Tag: basil

“The Farm” Soup

Mirepoix: red onion, celery, carrot. Bacon, beef, chicken, yellow squash, beet, shroom, blueberry, mandarin orange, horseradish, white onion, beef bouillon, turmeric, white pepper, fresh basil.

Martin scoured the farm for this one: bovine, porcine, and avian protein included. Plus some nice fruit. Excellent.

“Some eyes threaten like a loaded and levelled pistol, and others are as insulting as hissing or kicking; some have no more expression than blueberries, while others are as deep as a well which you can fall into.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wasabi Chicken Noodle Soup

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Mirepoix: red onion, celery, carrot. Chicken, eggplant, macaroni noodle, red bell pepper, garlic, fresh basil, wasabi powder.

Wasabi in chicken soup? Heck yeah!

Just a note: I’ve been sweating the mirepoix in coconut oil for the past half year or so. Certainly olive oil, bacon fat, butter, or other fats work great.

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Coconut Shrimp Curry

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Mirepoix: yellow onion, celery, orange bell pepper, parsnip, fennel. Tempura shrimp, potato, zucchini, mushroom, green bell pepper, coconut milk, coconut cream, half and half, butter, fresh Thai basil, fresh basil, garlic, sambal oelek (Indonesian hot chili sauce).

The chili sauce added a sly underneath heat. And yay for coconut.

“Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?” Castle guard, Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Lotus Ginger Chicken Soup

Mirepoix: Onion, celery, bell pepper. Lotus root, chicken, eggplant, various types of shrooms, rice thread noodle, bonito flakes, vinegar, salt, sugar, diced fresh ginger, basil, lime leaf, Japanese curry nabe mix, corn starch.

Martin goes to Asia on this New Year’s Day soup. I love the use of bonito flakes.

“The lotus flower blooms most beautifully from the deepest and thickest mud.” Buddhist proverb

Pazole Chicken Squash Soup

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Mirepoix: white and yellow onions, red bell pepper, organic rainbow carrot. Chicken, hominy, yellow squash, green onion, onion, fresh garlic, edible flower, basil, sugar, dark chili powder, sausage grease, tomato, tomato bouillon, worcestershire sauce, cumin, green Hatch salsa.

A lot of good flavors swimming in this offering by Martin. I like the addition of sausage grease–good stuff.

Gherkin Chicken Soup

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Mirepoix: yellow onion, bell pepper, carrot. Chicken thighs, mushroom, asparagus, potato, okra, carrot, basil, rosemary, Bengal masala, curry sauce, gherkin mustard, manicotta, ricotta, milk, paprika, vinegar, sugar.

The gherkins were right up front in Martin’s concoction. Let’s say “tamed tartness”.

Greek Ham Shroom Noodle and Corn Soup

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Mirepoix: yellow onion, celery, red bell pepper, carrot, garlic. Ham, Greek yogurt, mushroom, potato, corn, whole wheat penne, apple, more onions, okra, more carrots, cumin, rice wine vinegar, fresh basil, chive.

Martin’ Hellenistic adventure. I love the use of okra.

We owe so much to Greek philosophy:

Chinese Turkey Chili

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Mirepoix: yellow onion, celery. Ground turkey, sauteed crimini shrooms, straw shrooms, broccoli, black beans, tomato, hoisin sauce, garlic, turmeric, ginger, Thai basil, sugar, fish sauce.

Not gonna say anything about those straw mushrooms.

“The honorable and upright man keeps well away from both the slaughterhouse and the kitchen. And he allows no knives on his table.” Confucius

Artemis Chicken Soup

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Mirepoix: red onion, carrot, celery. Grilled chicken breast, chicken pate, crimini mushroom, oyster mushroom, Swiss chard, roasted eggplant, zucchini, fresh mint, tomato bouillon, garlic, cumin, fresh basil, worcestershire sauce, feta cheese, green olive, tomato paste, pesto.

The Greek goddess of wilderness, wild animals, and hunting. Isn’t something wrong when the goddess of animals is also the goddess of hunting?

