Cauliflower Carrot Soup

This soup is warm, flavorful and perfect for the wintertime.

Estimated preparation time: 30-45 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cauliflower
• 3-4 cups carrot
• 1 large potato
• 1 onion
• 1 head of garlic
• Salt and pepper
• Red chili flakes
• Italian seasoning
• Broth

Procedure

1. Sauté garlic, chopped onions and carrots with all the seasonings for about 5-10 minutes at medium to medium-high heat, until carrots have a nice sear starting. 

2. Add the chopped potato (peeled if preferred) and cook for another 5 minutes. Add the chopped cauliflower and give it another 5 minutes. 

3. Add broth to almost cover the vegetables. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until all the vegetables are cooked through, and blend until smooth. Simmer another 5 minutes. 

4. Serve with a dash of cream, a slice of toasted baguette, or au naturel. 

Falafel

This recipe makes very flavorful falafel.

Estimated preparation time: 30 minutes
Estimated total time: 3-7 hours
Adapted from epicurious

Ingredients

• 1 can chickpeas (or dried)
• 1 onion
• 1 head of garlic
• 2 tablespoons parsley
• 2 tablespoons cilantro
• 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 4-6 tablespoons flour
• Vegetable oil

Procedure

1. Add chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, seasonings, baking powder and 4 tablespoons of the flour and pulse in a food processor.

2. Try to form dough into small balls. If it sticks to your hands, add more flour.

3. Cover and refrigerate for 2-6 hours. 

4. Heat 3 inches of oil.

5. Form small balls and fry in the oil. If the ball falls apart, add more flour.

6. Fry on both sides about three minutes each side until golden brown. 

7. Drain on a paper towel.

8. Serve with tahina on pita with tomato slices, onion, feta, what have you. 

Lemon Garlic Lentil Soup

This is a flavorful alternative to the dreaded lentil soup. It is zesty and garlicky and legitimately delicious while being maximally healthy.

Estimated preparation time: 30 min
Snagged from delish.

Ingredients

• 1 cup lentils
• 3 celery
• 3 carrots
• 1 onion
• 1 head of garlic
• 5 cups broth of choice
• 1-2 lemons
• 1/3 cup parsley
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 3 bay leaves
• Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper
• Red chili flakes (for some spice)

Procedure

1. Sauté onion, carrots, celery, and garlic with thyme, red chili flakes, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.

2. Add the lentils, broth and bay leaves.

3. Let simmer until lentils are cooked.

4. Add lemon zest and juice and let ruminate a young minute. 

5. Serve hot with parsley and perhaps more lemon juice. 

Thai Chicken Soup

This soup is like chicken noodle soup on steroids. It is packed with flavor and can be made as spicy or mild as desired.

Estimated preparation time: 45 min

Ingredients

• 2 cans coconut milk
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 onion
• 1 head of garlic
• 1 ginger
• 4 cups chicken
• 3 cups mushrooms
• 2 teaspoons red curry paste
• 1 jalapeno
• Rice noodles
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 3 tablespoon fish sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cilantro, lime, garlic chili sauce to garnish

Procedure

1. Chop chicken, onion, ginger and garlic and sear with salt, pepper, and red chili flakes til chicken is just seared. Take chicken out and set aside. 

2. Add chicken broth, coconut milk, curry paste, fish sauce and juice of one lime to the aromatics and let simmer 20-30 minutes. 

3. Add jalapeño if more spice is desired. Put the chicken and mushrooms into the broth and let simmer until just underdone. 

4. Add rice noodles, being sure to stir. 

5. Serve with lime, cilantro, jalapeño, and the garlic chili sauce. 

Ratatouille

This ratatouille is wildly easy and delicious. The main issue is the patience it takes to let the vegetables really cook.

Estimated preparation time: 15 min
Estimated total time: 1.5 hr

Ingredients

• 1 eggplant
• 2 zucchini
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 red onion
• 1 head of garlic
• 1-2 tomatoes
• Italian seasoning
• Fresh basil (optional)
• Olive oil

Procedure

1. Preheat the oven to 400-450F.
2. Chop all the vegetables into healthy, similarly-sized slices. Crush the garlic and add to the vegetables.
3. Season with Italian seasoning, black pepper, salt, extra rosemary perhaps and drizzle with olive oil.
4. Toss the vegetables and spread them out in a greased baking pan, preferably only a couple of layers of vegetables so they can interact more directly with the heat in the oven.
5. Put the pan uncovered into the oven and let cook for 20-30 min. Flip the vegetables and let cook another 20-30 min until they are nicely browned.
6. Serve hot or cold with fresh basil.