parker's split pea soup

ingredients:

1 cup chopped yellow onions

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/8 cup good olive oil

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 cups medium-diced carrots (3 to 4 carrots)

1 celery stalk

dash cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground mustard

1 pound dried split green peas

8 cups chicken stock or water

1/2 cup parsley

directions:

In a 4-quart stockpot on medium heat, saute the onions and garlic with the olive oil, oregano, cayenne pepper, ground mustard, salt, and pepper until the onions are translucent, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the carrots, celery, split peas, and chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 40 minutes. Skim off the foam while cooking. Continue to simmer for another 40 minutes, or until all the peas are soft. Stir frequently to keep the solids from burning on the bottom. Taste for salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Adapted from www.foodnetwork.com

"No Potato" Salad

Everyday Paleo “No Potato” Salad

2 heads of cauliflower

1 dozen eggs, hard-boiled and diced

1/2 a medium sized red onion, finely diced

6-8 celery stalks, finely diced

A lot of dill pickles, diced

About 1 1/2 cups of my Paleo Mayo with 2 tablespoons of dried dill and 1 teaspoon of crushed garlic added.

About 1 teaspoon of yellow mustard

Black pepper to taste

Cut the cauliflower into large florets.  I used my pressure cooker to cook the cauliflower by placing the florets in the cooker, filling the cooker with about 4 inches of water, locking the lid, bringing to pressure and cooking for about 2 1/2 minutes.  Remove from heat immediately and run the cooker under cold water to quickly bring down the pressure.  Remove the lid and pour the cauliflower through a strainer and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.  You want the cauliflower to be soft but not mushy!  If you do not have a pressure cooker, steam the cauliflower around 7-10 minutes, cooking until tender but not mushy.  Rinse the steamed cauliflower under cold water to stop the cooking process.  Drain the cauliflower well and pat dry with paper towels.  Crumble the cauliflower into a large mixing bowl, add all of the remaining ingredients including the mayo, mustard, and pepper and mix well.  Either eat right away or let chill for a couple of hours before serving.  This salad was HUGE and could serve at least 15 people so cut the ingredients in half unless you are feeding a crowd or want a lot of leftovers.

As always, Enjoy!!

Adapted from www.everydaypaleo.com

roasted squash, apple, and cipollini onion salad

recipe:

2 Golden Delicious apples, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-thick wedges

8 cipollini onions, peeled, trimmed, and sliced crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick rings

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

1/2 medium butternut squash or sugar pumpkin, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (3 cups)

4 cups watercress

1 1/2 teaspoons sherry vinegar

1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts

directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss apples with onions, 3/4 teaspoon oil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; spread onto a rimmed baking sheet. Toss squash with 3/4 teaspoon oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; spread onto a separate rimmed baking sheet.

Roast apple-onion mixture, tossing halfway through, until apples are tender and lightly browned and onions are just starting to crisp, 25 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, roast squash, tossing halfway through, until tender and browned, 40 to 45 minutes.
Toss watercress with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil and the vinegar; season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Transfer salad to a serving platter, and top with apple-onion mixture, squash, and walnuts.

Serves 4

Source: www.wholeliving.com

french lentils with chard

recipe:

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

1 celery stalk, chopped

4 large garlic cloves, minced

1 pound lentils, preferably imported green lentils, washed and picked over (2 1/4 cups)

A bouquet garni made with 2 bay leaves, a Parmesan rind and a sprig or two each of thyme and parsley

Salt and freshly ground pepper

1 bunch Swiss chard (3/4 to 1 pound), stemmed, washed and coarsely chopped

Freshly grated Parmesan, crumbled goat cheese or feta for serving

1. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a heavy soup pot or Dutch oven. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until it begins to soften, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the carrot and celery and cook, stirring, until all the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Add the lentils, 2 quarts water and bouquet garni. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer 40 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove the bouquet garni.

2. Stir the chard into the simmering lentils. Cook another 10 minutes or so, until the lentils and greens are tender. The chard should be tender but still bright. Taste, adjust seasonings and serve, passing the cheese at the table for sprinkling. Alternatively, transfer to an oiled baking dish, top with rounds of goat cheese, crumbled feta or grated Parmesan, and heat through in a medium oven.

Yield: Serves 4 to 6

Source: www.nytimes.com

roasted sweet potatoes and onions

recipe:

2 sweet potatoes, sliced into 1/8-inch thick coins

1 onion, quartered then cut into 1/2-inch slices

2 Tbsp. vegetable or canola oil

1/2 tsp. sea salt (or more or less to taste)

lots of freshly ground black pepper

optional: additional seasonings (see note below)

directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.  Toss with a spoon until vegetables are evenly-coated.

Prepare a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper, and spray with cooking spray.  Transfer vegetables to the baking sheet, and spread so that they are evenly spaced in a single layer.  Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until onions begin to crisp and brown, and sweet potatoes are cooked through.

Tip:

Here are some other fun variations to choose from:

• toss with a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar (when tossing with the olive oil)
• toss with various seasonings before roasting 
  • Italian seasonings (oregano, thyme, parsley, rosemary, etc.)
  • smoked paprika
  • chipotle and/or chile powder and cumin

after roasting, top with… 

• chopped fresh parsley
• toasted slivered almonds
• freshly-grated Parmesan

Source: www.gimmesomeoven.com