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Peanut Chicken with Portabella and Cranberry Soup

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Mirepoix: yellow onion, celery, green bell pepper. Chicken thigh, portabella shrooms, zucchini, crunchy peanut butter, coconut milk, cranberries, fresh basil, parsley, lime juice, red pepper flakes.

“If you don’t mind smelling like peanut butter for two or three days, peanut butter is darn good shaving cream.” Barry Goldwater

Cuban Chicken Lasagna Soup

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Mirepoix: shallot, yellow onion, celery, carrot. Chicken thighs, zucchini, tomato, mango salsa, gouda cheese, gouda cheese with truffles, lasagna noodles, worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, basil, fresh garlic, oregano.

“A disaster of Biblical proportion, Old Testament, the old wrath of God type stuff. Fire and brimstone, 40 years of darkness, human sacrifice, Cubans and Italians living in a soup. Mass hysteria.” Incorrectly paraphrased from Ghostbusters.

Turkey Vegetable Soup

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Mirepoix: shallot, yellow onion, celery, carrot. Ground turkey, roasted brussels sprout, carrot, poblano chile, red bell pepper, Peter Pan squash, fresh garlic, baby arugula, chive, fresh basil, paprika, lime juice.

Had a vigorous vegetable flavor, enhanced by those Belgian sprouts roasted by Martin. Treacherously good.

Citrus Chicken Soup

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Onion, carrot, celery, fennel, chicken thighs, potato, Frontera Chicken Citrus Marinade, basil, cumin, orange juice.

The orange juice made this a tart delight. Michele did great on this one…I mean, just look at it!

“The Golden Orange, the Orange of Discord, was thrown by Eris the Goddess of Strife into the wedding feast, thus prompting the eventual ruin of Troy.” Anonymous, quoted incorrectly.

Bottom of the Box Shroom Soup

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Standard mirepoix. Portobello mushroom, crimini mushroom, kale, kumamoto tomato, bacon, canned salmon, sweet mozzarella cream cheese, paprika, garlic, ginger, chive, fresh basil.

Martin crammed so many mushrooms in this that it practically exploded. A really great flavor.

“I’m just some lunatic macaroni mushroom, is that it?” Joe Pesci

Beefy Bean and Pepper Soup

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Standard mirepoix. Beef, red black and great northern beans, Anaheim pepper, bell pepper, spring onion, sugar, paprika, lemon juice, mint, basil, chive, lime leaf, corn starch.

Martin knocked this one out of the park. A lush potpourri of tastes. Me like.

“An idealist is one who, on noticing that roses smell better than cabbage, concludes that it will also make a better soup.” H.L. Mencken

Thai Fish Chowder

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Mirepoix: red onion, carrot. Cod, potato, zucchini, cottage cheese, fish sauce, worcestershire sauce, garlic, curry paste, Thai basil, dried basil, coconut milk, lemon thyme, lemon juice, sugar.

Maybe should have put some flour in to thicken, but I’m hoping that when it’s reheated tomorrow the potatoes will break down. That would be nice.

จับปลาสองมือ
Translation: Catch a fish with two hands.
Meaning: You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

Maltese Halibut Stew

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Standard mirepoix. Halibut, tomato, green bell pepper, yellow squash, black olive, garlic scape, worcestershire sauce, honey, sugar, balsamic vinegar, basil, parsley, garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove

Halibut, the Lexus of fish–luxurious yet costly. Just one of the jewels that our donors sometimes send us.

Sausage Cream Potato Chowder

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Standard mirepoix. Hot dog, ham, potato, extra onion, cheddar cheese, garlic scape, basil, beef bouillon, milk, black pepper, flour.

“Is it a good hot dog? That’s all I want to know. I don’t think the personal health and purity of my colon is that important compared to pleasure.” Anthony Bourdain

Vegie Fish with Basil and Lime Soup

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Mirepoix: yellow and red onions, organic rainbow carrot, green bell pepper. Roasted eggplant, roasted cauliflower, cod, garlic poblano peppers, more carrot and onion, fish sauce, sugar, basil, lime zest and juice, soy sauce, paprika.

