Tag Archives: soup recipes

Cold Cucumber and Buttermilk Soup

Cool and refreshing, this simple cold soup uses only four ingredients. Don’t let the simplicity deceive your perception of this recipe, the taste is delicious!  This is definitely one of my favorite soups to enjoy over and over again this summer. I use whatever cucumbers I have around and it’s especially a good way to use cucumbers that are a few days old and not at peak.

From by the bay, wishing you cool and refreshing food memories!

Maryann

 

Cold Cucumber and Buttermilk Soup

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 1 pound cucumbers, peeled, halved and seeded
  • 2 teaspoons jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 2 cups buttermilk ( whole if available)
  • 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
  • optional: diced cucumber to garnish and coarse sea salt such as Maldon

Directions

Coarsely chop the cucumbers. Place cucumber along with the remaining ingredients in a food processor. Blend until smooth, about 1 minute. Place in a container and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours before serving.  To serve, garnish with diced cucumber and a little coarse sea salt.

Wild Mushroom Soup

To warm up on a fall chilly evening, you’ll love the light yet earthy taste of this wild mushroom soup! I love to use a mix of mushrooms depending on what’s available along with some dried porcini or chanterelle’s, a staple in my pantry. This is a soup you can prepare quickly. The earthy mushroom taste is brightened with some lemon zest and juice and there is a hint of heat from the red chili flakes. This dish is very versatile, whether you make it for a quick weeknight dinner or serve as a first course for a special dinner party. Enjoy!

From by the bay, wishing you earthy food memories!

Maryann

blog mush soup

Wild Mushroom Soup

Ingredients

2 ounces dried porcini and/or chanterelles
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 ounces mixed fresh wild mushrooms , clean and sliced
1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
2  shallots , peeled and finely chopped about 1/2 cup
1 handful fresh thyme , leaves picked
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
32 ounces organic low sodium chicken or vegetable stock
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley , leaves picked and roughly chopped
1 cup half and half
1 lemon (1/2 teaspoon zest and 1 teaspoon of juice)
Directions

Place the dried mushrooms in a small dish, add boiling water just to cover, and leave to soak. Heat a large stock pot pan, then add olive oil and your fresh mushrooms. Stir around very quickly for a minute, then add chili flakes, shallots and thyme and a small amount of seasoning. Saute a minute add half of your porcini/chanterelles chopped up, and the rest left whole. Strain the soaking liquid to remove any grit, and add it to the pan. Cook for about 20 minutes until most of the moisture disappears. Season to taste, and add your stock. Bring to the boil and simmer for around 20 minutes. Remove half the soup from the pan and purée  in a food processor then pour it back in stock pot. Add  the parsley, cream, lemon zest and juice. Adjust salt and pepper to taste and serve warm.

Carrot Dill Soup

While planning a menu for my Easter brunch by the Bay, I was looking for a clever way to serve carrots with a nod to our small bunny friends. I decided on this delicious and easy carrot soup. The color is a wonderful vibrant orange. The soup is a feast for the eyes and mouth, with the slightest under note of heat to contrast the slightly sweet taste of the carrots.  This soup is great served warm with a dollop of creme fraiche which just melts into the soup or cold with a drizzle of olive oil. Sprinkle fresh chopped dill on top for either version. You can serve the soup in bowls or  in little shot glasses. The bottom line is this soup is great no matter how you eat it! Enjoy this springtime soup!

From by the bay wishing you – springtime food memories!

Maryann

blog carrot dill soup

Carrot Dill Soup

Serves 6


Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 leek, cleaned, chopped and using the white part

2 cups carrots peeled and sliced

1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes

4 cups chicken broth

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

4 tablespoons heavy cream

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons chopped dill

Dill chopped and olive oil  or creme fraiche to garnish

Directions 

In a large soup pot heat butter and oil, add leeks and sauté until soft about 5 minutes. Add chili flakes and carrots, sauté for another minute. Slowly add the chicken broth, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes uncovered until the carrots soft. Puree in food processor until very smooth. Stir in lemon juice, dill and heavy cream. Serve soup either hot or cold. Garnish with chopped dill and a drizzle of olive oil or a dollop of creme fraiche.

 

Naughty and Nice Gazpacho

 

I am a big fan of the music of Chris Isaak. When I’m creating recipes in my kitchen by the bay, I’m often rocking and dancing around the kitchen listening to his music. If you are not familiar with Chris Isaak, do yourself a favor and check it out.  Chris has just released a great new album called “Beyond the Sun”- recorded at the famous Sun Studios in Memphis. It’s filled with music originally recorded by Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and Carl Perkins to name a few. Last year I had the opportunity to meet Chris. I was so worried about what I could possibly speak to him about- and go figure food was a common interest. Chris is a fan of a certain gazpacho soup – one with a little kick in it. This is my version of that recipe. I happen to love to serve shot glasses of cold soups when entertaining and Christmas is no exception. I renamed my soup after Chris – Naughty and Nice Gazpacho and if you have ever seen him perform you’ll know why this is the perfect name!
 
