Side Dish, Soup Recipes

Tom yum goong, Thailand's hot and sour shrimp soup, built on a fragrant broth of lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime, with Thai chili paste, fish sauce, and lime. Bright, spicy, and deeply aromatic.

Congee is the Chinese name, Kanji the Japanese, and Jook is the Filipino name, all for the same thing. In English it would be called Rice Gruel or maybe Rice Hot Cereal, but progressively it is referred to by the naturalist health community as Congee. It is a staple of the Ancient Chinese Diet and used to nurse the sick and weak back to health. They say 3 weeks of this will cure ANYTHING! Its because it gives your system such a break that it can use its energy elsewhere to heal what ails you. It has nursed me back to health at least 3 times now and is supposed to be a part of my DAILY diet, according to my Acupuncturist, Betsy. Thank you for saving my life Betsy!!!

Acorn squash soup roasts squash and garlic until caramelized, then purées with vegetable stock and a kick of cayenne and Tabasco. Vegan, low-fat, and finished with cooked wild rice for a hearty, healthy bowl.

Classic leek and potato soup, silky from butter-softened leeks and potatoes simmered in stock until they collapse, then mashed rustic-style and finished with cream. Top with croutons and bacon bits.

Summer white bean soup with sauteed celery, swiss chard or kale, a splash of rice vinegar, and a hint of liquid aminos. Light, vegetarian, naturally high in fiber and gentle enough for warm weather.

Chilled Vichyssoise/ Cold Leek and Potato Soup recipe

This isn't cream of garlic soup, but it has a creamy texture. As Julia says, "Because the garlic is boiled, its after-effects are at a minimum, and its flavor becomes exquisite, aromatic and almost undefinable."

Saffron garlic potato soup: a Provencal-style aigo bouido with a whole head of garlic, fresh herbs, saffron threads, and diced potatoes. Served over French bread with melted parmesan.

Old-fashioned homemade beef soup with browned beef shank, crushed marrow bones, carrots, turnips, and onion. Long-simmered heritage soup for cold nights.

A great winter addition, this leek potato soup combines the elements of immune supporting spices such as garlic, thyme, dillweed, and basil with a creamy delicious taste. Because this recipe is vegan, its great for asthmatics or those whose condition may be worsened by mucous producing dairy products.

To the delight of clam lovers on the East Coast and Pacific Northwest, clams are available year round. OK, let's make some clams.

The grilled chicken adds the "pop" to this traditional tex-mex recipe. I made this on game day for my boyfriend and me, and it was a hit!