Recipes and the Veggie Bunch

Something different from me today.  I had a comment on my journal from Evelyn, who does not have a journal herself, but requested some soup recipes.  The following are the two that I make the most.

Lentil and Carrot Soup

l teaspoon oil (can be either olive, sunflower or corn)
half an ounce of butter
1 onion, chopped
3 carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
5 ounces of red lentils
half teaspoon of thyme
2 pints of vegetables stock
salt and pepper to taste.

1.  Heat a large pan (one that has a lid).  Add the oil and melt the butter in the oil over a low heat.  Add the onion and cook gently to soften but not brown.

2.  Add the carrots and stir-fry for a few minutes.

3.  Stir in the lentils, herb and stock and bring to the boil.

4.  Cover and simmer for about 20-30 minutes, until the lentils are cooked.  Season and serve.

Garlic Pototo and Leek Soup

2 Leeks
l pound of Potatoes
2oz of polyunsaturated margarine
3 garlic cloves (alternatively use minced garlic from a jar)
2 pints of vegetable stock
1 Bay leaf
Fresh ground black pepper
small bunch of fresh parsley

1.  Trim and slice the leeks.  Scrub and cube the potatoes.

2.  Heat margarine in a heavy-based pan and sweat the leeks and potatoes until the leeks are soft.

3. Crush garlic and stir in.  Cook gently for a couple of minutes.

4.  Pour in the stock, add the bay leaf and season with pepper. Cover and cook gently for 20-25 minutes until the potatoes are tender.

5.  Using a draining spoon (slotted spoon) lift out the vegetables into a blender or food processor and puree until smooth.  Return to pan and stir into the liquid.  Reheat and add more pepper if needed.

6.  Stir in a couple of tablespoons of chopped fresh  parsley

Serve with crusty fresh bread or rolls.  This soup may be frozen but should be used within three months.

I can heartily recommend both of these soups, we eat a lot of them and they are simple to make, also low in fat, salt and sugar.  I have already posted my recipe for London Particular (a pea soup) some time back on this journal but if anyone missed it and would like to have it, please let me know.

I do not spend as much time in the kitchen as I used to.  When younger I used to do all sorts of things like making lots of cakes, jams etc.  But now I do not eat these things I tend to stick to meals that are quick and easy.  I hate those days when you simply cannot decide what to have, you know what I mean girls!  To keep coming up with ideas for a week is not easy and yet we have to do it year in and year out.

I have some little friends in my kitchen.  Little characters who make me smile when I am cooking or doing the washing up. Sometimes I wish they could come alive and really help.  So I thought you would like to see my "little friends"

I notice that him indoors is going to have to do something about the shelf because it is starting to bow a little.  I had to stop collecting them in the end because I just did not have any more room.   I just know that someone is going to ask - what on earth is the bright blue veggie?  No, I do not know why they painted it that colour either.  But it is Ruby, the red cabbage.

Here are a few more

I like some more than others and this bunch are some favourites, Clarence the carrot, young sprout (all ready for school) zee french onion - ooh la la and the garlic.  Not to forget

The red pepper (don't you just love that expression), the radish, and my two personal little favourites, the mushroom and the wonderful Mexican sweetcorn singing merrily away.

We never grow up do we?  Well, I certainly haven't because I love these little guys and gals.

Now to catch up on alerts before I go and get some work done (do I hear a book begging to be read?)

Going to leave you with a little joke I was sent by an American friend.  This is not intended to cause anyone offense.

Two Army boys, Leroy and Jasper, from the mountains of Kentucky,were promoted straight from privates to sergeants because of their great marksmanship with rifles.

Not long after, they're out for a walk and Leroy says, "Hey, Jasper, there's the NCO Club.  Let's you and me stop in."
"But we's privates," protests Jasper.
"We's sergeants now," says Leroy, pulling him inside.
"Now, Jasper, I'm a gonna sit down and have me a drink."
"But we's privates," says Jasper.
"Are you blind, boy?" asks Leroy, pointing at his stripes.
"We's sergeants now, so hush your mouth!"
 
So they have their drinks and pretty soon a hooker comes up to Leroy. "You're cute," she says, "and I'd like to date you, but I've got a bad case of gonorrhea.
 
Leroy pulls his friend to the side and whispers, "Jasper, go look in the dictionary and see what gonorrhea means.  If it's alright, give me the okay sign."
 
So Jasper goes to look it up, comes back and gives Leroy the big okay sign.
 
Three weeks later Leroy is laid up in the infirmary with a terrible case of gonorrhea.
 
Jasper," he says, "why did you give me the okay sign?"

"Well Leroy, says Jasper " in the dictionary, it says gonorrhea affects the privates."  He points to his stripes. "But shucks, we's sergeants now!"

Havea good day everyone.