CARROT & SAVORY GARLIC SOUP

Posted by Carole-Anne on November 9, 2007

Healthy Recipes offers you another incredible tasty that will make a quick weeknight vegetarian soup supper(with crusty roll or a baking powder biscuit, but also a great first course when entertaining). Carrots provide the body with an excellent source of beta carotene which is, of course, the precursor to Vitamin A. Carrots also provide a good source of dietary fiber and potassium, and help to prevent blindness and protect against cancer.Onions and chives (the green part) are a good source of Vitamin C and beta carotene. It has been though to lower blood cholesterol, reduce the ability to clot blood, and may also reduce blood pressure. Onions and chives may even help to prevent superficial infections. The ultimate pleasure of onions and chives is they are used to flavor a multitude of dishes.The herb basil has a pungent aroma, is a mainstay to many dishes, soups, stews, Italian dishes, and is also used in larger quantities as a tonic and cold remedy. It is also used to repel insects. Foods such as lasagna, spaghetti & sauce and pizza are just not the same without basil.

INGREDIENTS: 

2 elephant garlic cloves

1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 chopped Spanish onion

1 tsp sea salt

½ tsp freshly ground pepper

5 cups vegetable stock

3 cups chopped carrots

1 potato peeled & chopped

1 cup fresh shredded basil

¼ cup light sour cream

¼ cup freshly cut minced chives

NEXT TO DO:

Separate and peel elephant garlic cloves in a large saucepan.

In another large skillet heat extra-virgin olive oil, and sauté onion, sea salt and freshly ground pepper, stirring until onion is transparent.

Add stock, carrots, potato and one cup of water bringing to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer until vegetables are tender. Using a blender, (try Cuisinart Closeouts – Save up to 68%!)in batches, puree soup until smooth. Add water if necessary. Let cool for 30 minutes.

Just prior to serving, stir in basil. Ladle soup into bowls and top with a dollop of light sour cream.

Serves 4 – 6 - this is one tasty, flavorful soup!

Thumbs up to Healthy Recipes!

PAN-ROASTED COD SURPRISE!

Posted by Carole-Anne on November 8, 2007

Cod sits next to Halibut in my favorites in the fish

department. Cod is rich in Vitamin B12 and low to

average in level of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Cod cooks rapidly, may be garnished with a variety of

herbs, dill, chervil, and as you can see below, caraway

seeds, chives,coriander, cumin, parsley, oregano Cod may be steamed,

poached, fried, used in fish chowders, and it is well known that

white fish as cod, used with a carbohydrate (rice, potato) becomes

filling very quickly.

So onto another of my favorite dishes………

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 small head red cabbage, de-cored and thinly sliced
• 1 lb. Granny Smith apples, de-cored and cubed into 1/2 blocks
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp caraway seeds
• Dash of Sea salt
• Dash of freshly ground pepper
• 4 cod fillets (6 oz ea)

NEXT TO DO:

Melt butter over medium-high heat, in a 12 inch, non-stick, deep skillet.

Stir in cabbage, apples, cider vinegar, caraway seeds, and 1/4 tsp

sea salt. Turn down heat to medium and cover skillet – cook cabbage

mixture for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally until cabbage

looks like it is softening.

Add cod to top of cabbage mixture, sprinkling with sea salt and freshly

ground pepper. Cover skillet and cook for another 10 minutes. Cod will

turn to an opaque color throughout when cod is cooked.

Garnish with thinly sliced apples (cut from top of apple to bottom.)

Serve on a beautiful platter to show off this artfully prepared dish

of cod, red cabbage and apple.

This has been a favorite of mine since long ago when I met a girl from

Norway, who taught me to use caraway seeds. So tasty when you know how

to do it! And dish is simple – quick to make. Yummy.

Healthy Recipe Serves 4.

By the way, I came across this auction site while looking for some new table settings. Its called Sterling Silver Flatware.com and its great! Have a look!