I cook so many complex recipes that sometimes it’s nice to put together a simple dish. A dish with less than ten ingredients (even including the basics like olive oil, salt, and pepper!). This curried carrot soup builds on the natural sweetness of carrots, enhanced by oven roasting. The trick to the best flavor here is letting the carrots caramelize in the onion while caramelizing onions on the stove top. Using fresh curry powder is crucial (and freshly-ground homemade curry powder is ideal).
We’ve had a surprisingly mild winter in DC this year. Not that I’m complaining – I much prefer warmer weather. But now we’re gearing up for a cold February, and I’m trying to take solace in soups and stews. This hearty stew combines sausage, lentils, and cabbage for something that keeps me warm and full. In this recipe, I rely mostly on the sausage providing the spicing for the stew, but if you’re using less flavorful sausage, feel free to toss in some extra spices (add them at the same time as the minced garlic). You can take this stew in a lot of different directions, and I think cajun spice mix, chili powder, or herbs de provence would all work well.
This blog probably makes it pretty clear that I have a great fondness for simple and flavorful one pot meals. This particular stew is perfect for warming up on a cold winter night. Roasting the cauliflower and carrots adds a great sweetness, and the spices provide a nice heat (and delicious flavor). I’m typically hesitant when it comes to fennel (and I did cut back on the amount here), but I think it really adds a lot. I served this stew with a good dollop of yogurt on top (sour cream would also work) to cut the spiciness of the cayenne pepper and add an extra tanginess, but it is still quite tasty without this addition. You can also serve this on top of couscous or with some bread.
Does this stew today look a little extra appealing? That’s because I was lucky enough to be the recipient of a digital SLR camera
Filling, delicious, and simple to make, this stew is filled with satisfying chunks of mushroom and white beans. I changed up the spicing from the original recipe, opting to go for a hefty dose of smoked paprika (one of my favorite spices) as I find the smoky flavor is a great complement to the fresh parsley. I was surprised at how much some freshly grated gruyere (parmesan would work also) helped to elevate the whole dish (although it is still quite tasty without for a vegan option). I’m looking forward to adapting this stew in the future – using different spices or herbs, adding fresh ginger, or, for a meatier option, tossing in some sliced sausage.