Summary (Pea Soup)

This was a scrumptious, filling meal. Super easy to make

Pea Soup (Adam 4/5 Alex 4/5)

Doesn't blow my mind, but it was homely. We enjoyed it in the park and it was one of the best soups I've had as a stand alone meal filler. We used ruffles all-dressed chips as 'soup spoons' which was extra fun!

Pea Soup

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes

Serves: 6

1 900g bag Split Peas
2 medium onions
3 cloves garlic
1 leek
2 small carrots
2 stalks celery
1 cube vegetable bullion
salt (to taste)
sage (to taste)
parsley(to taste)
oil
water

Fry onions, garlic, and leeks in oil over medium for 4 minutes. Then add in other ingredients and enough water to cover all the ingredients. Bring to a boil, then cook over low heat for 15 minutes. Add more water if necessary.

Vichyssoise (Potato Leek Soup)

Prep time: 10
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4 hungry men (we are now above the age of 20, so yes, we are men)

Ingredients:
3 leeks
2 tbsp margarine
3 cups potatoes, chopped
2 tbsp dill
1.5 bullion cubes
2 cups water
1/4 cup vegan cream (optional)

Fry leeks over medium heat in margarine. Meanwhile, boil potatoes until soft. Then drain potatoes, and add back to pot with leeks and remaining ingredients (minus the cream). Simmer for 10 minutes, then blend mixture until desired consistency. Then add cream.

Inspired by this recipe

Week 4: Franco North America

Not sure if this counts as an ethnic region, but we make the rules. Adaptations will abound. Joy and potatoes will be had.

Grocery List:

2.5 kg Potatoes
1 medium bag Split Peas
2 lbs Tomatos
3 Leeks
1 Bunch Celery
8 sm Mushrooms

Total: $23

Recipes:

Vichyssoise
TVP Tortiere
Poutine
Home-made Ketchup
Pea Soup

Meal 2 Summary (Red Curry, Coconut Soup)

Summary

Thai! Am I right? What more needs to be said?

Red Curry (Adam 3/5  Alex 3.5/5)

This curry was fairly run of the mill. While delicious, it received a low rating from Alex because it was not different than our usual curry dishes. It wasn’t spicy enough, unfortunately. That being said, our dinner guest, Ramita, said that it was very tasty!  I suggest adding some more cayenne to ensure a proper spice level!

Coconut Soup (Adam 4/5  Alex 4.5/5) 

Woowee as Adam would say! I love anything with coconut milk and this is no exception! It has a great variety of flavors from intense spice to sour with a hint of salt. The tangy taste was a yummy addition!

Coconut Soup

Coconut Soup

1. 0.5pkgs tofu, diced
2. 2 cans canned coconut milk
3. 2 cups water
4. 1 (1 inch) piece ginger
5. 3tbsp lemon juice
6. 2 stalks lemongrass (optional)
7. 1 pound shiitake mushrooms, sliced
8. 1 tablespoons hoisin sauce
9. 1/4 cup brown sugar
10. 1 teaspoon red curry paste
11. 3 stalks green onion, thinly sliced
12. 1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes

Directions

Add all ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil. Once a boiling state is achieved, drop heat down to low and cook for 10 minutes.
Recipe can be found here.

Week 2: The Thai Experiment

This is going to be the best week yet. Thai is amazing.

Grocery list: 4 cans coconut milk, lime juice, 1 can white beans, sweet chili sauce, hoisin sauce, mushrooms (~1lb), garlic, 2 hot peppers, 1 bell pepper, bunch cilantro, fresh ginger, peanuts.

Total: $28.76.

What's on the menu?
-Green Curry
-Mushroom Curry
-Soy Bean Dip
-Coconut Soup
-Rice Paper Rolls

Hot and Sour Soup

Serves 4-6
Total cooking/prep time: 35 minutes


‎2 Tsp Sesame oil

3 large mushrooms, diced

4 cups water

1 cube bullion

2 stalks celery, diced

3 small carrots, diced

1/3 brick firm tofu, diced

1/2 medium apple, diced

2 teaspoons soya sauce

5tbsp red wine vinegar

2 tsp sugar

Dash of salt

2 stalks bock choy, coarsely chopped

2 stalks green onion, coarsely chopped

1/3 brick soft tofu

1 1/2 tablespoons corn starch

1 tsp cayenne

1/4 cup coconut milk

Dash of ground pepper

Fry sesame oil and mushrooms in a medium pot. Add 4 cups of water and the cube of bullion and bring to a boil. Add celery, carrots, firm tofu, and apple and boil for a few minutes. Mix together soya sauce, vinegar, sugar and salt in a small bowl. Add to soup. Mix cornstarch and 1/4 cup of water and add to soup. Reduce heat to medium. Break apart (scramble) soft tofu with a fork and add to soup. Then add coconut milk and cayenne and let juices mix for a couple minutes. Add pepper and serve.

Loosely adapted from a recipe found here.

Week 1: "Chinese"/"What We Think Chinese Food Is"

Ingredients we needed to buy*:
Apples, wine vinegar, corn starch, marmalade, carrots, orange juice concentrate, bok choy, green onion, garlic, celery, tofu (one firm, one soft), bean sprouts, 3 bell peppers, mushrooms, cabbage.
Cost: $37.53

So, here's on the hit list for the week:
-Mandarin Seitan
-Hot and Sour Soup
-Sesame Tofu
-Singapore Noodles
-Steamed Buns
-Cabbage Salad
-Fried Rice


*This assumes you own basic ingredients such as salt, soy sauce, sugar, rice etc...