Mirepoix: red white and yellow onion, celery, parsnip. Roast chicken, crimini shroom, trumpet shroom, gorgonzola pear ravioli, red bell pepper, parsley, basil, sugar, chicken bouillon, malt vinegar, garlic, corn starch, lime leaf, white pepper.
Martin’s Wednesday work of art. This one knocked my socks off.
Mirepoix: yellow and red onion, parsnip, celery. Beef top round steak, top sirloin, pork sausage, goat cheese, parsnip, crimini shroom, bean dip bowl, refried beans, black beans, corn, tomato, tomato paste, pineapple, lemon ginger burst juice, garlic, pico de gallo, mild salsa, beef bouillon, tomato bouillon.
This was a hoot to make–the guiding principle was “why not?”
Mirepoix: yellow onion, celery, red bell pepper. Lamb, chicken sausage, turnip, potato, mushroom, potato chips, tomato paste, flour, cumin, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, bay leaf, chocolate powder, coffee, paprika, garlic, beef bouillon, tomato bouillon.
I don’t think I’d ever used lamb before–it was good fun using this shy protein. Plus the mix of seasonings was a hoot.
Red onion, chicken, kale, eggplant, shiitake mushroom, rice, liquid aminos, nori komi furikake (Japanese seasoning), lemon ginger burst juice.
Martin was out, and once again we were swamped, so this day I made three soups. This was the quick and dirty third soup, but with some fun Japanese flavors.
Had never seen lemon ginger burst juice before, but it worked perfectly, adding a nice acidic touch.
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
Mirepoix: red yellow and white onion, carrot, yellow bell pepper. Ham, potato, chanterelle shroom, crimini shroom, one morel shroom, pre-made garlic mashed potato, butter, worcestershire sauce, milk, tarragon, garlic.
I just love tarragon. Hmm, maybe I’ll put it on my pizza tonight.
Onion, celery, chicken, roasted cauliflower, yam, chanterelle mushroom, potato, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, cumin, butter, garlic.
Michele’s excellent mélange made on Christmas Eve morning, 2019. Yum.
“A first-rate chicken soup is more creative than a second-rate painting.” Abraham Maslow, slightly altered.
Onion, carrot, celery, pork sausage, pork loin, squash, green beans, mushrooms, tomato sauce, tomato paste, orzo, salt, pepper, garlic, Italian seasoning.
Mmmm. Michele knocked out this porky gem.
Mirepoix: red yellow and white onion, carrot, celery, red bell pepper. Tri-tip, potato, shroom, flour, tomato bouillon, tomato paste, garlic, beef bouillon, fresh sage, fresh rosemary, mashed potato mix.
The mashed potato mix really thickened this up.
“My friend said to me, ‘You know what I like? Mashed potatoes.’ I was like, Dude, you have to give me time to guess. If you’re going to quiz me you have to insert a pause.” Mitch Hedberg
Mirepoix: yellow onion rainbow carrot, celery. Pulled pork, liver pate, mini mushrooms, squash, okra, rice, fresh basil, worcestershire sauce, vinegar.
Martin prepared this beauty.
“You can never put too much pork in your mouth as far as I’m concerned.” Lewis Black
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:
Sauteed portabella, chanterelle, and crimini mushrooms, milk, chicken thigh, potato, dill, tarragon, ghee, butter.
“When the men on the chessboard get up and tell you where to go, and you’ve just had some kind of mushroom, go ask Alice.” Grace Slick
Standard mirepoix plus fennel. Ground turkey, cauliflower, trumpet royale mushroom, peanut butter, chopped pistachio, cumin, garlic, coriander, red pepper flakes
Had never heard of trumpet royale mushrooms, so in they went. Fun ingredient.
“If you got a trumpet, get on your feet, brother, and blow it!” Nick Cave
Standard mirepoix plus fennel. Ground Turkey, trumpet royale mushroom, maitake frondosa mushroom, crimini mushroom, rice noodle, oyster sauce, teriyaki sauce, ginger, garlic, sugar, sesame oil, lime juice
“I live absolutely like an oyster.” Gustave Flaubert. I guess he’s making pearls.
Mirepoix: red onion, orange bell pepper, carrot. Bacon, salumi soppressata, mole salami, potato, porcini mushroom gravy, cinnamon, garlic, beef stock
Very very umami. Yum.
Mirepoix: yellow and red onion, celery, rainbow carrot, green bell pepper. NY steak, crimini shroom, butternut squash, beet horseradish, paprika, potato starch
Martin often finds a fun key ingredient. Today it was beets marinated in horseradish. Added a unique twist.
“Breathe properly, stay curious, and always eat your beets“. Tom Robbins, Jitterbug Perfume
Mirepoix: yellow and red onion, rainbow carrot, green bell pepper. Sirloin, tri-tip, New York steak, kale, shiitake shroom, togarashi (red pepper, sesame seed, paprika, coriander, seaweed, orange and lemon granules), soy sauce
Togarashi is good fun, also known as “shichimi” or seven flavors.
