A Conscious Reality

August 2, 2007

Ok here’s another- Don’t ask me how this happens, kind of like the stories they just begin to unfold in front of me and I have no choice but to oblige & put them together.  So I’ve taken out a package of split peas (orange and green) a few days ago, believing that I will be making a version of split pea soup.  A few days go by and I start creating this soup in my head. Today I actually made it:  It starts with sauteeing a few stalks of celery, fresh garlic cloves, and lots of oregano (fresh if you have) I used dried leaves (salt & pepper of course).  I’ve been neurotic about digestive health lately so I soaked the peas for a few hours even though you really don’t need to especially not split peas, mine always turn to mush because they cook so fast and I just let it simmer for too long.  I cook the celery mixture on medium heat for a while, then add organic vegetable broth (Trader Joe’s makes a good one or Pacific brand) just enough to collect all the flavors and cover the bottom of pan- OOPs forgot to add the cauliflower- I wanted a more hearty soup without adding meat or the tradtional split pea things- And I had the cauliflower- wash clean & slice up the florets, almost 1/2 a head will go into this- I would have preferred to saute it with the celery mixture- oh well.  Ok now add 1 and 1/4 cups split peas and 1 quart of the veg. broth.  Check on this after 20 minutes- because mine turned mushy- but still tastes really good:)

This will make a thicker soup- Add more broth or use less peas to thin this out (I will try that next time).

Now if you like “regular” tasting food this will suit you just fine, but I like to layer flavors and mix things that usually aren’t paired together. So I look around my kitchen for flavors that might work- then it hits me!  Top this soup with some cumin (spice) and 1/2 chopped date roll (mashed dates rolled in coconut flakes topped with almond) I removed the almond, finely chopped the date, and a generous sprinkle of (unsweetened) coconut flakes-Yummy!

Recap:

Sautee 3 stalks celery with 3 cloves garlic and lots of oregano

Add washed & trimmed florets of Cauliflower from 1/2 head

Add 1 quart Veg. Broth & 1 & 1/4 Cups split peas

Bring to Boil, reduce, and simmer for 20 minutes or so.

Topping:

Mix a generous sprinkle of cumin into each bowl, then top with 1/2 chopped date (or date roll), and generous sprinkling of coconut flakes.

 

Filed under: Recipes on August 2nd, 2007