Tag Archives: sweet paprika recipes

Tomato and Freekeh Soup with Chorizo and Kale

As I continue my discovery and education regarding ancient grains, I stumbled on freekeh, actually cracked freekeh. It seems that freekeh ,serving for serving, actually has more protein and twice as much fiber as quinoa. Please note that if you need to eat gluten free, freekeh would not be the ancient grain for you. Cooked cracked freekeh tastes much like rice. Tomato and Rice soup was my initial inspiration for the recipe. This soup is hearty and can be served as a meal. The taste of chorizo is enhanced by the smoky paprika.  Using chicken chorizo lowers the fat in the recipe. The combination of smoky, sweet and nutty is delicious! Enjoy!

From by the bay wishing you smoky food memories!

Maryann

free-keh

noun

  1. is a type of ancient wheat grain. The wheat is harvested young and green. This wheat is roasted over an open fire, the straw and chaff are burned and rubbed off. The grain on the inside is too young and moist to burn, so what you’re left with is a firm, slightly chewy grain with a distinct flavor that’s earthy, nutty, and slightly smoky.

Freekeh has several health benefits. Freekeh is low in fat and high in protein and fiber. Freekeh is high in iron, calcium, and zinc, and acts like a prebiotic, promoting the growth of good bacteria in your digestive system.

Tomato and Freekeh Soup with Chorizo and Kale

Serves 8

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken Chorizo sausages, approx. 12 ounces, sliced into 1/4 inch thick rounds
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 large leeks, white and light green parts only, halved lengthwise, rinsed well and thinly sliced
  • 2 medium cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 13 ounces canned tomatoes puree
  • 14 ounces cherry tomatoes
  • 10 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup cracked freekeh
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 4 cups lacinato/tuscan kale, stemmed and chopped
  • 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Directions

In a stock pot heat 1 tablespoon of oil and saute the sliced chorizo over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the pieces start to brown, about 5 minutes. Set aside in a bowl. Add remaining tablespoon of oil to the pot. Add leeks and cook, stirring frequently, until just soft approximately 4 minutes. Add garlic, cumin and freekeh. Cook for 1 minute. Add tomatoes and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes. Add broth and sweet and smoked paprika; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, partially cover and cook for 20 minutes, until freekeh is cooked.  Add kale, salt, pepper and the reserved chorizo; cook, stirring, until the kale is wilted about 5 minutes. Adjust salt and pepper for seasoning. Serve warm.

Mushroom Stroganoff

blog mush stro
It’s my birthday week. In my family we grew up with lots of little traditions, many of which add a little enchantment to the ordinary. My mother prides herself on making birthdays really special and one of my favorites ways in which she did this was with a special birthday dinner. She would tell us, we could  have anything we wanted to eat for our birthday and then Mom would make it for the family celebration. For years I requested the same dish – beef stroganoff! I have no idea how I even came up with this as my birthday request year after year, but my memories are filled with wonderful birthday celebrations eating spoons of beef stroganoff. My taste have evolved quite a bit since then , but I still love the flavors from that dish and all the memories along with it. Today, I make the dish much lighter than the one mom made years ago – using mushrooms and creme fraiche. I’ve bumped up the flavors with Madeira, paprika and red chili flakes. The result if delicious. So this week, in celebration of my birthday, I’ll be enjoying some of my mushroom stroganoff…….hmm I can’t wait!
From by the bay, wishing you loving food memories!
Maryann
Mushroom Stroganoff
Serves 4
 
Ingredients
1 pound assorted mushrooms cleaned and sliced ( such as cremini, button and shiitake)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 small white onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
3 tablespoons Madeira or dry sherry
8 ounces creme fraiche
1/4 cup chopped parsley
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large saute pan. Add the onions and garlic and saute for a minute or two until the onions starts to soften.  Add the butter to the onion mixture and melt. Add the mushrooms to the pan and cover with a lid. Cook the mushrooms for about 15 minutes, stirring occassionally. Take the lid off and add the paprika, salt, red chili flakes, Madeira and cream fraiche. Stir the mixture and heat for about 5 minutes. Add the parsley and stir. Serve immediately over egg noodles or rice.
blog birthday