HOLY SHIITAKE
Mirepoix: red onion, rainbow carrot, celery, orange bell pepper. Chicken and apple sausage, angus beef sausage, roasted portobello shroom, oyster shroom, cranberry, chopped walnut, black eyed pea, yellow bell pepper, red bell pepper, tomato bouillon, humus, cumin, parsley, chive, garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg
As Martin mentioned to me, this needed curds and turkey. Haw haw.
I love adding a bit of cinnamon to things. Such a fun unexpected flavor
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
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?
Mirepoix: red onion, carrot, celery. Pork, hominy, mushroom, butternut squash, spring onion, tomato, salsa verde, more onion, paprika, oregano, red wine vinegar, fresh rosemary, cumin, corn starch.
Super chunky soup made by Martin. Available were these bags of salsa verde with pork bits, so in it went.
“A first-rate soup is more creative than a second-rate painting.” Abraham Maslow
Mirepoix: yellow onion, celery. Thick cut bacon, white shroom, red and white potato, milk, peach, mango, mashed potato mix, turmeric, ginger, garlic.
Whoo boy this was good fun–just a touch of sweetness from the fruit. Huzzah! Forth Eorlingas!
“Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach?
I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach.
I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.” T.S. Eliot
Mirepoix: yellow onion, celery, red and green bell pepper. Chicken breast, hominy, white mushroom, tarragon, red wine vinegar, sambal oelek, garlic.
All bow to tarragon. What a great flavor, matches great with chicken.
“When you are at home, even if the chicken is a little burnt, what’s the big deal? Relax.” Jacques Pepin
Standard mirepoix. Chicken thighs, potato, mushroom, horseradish, garlic, garlic butter, parsley, cream, flour.
Pureed the potato and shrooms with the mirepoix.
Steve, a co-worker, had two cups of this. Even though he’s a Coug. Must have been all right!
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
Mirepoix: yellow onion, rainbow carrot, green bell pepper. Mushroom, refried beans, black beans, red onion, salsa, tomato, bacon, sliced ham, fish sauce, wheat tortilla pieces, garlic, taco seasoning, cumin, chili powder.
Pureed a bunch of mushrooms with the mirepoix, just to add more umami.
I own this shirt. Although I don’t look as dapper as he.
Mirepoix: red onion, carrot, garlic scape. Bacon, black rice, roasted red bell pepper, kale, mushroom, blackcurrant mustard, honey, worcestershire sauce, roasted chicken demi-glace, garlic.
Black rice, “black as night, black as coal.”
The blackcurrant mustard was the star.
Made today, 6/25/19
Mirepoix: Red onion, celery, carrot, red bell pepper. Chicken thigh and breast, turnip, poblano pepper, bunapi mushroom, nori seaweed, ramen, honey, orange juice, lemon juice, garlic.
So fun to work with nori.
“First, observe the whole bowl. Appreciate the gestalt. Savor the aromas..seaweed slowly sinking.” Old man in Tampopo.
Made 6/19/19
Mirepoix: yellow onion, red and green pepper, carrot. Sausage, nasty industrial cheese goo, mushrooms, extra red green and orange bell pepper, extra onions, roasted chicken stock, fish sauce, hand-made croutons, oregano, paprika, cumin, lemon juice.
A left-field attempt to make Philly Cheesesteak Soup, but with sausage. Totally winging it on this one. I had the option to use Permesan cheese, but went with the 7-11 nacho goop.
I made the croutons in the oven, but once in the soup they simply became bread again. Lesson learned.
” They say that this is where revolutions begin and nations are born. They say that this is a place where steel rules all and there is something called a cheese-steak sandwich that is supposed to be manna from heaven!” Dylan Callens
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
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
Mirepoix: yellow onion, red and green bell pepper, carrot. Roasted mushroom, potato, corn, cream corn, zucchini, parmasen cheese, fire roasted corn salsa, nacho salsa, garlic, fish sauce.
Probably should have added some potato starch.
“The only soup we have to fear is soup itself“.
Standard mirepoix. Mushroom, chicken andouille sausage, pesto, hondashi.
Pureed a bunch of shrooms with the mirepoix one it was properly sweated. Roasted some of the shrooms.
“When the men on the chessboard get up and tell you where to go. And you’ve just had some kind of mushroom, and your mind is moving low. Go ask Alice, I think she’ll know.”
Made 8/28/18
Mirepoix: yellow onion, carrot, celery, jalapeno (hotpoix). Back rib meat, turnip, roasted pepper, heirloom tomato, kohlrabi, mushroom, eggplant, BBQ sauce.
A bit of a pain cutting off the meat from the ribs, but no choice as that was the only protein available. The prepared peppers had a bit of a kick to them, but the BBQ sauce tranquilized things to an extent.
Made 8/29/18
Mirepoix: white onion, celery, poblano pepper. Chicken, mushroom, potato, hondashi, fresh ginger, rice wine vinegar, garlic.