An opus from Martin. Almost an Asian feel to it.

“If God ever wanted to be a fish, he’d be a cod”. Or a whale, I get confused.

Made 7/3/19

Veggie Heavy with Turkey

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Mirepoix: red onion, celery, carrot, red bell pepper. Ground turkey, roasted purple and green cauliflower, roasted eggplant, okra, Anaheim pepper, garlic, sweet potato, fresh basil, fresh mint, fresh oregano, turmeric, paprika, lemon juice.

Martin tamed the ground turkey, although it still looked sorta like brain at the beginning. The fresh herbs were a key. And the turmeric too.

Made today, 6/19/19

Almost Thai Ham Curry

Mirepoix: yellow onion, green bell pepper, shallot. Ham, yellow and green zucchini, mushroom, fresh ginger, lime leaves, coconut milk, milk, red pepper flakes, Thai basil, garlic, black pepper.

We never have donations of lemongrass, and rarely have curry paste, so I can only try to approximate the Thai flavor. Although I’m unsure if Thais use ham in curry.

Yul Brynner would have dug it.

Made 8/1/18

Turkey Asparagus Macaroni Soup

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Mirepoix: yellow onion, carrot. Turkey, asparagus, macaroni, diced tomatoes, tomato vodka sauce, marinara sauce, tomato sauce, fish sauce, Italian seasoning, fresh basil, garlic, parsley, cinnamon, honey.

“He stuck a feather in his cap and called it macaroni”. Whatever that means.

Fairly tame, but the addition of cinnamon and honey gave it a fun undertone.

Speaking of Undertones:

Asian Chicken Soup

Mirepoix: yellow onion, red bell pepper, carrot. Rotisserie chicken, canned chicken, zucchini, leek, broccoli, portobello mushroom, hondashi, garlic, Lemon Good Health Vinegar, fresh ginger, fresh basil, soy sauce.

Never start a land war in Asia.

Fresh ginger was the key. Not too bad.

Was pretty sweaty in the kitchen. Had to bring out portable fans to combat the sultry atmosphere.

Made 8/8/18

Pork and Vegetable Soup

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Mirepoix: yellow onion, green bell pepper. Nasty canned pork, asparagus, shiitake mushroom, butternut squash, sweet soy sauce, fish sauce, garlic, sugar, lime sauce, basil, red pepper flakes.

Had never used “sweet” soy sauce, so in it went. Overall a mildly Asian flavor.

I swear, that canned pork is gross. But it was the only protein available, so had to strive to offset the inherent evilness of the vile cur. I gave my best Herculean effort. It ended up pretty good.

“Um carinho envolve o meu coração
Sinto que é você, falando pra mim
Sussurrando“

Made 10/2/18

Ham Mushroom and Vegetable Soup

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Standard mirepoix. Ham, mushrooms (a lot), green beans, red and green bell pepper, poblano pepper, garlic, pepper, fresh and dried basil, fresh mint, lemon zest, butter.

Made by Martin. I like the addition of butter– adds a great glossy finish.

“There was an Old Person of Prague, 
Who was suddenly seized with the plague;
But they gave him some butter, 
     which caused him to mutter, 
And cured that Old Person of Prague.”

Made 5/22/19

Dijon Beef Lentil Soup

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Mirepoix: yellow and red onion, carrot, green pepper. Lentils, NY strip steak, chard, extra carrots, fresh basil, dried basil (with mirepoix), Dijon mustard.

“Dr. McCoy, perhaps your other patients are content with your beads and rattles, but a good lentil soup is much more fascinating.” Paraphrased quote by Spock.

Made 5/15/19

Deng’s Sausage and Rice Soup

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Mirepoix: yellow onion, carrot, red bell pepper. Hot Italian sausage, eggplant, canned bacon, snap peas, rice, quinoa, oyster sauce, soy sauce, garlic, roasted chicken stock, lime juice, worcestershire sauce, fresh basil, dried basil, allspice.

