Chinese hot and sour soup (suan la tang)

Once you have all of your components ready, this soup comes together quickly.  First, soak ½ cup shiitake mushrooms, ¼ cup dried lily buds, and ½ cup dried black mushrooms in warm water for about 30 mins (use separate bowls for each).  Drain and set aside.  Second, prep your ingredients:  julienne 2 oz of pork… Continue reading Chinese hot and sour soup (suan la tang)

Chicken matzoh ball soup

Recipe from Judith Nathan, available at http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/matzoh-ball-soup-recipe.html with substantial modifications:  kept carrots, celery, onion, parsley, and dill in the finished broth, doubled the amount of dill in the broth and added about 2 Tbsp chopped dill to matzoh ball mixture, and used olive oil instead of schmaltz (so that soup and matzoh ball mixture could… Continue reading Chicken matzoh ball soup

Hearty three-bean soup garnished with rendered bacon

Loosely based on this Italian mixed bean soup by Umberle, available here:  http://www.food.com/recipe/italian-mixed-bean-soup-211966.  Sauté about 1 oz bacon (cut into matchsticks) until browned and rendered, then set aside.  Using the rendered fat, sauté 1 chopped onion, 5 cloves minced garlic, 7 sprigs each Greek oregano and thyme(leaves only), and ½ tsp crushed red pepper.  When fragrant, add 5… Continue reading Hearty three-bean soup garnished with rendered bacon

Filipino chicken adobo with potatoes

Great food to enjoy on a snowy day. Using a large Dutch oven, sauté a sliced onion in some canola oil. When slightly wilted, add about 6 garlic cloves (sliced), being careful not to burn them. When fragrant, add about 3 skinless chicken quarters, cut into three pieces (drum, thigh with bone, thigh without bone),… Continue reading Filipino chicken adobo with potatoes

Split yellow pea soup

Recipe loosely based on: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/yellow-split-pea-soup-recipe.html.  Using a large Dutch oven, sauté about 2 oz bacon (cut into matchsticks) until rendered and browned, then set aside.  Add 1 chopped onion, 3 carrots (peeled and chopped), 4 stalks chopped celery, 5-7 sprigs thyme (leaves only), and 2 bay leaves.  Sauté until fragrant, then add 8 cups low… Continue reading Split yellow pea soup