“Ask not what the soup can do for you, but what you can do for your soup”. One of the few times rice wine vinegar was available, so in it went. The fresh ginger made all the difference.
Made 9/11/18
Mirepoix: carrot, yellow and red onion, celery, shallot, red bell pepper, fennel. Beef sirloin, green orange and red bell peppers, honeydew melon, green beans, shrooms, chives, cumin, oyster sauce, soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic, red pepper flakes, beef stock
No picture (ugh forgot). But it was tasty.
Made 5/29/19
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
Mirepoix: yellow onion, parsnip, carrot, leek. Broccoli, cauliflower, mushroom, poblano pepper, cheddar cheese, feta cheese, fish sauce, nutmeg.
“Blessed are the cheese-makers”.
We’ve been totally blessed with a plethora of leeks recently. As things go around here, probably won’t see any more for a couple months. Just the way it is at a food bank.
Made 5/1/19
Mirepoix: red onion, celery, red and green pepper (I think that’s the Holy Trinity, no?). Beef, potato, cauliflower, tomato, mushroom, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, paprika, sugar, lime juice, worcestershire sauce.
“You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din”.
And as Morrissey says, “I am cumin and I need to be loved”.
Made 4/10/19
Mirepoix: yellow onion, green bell pepper, celery, parsley. Potato, Napa cabbage, mushroom, almond butter, butter, milk, flour, turmeric, ginger, green curry paste, fish sauce, cinnamon, sugar, red pepper flake.
I’d never heard of someone using almond butter in a soup, so in it went. Not any weirder than peanut butter.
Made 4/9/19
Mirepoix: yellow onion, parsnip, celery, carrot. Crimini mushroom, oyster mushroom, enotaki mushroom, red bell pepper, poblano pepper, roasted cauliflower, milk, corn starch, butter, tarragon, lime juice.
“Tis a far, far better soup we make…”
Pureed a bunch of the crimini with the mirepoix (once it was done) for extra thickness.
Made 4/3/19
Standard mirepoix. Potato, poblano pepper, yellow red and green bell pepper, mushroom, half and half, peanut butter, lime juice, honey, green curry paste.
Made 3/27/19
Standard mirepoix. Ham, tomato, red bell pepper, mushroom, farfalle noodles, milk, dijon mustard, paprika, garlic.
Ok ok, this is only borderline goulash–it was the closest I could get.
Mirepoix: onion, parsnip. Tenderloin, ribeye, filet mignon, potato, shiitake mushroom, mushroom steak gravy, tomato paste, beef stock, flour, tarragon, garlic.
Very beefy.
Made 2/20/19
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
Mirepoix: red onion, carrot, celery. White fish, roasted eggplant, mushrooms, red and green bell pepper, potato, milk, turmeric-ginger milk, thyme, dill, turmeric, ginger, garlic.
I think I’ve mentioned it before, but sometimes we get some pretty whacky donations. Simply had to use that turmeric-ginger milk.
1/15/19
Regular mirepoix. Potato, prepared mashed potato, yellow bell pepper, milk, coconut milk, sweet coconut flakes, corn, mushroom, cauliflower, feta cheese, fish sauce, flour, marjoram, dill, garlic, fried garlic.
Would have been nice to have green peppers to make the color scheme more interesting. Alas we had none.
Made 1/2/19
Mirepoix: yellow onion, rainbow carrot, celery, poblano pepper. Zucchini, roasted mushrooms, red bell pepper, coconut milk, garlic, lime juice, sugar.
Roasted the shrooms.
It’s “almost” Asian because the coconut milk had practically no taste. Does coconut milk go flat with age?
Made 12/12/18
Mirepoix: yellow onion, celery, those funky organic rainbow carrots. Beef, asparagus, zucchini, tomato, raisin, crimini mushroom, turmeric, coriander, garlic, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, lime juice.
Pureed the shrooms with the mirepoix.
Made 12/11/18
Mirepoix: yellow onion, carrot, bell pepper, poblano chili. Potato, zucchini, portobello mushroom, crimini mushroom, corn, mild salsa, milk, tomato bouillon, garlic, cumin, nutmeg, clove, tabasco sauce.
Viva sopa.
Made 11/14/18.
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.
Regular mirepoix. Portobello mushrooms, crimini mushrooms, turmeric-ginger milk, whipping cream, potato, hominy, carrot, corn, ginger
Happy Halloween!
Another situation where I thought, “what the hades is this?” It was milk laced with turmeric and ginger. Too weird to pass up. Wish we had more fresh ginger, but as I’ve said before, we are at the mercy of our donors.
Made 10/31/18
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
Mirepoix: yellow onion, carrot, green bell pepper, milk, corn starch, potato, corn, shiitake, eggplant, thyme, dill, garlic.
Pretty straightforward. Probably would have been better if I had sauteed the shrooms in butter first, but oh well.
Made 10/3/18
Soup Kitchen Recipes 