SWEET POTATO COCONUT SOUP and SPICED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

I served both of these lovely soups at dinner parties, where wonderful friends were gathered. I was excited to share my affection for squash and sweet potatoes, especially when they are blended into luscious soups.
It's fun and delicious to top the soups with whatever you have on hand - herbs, cheeses, yogurt, or in this case, creme fraiche and harissa, for an extra shot of flavor and interest.

SWEET POTATO  COCONUT SOUP

1 1/2 tablespoons oil
1 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon of fresh ginger, grated
pinch of red pepper flakes
3 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 pounds of sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
1 1/2 cups of coconut milk
1 tablespoon of clover honey
large pinch of ground cinnamon

Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and ginger, cook until soft, 5 minutes. Add red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds. Add stock and water, bring to a boil. Add sweet potatoes, bring to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are soft, 20 to 30 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes.
Process with an immersion blender until smooth.
Simmer over low heat. Whisk in coconut milk, honey and cinnamon.
Cook until warmed through. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Enjoy!

SPICED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

SPICE BLEND
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tespoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
SOUP
1 onion, chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
salt
2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into cubes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 cups water
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup creme fraiche
1/4 pound aged gouda, shredded
harissa
freshly ground black pepper

MAKE THE SPICE BLEND
In a small bowl, combine all of the ingredients.
MAKE THE SOUP
In a large heavy pot, toss the onion with the olive oil and 1 teaspoon of salt. Cover and cook over moderately-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is very soft, about 10 minutes. Stir in the squash, cover with a lid and cook for 20 minutes.
Add the tomato paste, 1 teaspoon of the spice blend and the water to the pot, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the squash is tender, 20 minutes. Let cool.
Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender, or use an immersion blender. Add the creme fraiche, 3/4 of the cheese and 1 teaspoon of the harissa to the last batch. Return all of the soup to the pot and season with salt and black pepper. Serve the soup, passing the remaining cheese and more harissa at the table.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Food and Wine, October 2011
www.foodandwine.com/recipes‎

SPICED CARROTS and MOROCCAN CARROT SALAD

Simple, tasty and satisfying - summer cooking at its finest. 
Although I could happily snack on either of these carrot dishes, my family requires a little more. I
paired the Spiced Carrots with lamb meatballs, couscous and a simple salad, and the Moroccan Carrot Salad with simply prepared, lightly seasoned sea bream.

SPICED CARROTS

2 tablespoons butter
1 cinnamon stick
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin seed
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1 small package of baby carrots
1/3 cup golden raisins
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest
1/3 cup slivered almonds toasted

Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cinnamon stick, the ground cumin seed and ground coriander, stir to combine and cook for 10 to 20 seconds.
Add the carrots and cook for about 5 minutes, until they begin to brown.
Reduce heat to medium, then add the raisins, honey, salt, orange juice and zest. Stir to incorporate and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, until the carrots are crisp-tender, the raisins have plumped and the spiced sauce is bubbling.
Discard the cinnamon stick. Add the toasted almonds, toss to incorporate and serve hot.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, October 2010
www.arkansasonline.com/news/features/food/‎

MOROCCAN CARROT SALAD

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
1 pound of carrots, grated
4 cups mixed baby greens

Whisk the cumin, ginger, cinnamon, coriander, cayenne pepper and allspice in a large bowl.
Whisk in oil, lemon juice, orange juice and mint. Add carrots and baby greens, toss to coat.
Season with salt and pepper. Serve.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit
www.bonappetit.com/recipes‎

SPICED PEACH CARROT BREAD

Some people continually amaze and astonish me - in the best kind of way.
A lovely friend spontaneously stopped by the other day, to see if she could take my Mum, who is visiting from New Zealand, out for lunch. Not only is she one of the most thoughtful, kind and gracious people I know, but also consistently delightful to be around, with her enthusiasm for people and for life in general. I am also filled with admiration at her preserve making, bee keeping, hostessing and hiking skills - and I have a feeling there is still a lot I haven't yet discovered.
I was thrilled to offer her a cup of tea after lunch and to visit and gather ideas for our upcoming trip to Portugal, since she and her husband had visited there, and was so glad I had baked earlier in the day, so I could also offer this delicious Spiced Peach and Carrot Bread. It was almost as interesting, varied and surprising as my wonderful friend, and I enjoyed it every bit as much as I enjoy her company.

