More Christmas Cooking! Warm-you-up Sweet Potato Lentil Chili

Sweet Potato Lentil Chili

Red lentils thicken this simple yet flavorful chili, with sweet potatoes lending a delicate, smooth contrast to the spice. Serve with warm crusty bread of tortilla chips and guacamole.

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 ¾ cups onions, finely chopped

1 cup celery, finely chopped

1 pound orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, washed, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

3 large cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoons sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon paprika

½ teaspoon nutmeg

½ teaspoon cumin

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

½ red chili flakes

1 ¼ cups red lentils, rinsed

2 ½ cups water

1 28-ounce can crushed or diced tomatoes

1 15-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

2 bay leaves

3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice

Lime wedges (for serving)

In a large pot over medium heat, add oil, onions, celery, sweet potatoes, garlic, salt, pepper, chili powder, paprika, nutmeg, cumin, cinnamon and red chili flakes. Cover and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add lentils, water, tomatoes, beans and bay leaves to pot. Stir, increase heat to high to bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 25 minutes or longer, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes and lentils are soft.

Stir in lime juice, season to taste with additional salt and pepper, and serve with lime wedges.

Serves 6 – 8

December 22nd, 2009 - Green Lentil Soup

This recipe is one of my all-time favorites. My mum and dad made it for me as a child and it still hits the spot when I am not feeling well, or just want something wholesome and soothing in my tummy!

Lentil Soup

2 Tbsp Olive oil
1 medium Onion, diced
2 stalks Celery, chopped (optional)
5-6 Cups Water
1 Cup Green lentils
1 tsp. Dried oregano
1 ½ tsp. Dried marjoram
2 Bay leaves
½ tsp. Salt
¼ tsp. Pepper
2 Tbsp. Tamari soy sauce

Sauté diced onion and celery in olive oil and a medium to large sized pot. Add water and cover; bring to a boil. Uncover pot and add washed green lentils; replace lid and simmer on low for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and add spices; simmer for an additional 30 minutes. Stir in tamari soy sauce and serve.

Enjoy this nutrient-packed soup as the winter draws to a close. Complete your meal by adding crusty whole grain bread and a yogurt or fruit for a nourishing lunch.

Serves 4

December 21st, 2009 - Root Vegetable Bake

Root Vegetable Bake with Fresh Rosemary

1 Sweet potato
1 Red potato (can be substituted with purple potatoes, white potatoes, etc.)
1-2 Carrots
1-2 Parsnips
2 Cups White button mushrooms
1 bunch Green onions, white and light green parts only
½ pound Extra firm tofu, diced in 1 cm by 1 cm cubes
2 cloves of garlic, crushed (optional)
3 Tablespoons fresh rosemary
2-3 dashes of chilli powder
Coarse salt, to taste
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
Olive oil

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Roughly chop vegetables and cube tofu. Place all the vegetables and tofu in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle oil onto the vegetables and mix until they are well-coated. Add spices, salt and pepper and mix well. Transfer vegetable mixture to a large, oiled pan, making sure that the vegetables are only one layer thick (use two pans, if necessary).

Bake vegetables until the juices begin to caramelize and the tofu browns (about 1½ hours).

Serves approximately 4 – 6
Substitute any vegetables of your choice. Beets, rutabaga, squash, etc. all work well.

Dec. 20th, 2009 - Red Lentil & Rice Soup

Red lentils are smaller than brown lentils and cook more quickly. This mildly spiced curry-flavored soup is brightened with fresh ginger. To add more heat, drizzle Asian chili oil before serving.

Preparation time: 10 minutes (not including cooking time for rice)

Total time: 40 minutes

Serves: 4 – 6

2 Tbsp. Extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

1 Cup Onion, chopped

2 cloves Garlic, chopped

2 medium Carrots, chopped

1 Tbsp. Ginger root, finely minced

2 tsp. Ground cumin

1 ½ Cups Red lentils

2 Cups Vegetable broth, canned or fresh

1 Cup Canned tomatoes, drained and chopped or chopped fresh cherry tomatoes

1 ½ Cups Brown short grain rice

Salt and pepper to taste

1) Heat the oil in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Sauté garlic, carrots, ginger, and cumin; sauté 2 minutes. Add lentils, broth, and 5 cups water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until lentils are just tender, about 20 minutes.

2) Add tomatoes and rice, and simmer 5 minutes. Remove a quarter of the soup (about 2 cups) and puree in a blender. Return to pot and stir. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle with a little oil before serving.

Dec. 19th, 2009 - Sweet Potato Chili

Every day from now until Christmas I will post a recipe for a vegetarian soup, stew, chili, or baked vegetable dish. I am making one recipe a day and freezing the results for the year ahead. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I hope that you will enjoy the goodness of these concoctions too!

SWEET POTATO CHILI

2 Sweet potatoes, peeled & diced into large wedges

1 each Green, red & yellow pepper, seeded and diced in large chunks

1 large Onion, chopped

1 28 oz. Can diced tomatoes

2 tsp Garlic

2 1/2 tsp Mild chili powder

1 tsp Cumin

1 pinch Crushed chili flakes (to taste)

1/2 Cup Extra-virgin olive oil

3 Tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil (in dark glass)

1/2 Cup Fresh coriander, chopped

Salt to taste

1) Sauté the chopped onions until tender in a large, thick-bottomed pot with the olive oil.

2) Add the diced peppers and sauté until tender.

3) Add the garlic, chili powder, cracked chili flakes and ground cumin; mix well.

4) Add the diced tomatoes and diced sweet potato. Simmer until the sweet potatoes are tender (40 – 60 minutes)

Serves 4 - 6 (you can cut the recipe in half for a smaller quantity - or double it!). This dish freezes well.

Note: Tofu, potatoes, squash, eggplant, zucchini, etc. may be substituted for sweet potatoes.

New Windows!!!

Last week, I had the good fortune to get my hands on 15+ new (to me!) windows - thanks for your help dad! They are of all shapes and sizes and have different window pane configurations which equals... inspiration! Look for new my new creations in the not too distant future. Also, if you have a specific project in mind, let me know - I may just be able to put it together for you now that I have a variety of frames to work with.

Additional fibre art pieces for sale @ Oh So Good - Nov 30, 2009 - February 1, 2010

Exhibit @ Oh So Good Dessert and Coffee House

What: A fine arts and photography exhibit of 11 local artists brought to you by the Basement Artists (www.basementartists.org) in which I am participating

Where: Oh So Good Dessert and Coffee House, 25 York St. (in the Byward Market)

When: November 30th, 2009 - February 1st, 2009