From by the bay wishing you naughty AND nice food memories!
Maryann

blog gazpacho 2

Naughty and Nice Gazpacho

Serves 6

 

Ingredients:

1 28 ounce can whole fire roasted tomatoes ( if you can’t find fire roasted use canned whole plum tomatoes)

1 large roasted red pepper , from a jar packed in olive oil

1 clove garlic, chopped

1 jalapeno pepper , seeded and chopped

1/2 white onion, coarsely chopped

1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

2 teaspoons sea salt

1 teaspoon coarse ground pepper

 

Directions:

Place all the ingredients into food processor and process until pureed. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

Blue No More Gazpacho

Last summer I had the opportunity to meet one of my favorite rock and roll artists. His music is what I play to dance my way through creating and preparing a meal. So of course, upon meeting him, I was tongue tied. With that,  I fell back to comfortable ground – food. Who knew that would be a topic he enjoyed discussing. Our conversation included a little comparison of recipes and his search for the perfect gazpacho recipe. He shared a few hints and with that I created this recipe. My version already has lots of rave reviews. Here’s hoping he will be blue no more looking for that gazpacho. I’ve added another cold soup recipe to get you through the summer, this one is a cold cucumber soup for the coolest guy I know!

From by the bay wishing you cool food memories!
Maryann
blog gazpacho
 

Blue No More Gazpacho

Serves 6

Ingredients

  • 1 28 ounce can whole fire roasted tomatoes ( if you can’t find fire roasted use canned whole plum tomatoes)
  • 1 large roasted red pepper , from a jar packed in olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • 1 jalapeno pepper , seeded and chopped
  • 1/2 white onion, coarsely chopped
  • 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon coarse ground pepper

Directions

Place all the ingredients into food processor and process until pureed. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

blog salsa

Hint: to make a terrific and easy salsa, use the gazpacho recipe without the roasted red peppers!

blog cuke gaz

Cool Cucumber Gazpacho

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups plain greek yogurt
  • 2 medium size cucumbers, peeled, seeded and chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 2 scallions, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill
  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

Directions

Place all of the ingredients into a food processor and pulse until pureed. Place soup into a glass mason jar and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.

Chilled Zucchini Soup with Mint and Roasted Zucchini and Summer Squash Pizza

Walking into my favorite farm stand on the weekends always reminds me of my childhood when I walked along the side my grandmother to pick vegetables and foods to prepare for the next meal. The walk was always filled with a beautiful array of colors and shapes. With produce at it’s glorious peak right now I have the same experience at the local farm stand. This week, I was confronted with an abundance of zucchini and summer squashes in a riot of colors – from sunshine yellow to pale green. I gathered a wide of variety of  squash filling a basket , added some onions , mint and thyme and made my way back to the kitchen to try a few different recipes. I’m sharing here with you the best fruit of my labor.

From by the bay wishing you the sunniest of food memories!

Maryann

 

blog zuchini soup

 

 

Chilled Zucchini Soup with Mint

Serves 6

4-5 medium zucchini sliced in rounds approximately 2 pounds

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 small white onion, chopped

4 cups chicken broth

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts, plus extra for garnish

1 tablespoon lemon juice

½ cup fresh mint chopped

1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

additional coarse sea salt to finishing

Directions

In a large pot heat olive oil and sauté the white onion until softened about 5 minutes. Add the zucchini, salt and pepper stirring occasionally until the zucchini is softened, about 5 more minutes. Add the broth to the pot, bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer until the zucchini is tender, about 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Using a food processor puree the zucchini mixture along with the parmesan cheese, pine nuts, mint and lemon juice. Pour into a bowl adding the buttermilk and blend. Cover and place in the refrigerator to cool for at least 3 hours. Adjust seasoning with coarse sea salt. Serve chilled and garnish with toasted pine nuts and a drizzle of olive oil.


blog zucchini pizza

 

Roasted Zucchini and Summer Squash Pizza

Serves Six

 

1 small zucchini

1/2 small summer squash

1/2 medium vidalia onion

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

6 tablespoons ricotta

2 slices prosciutto

2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

4 sprigs thyme 

pizza dough for one 14″ pizza ( home made or store bought)

additional coarse sea salt

semolina flour to roll pizza dough

Directions

Preheat over to 400F. On a lined baking sheet add zucchini and squash sliced into 1/4″ rounds. Next add the onions thinly sliced. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt an pepper. Place in oven to roast until vegetables begin to brown, approximately 30 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool. When ready to made the pizza preheat oven to 500F. Divide the pizza dough into two portions. Spread some semolina flour on a clean surface to roll dough and also a little on top. Using a rolling pin,  roll each portion into a rectangle approximately 15″ by 5 ” . Bake each pizza in the center of a pizza pan. Divide the toppings on to each rectangle first the roasted squash and onions, then little bits of ricotta cheese, sprinkle with the parmesan cheese, thyme leaves removed from sprigs and finally tear the prosciutto into pieces and add to the top. Bake in the oven until crisp approximately 15 minutes. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt and serve.

