Coconut Lentil Soup

This soup is fantastically flavorful and something new to add to your soup repertoire.  I found this recipe on 101 Cookbooks and interchanged a few things. I use onions vs scallions, green split peas vs yellow, and regular white lentils vs red split lentils.  It doesn't take too long to throw together and an easy tasty meal during the week.

 Ingredients:
1 cup  yellow or green split peas
1 cup red split or white lentils (masoor dal)
7 cups  water
1 medium carrot, cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 tablespoons fresh peeled and minced ginger
2 tablespoons curry powder
2 tablespoons butter or ghee
8 green onions (scallions), thinly sliced or regular onions
1/3 cup golden or regular raisins
1/3 cup tomato paste
1 14-ounce can coconut milk
2 teaspoons fine grain sea salt
one small handful cilantro, chopped

Directions:
Rinse the split peas and lentils until the water is clear. Place into a large pot and cover with water. Once it comes to a boil, add carrots and 1/4 of ginger. Turn down the heat and let simmer for ~30mins or till tender. 

I use a large dutch oven cast iron pot because it does great with sauteing onions and I like to cook the final soup in this pot. Place butter in a pan and saute onions till almost caramelized. Add in the rest of the ginger and onions. Saute for a few minutes and then add in the curry powder. Next add the tomato paste and saute for another 2 minutes.

Combine the lentils and onion mixture together in the same pot and add in the coconut milk and salt. Simmer for 20 minutes or till desired consistency/thickness. 

*** Another addition to the soup that is delicious is a jalapeno sauteed in with the onions.  
Serves 6.

Veggie Burger-Quinoa and Roasted Red Pepper

I discovered a great new recipe blog called How Sweet It Is.  Beautiful photographs and many new recipes to try out. I found this one for  Quinoa, Roasted Red Pepper, and White Bean Burger. I like to have some vegetarian recipes (other than pasta) up my sleeve for our meatless friends and family.  Plus it's nice to do something different every so often.

Ingredients
1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed ( I did about a cup of dried beans)
1/2 cup cooked quinoa
1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers
3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon flour
3 tablespoons olive oil
favorite bun or pita bread

Directions
Mix together bread crumbs and spices in a separate small bowl. 

Mash up cooked beans into a large bowl. Add quinoa, peppers, garlic and mixed till combined. Add in egg and bread crumb mixture. Once combined add in the flour. Shape into balls and then flatten.

Heat up skillet with olive oil and place patties in carefully. Cook on each side till crispy (about 5 minutes).

Serve with your favorite condiment -ketchup, mayo, aioli (something I have to try some time). 

Don't forget the bacon!