Red Lentil and Squash Curry Soup

Most red lentil stews I have made don't incorporate many vegetables, but with both squash and greens in this one it is a keeper in our house. Not to mention the great flavors that I spices lend to the stew. If you are looking to make this dish a bit richer and creamier, try adding some coconut milk - I used 1-2 tablespoons per serving. Enjoy!

Ingredients
1/2 TBS Extra virgin olive oil
1/2 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1-2 tbsp curry powder 
1 tsp garam masala (or more to taste)
1/2 tsp ground ginger
4 cups low-sodium broth
1 cup red lentils
3 cups cooked butternut squash or pumpkin, pureed
2 cup greens of choice (I used spinach)
salt & black pepper, to taste

Directions
In a large pot, heat the EVOO over medium heat; add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Saute for about 5 minutes. Stir in the curry powder, garam masala and ginger and cook another 1-2 minutes (this really livens up the spices so don't skip this step). Add the broth and lentils and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Stir in the squash puree and greens. Cook over medium heat for about 5-8 minutes or until heated through and the lentils are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 3-4, depending on how hungry you are ;-)

Adapted from: http://ohsheglows.com/2011/10/05/red-lentil-and-squash-curry-stew/

Creamy Chicken Soup with Vegetables

Super quick, healthy and delicious, this soup is a great addition to my weekday recipe box. The curry flavor is fairly mild, but if you are not a fan of curry just leave it out. We enjoyed it with some rustic bread for a filling supper. Enjoy!

Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 large carrots, diced
1/2 large onion, diced
2 cup cooked chicken, shredded
1 tablespoon mild curry powder
3 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup coconut milk (full-fat) or half-and-half
2 teaspoons cornstrach
1 cup frozen baby peas
1/2 cup frozen corn
1 tablespoon finely chopped flat-leaf parsley (optional)

Directions
In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over moderate heat. Add the carrots and onion and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add the curry powder and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the stock and season with salt and pepper. Simmer over moderate heat until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.

Dissolve the  cornstarch in the coconut milk to make a slurry (a fork works best here). Stir the slurry into the soup along with the peas and corn and simmer over low heat until slightly thickened, about 8 minutes. Add the chicken and cook just until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the parsley and serve .



Adapted from: http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/creamy-chicken-soup-with-baby-peas-and-carrots

Turkey Tikka Burgers

This is one of my favorite Rachel Ray recipes and is my go-to turkey burger recipe. They are fairly spicy (if you don't like spicy use a mild curry paste), juicy, and have a wonderfully unique combination of flavors that my family and I love. Enjoy!

Ingredients
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/4 lbs ground turkey
2 scallions, chopped
2 inches ginger root, grated (no need to peel it!)8
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons chopped red bell peppers
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon red curry paste
1 tablespoon McCormick's Montreal Brand steak seasoning
1/2 cup plain yogurt
olive oil (for drizzling)
4 whole wheat buns, split
mango chutney
lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and sliced cucumbers

Directions
Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.

Mix the turkey, scallions, ginger, garlic, bell pepper, cilantro, curry paste, grill seasoning, and yogurt together. Form into 4 large patties. Cook the burgers in the hot skillet, approximately 5 minutes on each side.

Place burgers on bun bottoms; spread mango chutney on bun tops. Top the burgers with lettuce, tomato, and sliced cucumber; set bun tops in place.

*Note: I find it best to keep my ginger root in the freezer so I always have some on hand and it is much easier to grate when it is frozen. 

Original recipe by Rachel Ray, www.foodnetwork.com. 

Vegetable Quinoa Soup

I was a bit concerned that this soup would not be flavorful enough for myself and my husband, but we really enjoyed it. He kicked it up a bit by adding some heat to it (chipotle or cayenne pepper). 

The soups was surprisingly filling and had a great fresh taste. You can mix it up by changing/adding the vegetables - maybe add some mushrooms - and by changing the type of beans - red kidneys instead of garbanzos. Enjoy!

Ingredients
1 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 zucchini, chopped
1 1/2 cups frozen green beans, broken or cut into 3/4-inch pieces
32 ounces vegetable or chicken broth 
1-15 ounce can diced tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tsp dried basil
2 cups cooked red quinoa*
1-15 oz can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Directions
Heat the olive oil in large, heavy-bottomed stockpot over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the carrots, zucchini, and green beans and continue to cook for 4 to 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the broth, diced tomatoes, bay leaves, thyme, and basil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the vegetables are fork tender, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the cooked quinoa and garbanzo beans and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve warm.

*Note: To cook the quinoa, rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water. Add quinoa, 2 cups water, and a pinch of salt to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Turn the heat to low and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.

Serves 4

Adapted from: http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/vegetable-quinoa-soup/

Southwest Quinoa Salad

I threw this together last minute for a cocktail party and received rave reviews!  Most people ate it as a dip with tortilla chips, but it can be eaten just as is or served with chopped fresh spinach for a refreshing, super healthy lunch. Enjoy!

Ingredients

2 cups cooked red quinoa, cooled 

¾ cup chopped red bell pepper

¾ cup frozen fire roasted corn, thawed (you can buy this a Trader Joe’s)

¼ cup finely chopped onion (red or yellow)

¾ cup low/no sodium canned black beans, drained and rinsed

¾ to 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro

½ tsp ground cumin

½ tsp ground coriander

1/8 tsp cayenne (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

Zest and juice of ½ a lime

2 TBS rice wine vinegar (red wine or cider vinegar will work as well)

1 TBS olive oil

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss gently. The salad can be served immediately or chilled for later.