We tried this recipe from the Pioneer Woman: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/hamburger-soup/ It is hearty, flavorful, and soothing on a wet day. We reduced the amount of minced beef to 2 to 2 1/3 lbs and used minced fresh parsley, fresh thyme, and fresh marjoram as the herbs. The recipe calls for 3 cups of beef broth, which… Continue reading Hamburger vegetable soup
Tag: soups and stews
Greek stewed minced beef (kimas)
Heat a medium Dutch oven, add about 1 Tbsp olive oil, then add 1 chopped onion and a ½ tsp salt. When browned, add 1 1/3 lb minced beef until browned, then add ½ white wine and boil vigorously until all the alcohol has evaporated. Add 6 medium tomatoes (grated on a mandolin, with skin… Continue reading Greek stewed minced beef (kimas)
Curried cauliflower soup
Combine 3 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth, if vegetarian) and 5 cups (about 1 large head) cauliflower, rough cut, in a medium-size Dutch oven. Cover, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and leave on burner. In the mean time, heat 2 Tbsp unsalted butter in a medium sauté pan, then add 1… Continue reading Curried cauliflower soup
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
Vietnamese caramelized catfish in claypot
We tried this recipe by Andrea Nguyen: https://www.splendidtable.org/recipes/caramelized-catfish-sand-pot. (Note: In case this link does not work, Google “splendid table Andrea Nguyen catfish,” and the recipe should come up.) Our modifications: first, we used swai (a type of catfish) fillets instead of catfish steaks, and we cut them into 2-inch pieces; second, we used a large… Continue reading Vietnamese caramelized catfish in claypot
Greek-style chicken and tomato with orzo
I had a craving for youvetsi, so I tried to modify this Pioneer Woman recipe with Greek seasonings and orzo: https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a8917/chicken-with-tomatoes-and-garlic/ My modifications: 4 skinless, boneless breasts, each cut into three pieces; reduced olive oil to 1 Tbsp; added and sautéed one large shallot (½ inch chunks) and 10 garlic cloves before deglazing with white… Continue reading Greek-style chicken and tomato with orzo
Korean-Uzbek beef noodle soup with kimchi, and pickled cucumber (koryo saram guksu)
This is our first foray into Korean-Uzbek cuisine. Recipe from Caroline Eden and Eleanor Ford’s Samarkand: Recipes & Stories from Central Asia & The Caucasus, available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/1909487422/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_-kGxxb5PY82KV (June 2016)
Burmese lima bean soup with tender greens
Heat 1 tsp neutral oil in a Dutch oven, then sauté 1 ½ cups minced shallots and ¼ tsp turmeric. Add 1 cup frozen lima beans and 4 cups hot water, then bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until beans are tender. Using an immersion blender, purée the beans until relatively… Continue reading Burmese lima bean soup with tender greens
Italian-style home-cooked borlotti beans
This is an elegantly simple recipe from Jamie Oliver: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/jamie-oliver/humble-home-cooked-beans-recipe.html. We modified by starting with the following flavor base: sauté 1 oz center cut bacon (cut into matchsticks) until browned, then add 2 minced shallots and sauté until fragrant. We also used: 8 cloves minced (peeled) garlic in lieu of 3 unpeeled cloves; 2 small… Continue reading Italian-style home-cooked borlotti beans
Burmese traveler’s eggplant curry
A delicious stew infused with dried shrimp powder. Heat a Dutch oven, add 3 Tbsp peanut oil, add 1/8 tsp turmeric and stir, and then sauté ½ cup minced shallots until softened (about 4 mins). Add ½ cup minced tomato and 1 tsp microplaned ginger and sauté for a few mins. Add 1 lb Asian… Continue reading Burmese traveler’s eggplant curry
Cooking Adventures 