Never heard of canned bacon, so forthwith in it went. It was really weird–slices of cooked bacon wrapped in paper and stuffed into a can. Go figure.

In Tokyo I bought a Deng watch. Instead of the second hand going around, the seconds were marked by Deng waving his cigarette.

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Made 5/14/19

Figgy Beef and Lamb Soup

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Mirepoix: yellow onion, parsnip, celery, carrot, leek. Beef, lamb, roasted cauliflower, potato, radish, figs, lemon zest and juice, lime juice, Thai basil, fresh mint, turmeric, ginger, garlic.

Oh my gentle Jesus we have an additional soupmaker, my buddy Martin, who made this extravaganza. I love the use of figs, to give a little sweetness, and mint, to give brightness (and paired with lamb–genius). Great soup.

Martin will be guest-starring in the future. Can’t wait to see what he’ll make.

Made 5/1/19

Pepperoni, Spinach Noodle, and Pear Soup

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Mirepoix: leek, yellow onion, orange and red bell pepper, celery, funky-colored carrot. Zucchini, salumeria pepperoni salsiccia, pear, spinach noodles, minced garlic, basil, ginger, parsley flakes.

Chinese spinach noodles–had to use them. Still unsure if dry, hard Italian sausage is a great thing to put in a soup, but it was the protein available, so in it went.

Made 4/30/19

Vegetable Medley Soup

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Mirepoix: yellow onion, leek, fennel, carrot, celery, red bell pepper. Tomato, green beans, leek tops, yellow bell pepper, portobello mushroom, balsamic vinegar, worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, tarragon, oregano, basil.

A Pippin would complain: “needs rashers of bacon”. Sorry, it wasn’t available that day, my woolly-footed rascal.

Made 4/24/29

Mussolini’s Tomato Stew

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Mirepoix: yellow onion, green and red bell pepper, poblano pepper, carrot, parsley. Roasted zucchini, fresh tomato, kalamata olives, capers, morel mushroom, crimini mushroom, eggplant tapenade, worcesterhire sauce, balsamic vinegar, sugar, fresh oregano, fresh basil, garlic.

” Romanes eunt domus”

More morels. The earth shakes!

Made 4/17/19

Coconut Zucchini Curry with Rice

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Mirepoix: carrot, onion, bell pepper. Roasted zucchini, roasted mushroom, coconut milk, sweet coconut flakes, rice, fish sauce, garlic, dried and fresh basil, ginger, curry powder.

Fish sauce opened up again in my backpack, even though I had wrapped the top with saran wrap. Had to throw it into the wash machine again.

Made 1/22/19

Faux Thai Green Curry

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Mirepoix: yellow onion, yellow and red bell pepper, carrot. Roasted eggplant, roasted zucchini, coconut milk, green curry paste,Thai green curry simmer sauce, sweet coconut flakes, cream, fresh basil, chive, fried garlic.

This is the closest I can get to real curry without lemongrass (which we never have) and other Thai spices.

Made 12/26/18

Dijon Basil Cream of Mushroom Soup

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Red onion, crimini mushroom, portobello mushroom, oyster mushroom, potato, mashed potato mix, dijon mustard, half and half, cottage cheese, fresh basil.

The portobellos and some of the criminis were roasted. Other criminis were sauteed in butter. Other criminis were pureed with the onions in stock for thickness.

Made 11/16/18, Election Day. Yes I voted.

Parmesan Mushroom and Potato Soup

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Standard mirepoix. Chanterelle shrooms, potato, carrots, milk, parmesan cheese, cottage cheese, feta, fresh Thai basil, garlic

To thicken it, I pureed a bunch of shrooms with the mirepoix. It was irritating as a hemorrhoid separating the twigs, pine needles, and whatever from the box of shrooms.

Made 10/24/18

Made 10/24/18