Lemon Chickpea Soup

Lemon Chickpea Soup… Perfect to warm your tummy!

This soup totally reminds me of Spring! It is cozy, healthy, and loaded with spring flavors like garlic, lemon, fresh dill and baby spinach. The orzo and chickpeas swirl to the surface with every spoonful. A sight that lifts the spirit and warms the belly.

This recipe is pretty straightforward and simple to make so enjoy!

1. Simply sauté the carrots, onion and minced garlic for 3-4 minutes to soften.
2. Add the broth, lemon zest, and crushed red pepper to the pot. Raise the heat to high, cover, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium.
3. Stir in the orzo, salt, and black pepper to taste and cook until orzo al dente. 
4. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Then turn the heat off.
5. Whisk together the eggs, lemon juice and chopped fresh dill. 
6. Take two cups of the broth and whisk in with the eggs. Then slowly add mixture to the pot while whisking the soup. 
7. Turn the  heat back on to low heat and Stir in the cheese and baby spinach. 
8. Cook until spinach is wilted. 
9. Taste, salt and pepper as needed. 
10. Serve warm with a glass of Scout and Cellar DOVE HUNT DOG CHARDONNAY. 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small white onion, peeled and diced
• 3 medium carrots, diced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 10 cups vegetable broth
• 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup orzo
• 4 eggs
• Zest of one lemon
• ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 1 bay leaf
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/2 cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice
• 2 large handfuls fresh baby spinach
• 1–3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• sea salt and freshly-cracked black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat.  Add onion and sauté for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.  

Add carrots and garlic and sauté for 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the bay leaf and red pepper flakes and stir to combine.

Add broth and chickpeas, and stir to combine.  Continue cooking until the soup reaches a simmer.  Then reduce heat to medium (or medium-low), whatever works to maintain a steady low simmer.

Add orzo and stir to combine.  

Continue cooking until the orzo is al dente, stirring occasionally so that the orzo doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.

Meanwhile, as the orzo is cooking, whisk together the eggs, cheese and lemon juice in a separate mixing bowl or measuring cup until combined.  Ladle out 1 cup of the hot soup broth, and while whisking the egg mixture with one hand continuously, very very slowly drizzle the broth into the eggs until combined.  Repeat with 1 more cup of hot broth.

Once the orzo is ready to go, remove the stockpot from the heat.  Then while stirring the entire soup with one hand continuously, very very slowly drizzle the egg mixture into the soup until combined.  

The egg mixture should make the soup nice and creamy.  

(But if the eggs look like they are scrambling when you add them in — kind of like in egg drop soup — stop and let the soup cool down for a few minutes before adding the rest of the eggs.)

Return the soup to low heat.  

Stir in the spinach and dill and stir for 1-2 minutes until the spinach has wilted.  

Then taste and season the soup with a few pinches of salt and black pepper, as needed.

Serve warm, garnished with extra dill and lemon wedges.

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Keto Loaded “Baked Potato” Soup

Thick, creamy, and a low-carb alternative to Baked Potato Soup!

Loaded baked potato soup is prime comfort food, but it’s also loaded with calories. My lightened-up version swaps the potatoes for cauliflower while keeping all of the comforting appeal. Roasting the cauliflower takes this soup to the next level. Topped with all your favorite fixings, there’s nothing potato soup can do that this soup can’t.

Ingredients

• 2 heads cauliflower, cut into florets
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 6 sprigs thyme, divided
• 4 slices bacon
• 1/2 large onion, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, diced 
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup Scout and Cellar Dove Hunt Dog Chardonnay
• 6 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 Tbsp. sour cream
• crispy bacon, crumbled
• cheddar cheese
• sliced scallions or green onion

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425°. 

Divide cauliflower between two large baking sheets. Drizzle each baking sheet with a tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine and scatter 4 thyme sprigs on top.

Bake until cauliflower is golden and tender, about 20 minutes.

In a large pot (or dutch oven) over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy, about 8 minutes. Drain cooked bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate, reserving fat in the pot, then chop bacon into small pieces.

Add onion and celery to bacon fat and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, another minute, then pour in wine. Cook until wine has mostly reduced down, about 2 minutes.

Add roasted cauliflower to the pot and pour over chicken broth. Add bay leaf, all seasonings and remaining thyme sprigs. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until the cauliflower is falling apart, about 20 minutes. 

Remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs from soup. Let the mixture cool slightly then carefully pour it into a blender. Cover that center opening with a towel, holding your hand over the towel, and process the soup mixture on low at first (gradually increasing the speed) until completely smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. 

Pour the smooth soup back into the Dutch oven on the stovetop. 

Whisk in the heavy cream and sour cream.

Set it over medium heat to let it warm through, about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more salt and pepper, if needed

Serve warm with cheddar, chopped bacon, and chives.

Keto Friendly Stuffed Pepper Soup

This Keto Friendly soup is made with basic ingredients like ground sausage, peppers, tomatoes and cauliflower rice. It’s a delicious soup everyone will love!

Keto stuffed pepper soup is packed with veggies and flavor plus it’s ready in 30 minutes! 

When you’re craving stuffed peppers but don’t want all the work of making them, this easy stuffed pepper soup recipe is your answer! It’s hearty, full of vegetables, and a cozy meal for cool nights.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 lb Ground Italian sausage 
• 3 medium Bell peppers (diced)
• 1 14.5-oz cans Diced tomatoes with green chiles (with liquid, do not drain)
• 1 14.5-oz cans Diced tomatoes with basil, oregano & garlic (with liquid, do not drain)
• 1 29-oz can Tomato sauce
• 4 cups Beef broth
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• ¼ cup red wine such as Scout and Cellar Bookbinder Apprentice Red Wine
• 1 tbsp sugar
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• 12 oz Cauliflower rice (fresh or frozen) or white rice

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a dutch oven over medium-high heat, until shimmering. 

