Kichidi (Indian savory rice and red lentil porridge)

We tried this Padma Lakshmi recipe: https://www.padmalakshmi.com/copy-of-keralan-crab-cakes Because we did not have sambhar curry powder or curry leaves, we followed the spice mixture (black mustard seeds, ground cumin, and dried hot chilis) adapted by the Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/kitchari/17359/. Our modifications: first, along the lines of Padma’s original recipe, we sauteed the spice mixture until the… Continue reading Kichidi (Indian savory rice and red lentil porridge)

Curried lentil and amaranth soup with spinach

Heat a large Dutch oven, add 2 Tbsp olive oil, and then sauté 1 chopped medium onion and five minced garlic cloves until tender (about 3-4 mins). Add the following spices: 2 tsp cumin seeds, ¾ tsp each turmeric and ground coriander, ½ tsp ground black pepper, and ½ tsp ground ginger (here, microplaned fresh… Continue reading Curried lentil and amaranth soup with spinach

Mushroom and rice soup

We tried this quick, chicken broth-based soup from Cook’s Illustrated. Soak ¼ oz dried porcini mushroom in hot water, then remove and mince the reconstituted mushroom. Set aside the mushroom soaking broth and save ½ cup dor the soup. Heat 5 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth, ½ cup mushroom soaking broth, ½ cup uncooked long… Continue reading Mushroom and rice soup

Armenian tomato and bulgur soup

This is a great recipe if you’re feeling under the weather. Using a medium Dutch oven, bring 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth to a boil. Separately, using a small pan, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil (the recipe calls for 2 Tbsp) on medium heat then sauté 1 small chopped onion. When onion is halfway cooked,… Continue reading Armenian tomato and bulgur soup

Middle eastern-style red lentil and rice soup with spinach

We used white basmati rice and garnished with fresh lime wedges. We also used fried shallots from the Thai/Indian supermarket instead of caramelizing onions ourselves and added a dash of marash pepper. At the end of cooking, we added ¾ cup to 1 cup chicken broth to thin the soup a little. This recipe is… Continue reading Middle eastern-style red lentil and rice soup with spinach

Filipino chicken ginger soup with rice (arroz caldo)

This recipe is from a college friend, Monica. Place a whole chicken, cut-up, in a large stock pot.  Add water to cover the chicken (about 10-12 cups), then bring to a boil, remove protein scum, reduce heat, and then add about ½ lb thinly-sliced, fresh ginger (you can leave the skin on).  Cover and let simmer until chicken… Continue reading Filipino chicken ginger soup with rice (arroz caldo)

Azorean chicken and lemon soup  

This is a great soup when you’re feeling run down.  We made this to nurse our colds.  Place a 2 bone-in chicken breasts (here, 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, which was all we had in our pantry) in a stockpot, then add 1 onion (peeled and quartered) and ½ bulb garlic (cloves peeled and bruised).  Cover chicken with… Continue reading Azorean chicken and lemon soup