Corn Soup with Basil Oil

blog corn field

 This is a very special time of year, when all the farm produce is bursting with flavor at the farm stands and local markets. My very favorite is corn. Growing up most of my summer corn eating was from the cob. Nothing wrong with that , it’s delicious . I thought I would a pick a few of the recipes I developed with either left over corn on the cob or using corn a little differently. There are so many great recipes for corn here are just a few. I plan to write a second blog later this month to cover a few more. Go out and buy some corn today and start cooking.

 

Wishing you the “corniest” of food memories!

Maryann

 

blog corn soup

Corn Soup with Basil Oil

Serves 4

6 medium size ears fresh corn

4 cups chicken broth

4 cups vegetable broth

½ cup white wine

½ cup half and half

1 tablespoon lemon juice

½ cup fresh basil

1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt

¼ cup olive oil

Directions

In a large pot add both chicken and vegetable broth, along with white wine and corn. Cover pot and bring broth to a boil for 5 minutes. Remove corn from broth and let cool. Slice the kernels off the cob. Using a food processor puree kernels along with 4 cups of stock in two patches. Strain the puree into a bowl, squeezing out all the corn liquid. Throw the kernel mash away. To the soup add half and half, lemon juice and 1 teaspoon fine sea salt. Chill soup for at least 4 hours before serving. Right before serving, place basil leaves into a boiling pot of water for a few seconds, strain and place in ice water to cool. Puree the basil along with oil and ½ teaspoon sea salt. Drizzle on top of soup the green basil oil right before serving.

The ABC’s – Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup

This aromatic, velvety, orange colored soup is a perfectly satisfying lunch or dinner along with your favorite salad or it could be a great starter to a special meal. Either way, you’ll want to try this flavorful soup made with sweet potatoes, carrots and red lentils. Not only is this soup delicious it’s packed with vitamins such as A, B and C. How good is that?From by the bay, wishing you aromatic food memories!
Maryann
blog sweet potato lentil soup
Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup
Serves 6
Ingredients
4 cups low sodium vegetable stock
3/4 cup red lentils
2 leeks, cleaned and sliced in rings
4 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped, plus extra for garnish
1 lime
optional: creme fraiche
Directions
In a stock pot add all ingredients except cilantro and lime. Bring to a boil , reduce heat to simmer and cover. Simmer until the potatoes and lentils are cooked about 20 to 30 minutes.
Let cool, then puree in a food processor with the juice of the lime and 1/2 cup chopped cilantro. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.  Reheat to serve . Add a teaspoon of creme fraiche and a few cilantro leaves as garnish and serve.
*Note : I suggest vegetable stock , but you can also use chicken stock.

Potato Soup with Small Dumplings

There is nothing better on a blustery cold day then a warm bowl of soup. I have fond memories of my grandmother taking out her dutch oven on such days and making this soup from the staples she always had in her pantry. Her original recipe didn’t include the bacon. I happened to have some bacon leftover in the fridge and decided to use it. You could just as easily not use the bacon and just throw all the ingredients for the soup into the pot and simmer away, making this about as easy as any soup you could make. If you are feeling up for it by all means take the extra steps to fry the bacon and saute your onions and celery, the results were delicious. What really makes this potato soup so magnficent to eat, is not the bacon, it’s the dumplings you simmer into the soup at the end. Again, these are no fail dumplings just stir and drop into the hot soup to simmer into yummy small white balls soaked with the flavor of the soup. It’s the perfect comfort food to warm you from the harsh cold of winter.From by the bay wishing you warm potato food memories!
Maryann
blog potato soup
 
Potato Soup with Small Dumplings
Serves 6
Ingredients for soup
4 ounces thick bacon, chopped
6 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup onion, chopped
5 cups water
1 tablespoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
3-4 cloves
optional: chopped parsley for garnish
Ingredients for drop dumplings
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup water
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
Directions
In a Dutch oven cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon with slotted spoon onto paper towel and set aside. In the bacon fat saute the celery and onion until softened. Add the potatoes, water, salt, pepper and cloves. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour or until vegetables are tender. Remove the cloves out of the soup. With a potato masher, puree most of the vegetables.  Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. If the soup is too thick for your preference you can add some water and continue to simmer. To make the dumplings, combine the egg, water, salt and flour mixing until smooth. Drop by teaspoonfuls into the boiling soup. Cover and simmer until the dumplings are cooked through, about 10 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley and crisp bacon pieces.