Add the ground beef. Cook, breaking up with a spatula, for 8-10 minutes, until browned. Remove meat from the pot, adn set aside. 

Wipe the pot with a paper towel and add olive oil. 

Add the onion and minced garlic and saute for about a minute, until fragrant. Then add the paprika and red pepper flakes, stir and saute for another minute. 

Add the bell peppers and saute for about a minute, until fragrant.

Add sausage, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil.

Add the red wine and sugar, stirt. 

Reduce heat and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, until the peppers are tender.

Add the cauliflower rice. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until cauliflower rice is tender.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Thai Crispy Tofu Soup

The broth is simmered with ginger and lemongrass and topped with crispy tofu, peanuts, scallions and cilantro.

This flavorful and versatile soup is inspired by some of my favorite Thai flavors – ginger & lemongrass with coconut milk and crispy pan-fried tofu. If you are not a coconut milk fan, use a one cup of heavy cream or not a tofu fan, use cooked chicken chunks. Either way this soup is so cozy, comforting and fragrant and it comes together incredibly quickly. 

The ginger and lemongrass pack this broth full of flavor that is mellowed out a bit by the sweet flavor and creamy coconut milk. The crispy tofu, wild rice, and herbs make it a delicious meal that gets even better as the flavors mingle together overnight. Just remember the rice will soak up some of the broth in the frig, so keep the cooked rice in a separate container.

Where can I find fresh lemongrass?
I have actually been able to find it at Publix or my favorite market in Tampa, Sanwa. Lemongrass is usually near the fresh herbs. You can also look at an Asian market. But don’t worry if you can not find it, you can always use the zest of one lemon. 

I love adding toppings to each bowl of soup! In this recipe, I added chopped peanuts for a little crunch, scallions and cilantro. 

Can’t wait for you guys to try it!

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoon coconut oil, divided
• 1 package of extra firm tofu or 1 lb. chicken breast, diced
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped 
• 1 bunch scallions, chopped and divided into two piles
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch piece of ginger, peeled and minced
• 1 stalk lemongrass, leave whole and cut an x in the bottom of the root end (this will help release the lemongrass flavor)
• 3 cups vegetable broth or water
• 1 can full fat coconut milk or heavy cream
• zest and juice on 1 lime

Toppings

• Cilantro
• Peanuts
• 4 cups cooked wild or white rice

Instructions:

Cut tofu into cubes and place them in a medium sized bowl. If using chicken, dice. 

Whisk soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil together in a small bowl. 

In a large dutch oven or soup pot heat 1 teaspoon coconut oil over medium heat. 

Pour soy sauce mixture over cubed tofu, or chicken  and toss to make sure each piece is evenly coated. 

Add tofu/chicken to the hot pan and brown on all sides, about 15 minutes. 

Remove the tofu/chicken from the pan and set aside.

Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon coconut oil. 

Add onion and carrot and cook until soft and fragrant. 

Add half of the chopped scallions (reserve the rest for garnish), garlic, ginger, and lemongrass. Cook for 2-3 minutes until very fragrant. 

Add the broth and coconut milk and bring the mixture to a boil. 

Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.

Remove lemongrass from the pan and toss it. 

Season the soup broth with salt and pepper to taste and add the lime zest and juice. 

Place a serving of rice in each bowl, pour the soup broth over the rice, and top with tofu/chicken, scallions, cilantro, and peanuts. 

Potato & Leek Soup with Crispy Fried Leeks

I love soups and it is just about soup season! There’s nothing better than grabbing a bowl of warm comforting soup on a fall or winter day! 

This soup is everything you love about a buttery creamy bowl of Potato Leek  soup. But better, because sauteed shallots and garlic are truly one of the most delicious flavor enhancers ever. Add a swirl of cream and crispy fried leeks and you’ll have the perfect bowl of soup. Great for both fall and winter days!

INGREDIENTS

• 4 medium leeks, trimmed, leaving white and pale green parts only, and chopped
• 4 small shallots or 2 medium size,, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 large carrot, chopped
• 1 celery ribs, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 cup dry white wine, Scout & Cellar Fieldhouse White Blend
• 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 3 cups water
• 2 bay leaves
• ½ cup half and half
• 3 tablespoon unsalted butter

Crispy Fried Leeks Ingredients

• 1 cup leeks, washed and sliced into rings
• ½ cup vegetable oil

INSTRUCTIONS

Wash sliced leeks in a large bowl of cold water, then lift out and drain well in a colander.

Cook leeks, shallots, garlic, carrot, celery, salt, and pepper in 4 tablespoons butter in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes. 

Peel potato and cut into 1/2-inch cubes, then add to onion mixture along with wine, broth, water, and bay leaf. 

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.

Remove the bay leaves. Working in batches, scoop the soup to a blender, don’t fill the blender more than 1/3 way full or it can overflow. 

For a smooth soup, puree all of the soup; for a chunkier soup, don’t puree all of the soup. 

Blend until very smooth, being careful to let smoke escape the blender or it will explode. You can do this by leaving the blender cap open and covering with a paper towel or loose dishtowel. You may also use an immersion blender but I don’t find the soup gets as smooth.

Pour pureed soup back into the pot and stir in 3 tablespoon of butter and stir until melted.

Slowly pour in the half and half, stir until well combined. 

Taste and season with additional salt and pepper. 

Crispy Fried Leeks Instructions

To prepare the leeks, cut the white and pale green part off of the stem. 

Thinly slice the leeks into rings. 

Dry thoroughly before frying.

Using a slotted spoon, lower the leeks into the oil. 

Fry them for about 1 to 2 minutes or so, just until they turn golden. 

Transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain.