Spring is here, time for health and beauty to begin again. This soup is creamy, yet no dairy products are involved. Basic Pantry ingredients create this healthy every-day soup.
Now that asparagus is in season I love to grab bunches at the farmer’s market. This easy soup is on my healthy-bowls list, quick and nourishing. The soup comes together quickly with some basic kitchen items.
No. 634 Fresh Asparagus soup from the Membership Collection.
Happy Easter everyone.
I know, yes you are reading this correctly, cinnamon in the sauce? Yes, this recipe is based on a dear friend’s fabulous sauce; very few people guess this secret spice. The spicy seasoning mix and Italian sausage contribute the sauce’s richness and complexity.
Our dear friend Tommy shared this recipe with our family many years ago. I can’t tell you how many pounds of sauce have been created. Everyone from kids to adults love this sauce. It is a unique take on spaghetti sauce. I shared it here . Unique just like the man, this sauce was created with families in mind.
Many sausage ragùs are sweet, however making the sauce with Hot Italian Sausage really kicks things up. The time spent cooking this sauce on the stove is so worth it. Put on your favorite show to binge and relax. Watch the sauce, stirring often as the sauce begins to thicken. During the last hour keep your eye on the pan, do not let the sauce stick to the bottom of the pan. Add more water if the sauce gets too thick during cooking.
Time is on your side for flavor, so don’t rush the cooking time. This sauce is even better made the day before. Cool, refrigerate and gently reheat to serve. I like using a short pasta like rigatoni or penne with this rich meat sauce.
Grab a little wintery comfort with a bowl of GIANT BEANS WITH TOMATOES AND HERBS a simple oven bake bursting with flavor-no boring beans here.
From my Collection Membership to you.
Beans pictured here are giant lima beans, which are easy to procure online. The orginal recipe from Andrea Gentl uses a bean called “fasolia gigantes,” which are large white beans used in Greek cuisine, many times in the dish referred to as ‘Gigantes plaki’, which is very similar to this recipe. The Greek beans are available online. This dish is often served as a main course and best of all it is vegan-friendly. *One thing to note is that the beans need to be soaked overnight in lots of fresh water prior to cooking. Do not be tempted to peel off the skins, this will cause the beans to split and become mushy.
The prepped beans* are baked in an herb-based fresh tomato sauce with oregano, thyme, bay leaf and fresh rosemary. Bake them in a 350° large covered casserole until tender for 2-3 hours, adding extra water as needed. My beans took the full 3 hours and required extra water, but time will depend on the size of your beans.
This particular recipe originates from a port town on Serifos, although this bean dish is served in many part of Greece. It appears as the term “plaki” pronounced Plah-KEE, refers to a Greek cooking method where the food is baked or roasted with plenty of tomatoes, veggies, and extra virgin olive oil, just as these beans are prepared.
This bean dish is healthy, tasty and very satisfying. Serve with lots of extra Greek olive oil and a dense bread with a crisp crust, perfect to mop up the sauces. Simply Beautiful Food from Greece for the home kitchen.
My-go to soup in chilly weather, the classic Market Gardener’s Zucchini and Curry Soup. Recipe No. 620 in the Membership Collection.
This classic cookbook by Patricia Wells is one I go back to soooo.. many times for recipes, and the star for me is The Market Gardener’s Zucchini and Curry Soup. Another one to mark is “Les Allobrroge’s Braised Lamb Shanks with Garlic” -the four spice rub is amazing. “Slow-Roasted Salmon with Sorrel Sauce” is also a winner-a cookbook worth owning. I know Fall is on its way when my Hydrangea begins to loose its oak shaped leaves.
This zucchini soup is simple, and a quick cook in the kitchen. You can vary the amount of curry, as Patricia notes, I do go for the full tablespoon of curry in my soup. The soup freezes well and is to have a great on-hand.
These nachos are special, they are LA Hippie Nachos. Lots of little nudges make regular nachos special, Hippie Nachos No 619 from Bijouxs Little Jewels Collection.
So, what are Hippie Nachos you say? I came across this recipe online here, and had to make them. They really are such a step-up from standard nachos, yet remain true to the classic.
Who does not love nachos?? I have made them many ways over the years but discovered Hippie Nachos a recipe from artist Louesa Robuck. I met Louesa right after I moved to Ventura, a chance encounter and a friend and I went out to view her Monotype paintings in her studio. That was how the connection began. Her beautiful book Foraged Flora had just come out and she gifted me a copy! So, over the years I have attended her work shops Punk Ikebana, it was great. She truly is a talent.
I think the key to this recipe is the amping-up of seasoning of the refried beans that make these nachos so special. Do not skip this step in the recipe. It’s an easy fix and really makes a difference. Once you prepare the beans you can assemble the nachos and broil to cheesy brown delights. The Have’a Corn Chips are also special, available in many markets.
Serve the nachos right out of the skillet while still warm.
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