Organic Granny

  This pleasant herbal soup-- called Dovga-- comes from Azerbaijan, a country straddling Eastern Europe and West Asia in the South Caucasus region. Bordered by the Caspian Sea to the east, it shares boundaries with Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Turkey, and Iran. We dipped-- and cleaned up our bowls with-- warmed pita bread. All in all, this soup was a flavorful blend of Russian and Middle Eastern influences.   Here is how I put it together: (please read over complete recipe to establish all ingredients needed)   DOVGA DELIGHT  Cook on the stove:  1/2 C. Quinoa (or Rice) in 1 1/2 C. water. Set aside.  1/2 to 1 cup Green Peas (put aside for garnish) Combine in the Vita-Mix Cannister: 2 Small Yellow Onions, cut up  1 Green Onion, cut up  1 Celery stalk, cut up  2 T. Fresh Mint Leaves  4 T. Fresh Cilantro  2 C. Fresh Spinach Leaves  1/2 tsp. Celtic Sea Salt (or to taste)  Pepper to taste  Blend in Vitamix (or other blend...

When I first made this soup it was Spring and the most delectable fresh asparagus was popping up in organic produce bins in grocery stores all over our little city!  Depending on where you live, you might have these neat little tender twigs growing in your own garden.  Here is the perfect Spring-Early Summer soup-- you can use fresh succulent new asparagus, or take advantage of the flavorful (but older) frozen asparagus in your freezer.  Enjoy! Ingredients      2 lbs green asparagus     1 large onion     3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Coconut Oil     6 cups vegetable broth OR 6 cups water and 3 Golden Bouillion cubes     4 cloves minced garlic     2 teaspoons organic garlic powder     2 teaspoons organic onion powder     Celtic Sea salt to taste (mmmm... those minerals!)     grind a little fresh cracked pepper to taste     juice from half of a ripe fresh juicy lemon  ...

This mango salsa been a big hit at the Sabbath potlucks. It is an adaptation of the one on “Gone Raw”. Combine in a large bowl: 3 ripe large  Mangos  (or 6 ripe peaches, nectarines, etc.), chopped up Handful of minced fresh organic  Cilantro 16 oz.organic  Cherry Tomatoes , chopped up 1 organic  Red Sweet Pepper , chopped up 1/2 organic  Purple Onion , chopped up Juice of 2-3 organic  Lemons Celtic Sea Salt  (to taste) Cayenne , just a blessing with it (tiny sprinkle) (or not)

Today I was out doing some tentative Spring gardening (cleaning up the plot, seeding some baby lettuce).  I was hanging out with our "kale trees"-- tall, gnarly tree-like plants that snake along the surface of the garden and then abruptly shoot upwards.  They grow for many seasons like this.  They bolt to blossom and seeds fairly early, but there are always lots of somewhat leathery, small leaves. I love these "kale trees" and decided that it was time for a kale soup-- so this Black Bean-Kale Soup was born! INGREDIENTS: 1 T.   Coconut Oil (or Olive Oil) 1       Organic Onion , chopped 1       Organic Red Pepper , seeded and chopped 3       Organic Garlic cloves, chopped 2       Organic Carrots , peeled and shredded (or chopped) 1       Organic Sweet Potato (orange flesh), chopped 2      Large handsful of organic Kale , slightly chopped 2  C. "Simply Natu...

Savoury Middle East Lentil Stew This is a quick-to-put-together comfort food for cool winter days or nights, as long as you have the Quinoa (or Rice) and Red Lentils pre-cooked.  A green salad and a piece of fresh flat bread will round it out nicely.  I've made it a little more "world" foodie than actual Middle Eastern, but you can always sub Brown Rice for the Quinoa and Cayenne and Paprika for the Chipotle (I just love the smoky hot quality of Chipotle if you are wondering why it turns up in so many recipes).  I also use Coconut Oil instead of Olive Oil, but please use what you have available, or what you prefer.  If you have other veggies that you would like to saute up with the onions (bell peppers, egg plant, minced garlic), go ahead!  Enjoy! INGREDIENTS: 1 T. Coconut Oil   2 Onions , chopped fine  1 tsp.  Turmeric powder 1 tsp. ground  Cumin  (I grind the seeds up in a Coffee Bean grinder-- you could just buy th...

Lentil Bowl #3- Mexican Red Lentil Stew with Lime and Cilantro over Oven Baked Potato Sticks (Serves 8-12, and can be halved). INGREDIENTS: 2 C. Red Lentils   4 C. Water   2 T. Coconut Oil   2 Onions, chopped fine (I did mine in Food Processor)  2 C. Celery , finely chopped (also did in Food Processor)  1 Red Bell Pepper , seeded and chopped  1-2T Garlic , minced (for DIY jar mince, go here  )  1/2 tsp. ground Turmeric   2 tsp. ground Cumin (grind the seed in a Coffee Bean Grinder)  2 tsp. Chipotle spice (or Chili Powder)  2 cans roasted tomatoes or Organic Roma Tomato Sauce (Costco)  2 C. Vegetable Broth   Celtic Sea Salt to taste  1/2 C. fresh-squeezed Juice of Lime   1+ C. chopped fresh Cilantro   METHOD:    Put rinsed and drained Lentils into a medium pot and add 4 cups water. Bring just to a boil, turn heat off, and put lid on. Let lentils sit for 30...