Fall Yam Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 carrot, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 stalk of celery, roughly chopped
• 2 small yellow onions, roughly chopped
• 1 large yam, roughly chopped (about 4 cups)
• 1c. orange juice
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 3 c. water or vegetable stock
  
• 1tsp. cumin powder
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. coriander
• 2 bay leaves
  
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp butter, or 2 tbsp olive oil
  

~ Saute celery, onions, garlic over medium heat. 3-4 min.
~Add orange juice, bring to a boil.
~Add the water/stock as well as the carrot, yam, cumin, chili powder, coriander, and bay leaves. Bing to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 15-20 min, covered.
~Remove the bay leave and blend the entire pot of soup with a hand-held blender.
~Garnish with sour cream and chives. Serve with warm ciabatta rolls.

Comments:
This soup is an original recipe of mine I created when we had very little food left in the house. So as I always do when the cupboards get bare, I threw together a soup with my remaining vegetables. Sweet with a hint of spice, this vegan soup makes a delicious fall meal even the pickiest eaters will enjoy. The splash of orange juice really rounds off the flavor to the entire dish. Cheap, easy to make, and delicious.

Seafood Bisque

Ingredients:

• 2c. frozen scallops
• 2c. cherry tomatoes
• 1 12 oz can of vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1/2c. of skim milk
• 3 scallions
• 1 clove of garlic
• salt & pepper to taste

~Saute scallions, garlic, and butter over medium heat to release the flavor. 2 min.
~Add the vegetable broth and 2 1/2c. of water. Bring to a slow boil.
~Add the tomatoes and frozen scallops. Simmer, covered for 10 min.
~Blend the soup with a hand-held blender. Strain it if you prefer a thinner soup.
~Place the soup back on low heat and add the milk, salt, and pepper.
~Garnish with scallions and serve immediately.

Comments:
This is a hearty soup that makes a great entree especially when served with a thick slice of garlic bread. This is a recipe of my own creation adapted from some more complicated (and expensive) lobster bisque recipes. This is a great recipe for non-vegan vegetarians who enjoy seafood as much as I do.