Cooking Recipes

Sweet Potato Coconut Soup

Ingredients:

2 medium size sweet potatoes (peeled and chopped)
1 can lite coconut milk
1 cup chicken broth (or veggie)
1 zucchini (chopped)
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 medium onion (chopped)
2 cloves of garlic (chopped)
1/2 tsp fresh black pepper
1/2 tsp sea salt (you can put more in if you want, but I don't like too much salt)
2 tsp medium curry powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp coconut oil


Directions:

In a medium size soup pot heat the stove to medium heat and add in the coconut oil, onions, and garlic. Then add the sweet potatoes and spices. Stir and sauté  the veggies and the spices together. Then add the coconut milk, broth, and a little water if the coconut milk and broth do not cover the veggies completely. Stir and cover. Let the pot simmer for about 10 minutes. Then add in the chopped cilantro and zucchini. Cover and let simmer (on low heat) for another 10 minutes. Spoon into serving bowls and let stand for a few minutes to cool down before eating :)

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Rosemary Saffron Risotto with Goat Cheese

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups arborio rice
4 1/2 cups stock (chicken, vegetable, beef, any kind you want)
1 medium onion (chopped into small pieces)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
3 tbsp butter
1 tbsp oil (any kind you like)
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 cup goat cheese
1 zucchini (chopped)
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
sea salt (to taste)
1 tsp fresh ground pepper
2 tsp dried rosemary (chopped)
1/4 tsp saffron flakes (ground to a powder)
1/2 tsp dried parsley
extra goat cheese for crumbling on top

Directions:

In a medium pot boil the stock on high. Once it is boiled, turn it down to a simmer. In another medium sauce pan, melt the butter and oil together. Add in the onion and garlic and let simmer. Next add in the rice and coat rice with the butter/oil mixture (do not let the rice brown). Ladle in a scoop of broth and stir as the rice absorbs the broth. Keep doing this until the pot is empty of broth and the rice had become very starchy and creamy (stir constantly). Add in the saffron, rosemary, parsley, pepper, and salt as you are adding in the broth. Let the spices simmer together as the rice absorbs the broth. Next add in the two different cheeses and stir the risotto until all the cheese is melted and mixed into the rice (should resemble a nice yellow creamy risotto mixture...) (This all takes about 20 minutes)

In a separate pan on medium heat,  heat up 1 tsp oil and add in the chopped zucchini. Let the zucchini simmer for a little while and then add in the balsamic vinegar and let that coat the browned zucchini. Next add the zucchini into the risotto and stir. Transfer to a bowl and top with crumbled goat cheese. Enjoy!

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Mushroom Cranberry Balsamic Noodles with Lemon Zest and Chili

Bring water to boil in a medium size pot

Ingredients:

Pasta:
1/2 bag of spaghetti noodles
2.5 quarts of water
a pinch of salt

Mushroom Cranberry Sauce:
1 container of mushrooms (washed and sliced)
1 medium onion (peeled and diced)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp ground thyme (or 1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves)
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp chili pepper flakes
the zest of 1 lemon
a pinch of saffron flakes

Directions:

Bring water to a boil and add in the pasta (let cook for about 7 minutes at a rapid boil and stir occasionally), when pasta is done, drain in sink and set aside.
In a medium size pan place on burner and turn the stove up to medium heat. Add the oil, onion, garlic, and mushrooms, let them sauté for 5 minutes. Then add in the balsamic vinegar, honey, and spices. Cover and let simmer for 5 minutes. Add in the pasta and mix completely so that the sauce and veggies cover the pasta noodles. Add in the lemon zest and mix again. Place in bowls and add a little more zest if you want for garnish and some extra chili flakes, or just serve as is.

(as a side dish I made some steamed broccoli and didn't put anything else on them..other than steam... :))