Lebanese Lentil Soup With Toasted Orzo

This easy, creamy lentil soup is always on my menu. It's economical. It reheats well. It's good. My favorite Lebanese spices like cozy cinnamon and a dash of allspice show up here. As the soup simmers, warm aromas take me waaaay back to my beloved grandmother's kitchen. I often serve the soup with pita bread, rice or toasted orzo. Diced scallions, herbs and lots of fresh lemon juice make it sing. It's a light but nourishing soup that's welcome in both warm and cold weather. It's healthy too.

Hearty Miso Mushroom And Wild Rice Soup

I've been devouring lots of books on healthy Japanese and macrobiotic cooking. I'm gaining appreciation for freshly-prepared Japanese food. Homemade recipes that are nutritious, tasty and straightforward make it to the table in no time. A quick miso soup is part of many Japanese morning meals. It's great for lunch too. Miso is a complete protein that's high in antioxidants and vitamin B. It also strengthens the immune-system. This cozy bowl of comfort will have you rethinking miso soup.

Moroccan Nourish Bowl With Chickpeas, Wild Rice And Tahini-Maple Drizzle

This macrobiotic recipe has a Moroccan vibe. Freshly sautéed, uncomplicated food is often what we crave most. Some of us just don't know it yet because we haven't given it a proper try. The macrobiotic approach is basically a natural diet with lots of whole grains, vegetables and beans. Often miso or a light vegetable soup is present at the start of the meal. It's a healing diet that leaves me feeling good.

If you told me a month ago I'd be craving miso soup and brown rice, I wouldn't have believed you. But that's what happened to me (and many others) on this unique path. I've also started to lose a little weight, which is an added benefit. I feel lighter and stronger. I start my day with naturally-sweetened oatmeal, tahini and naturally-sweetened jam on whole wheat toast or sourdough toast with tahini and real maple syrup. My morning Miso Soup and some toast is also a go-to breakfast idea. Instead of coffee or my usual black tea, I drink Genmaicha tea for its metabolism-boosting properties and calm energy. I find my own macro-way. I come home to this healing path when I need it most.     

Gomashio ~ Japanese Sesame Salt

Gomashio is also called gomasio or sesame-salt. It's a low-sodium Japanese seasoning that packs a powerhouse of nutrition and flavor. Monks in zen monasteries top their rice with it. Gomashio is also used in macrobiotic cooking. I keep it in my kitchen to sprinkle on everything from vegetables to fish. It's wonderful on sliced avocado, eggs or soba noodles. It's nice with Middle Eastern and Moroccan food, flatbreads and wraps too. You get the idea.

Easy Indian Chickpea And Spinach Curry

I used to work every evening as a counselor/administrative assistant in a crisis center. Stress eating was the norm there. On busy nights, the staff (myself included) subsisted on vending-machine snacks, greasy pizza and take-out Chinese. We all wondered why our waistlines were ever expanding? Why we felt tired? Why we were never satisfied by what we ate?

Lebanese Rice & Lentils

After making this dish for several years, I've created a basic recipe without sacrificing flavor. There's a more complicated recipe on this blog too. But I rarely prepare it now because I'm busy with cross-stitch pattern making. Ain't nobody got time for that. I need simple, tasty and reheatable recipes these days.    

A whisper of cozy cinnamon, plenty of black pepper and a hit of fresh lemon juice are essential to any proper rice and lentil dish. I like more lentils than rice. If I'm in the mood, I add cumin. Cumin is lovely with lentils. But it's a strong spice, so I have to be up for it. Lentils, lemon and black pepper were made for each other.

Rice Pilaf With Toasted Orzo

Just a quick post today. I wanted to share my rice pilaf recipe with you because rice is so essential to many Eastern Mediterranean meals. Toasted orzo makes this pilaf special, lending a nutty aroma and taste to the fluffy rice. This recipe makes a huge batch. It reheats well for workweek meals. 

Vietnamese Vegetable Soup with Coconut Rice

By now, you know how much I adore soup. My Vietnamese vegetable soup is a quick take on traditional slow simmering pho ga. Chicken is added for protein. Tofu or shrimp work well too. Here, a light and flavorful broth is loaded with lots of tender-crisp Asian vegetables, spicy ginger and a finish of fresh lime. Soft hints of warm spices lend an authentic taste to the soup. Earthy mushrooms and soy sauce give it an umami flavor. 

This glorious soup leaves me feeling restored and content, especially during cold and flu season. It's a deliciously nutritious meal. It's ready in under 30 minutes and you control the sodium level. As the rice cooks and the soup simmers, the kitchen fills with sunny aromas. If you're in need of a reboot, put on your PJ's, line up your favorite movies, make a big pot of Vietnamese soup and slurp your stress away.

Rice & Lentils

Rice and Lentils is Middle Eastern comfort food. A wonderful vegan or Lenten supper can be enjoyed by making this dish and pairing it with my Persian Chopped Salad. You can also serve it with yogurt and mint sauce, spice-infused tomato sauce (recipe below) or just a couple of chopped fresh tomatoes. I love it with the spiced tomato sauce on top. It reheats well. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Warm it up in the microwave or serve at room temperature.  This recipe makes a large batch, so you will have leftovers. It packs up great for work week lunches too.

Wild Rice With Mushrooms and Marsla

Marsala and mushrooms will always be a classic combination. There's a good amount of both in this pilaf to ensure maximum flavor. The smoky flavors of the wine compliment the earthy mushrooms. Herbs are a fresh finish. 

It was just the two of us for Easter this year. After church and a refreshing walk around a blue lake with our eager beagle, we enjoyed herb roasted chicken with this savory pilaf. For dessert, we had buttery, raspberry linzer cookies from this wonderful bakery in Cambridge.