January 6, 2018

Lentil Soup

Posted by HI Cookery under 01 January | Tags: , , , , , |
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Lentil Soup with Lemon

lentilsoup

January 6: National Bean Day

We are but a few days into the new year and our resolution to eat healthier is fulfilled with this recipe for lentil soup with lemon. In some countries (like Italy, Hungary and Lebanon), these lucky legumes are considered an auspicious new year’s food. The beans’ flat and round shape resembles coins and, when cooked in liquid, the lentils plump up, symbolizing growing wealth. Health and wealth in a bowl are a wonderful way to ring in the new year as well as celebrate National Bean Day!

Recipe

Adapted from Sol S.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lentils (preferably red lentils), rinsed
  • 6 cups water (or chicken or vegetable stock)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 5+ cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

Directions

In a large pot, bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the lentils and cook covered for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a pan. Saute the chopped onions and minced garlic until soft and fragrant.

lentilsoupsteps1

Add the onion-garlic mixture to the lentils. Stir in the ground cumin. Simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and cilantro leaves. Ladle into soup bowls and serve hot with flat breads.

lentilsoupsteps2

Notes

  • Lentil soup with lemon is also a good recipe to make during January (National Soup Month). We also like to eat lentil soup on Lent Fridays—it is simply delicious while fasting from meat dishes.
  • Thanks to our Syrian chef friend, Sol. S., for sharing this recipe with us.
  • Search our blog for more bean and soup recipes.
 

January 6, 2014

Portuguese Bean Soup

Posted by HI Cookery under 01 January | Tags: , , , , , , , , , |
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Portuguese Bean Soup (Slow Cooker)

Portuguese Bean Soup

January 6: National Bean Day

Although Pacific Islanders and Asians dominate Hawaii’s immigrant population, there is a sizable settlement of Europeans (Brits, Scots, Russians, Germans, Spaniards and Portuguese) on the islands.

Portuguese cuisine is especially popular in Hawaii as the people shared their cultural cooking customs at the historic plantations. We especially love their donuts (malassadas), sweet bread (pão doce), sausage (linguiça) and bean soup served in several restaurants and food trucks.

This blog post presents a slow cooker recipe for Portuguese bean soup, a hearty stew of linguiça, ham hocks, vegetables and kidney beans. Portuguese bean soup is perfect for cold winter days, during January’s National Soup Month and National Slow Cooker Month and on National Bean Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from the Star-Advertiser)

For the soup stock

  • 2-3 smoked ham hocks
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
  • 3-5 cloves garlic
  • 1 cup cilantro leaves, chopped

Directions

Line a 6-quart slow cooker with the appropriate cooking bag. Place the ham hocks in the crock pot and pour water over them. Sprinkle rosemary and crushed garlic.

Portuguese Bean Soup

Chop the cilantro and add to the crock  pot. Cover with the lid and cook on low for at least four hours until the ham hocks are tender. Remove the ham hocks from the crock pot and slice off the meat, discarding the bones and fatty skin. Return to the crock pot and add the remaining stew ingredients.

Portuguese Bean Soup

 For the stew

  • 12 ounces Portuguese sausage, sliced ½-inch thick
  • 2 cups tomatoes, diced
  • 1 large onion, sliced and quartered
  • 1 large potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch slices
  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) kidney beans with liquid
  • 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 3 cups cabbage, shredded

Directions

In the crock pot, add the sliced Portuguese sausage, tomatoes, onions and potatoes.

Portuguese Bean Soup

Mix in the carrots, kidney beans and tomato sauce. Stir until blended. Cover and cook on low for 6-10 hours or until the vegetables are tender. Stir in the cabbage, cover and cook for another 30 minutes or until the cabbage is soft. Ladle the stew into soup bowls and garnish with a sprigs of fresh cilantro or parsley. Serve hot with Portuguese sweet bread or over steamed white rice.

Portuguese Bean Soup

Notes

  • Obrigado (thanks) to Lisa L. for the San Miguel rooster prop in the final food photo above that she got for us in Portugal. She also used to be stationed in Hawaii years ago and is back this year for a few months working for the U.S. Navy. Lucky for her, she gets to eat Portuguese bean soup and other authentic local-style foods in Islander’s home state!
  • Other versions of the Portuguese bean soup recipe include macaroni to add texture and thickness to the broth.
 

November 1, 2011

Senate Bean Soup

Posted by HI Cookery under 11 November | Tags: , , , , , , , |
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Senate Bean Soup

Senate Bean Soup

November: U.S. Election Day (Tuesday after the first Monday in November)

We have visited the Capitol during some of our trips to Washington, D.C. With its  iconic rotunda, the building houses our elected officials (representatives and senators). At the congressional cafeteria, Senate Bean Soup is served every day, ironically reminding us of the low-budget stews we ate as children of modest income families. Fortified with navy beans and flavored with smoked ham hocks, the recipe for Senate Bean Soup comprises only a few ingredients but it feeds many people (this is an excellent example of “edible economics”—if only the government can balance the budget better by spending less instead of more)!

Senate Bean Soup

Make a difference with your vote and go out and cast your ballot at your local/state/national polling place. Also make Senate Bean Soup as a way to observe Election Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from the United States Senate)

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds dried navy beans
  • 4 quarts hot water
  • 1 ½ pounds smoked ham hocks
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Wash the navy beans in hot water (cold water will crack them) until slightly white. Place them in a large pot and cover with 4 quarts hot water. Put the ham hocks on top of the beans. Cover the pot with a lid and simmer for at least three hours or until the ham hocks are tender. Stir occasionally.

Senate Bean Soup

Remove the ham hocks from the pot and set aside to cool slightly. Dice the meat and return to the pot. Mix well with the cooked beans. In a small pan, saute the onions in butter until lightly browned. Add to the pot. Stir in the salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Senate Bean Soup

Notes

  • It is a privilege as well as a right to vote! Do your American duty and vote while we have the freedom in our country to do so.
  • Search our blog for other patriotic posts and recipes suitable for celebrating American holidays and events, such as Election Day.