten minutes

add the coconut milk, simmer another few minutes

turn off the heat

add the spinach leaves and cilantro

blend, adjust seasoning to taste

can top with crispy fried scallions if you’re feeling fancy, or a scoop of plain yogurt, but it’s great just as is

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modified from epicurious

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really fantastic. if you love the flavor of cilantro more than you love broccoli and spinach, it’s a great way to get all your veggies. it takes just as long to cool the soup for blending as it does to cook it.

again, seriously be careful how much curry paste you use – i’m in so much pain from heartburn. but the flavor is amazing. perfect way to use up those curry paste packets i’ve had sitting in the pantry for a year. i definitely recommend this recipe.

choucroute garnie (sauerkraut and smoked sausage stew)

maybe my favorite hearty stew ever? it’s great to have a hearty stew in the wintertime. i love my friend eli’s version of kapusta. but my new favorite pork and sauerkraut wintertime stew is choucroute. this stew is eaten in the eastern part of france, on the germany border, and also on the western part of germany, where my family is from. thanks for the recipe, mom!

here’s my version – a small-ish version. i’ll also include the version you’ll want to make for a crowd.

friedsig’s choucroute

– 1 lb smoked sausage or other smoked meats like smoked pork chop, plus whatever leftover bacon or other meat you have in the house
– 1 large red onion
– 2 sweet red apples
– half a small jar of sauerkraut, homemade or store-bought
– half a small head of red cabbage, mince
– handful of little potatoes

– cup or two of white wine, like Riesling
– cup or two of chicken stock, veg stock, or pork stock

in a tea ball or cheesecloth:
– 0.5 t each of juniper berries and whole peppercorns
– 1.5 bay leaves
– pinch of caraway seeds
– 2 cloves
– 2 smashed cloves of garlic

1. (optional) in a large pot or dutch oven, pre-cook the meat, depending on what you use. if using bacon, cook that. if using smoked sausage or pork chops, brown them. no matter which meat you use, remove meat and set aside.
2. in that same large pot or dutch oven, saute your onion in lard, bacon grease, or some neutral oil like canola. when soft, add the whole spices and apple and raw cabbage. after a few minutes, add all the rest of the ingredients, including the meat. simmer for hours.
3. separately, boil up some potatoes. serve choucroute with boiled potatoes and whole-grain mustard.

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you can add any meat from short ribs to hot dogs. try varying the meats, adding a pound or two of each kind. check out the epicurious choucroute garnie for a crowd with six pounds of meat:

1 3/4 pounds smoked meaty ham hocks
1 pound fully cooked bratwurst
8 ounces thick-sliced bacon strips, cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces
2 large onions, chopped
1 teaspoon juniper berries (optional)
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
10 whole cloves
8 whole allspice
3 bay leaves
3 Red Delicious apples, unpeeled, cored, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 2-pound jars sauerkraut, squeezed dry
2 pounds fully cooked kielbasa, cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces
1 pound fully cooked knockwurst
2 cups Alsatian Pinot Blanc or other dry white wine
2 pounds small red-skinned potatoes
2/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
Assorted mustards
Prepared white horseradish

you can also try serious eats‘ version, which calls for 7 pounds of meat, or jacques pepin‘s version with 8 lbs of meat, including hot dogs.

no matter what meat ends up in your choucroute, it’s great served with potatoes, or crusty bread and mustard, or even plain pasta or couscous or rice.

carrot stew (qorma-e-zardak)

super simple and healthy stew from afghanistan. this recipe comes from the book afghan food and cookery by helen saberi.

MY VERSION:

8 oz (about a cup) split yellow peas
2 medium onions, peeled and finely chopped
1/4 c oil
1 lb carrots, peeled and diced
2 tomatoes
1 tsp turmeric
3/4 t ground coriander
1/2 t ground cumin
1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp vinegar
salt and black pepper

soak peas for at least a half-hour. in a soup pot, start onions and oil, then add all other ingredients except sugar. cover with water and simmer for about an hour, until peas and veggies are soft. add sugar and serve.

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HELEN SABERI’S VERSION:

8 oz split yellow peas
2 medium onions, peeled and finely chopped
1/4 c vegetable oil
1 lb carrots, peeled and diced
2 tomatoes
1 tsp turmeric
1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
1/4 c sugar
salt and black pepper
1 tsp vinegar

soak the peas in a little warm water for a half hour or so before cooking.

fry the chopped onion gently in the oil until golden brown and soft. drain the peas and add to the onion. now add enough water to cover and bring to a boil. add the other ingredients, adjusting sugar to taste. stir well and cook slowly, stirring from time to time, until the carrots and split peas are cooked, adding extra water if the stew becomes too dry.

