Miso Potato Soup

25 Nov 2012 2 Comments

by likemotherlikedaughterfoodblog in Soup and Salad Tags: , , , , , , , ,

We love fusion foods in our house! This one was easy. By using miso as the primary seasoning, this Eastern European soup is given a Japanese twist. The fusion results in a satisfying richness.

Miso Potato Soup

3 Tbsp olive oil
3 Tbsp all purpose flour
4 Yukon Gold or Red potatoes, peeled and chopped
3 cups water
3 bay leaves
2 Tbsp white miso
1 tsp Vegeta or seasoning salt
Salt and pepper to taste
Handful of fresh chives

1. First make a roux, a basic thickening agent, by combining equal amounts of olive oil and flour. Heat oil on high in a large pot. When oil is hot, turn heat down to medium. Add the flour gradually and stir constantly. It should be smooth with no lumps. Keep stirring until the flour is light brown. Make sure it doesn’t burn.
2. Remove from heat and add the water. Be very careful not to splash yourself as the roux will be extremely hot.
3. Add potatoes and bay leaves to pot. Cover the potatoes with salted water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes or until the potatoes are soft and can be easily pierced with a fork.
4. Remove soup from heat. Take out the Bay leaves and discard. Use a potato masher to combine the miso with the potatoes. Mash until soup is thick and creamy.
5. Add vegeta, salt and pepper. Taste soup and see if you would like to add more seasonings.
6. Sprinkle each serving of soup with fresh chives.
Serves 4.

What are your favourite fusion foods?

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Spicy Potato Curry

18 Nov 2012 5 Comments

by likemotherlikedaughterfoodblog in Main, Recipes, Side Dish Tags: , , , , , ,

We love curry, but prefer to create our own blend of spices. Paired with the coconut milk, they help create a fiery yet sweet potato curry. If you like your curry really hot, feel free to amp up the cayenne pepper!

Spicy Potato Curry

4 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp turmeric
2 tsp garam masala
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (Increase for more heat)
1 can (2 cups) organic chick peas, rinsed and drained
1 can (398 mL) coconut milk
1/4 cup tomato sauce
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

1. Place peeled and chopped potatoes into a medium-sized pot. Cover potatoes with salted water. Bring water to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until potatoes are tender. Drain.
2. While potatoes are cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onions in oil until translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Add garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the salt, pepper, ginger, coriander, cumin, turmeric, garam masala and cayenne pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.
5. Add the potatoes and chickpeas. Sir in the tomato sauce and fresh lemon juice.
6. Add coconut milk and allow curry to simmer for 10 minutes.
7. Taste curry and add more garam masala, cayenne pepper, salt or black pepper if desired.
Serves 4.

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Originally published in Culinaire Magazine.

Smoked Cheese Potato Croquettes

11 Nov 2012 Leave a comment

by likemotherlikedaughterfoodblog in Recipes, Side Dish Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Croquettes, or “kroketi” if you are Croatian, are small, deep-fried rolls usually made with potatoes that can be filled with anything you’d like. We’re obsessed with double-smoked cheddar cheese and will find an excuse to put it in any dish, but feel free to add veggies like onions or mushrooms. The possibilities are endless!

Consider making these crispy, delicious rolls as a snack the next time you have leftover mashed potatoes!


Mashed Potatoes

4 potatoes
1 Tbs margarine or butter
1 Tbs milk

Croquettes

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp salt or more to taste
2/3 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup double-smoked cheddar cheese, finely grated


If using leftover mashed potatoes, skip steps 1-3.

1. Peel and chop potatoes. Cook potatoes in salted, boiling water in a medium-sized pot for 30 minutes. When potatoes are soft enough to be pierced with a fork, strain and return to pot.
2. Add margarine and milk to potatoes and mash until smooth.
3. Let mashed potatoes cool until they can be handled.
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, egg yolk, flour, salt and grated cheese. Mix by hand until smooth, then roll out mixture into a long log. Cut log into small rolls that are approximately 2 cm thick and 4 cm wide.
5. Set up a breading station. Beat remaining egg into a small bowl and place the breadcrumbs on a plate. Dip each croquette into the egg mixture, then roll through breadcrumbs until croquette is well covered.
6. Heat canola oil in a large skillet. Fry each croquette in oil until brown on both sides, about 4 minutes of frying on each side. Fry in small batches, cooking about eight at a time. Do not overcrowd pan.
7. Place on paper towels to drain.

Enjoy with Ajvar, a red pepper spread!

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Recipe originally published in Culinaire Magazine.

Caramelized Butternut Squash Soup

04 Nov 2012 Leave a comment

by likemotherlikedaughterfoodblog in Recipes, Soup and Salad Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

So we may or may not have had to buy a second bag of Halloween candy because we ate most of it before it was time for trick-or-treating… Next year we’re not buying candy until October 31st!

Now that Halloween is over, we’ve been craving wholesome meals made with plenty of vegetables. This creamy butternut squash soup is made with carrots and parsnips so it’s a nice immune system booster and really hits the spot when it’s -10 C in Calgary!

Caramelized Butternut Squash Soup

1 medium Butternut squash, peeled, seeded and diced (2-3 pounds)
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1 small yellow onion finely chopped
1 parsnip, peeled and sliced
2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
3 cups low sodium vegetable stock
2 cups light coconut milk
1 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoon salt (or less if using vegetable broth with sodium)
Freshly ground black pepper to taste (approximately 1/4 teaspoon)
A dash of chili pepper flakes (optional)

1. Melt the butter or margarine in a heavy skillet. Add the diced squash and cook without stirring until browned underneath, about 6 minutes. Then stir the squash and cook until browned on all sides, about 4 more minutes. Remove from the skillet.
2. Melt the coconut oil in the same skillet and add chopped onion, parsnip and carrots. Saute for 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer the caramelized squash, onion, parsnip and carrots to a large pot. Add 2 cups of vegetable stock, or more if needed, until vegetables are covered by a layer of the vegetable stock. Add coriander, salt and pepper.
3. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. When vegetables are cooked, remove from heat and stir in 2 cups of coconut milk.
4. Puree the mixture in batches until smooth. Return to pot.
5. Warm up the soup before serving and add more vegetable stock if needed. Add salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve with a fresh french baguette and a scoop of sour cream if desired.

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