Tag Archives: Soup

FOOD

A creamy, delish, cabbage and spinach soup

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I was cleaning out a few things in the fridge today and pulled out a few remaining veggies, some stock, a bit of leftover focaccia bread and pondered how I could use all of this up in one go.

Given the current environment, every morsel of food is even more precious. And what emerged from this mishmash of ingredients was a delicious, creamy, good for you soup. Here’s how I went about the transformation.

Ingredients for soup:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped into small pieces
  • 2 cups cabbage, finely chopped, and washed
  • 1 packed cup baby spinach, washed and finely chopped
  • 2 green chilis, finely chopped
  • A sprig of oregano
  • 1.5 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 tsp salt

    For croutons (you can use store bought ones)
  • Some leftover bread, cubed
  • A tbsp of olive oil
  • A bit of red pepper flakes

    For garnishing
  • A tbsp or two of grated parmesan cheese
  • Some olive oil
  • A sprig of oregano

How to:

1. Heat one tbsp olive oil in a pan. Add the onion and sauté for five minutes on medium heat.

2. Add the cabbage, spinach, green chilis, oregano, vegetable stock, and salt, mix well and cook till the cabbage and spinach appear wilted. This took about ten minutes on medium heat for me.

3. Transfer the veggies to a blender or use a hand blender to puree the veggies till smooth.

4. If making croutons, heat a tbsp of oil in a pan. Add a bit of red pepper flakes and toss the bread cubes, frying till crisp (about ten minutes).

5. Transfer the soup into two bowls. Top with the croutons, some parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.

6. Enjoy!

 

FOOD

First blush of love with kohlrabi

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Yes, you might say that for someone who cooks often, I’ve been living under a rock.  I had never tasted kohlrabi and while I had spotted it at farmers’ markets, I had never adventured to cook with it.  But all that changed with a recent discovery – that it is a versatile vegetable that is low in carbs.

“What does it taste like?”, I asked my favorite farmer.  She said it had the slight spiciness of a radish married with the crispness of a green apple.  I proceeded to buy a bunch and cautiously tasted a slice.  The taste and the texture translated into my aha moment – this might be a good low carb substitute for potatoes in any number of dishes, enabling my husband to indulge in a version of some of his favorite high carb foods.

The stew that I created is a favorite from my childhood days.  Dad and mom made this concoction of ginger, green chilies, potatoes, onions and coconut milk which was the perfect accompaniment to steamed rice or fresh bread.  Out went the potatoes and in came the kohlrabis to make their debut in this simple, yummy comfort food which turned out to be a big hit.

Ingredients:

  • 3 medium-sized farm fresh kohlrabi, skin removed and chopped into cubes
  • 1 large red onion chopped into pieces the same size as the kohlrabi
  • 6 green chilies, 2 finely chopped and four sliced vertically (less if you can’t tolerate heat)
  • 1.5-inch piece ginger finely chopped
  • 1 tsp salt (or more to taste)
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • A few sprigs of curry leaves (optional)

How To:

1. Place all the ingredients except the coconut milk in a pan, cover the vegetables with water and cook covered till the kohlrabi is firm but done – a fork inserted should slide in easily, but the vegetable should retain its shape (about 15-20 minutes).  At this point, there will be some water in the pan, but it will not be watery.

2. Add the coconut milk, mix gently and simmer the mixture for a few minutes.

3. Turn off the stove and wait 10 minutes before serving the stew with steamed rice or bread.

4. The result is super yum and a gift for those on a low carb diet.

Tip 1:  You could also puree this and serve it as a soup and it tastes amazing, the combination of chilies and coconut milk playing a tropical dance on your tongue!

Tip 2: You could use cauliflower instead of kohlrabi for another lovely low carb version as well.

If you cook kohlrabi frequently, I’d love to hear your suggestions!

FOOD

The Melt – Lunchbox Favorites in Palo Alto, California

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By Rohan:

It is no surprise that the Grilled Cheese Sandwich has made itself a staple in the American Diet. You would’ve never thought that a lunchbox classic made with just bread and cheese could be toasted in a way that makes it a timeless treat regardless of the time of the year.  At the Melt, they take their Grilled Cheese Sandwich seriously. And with a location that is just a stone’s throw away from the picturesque Stanford University, what is there to lose?

The Melt offers a unique ambiance along with its unique menu. Simple wall decor and bright colors parallel the eatery’s devotion to their simple menu. With just six different Grilled Cheese options inspired by different parts of the world, it is no wonder why this sandwich shop has lines out the door 24/7. If you feel like being traditional, the classic Grilled Cheese is a succulent option. With fresh sourdough bread and gooey melted American cheese. If want an Italian or Mexican twist, the Melt will gladly accommodate your request, substituting American sourdough bread with homemade garlic bread.

You can’t have a sandwich without a hearty soup to go along with it, and the Melt’s wide variety of soups also pay homage to different parts of the world. A Southwestern Black Bean soup, a rich Tomato-Basil, and a cozy Broccoli Cheddar are just few of the many options you have to choose from.

When it comes to comfort food in Northern California, we can’t recommend the Melt enough. Located in the bustling Stanford Shopping Center, their Grilled Cheese sandwiches provide the fuel you need to hit the stores or take an energizing walk through campus.

To learn more about the Melt, visit www.themelt.com