White Bean, Kale and Roasted Vegetable Soup

I made this beautiful soup in an attempt to get more dark, leafy greens in my diet. Greens are good for all doshic types, but especially for vatas. Greens are high in calcium, and the beans have some as well. both the squash and the kale are also very high in vitamin A.

As a disclaimer, this soup takes at least an hour and and a half to prepare because of the time involved in peeling, chopping and pureeing the vegetables. This is not something you should make if you want dinner on the table fast, but if you have the time to enjoy the preparation it is well worth the effort. Reduce garlic for pittas and omit tomatoes.


Ingredients:
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
3 medium carrots, quartered lengthwise
2 large tomatoes, quartered
1 large onion, cut into 8 wedges
1/2 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick wedges
6 garlic cloves, unpeeled
1 tablespoon olive oil

6 cups (or more) low sodium or homemade vegetable broth
4 cups finely chopped kale
3 large fresh thyme sprigs
1 bay leaf

1 15-ounce can Great Northern beans, drained

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray rimmed baking sheet with oil spray. Arrange carrots, tomatoes, onion, squash and garlic on sheet. Drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Bake until vegetables are brown and tender, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes.

Transfer carrots and squash to work surface. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces; set aside. Peel garlic cloves; place in processor. Add tomatoes and onion; puree until almost smooth. Pour 1/2 cup broth onto baking sheet; scrape up any browned bits. Transfer broth and vegetable puree to large pot. Add 5 1/2 cups broth, kale, thyme and bay leaf to pot; bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered until kale is tender, about 30 minutes.

Add beans and reserved carrots and squash to soup. Simmer 8 minutes to blend flavors, adding more broth to thin soup if necessary. Season with salt and pepper. Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaf. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to simmer before serving.)

Homemade Hummus

I recently bought myself one of my long coveted kitchen essentials: my very own food processor! The first recipe I tried with it was one for homemade hummus. I am a huge hummus fan, but the store bought brand never has quite the flavor I am looking for. Making your own hummus is very easy, and you can make it to suit your doshic type. Pittas should use less garlic as it is heating, and lemon juice should be minimized as well.


For those why may not be familiar with hummus,it is a creamy puree of chickpeas and tahini (sesame seed paste) seasoned with lemon juice and garlic, and is a popular spread and dip in Greece and throughout the Middle East. It can be used as a dip or a spread.

Ingredients:
2 cloves garlic—roughly chopped
¼ cup lemon juice
¼ cup water
14 oz canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans)—rinsed and drained
½ cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
1 teaspoon sea salt


PLACE all ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until smooth, scraping the sides occasionally.

Variations: If you like a spicier hummus, add a small red chili (chopped) or a pinch of cayenne pepper, or try a little cumin for a more exotic variation. Pittas should not try this variation as it is heating!

Tip: Prepare extra quantities of this hummus—it can be refrigerated, covered, for up to 1 week and frozen for up to 3 months.

Irish Soda Bread

This is one of my favorite breads to bake when I am short on time and in the mood for hot homemade bread, because soda bread requires no rising time and very minimal kneading. The ingredients are quite basic and it only takes about 10 minutes to prepare, and 45 minutes to bake. I recommend this to be served with soup.

Ingredients:
4 c. flour (white or whole wheat)
1 tsp. baking soda
4 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 egg

1/4 c. melted butter
1/4 c. buttermilk

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2) In large bowl, mix flour, sugar, soda, baking soda, salt, and margarine. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and stir in 1 c. of buttermilk and egg.
3) Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form dough into a round and place on a baking sheet.
4) In a small bowl, combine melted butter with 1/4 c. buttermilk; brush loaf.
5) Use a sharp knife to cut an "x" into the top of the loaf.
6) Bake 45 to 50 minutes.

Meredith's Awesome Broiled Beans

My roommate Meredith came across this wonderful recipe for beans when she was on a mission trip in New Zealand. It has become one of the staple recipes in our house, and popular at our dinner parties also. This is great for a last minute healthy dish and a wonderful choice for potlucks as well.

Ingredients:

3 cans beans, rinsed and drained (garbanzos, black beans, kidney beans, cannellini, etc.)
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can corn
1/4 c. olive oil
1/4 c. pesto
1 tbsp. chipotle chili powder

Optional:
1 sliced avocado
wheat tortillas
sour cream

Spread first three ingredients on a cookie sheet and season with salt and pepper. Put under the broiler for about 20 minutes, or until the beans begin to slightly crack.

Meanwhile, mix olive oil, pesto and chili powder in a large bowl. After beans have broiled, mix altogether.

For an optional twist, serve in a flame-charred tortilla, with slices of avocado and arugula, topped with a dollop of sour cream.