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from the book afghan food and cookery by helen saberi

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I didn’t soak the peas long enough, and they were still crunchy an hour later. Definitely don’t skip the half-hour soak. Then I didn’t add enough water and the peas at the bottom of the pot burned, so, don’t do that. The flavor was good, but mild. I added the coriander and cumin to lend some depth. Overall, a great choice for someone looking for a mild, healthy, carroty stew. Would be a great choice for someone recovering from a sickness, or a picky eater, as it’s not strongly seasoned.

creamy mushroom soup

shoutout to one of the most important things on the planet:
public libraries.

thanks to them, i have access to the new 1,000 page cooking bible “the food lab” written by seriouseats.com’s j. kenji lopez-alt. this caught my eye right away.

creamy mushroom soup by seriouseats.com’s lopez-alt

2 lbs mushrooms, cleaned and sliced 3/4 in thick
4 T unsalted butter
1 large leek, white and pale green parts only, split in half and cut 3/4 in thick
1 medium onion, finely sliced
2 t fresh thyme leaves
3 T all purpose flour
1 cup milk
4 cups homemade or low-sodium canned chicken or veg stock
2 bay leaves
salt and pepper

1. set aside 1 c mushrooms. melt 3 T butter in a dutch oven or soup pot over med-high heat. add remaining mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, about 10 min til they begin to brown and have given off their liquid. add leeks, onions, and half the thyme, stirring frequently, til veggies are soft, about five min.

2. add flour and cook, stirring constantly, til flour is absorbed, about 30 seconds. stirring constantly, slowly pour in milk, followed by stock. add bay leaves, bring to boil, reduce heat to maintain simmer, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, til liquid is thickened, about 10 minutes. discard bay leaves.

3. in batches, transfer mixture to blender, or use immersion blender.

4. melt the remaining T of butter in a pan and cook the reserved 1 c mushrooms til deep brown, about 10 minutes. add remaining thyme. garnish each bowl with these mushrooms.

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recipe taken from the food lab by j. kenji lopez-alt.

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really easy, quick soup. highly recommended.

roasted cauliflower and carrot soup

1 tablespoon coriander seeds
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more for serving
1 large white onion, peeled and diced (2 cups)
2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
5 medium carrots (1 pound), cut into 1/2-inch pieces (2 cups)
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, more as needed
3 tablespoons white miso (less for more powerful miso – i did about 2 T red miso)
1 small (or half of a large) head cauliflower, trimmed and cut into florets
½ teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice, more to taste

toast coriander seeds (dry pan, medium heat) 2-3 min. coarsely crush in mortar and pestle.
roast cauliflower and carrots on 425.
add oil to pan, caramelize onion, add garlic.
add veggies, coriander, salt, and 6 c water. simmer fifteen minutes.
remove soup from heat, blend, and stir in lemon zest and juice just before serving. top with cayenne or hot sauce, and maybe a little heavy cream.

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or (their version)

In a large, dry pot over medium heat, toast coriander seeds until fragrant and dark golden-brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a mortar and pestle and coarsely crush.
Return the pot to medium heat. Add the oil and heat until warm. Stir in onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and lightly colored, 7 to 10 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute.
Add carrots, crushed coriander, salt and 6 cups water to the pot. Stir in the miso until it dissolves. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook, uncovered, 5 minutes. Stir in cauliflower and cook, covered, over medium-low heat until the vegetables are very tender, about 10 minutes.
Remove the soup from the heat. Using an immersion blender, purée the soup until smooth. (Alternatively, you can let soup cool slightly then purée it in batches in a food processor or blender.) If necessary, return the puréed soup to the heat to warm through. Stir in the lemon zest and juice just before serving. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with chile, sea salt and cilantro leaves.

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modified from the new york times

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solidly decent soup. i have been on a curried red lentil, squash, and coconut soup kick lately, so this tastes surprisingly simple. i roasted the cauliflower and served it with a little hot sauce. i recommend it.

guinness beef stew with potatoes

not a bad way to spend a lazy cold weekend when you want the oven on all day. this soup is everything you are picturing – rich, hearty, and dark. it’s the only meaty dish dark enough to rival my vegan chipotle chocolate chili.

 

1 cup homemade chicken stock
1-3 lbs. boneless beef chuck roast, or any stew beef cut into smallish stew-y bits
3 large carrots, one just cut in half, and 2 cut into large dice
2 parsnips, one just cut in half, and one cut into large dice
8 oz – 1 lb small, waxy potatoes
4 peeled medium onions, 2 cut in half, and 2 cut into large dice
3 crushed cloves of garlic
1 oz bittersweet chocolate (about a small handful)
2 bottles or cans of dark, rich beer, like a stout or porter
sprigs of fresh thyme, parsley, and bay leaf (optional)
1 T fish sauce
1 T worcestershire sauce
1 T soy sauce
handful of flour
neutral veg oil, like canola
salt and pepper

preheat oven to 275. heat a dutch oven over medium-high heat on the stovetop, with a T or two of veg oil. wait til it’s hot. brown meat over a medium-high flame, about 10 min, turning regularly.