SPICED PEACH CARROT BREAD

3/4 cup chopped pecans
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 to 2 cups of chopped fresh, ripe peaches (mine had been frozen, thawed and cooked)
1 1/2 cups of freshly grated carrots
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten

Heat oven to 350F.
Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan for 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring half way through. Cool 15 minutes (if you have time).
Stir together flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Add peaches, grated carrots, vegetable oil, milk and eggs. Add toasted pecans, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.
Spoon batter into a greased 9 by 5 inch loaf pan (I divided it in two, and it seemed there was plenty).
Bake at 350F for 35 to 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool in a pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from pan to wire rack and cool completely, about 1 hour.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Southern Living, July 2011
www.southernliving.com/food/‎

SPICED BLOOD ORANGE SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE AND GLAZED WALNUTS and TARRAGON CHICKEN and CHOCOLATE POTS DE CREME WITH MAPLE CARAMEL AND SALT

Our babysitter, and friend, and her husband wanted to talk to my husband, a long time entrepreneur about starting their own business.
I invited them for a casual week night dinner, and put the kids to bed so we could sit, have a conversation, trade ideas, and dine in peace.
Their Boot Camp begins this Monday, February the 4th (https://www.facebook.com/fulloutfitness), and I cannot wait to get started!! I have rarely felt a hunger pang since before the holidays, and have been achieving the bare minimum of exercise - I am ready to get back to my healthier lifestyle. 
I had so much fun planning our dinner. I found blood oranges in the store, and I wanted to use them in place of regular oranges because they were a little more special. The Tarragon Chicken was wonderfully tender, and the sauce was absolutely delicious - I was literally spooning it up straight out of the pot (are you starting to see why I might need a little diet and exercise in my life). My Pots de Creme ended up being more like chocolate soup than pudding consistency, but I enjoyed the addition of the maple caramel and salt so much, I hardly noticed.
I am definitely ready to get started full on at Full Out Fitness, and burn off some of my indulgence.

SPICED BLOOD ORANGE SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE AND GLAZED WALNUTS

6 blood oranges
6 cups greens
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
1 package roasted and glazed walnut pieces

Peel oranges and cut into sections. Arrange greens on serving plate, top with orange segments.
Whisk together oil, vinegar, chives, brown sugar, ginger and salt, drizzle over salad.
Sprinkle with goat cheese and walnuts.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Southern Living, December 2011
www.southernliving.com › Food › Recipes

TARRAGON CHICKEN

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons chicken broth
salt and pepper
4 chicken breasts
4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons dried tarragon, or 3 tablespoons fresh tarragon, chopped, divided use
1/3 cup cream
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Pour the broth into a slow cooker. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, and top with the mustard. Place the chicken in the slow cooker and top with the garlic and 1 tablespoon of dried tarragon. Cover and cook on high heat, until the chicken is tender and a thermometer registers 165F. About 5 hours.
Transfer the chicken to a serving plate and cover to keep warm. Strain the pan juices into a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over high heat. In a small bowl, combine the cream and cornstarch. Whisk the mixture into the saucepan and cook until the sauce is thickened, stir in the lemon juice. Pour the sauce over the chicken.
In a small bowl, combine the lemon zest, parsley and 1 tablespoon of tarragon. Top the chicken with the zest-herb mixture.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Rachael Ray Magazine, October 2011
www.rachaelraymag.com › Recipes

CHOCOLATE POTS DE CREME WITH MAPLE CARAMEL AND SALT

2 egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar, divided
1/4 cup cream
5 tablespoons whole milk
2 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
1/2 ounce dark chocolate, chopped
4 teaspoons water
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
flaky salt, for garnish

Heat oven to 325, set 4 ramekins in a baking dish.
In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks with 2 tablespoons of the sugar until pale. In a small saucepan, bring the cream and milk to a boil. Off the heat, whisk in the chocolates, then the yolk mixture.
Pour the custard into the ramekins. Add enough hot water to the baking dish to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Cover with foil and bake for 22 minutes, until the pots de creme are almost set, but still slightly jiggly in the center. Transfer the ramekins to a rack and let cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
In a small saucepan, cook the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar and the water over moderate heat until an amber caramel forms, 6 minutes. Stir in the maple syrup.
Pour the warm caramel over the chilled pots de creme. Sprinkle each with a few flakes of salt and serve.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Food and Wine, January 2010
www.foodandwine.com/.../chocolate-pots-de-creme-with-maple-cara...