Tag: delicious

Pureed Broccoli and Carrot Soup

This recipe is flavorful, delicious, oh so creamy and pack with tons of veggies. It’s perfect to accompany any salad, grilled sandwich or a slice of grain bread ( which I made and super excited that my bread came out better than the last attempt). It is one of the first soups I had ever made back in college. Back then, I had been a practising vegan for a few years and was always looking for the best ways to incorporate vegetables into every meal and what substitutes were good for making things creamy. But that’s a post for another day.

This Creamy Broccoli and Carrot Soup is simple and easy enough to make without needing a grocery store haul. Most of the ingredients you may already have. Yes I know we are closing in on summer, but I’ve been in the mood for soup lately for some reason. Soup is not just for Winter as many may assume. The hubster and I can eat soup everyday. I MEAN REALLY, EVERYDAY! And today is no different.

Initially I sorted out to make a simple broccoli soup. But as I got to chopping, I may have added one to many carrots which is not a bad thing. I love carrots. Who doesnt right? Okay, I know, maybe a few picky eaters. But the majority of us do. Carrots are loaded with beta-carotene. And guess what? Beta-carotene acts as an antioxidant which helps to slow down the aging process, promotes healthy skin and hair and is said to prevent heart disease and cancer. Apart from it being a good source of vitamin A for our eyes, they are also low in calories. Impressive huh? I thought so. I read an article some time ago from WebMD that carrots were originally used as medicine. No wonder I feel like taking on the world 😊.  Plus I think they peer very well with broccoli. They add a bit of suttle sweetness to the soup.

Broccoli needs no introduction. It’s one of the most healthiest foods on the planet. It is a powerhouse of loaded nutrients. Along with all that carrots offer, they help with digestion, detoxification, they help to reduce cholesterol,  diabetes and promotes a healthy heart. So there is no surprise why this soup is in my top 5 favorite soups.
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Ingredients
• 8 cups broccoli florets and stems, roughly chopped
• 4 carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 clove garlic (optional)
• 4 cups vegetable broth*
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup heavy cream, room temp (optional)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil**
• Salt and pepper to taste (optional)

Topping
• ½ carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• ½ small red onion, diced
• 2 broccoli florets, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Directions
1. For the soup:In a large pot heat oil over medium-high. Add the diced onions, celery and carrots. Saute until onions are translucent. Add in garlic and broccoli. Stir ingredients together and reduce to medium heat and cook for 3 minutes.
2. Sprinkle flour generously over vegetables and blend well. Add in broth, stir and reduce heat to a simmer for 15 minutes.
3. For the topping: In a small sauce pan over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add onions, carrots, celery and broccoli. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes until veggies have a nice crisp to them (This method was used for the sake of time)***. Set aside for garnish.
4. Using an Emerson stick or blender, puree soup to your liking using the pulsing method.
5. Add cream and stir gently. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve hot or at room temperature. Garnish with crisp veggies.
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Note

*You can feel free to substitute the vegetable broth for chicken or beef broth. I used vegetable  as it is just my preference and didn’t want stray away from the base of the soup.

**If you prefer using butter, it is okay. Or if you do not have olive oil on had, vegetable or canola oil will do just fine. I used the oil I had on hand.

*** For the topping, I normally roast them in the oven for about 15 minutes at 400 F.  The texture is much crisper. Spray baking sheet with a little oil and spread vegetables on the sheet. Season with salt and pepper and roast.

by The Occasional Writer

Madeleines with Love

Happy Monday!

Kid you not, I have always wondered about these Madeleines. Are they bite size cakes, are they cookies? Which side is up? Needless to say, I love them, whatever they are.

Madeleines are similar to sponge cake, but a tad bit lighter. These airy-buttery lemon flavored treats are great for breakfast, brunch, as a snack or a sweet addition to nightcap. Lightly dusted with powder sugar, I always have mine with a steaming hot cup of espresso.

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These little beauts are rather easy to make. A few simple ingredients, most of which you can find in you pantry. No really, nothing needed that will send you scrambling to the closest grocers mart.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of flour
  • ¹⁄3 cup sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 tablespoon Agave syrup (maple will work too)
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 tablespoons Lemon Zest
  • 7 tablespoons melted butter

Instruction

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly coat madeleine form with butter and flour. Shake off excess.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt and baking powder. Set aside.
  3. With a stand mixer, whisk eggs, zest and sugar together 1 minute. Then add in syrup and water. Alternate between dry ingredients and melted butter, adding to mixture. Whisk for 5 minutes or until all ingredients are fully incorporated. Cover bowl with a cloth and allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
  4. In the prepared form using a spoon, fill each madeleine slot with batter. Be careful not to over fill. On the center rack, bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
  5. Dust with powder sugar and serve!

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by The Occasional Writer

Sinfully Delicious Chocolate Cake

FOR THE LOVE OF CHOCOLATE!

Its HumpDay guys! And boy do I have something decadent for you.

Okay, most know that I have had a secret love affair for many years. But the secret is out and I am not ashamed to say, I L O VE CHOCOLATE! It should come then as no surprise that chocolate is apart of my daily life like breathing. In some shape, fashion or form, this cocoa goodness makes an appearance.

So instead of just a cup of hot chocolate today, I decided to share the love with my in-laws during “Nachtisch” (German for dessert after dinner). Come on, who doesn’t love chocolate?

I have tried a few recipes and as you guess, some were no so great. The thing is, when using different textures of chocolate in a cake, you have to make sure the right ingredients in the correct amounts work well together for the particular outcome you want to achieve. Not all products work together.

But I think I have found the perfect combination and have been using this recipe ever since. This is the most moist, flavorful chocolate cake you will ever make.

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Ingredients

Chocolate Cake

  • 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 large eggs (room temp)
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup canola oil**
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup coffee (strong)*
  • 3 oz semi-sweet chocolate (melted)

Chocolate Ganache (optional)

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting 

Directions:

  1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans and set aside.
  2. In the microwave, melt half of the chocolate 45 seconds to 1 minute (microwaves vary in temperature), remove from microwave, add the remaining half of chocolate and blend until melted. Set Aside to cool.
  3. In a large bowl with a hand mixer or an electric stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and mix the dry ingredients until thoroughly combined.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, then pour in remaining liquid ingredients. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute then add melted chocolate and beat for another two minutes; the batter will become thin.
  5. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
  6. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes for round pans, 35 to 40 minutes for  square and rectangular pans or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Remove from oven and allow to cool at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from pan and place on cooling rack for another 10 minutes
  8. For the chocolate frosting, I found a very quick and easy buttercream frosting by Savory Sweet Life that I used Chocolate Buttercream Frosting .
  9. For the ganache, chop chocolate in to pieces and place in a medium bowl. In a sauce pan, heat milk in a sauce pan, bring to a boiling. Add milk to the chocolate. Allow to set for 5 minutes before stirring. Decorate and design with chocolate as you choose. I used a spoon to drizzle the ganache.

Note:

  • Coffee is optional. You can use water in its place if so desired *
  • You can use vegetable oil **

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This truly is sinfully delicious. Just one slice will not be enough.

 

by The Occasional Writer