remove meat. add just the halved carrot, onion, and parsnip, along with garlic, and brown 4 min or so.

lower heat and add stock, beer, fish sauce, soy sauce, worcestershire, and herbs.

cut meat into stew-sized pieces and roll in flour. add to dutch oven, and bake the whole thing partially covered for 30 minutes. then stir, and bake for another 30 minutes.

then add potatoes and bake for another 30 minutes.

on the stovetop, saute the diced carrots, parsnips, and onions. skim any fat on top of the stew, and remove the herbs and the halved vegetables. add diced sauteed veggies to the stew and cook for an additional 45 minutes, or until everything is tender. the lid can be removed for the last 20 minutes.

garnish with parsley, or with sour cream, or hot sauce and tons of crusty bread.

 

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recipe by serious eats: serious eats guinness beef stew & adapted by sig at friedsig

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good, solid stew recipe, but boring enough that i got tired of it before it was gone. good for a “meat and potatoes” kind of person, but there was nothing super exciting about it to me, so i gave the rest to someone (who liked it a lot). maybe it needs something sour to cut the heartiness a little? it smelled great as it was cooking, though, and was really not bad at all.

soup joumou (haitian pumpkin soup)

two versions: VEGAN and MEATY!

This Haitian pumpkin soup looks amazing for warming up in January. & in fact, this soup is traditionally eaten on the New Year to celebrate Haitian independence. There is a great read about why Haitians celebrate their independence with this pumpkin soup on soupsong (or a short version here if you like!)

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VEGAN VERSION!:

2 lbs pumpkin
one small cabbage, diced; or one package of extra-firm tofu, cut into chunks; or one package of tempeh, cut into chunks; or 1 eggplant, diced; or anything that you like to eat that can be marinated

marinade:
2 limes
1 onion
4 cloves garlic
1 tsp thyme
2 scallions
salt and pepper
soup:
1 habanero, seeded (less if you don’t like spicy food)
2 whole cloves, or a pinch of clove powder
veggie stock, or bouillon cube and water

any combination of:
cabbage
celery
carrots
potatoes
turnips
bell pepper
a few sprigs of parsley
malanga
1/4 lb vermicelli or other small pasta, broken up
pat of margarine or drizzle of oil

roast about 2 pounds of pumpkin, or cut up and boil in stockpot.
smash or puree once cooked.

marinate the meat substitute or vegetable of your choice in a paste of onion, shallot, fresh garlic and/or garlic powder, thyme, scallions, salt, and black pepper (green peppercorns if you have them, too.. but it’s not necessary.) marinate between an hour and a day.

bring water to a boil in a soup pot. add the pumpkin, habanero, and clove powder. if you are using eggplant or cabbage or some other firm veggie, add it now. simmer for a half-hour or so. add hard vegetables. cook until soft. if marinating something delicate like tofu, add now, along with vermicelli, parsley, and margarine, and cook until pasta is soft.

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MEATY VERSION!:

2 lbs pumpkin
1lb beef stew meat

marinade:
2 limes
1 onion
4 cloves garlic
1 tsp thyme
2 scallions
salt and pepper

soup:
1 habanero, seeded (less if you don’t like spicy food)
2 whole cloves, or a pinch of clove powder
stock, broth, or bouillon cube and water

any combination of:
cabbage, celery, carrots, potatoes, turnips, bell pepper, a few sprigs of parsley, malanga, 1/4 lb vermicelli or other small pasta, broken up, and a pat of butter or margarine

roast about 2 pounds of pumpkin, or cut up and boil in stockpot.
smash or puree once cooked.

take a pound of beef stew meat, and squeeze half a lime over the meat. rub the other half of the lime on the meat. rinse meat. marinate it in a paste of onion, shallot, fresh garlic and/or garlic powder, thyme, scallions, salt, and black pepper (green peppercorns if you have them, too.. but it’s not necessary.) marinate between an hour and a day.

bring water to a boil in a soup pot. add the pumpkin, beef, habanero, and clove powder. simmer for an hour or two. add hard vegetables. cook until soft. add vermicelli, parsley, and butter, and cook until pasta is soft.

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adapted from love for haitian food, soupsong, and axis of logic by friedsig

 

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update 1/2016 –
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! tweaked this to make an extremely lazy version that’s great for a quick dinner if you have a few roasted squash in your fridge. it tastes great, so i can only imagine how good the real soup tastes.

just sauteed some diced onions, carrots, parsnips, and poblanos in a soup pot.

when soft, i poured in tons of homemade stock, and simmered everything with cloves and thyme for a while.

then added tons of roasted squashes (like butternut, acorn, hubbard, and golden nugget) and little soup noodles.

when everything fell apart, i turned off the heat and squeezed in some fresh limes. fantastic soup! will definitely make the real deal soon.