recipe

KNR, p. 70 “Irish Peasant Soup”

 

 

 

During our last trip to Ireland, Sheila and I had lunch in many different restaurants, in both big cities and small villages throughout the country. We were surprised to see that there were two comfort foods common to every mid-day menu: Brown Bread and Irish Peasant Soup. While I’m traveling, if I find something I like to eat, I tend to stick with it, just to be on the safe side. Sheila says I should be more adventurous, but IMO, odd sauces can cover up a LOT of mystery meat.

 

Having said that, we discovered that each of the places had different recipes for the soup. Sheila came up with this combination of vegetables after striking up a friendship with a chatty cook who revealed that the soups are basically created using whatever is fresh from the garden that week.

 

Irish Peasant Soup
Author: 
Recipe type: Soup
Serves: 4-6
 
Ingredients
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 stalks celery, (no leaves) diced into 1/4 inch cubes
  • 2 quarts (64 ounces) organic low sodium chicken broth (Swanson’s)
  • 1 teaspoon powdered garlic
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 ¾ cups baby carrots, sliced
  • 3 parsnips, peeled and sliced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 Tablespoon fine sea salt or Kosher salt
  • 2 cups coarsely chopped kale
Instructions
  1. Saute diced celery in olive oil until translucent (about 10 minutes), stirring occasionally.
  2. Add 1/4 cup of chicken broth if needed to keep from sticking.
  3. Add powdered garlic and onion powder. Stir.
  4. Add sliced carrots, sliced parsnips, minced garlic and salt.
  5. Add 1 cup more chicken broth, stir, cover and bring to low boil, cooking until parsnips fork tender (about 20 minutes).
  6. Stir occasionally.
  7. After parsnips are fork tender, add the kale and the remaining chicken broth, cover and continue on simmer for another 30 minutes, stirring every ten minutes.
  8. Remove soup from pot a little at a time and puree in blender or food processor until desired consistency, setting aside until entire contents are pureed.
  9. Return puree to pot and lightly season with salt, etc. to taste.
  10. Reheat before serving.
Notes
Note: If making ahead, this soup gets a little saltier in the refrigerator by the next day.

It’s easy to substitute other veggies if parsnips or kale are out of season or unavailable. Keep the seasoning, liquids, and measurements the same. The basic recipe is quite versatile. Promise: nobody will die if you switch out collard greens for the kale.  😉

Enjoy!

 

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KNR, p. 186 “Kerrian’s Pumpkin Soup”

 

Pumpkin SoupIMG_6202

Thanksgiving is coming! Thanksgiving is coming!  Yay!
Sheila and I were at the store earlier and picked up a few odds and ends – mostly the salad fixings, since the guests will be bringing some of the side dishes. I stocked up on the canned pumpkin.  I can never get enough pumpkin, so I am making pumpkin soup to go with my sandwiches both before and after Turkey Day.  🙂

 

This is a super easy recipe. No chopping! I use the pumpkin can to measure the milk, and all the ingredients go straight into the pot. Minimal cleanup and it’s ready in 15 minutes. Sheila says she likes the soup, but I have a sneaking suspicion that she likes the fact that all she has to do is show up to the lunch table and enjoy.  🙂

 

"Kerrian's Pumpkin Soup"
Author: 
Recipe type: Soup
Cuisine: American
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4
 
Ingredients
  • 1- 15 oz can organic pumpkin puree
  • 1 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 3/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • Garnish - 1/2 teaspoon pre-packaged, halved pecans for each bowl.
  • Garnish - 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon for each bowl.
Instructions
  1. Place pumpkin in a 2 quart saucepan.
  2. Add milk 1/4 cup at a time, mixing thoroughly.
  3. Add cinnamon, nutmeg, sea salt, and brown sugar and mix together.
  4. Heat on medium heat until soup starts to bubble at the edges, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep from sticking.
  5. Stir and cook for 5 more minutes. It will be thick and creamy.
  6. Divide equally among bowls and garnish with cinnamon or chopped pecans. (or both)

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

*Photo by Patti Phillips

 

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KNR, p. 204 “Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins”

 

Sheila tried out a new muffin recipe. And the muffins have PUMPKIN in them. Big smiles here.  She said that these were for breakfast, but since I was hanging around for taste-testing duty, I had the first one for an afternoon snack. She made some with chocolate chips and without, and both types were great. Chocolate and pumpkin, though? Perfect together!

 

In case you were wondering? No bodies anywhere in the kitchen or dining room. I always check. 😉

 

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins
Author: 
Recipe type: snack
Cuisine: American
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 6 jumbo muffins
 
Ingredients
  • Topping
  • 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons pecans, chopped and ground
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Muffins
  • 1/3 cup sunflower seed oil (or other nut oil)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose unbleached King Arthur flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 1/4 cups organic canned pumpkin puree
  • 3/4 cup Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Mix topping ingredients together and set aside.
  2. Pre-heat oven to 375. Standing mixer - slowest speed. Do not overbeat at any step.
  3. Cream oil and sugar.
  4. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until just mixed.
  5. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, a little at a time and mix until evenly moistened.
  6. Add pumpkin puree and mix until just blended.
  7. Add chocolate chips and stir with large spoon until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  8. Divide mix evenly among 6 extra large greased, floured muffin tins (or use jumbo baking cup papers)
  9. Divide topping equally and sprinkle on top of the muffins, about 2 teaspoons each.
  10. Bake 20-25 minutes in center of oven - until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, muffins are springy to the touch, and lightly golden brown.

 

Let rest on cooling rack for five minutes, then enjoy!  🙂

 

 

 

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