Recently, I hosted "Souper Supper for Super Women" at my home and served
India Spicy Lentil Soup
Blue Cheese Chicken and Rice Soup
Salmon Chowder with Vegetables Galore......
Caesar Salad, French Bread, and Carrot Cake Squares completed the dinner. The first "souper suppers" were held in Boulder, Colorado many years ago, followed by a couple more in Memphis, Tennessee, and this was the second in Franklin/ Nashville, Tennessee. It's a fun way to get a group of friends together for a girl's night out, eat some good food, and laugh a lot. The recipes for the soups are below........... and of course, all are nightshade free.
1 cup brown lentils, washed and drained
2-3 tablespoons ghee or coconut oil
1 medium onion, minced
2 – 3 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
½ cup preserved lemon, minced
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 - 3 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon white pepper, or more to
taste
4-5 tablespoons sweetened grated coconut
1-2 tablespoons brown sugar, to taste
4-5 cups water, more as needed
2-3 teaspoons tamarind concentrate, to
taste
3 cups cabbage, thinly sliced
1+ tablespoon nightshade free curry
1 cup cilantro
½ lemon, juiced
Fresh mint, to garnish individual bowls,
optional
Salt if needed
Place lentils in soup pan,
cover with water, bring to boil and simmer, uncovered about 20 minutes, until
tender. Drain well. Heat ghee or oil in a large pot; add onion and ginger,
cooking until transparent. Add preserved lemon, cooking for 3-4 minutes, then
add lentils and remaining ingredients except cilantro, lemon juice, mint and salt. Return to boil and simmer for approximately
15 minutes. When done, add cilantro and lemon juice; mix and let stand slightly
covered 10 minutes before serving. Individual bowls may be garnished with
additional cilantro or fresh mint.
Nightshade free
George made the appetizers for the ladies, which were greatly enjoyed by all. These are delicious and easy to make. Simply place a piece of salmon lox on a favorite cracker. Mix cream cheese with a little fresh lemon and capers, placing a dollop on top of each appetizer. Press slightly, then top with a couple slices pickled ginger and a bit of wasabi cream.
Blue Cheese Chicken and Rice
Soup
This recipe came to life when
I decided, for some unknown reason, to add blue cheese crumbles to an humble
chicken and rice soup. It seems to have worked and I hope you enjoy! Note:
This hearty soup is good for a large crowd, but would be special for a
football afternoon, Christmas Eve or New Year’s Day, or greatly appreciated by
a friend who has a cold! Can be made 1-2
days ahead. Oh, did I say, this is nightshade free? Serves 16-18
8 cups cooked rice (prepared and set
aside)
3-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
5 garlic cloves, minced
3 quarts chicken stock (reserve one for
later)
2 tablespoons dried savory herb mix
1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
3 teaspoons ground sage
1 bay leaf
Sprinkle white pepper, or to taste
Salt, to taste
14 mushrooms, sliced
2 cups celery, sliced
6 cups carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
1 cup frozen green peas
4 skinless/boneless chicken breasts, cut
in bite size pieces
Juice of ½ lemon
2-3 cups blue cheese crumbles
Reserve cooked rice. In a large pot, add olive oil, onion and
garlic. Saute until onion is transparent. Add 2 quarts chicken stock with the
dried herbs, black pepper, sage, bay leaf, white pepper and salt. Boil 3-5 minutes.
Add mushrooms, celery, carrots, and peas, return to boil and simmer about 20
minutes. Add ½ quart of stock with the
chicken breast pieces. Boil, then simmer 10 minutes. Test for salt and other
seasonings, adding the lemon juice. Turn off heat and add cooked rice, with
additional stock if necessary. While the soup is very hot, add the blue cheese
crumbles and blend gently. Serve immediately, or cook and refrigerate.
Salmon
Chowder
Serves 6-8
1/2 cup butter (extra for
finish)
3-6 cloves garlic, minced
¾ -1 onion, coarsely chopped
2 cups celery, sliced
2 cups carrots, in small
pieces
3-4 cups baby portabella
mushrooms, sliced
2-3 tablespoons dried mix of
savory herbs
1 teaspoon sage
Kosher salt and black coarse
pepper, to taste
1 quart chicken stock, or
more if needed
8 oz. clam juice
4 cups cauliflower, sliced
3 cups frozen corn
2 cups frozen peas
3 tablespoons preserved
lemon, minced
4 tablespoons capers
3 cups fat free half and half
3 tablespoons corn starch in
1/3 cup cold water
2-3 cans boneless/skinless
salmon and liquids
(or use fresh salmon or steelhead trout)
1 cup Marsala
wine
Crushed whole black
peppercorn and white pepper, optional
Saute garlic, onion, celery,
carrots, and mushrooms in butter until slightly softened. Add dried herbs,
sage, salt, pepper, chicken stock and clam juice. Bring to a boil. Add cauliflower, corn, peas, preserved lemon
and cook over medium heat until cauliflower softens and reduce liquid
slightly. Add capers, fat free half and
half and simmer 3-5 minutes. Add corn
starch mixture to slightly thicken, then the fish and Marsala wine. (If using fresh fish, cut into
small pieces and cook 1-2 minutes.) Adjust seasonings and add a dollop of
butter, crushed black peppercorn and
white pepper, if desired. Thin with additional stock if needed. Cover and let
the chowder set a couple hours before serving.
Nightshade free
Dear Friends..........Living without nightshade foods and seasonings can be challenging, but with a little planning and changing some of the ingredients in old or new favorite recipes, you can continue to enjoy foods that are delicious and full of exciting flavors. But without the pain that can be associated with tomatoes, peppers, white potato and eggplant. My goal is to give you options on what you cook and eat, and I hope the information you find on my blog is helpful. I'd love to hear from you as well.
All my best wishes!
Caroline