BRIGHT GREEN PEA & COCONUT SOUP

It’s beginning to be that dreary time of Winter where it feels like the beginning of the end.  After getting back from LA over the holidays, I arrived to 20-something degree weather, and the last few days couldn't have been more dreary.  It’s easy to feel like spending all day on the couch or eating a banana for dinner is not out of the realm of possibilities.  I’m fighting my “dreary” feelings by blasting myself with brightness, in food more than feelings, but I’m working on both.

This soup, from Anna Jones’ new book, is a fresh and vibrant recipe that is remarkably flavorful despite its few ingredients. I doctored it up just barely, but it was exactly what I needed.  It uses those frozen peas I always have in my fridge, and made me feel a little more “awake” after eating it.  Bright foods for fighting seasonal depression ? I’ll take it. 

Bright Green Pea & Coconut Soup (Gluten-free, Vegan) Serves 4-6

*Adapted from A Modern Way to Cook

  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1 bunch of green scallions, chopped (green and white parts)
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
  • 2lbs. frozen green peas
  • 1 (15oz.) can of coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon white or yellow miso
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1 bunch of fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (stems, too!)
  • 1 bunch of fresh basil, roughly chopped (stems, too)
  • 1 lemon
  • Extra virgin olive oil, to serve
  • Freshly ground pepper, to serve
  • Microgreens, to serve (opt.)

In a large saucepan, heat coconut oil over medium high heat.  Once pan is hot, add scallions, shallots and celery. Cook, stirring often, for 3-4 minutes or until ingredients have softened.

Then, add frozen peas, coconut milk, miso, salt and 3 cups of filtered water.  Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes.

Remove from heat.  Stir in all herbs and the zest + juice of 1 lemon.  Transfer mixture to vitamix/blender and puree until smooth.  (*If you have an immersion blender, use it here and dirty one less dish.)  Once soup is smooth, divide amongst bowls.  Top with freshly ground pepper, micro greens and a drizzle of olive oil. 

WINTRY RADICCHIO SALAD + TOASTED HAZELNUTS, PARSLEY WITH GOLDEN RAISIN, SHALLOT VINAIGRETTE

Salads are what I subsist in.  Most nights, afternoons and even mornings, they’re what feed me.  For some reason that feels silly to admit, but most of my meals are assemblages of things (ie. salads) I have on hand.  This wintry salad is what I’m feeling these days.  It’s cold and definitely full Winter-mode here, but I’m craving lots of greens and vegetables (thanks, holidays).  The hearty greens and cabbages make this feel seasonal and not crazy to eat despite 30 degree temps.  If you can’t find spigarello,  any hearty winter green (kale, mustard or collard greens) will do.  Also, this dressing! You have to try.  Stay warm ;)

WINTRY RADICCHIO SALAD WITH TOASTED HAZELNUTS, PARSLEY & PARMESAN (Gluten-free, grain-free) Serves 2-4

  • 1 large radicchio, thinly sliced
  • 3 large handfuls spigarello, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup sliced or shredded red cabbage
  • 1/2 cup chopped parsley
  • 1/2 shallot, minced (reserve other half for dressing)
  • 1/2 lemon (reserve other half for dressing)
  • Sea salt to taste
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 1/2 cup hazelnuts
  • 1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano, freshly grated

Golden Raisin, Lemon & Shallot Vinaigrette (Adapted from Purple Kale)

  • 1/2 cup golden raisins, finely chopped
  • 1/2 shallot, minced
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons filtered water
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon whole grain mustard 
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Sea salt to taste
  • Freshly ground pepper

In a large mixing bowl, combine radicchio, spigarello, cabbage, parsley and shallot.  Squeeze the juice of a lemon overtop, season with a generous pinch of sea salt and freshly ground pepper.  Toss together well.

To toast nuts: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Add hazelnuts to a sheet pan and roast for 6-10 minutes (watch carefully! they will burn quick).  Remove once they are golden brown and smell nutty.  Set aside to cool.

For the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, combine raisin, shallots and vinegars.  Let steep for 10-15 minutes.  Then, mix in water, whole grain mustard, lemon and olive oil.  Add a pinch of flaky sea salt & freshly ground pepper.  Then, whisk together really well until emulsified.

Once nuts are cooled, roughly chop hazelnuts and add to salad mix.  Top with grated cheese, and a few spoonfuls of dressing.  Toss together until combined & well coated.  Serve immediately!

SAVORY TOMATO & PARMESAN CRUMBLE

It’s just beginning to feel real Wintry here in NYC.  It happens that way each year, where one day, it just gets cold and we begin to hunker down for the Winter ahead.  We roast squash and make soup and need to wear socks to bed.  It’s a new season and we learn how to submit to it.

In terms of cooking, the warmer and heartier the better. I’ve been making soups like crazy and roasting a whole kabocha squash each week.  Some people feel daunted by the produce limitations, but I’ve learned some things over the years to help inspire cold-weather cooking.  Besides beans, lentils, etc, I always have preserved tomatoes on hand: canned, chopped, fire-roasted or whatever you like.  It’s the simplest thing to keep around that can make cold, Winter nights a little better.  I use them in soups, make a quick tomato sauce, a savory braise - the options are endless.  We may not have fresh tomatoes, but we wouldn’t want to eat them this time of year anyway.  It’s time for baking, braising, roasting - all the warm things in life.

Savory Tomato & Parmesan Crumble (Gluten-free) Serves 8

-This recipe, at its base, is a simple crumble.  I used romesco and cannellinni beans, but you could use any veggies or herbs you have on hand and need to get rid of! A few notes, too: you can use all cornmeal instead of cornmeal/corn flour to keep it simple.

FILLING:

  • 26 oz. Pomi Chopped Tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 lemon, juice and zest
  • 2 teaspoon tamari
  • 2 teaspoons sumac
  • 2 teaspoon sea salt
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes
  • 1 small romanesco, chopped into about 1 inch pieces
  • 1 (15 oz.) can of cannellinni beans, drained 
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 large shallot, diced
  • 1/3 cup basil, sliced thin or chiffonade
  • 4 sprigs thyme
  • 4 sprigs marjoram

TOPPING:

  • 1 1/4 cup gluten-free rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup almond meal
  • 1/4 cup cornmeal 
  • 1/4 cup corn flour
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan
  • 5 sprigs thyme leaves
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk chopped tomatoes together with cornstarch, lemon juice + zest, tamarin, sumac, salt and red pepper flakes.  Then, stir in romesco, beans, garlic, shallot and herbs until well combined.  Add to 9x9 or similar sized baking dish and set aside.

In another mixing bowl, stir together oats, almond meal, cornmeal and flour, parmesan, thyme and salt.  Mix until well combined, then add chilled butter cubes,  Using your hands, work together dough - breaking down butter - until mixture looks and feels like oatmeal cookie dough.  Add olive oil, and mix in well with your hands, making sure to get all the flour bits at the bottom.

Add crumble evenly over top tomato filling.  Bake for exactly 30 minutes or until tomato is bubbling up around the sides and topping is golden browned.  Let cool for 15 minutes before serving.

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