Mushroom & Barley Soup

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, for sautéing
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
5 stalks of celery, coarsely chopped, with leaves
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 small yellow zucchini, chopped in ¼ circles
8 oz of baby bella mushrooms, thickly sliced
¼ cup of flat leaf parsley, coarsely chopped
¼ cup of chives, finely chopped
3 tablespoons of flour, for thickening
1 quart of chicken broth (or vegetable, if preferred)
2 cups of water
½ cup of whole barley
salt, pepper, dash of cayenne for kick

Preparation:

In a large pot, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter, sauté onions until translucent. Then add carrots, celery, and squash, sauté for a few minutes, then add remaining butter and the sliced mushrooms. When vegetables are soft, add parsley, chives, salt, pepper, cayenne (if desired) and flour, stirring constantly. When mixed well, add water, and pour in chicken broth. Bring to a boil, and add barley. Cover, and simmer for 1 hour, and enjoy.

Serves 4-6.

organic onions, turning roots farm.

organic celery, kimberton whole foods.

organic garlic, kimbterton whole foods.

organic yellow zucchini, kimberton whole foods.

organic carrots, turning roots farm.

organic mushrooms, kimbterton whole foods.

organic whole barley, kimberton whole foods.

organic chicken broth, homemade.

Falsolada

Ingredients:

1 medium sized onion
2 cloves of garlic
½ head of celery
6 medium potatoes
5 medium tomatoes
1 small can of diced tomatoes
5 stems of russian kale
3 small heirloom peppers
2 cups of dried cannellini beans
½ bunch of flat leaf parsley
5 sprigs of fresh thyme
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
4 cups of veg broth
1 cup of white wine (optional)
fresh grated parmesan cheese, optional

Preparation:

Soak beans the night before use.

In a large pot, add butter and olive oil. When heated, add the onion and celery, stirring for 5 minutes. Next, add the peppers , kale, garlic , tomatoes, can of tomatoes, and potatoes.  Add the white wine, stir and then pour in the broth. Bring to a boil, add beans, parsley, thyme, and rosemary, and let simmer for 15 minutes.

Garnish with parmesan cheese.

Serves 8.

organic celery, kimberton whole foods.

organic white onion, turning roots farm.

organic flat leaf parsley, our garden.

organic garlic, turning roots farm.

organic eggplant, turning roots farm.

organic eggplant, turning roots farm.

organic green bell pepper, turning roots farm.

organic white heirloom pepper, turning roots farm.

organic purple bell pepper, turning roots farm.

organic tomato, turning roots farm.

organic thyme and rosemary, our garden.

organic red potatoes, turning roots farm.

organic vegetable broth, homemade.

organic russian kale, turning roots farm.

sautéing vegetables before adding broth.

simmering soup.

freshly grated organic parmesan cheese, kimberton whole foods.

compost reminder: do it if you can!

Vegetarian Udon Noodle Soup

Ingredients:

5 cloves of garlic, sliced thinly
1 large shallot, sliced thinly
1 tablespoon of fresh grated ginger
½ bunch of scallions
1 bell pepper
½ lb of shiitake mushrooms
2 generous handfuls of snow peas
1 generous handful of fresh baby corn
1 small eggplant, matchstick chopped
1 package of fresh udon noodles
4 quarts of vegetable broth
2 cups of water

Preparation:

Slice eggplant into matchstick sized pieces, salt them, and sauté them until brown, set aside. In a saucepan, cook the noodles according to the package, strain, set aside. In a large pot, sauté shallots for 3 minutes, then add peppers and mushrooms. Sauté them for 5 minutes, then add baby corn, garlic and white parts of scallions. After 3 minutes, pour in water and broth, and bring to a boil. Generously salt and pepper the soup, and boil for 15 minutes. When there is 5 minutes left, add the snow peas and ginger.

To serve, place the desired amount of noodles in an oversized soup bowl, followed by a spoonful of eggplant. Then add the soup, and garnish with scallions. Cilantro is also good to add right before serving as well.

Serves 4-6.

organic shallots, kimbteron whole foods.

organic baby corn, kimbterton whole foods.

organic snow pea, kimbterton whole foods.

organic eggplant, turning roots farm.

organic ginger, kimbterton whole foods.

organic garlic, kimbterton whole foods.

organic sweet little peppers, turning roots farm.

organic shiitake mushrooms, kimbterton whole foods.

organic scallions, kimberton whole foods.

organic fresh udon noodles, kimberton whole foods

organic vegetable broth, homemade.