September 2012 Recipes

Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

John and I were in Portland, OR over the weekend of September 14, 15 & 16, 2012 to give presentations for Oregon Health and Science University’s Living Brain Wellness program.  We stayed with our son, Craig, and his wife, Mika, and enjoyed some quality time with our new granddaughter, Chloe.  On one of our free days we all took a trip out to the coast, and before going for a long walk on the lovely beach there, we stopped for lunch at Sweet Basil’s Café, a vegetarian/vegan restaurant in the heart of Cannon Beach, OR.  None of us could resist ordering the Tomato Basil Soup that was the special soup of the day.  It was delicious and we all spent the next few minutes trying to determine the ingredients of this delectable soup, with me taking notes on my iPhone for future reference.  This is my version of their wonderful soup:  I think it’s even better than theirs!!  This makes a large amount of soup.  Part of this recipe could be frozen for an easy meal later and it is also fantastic served over pasta.

Place the cut tomatoes in a flat baking dish, drizzle the vegetable broth over the tomatoes and sprinkle with the pepper and salt. Place in the oven and roast uncovered for 45 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.

Meanwhile, place the onion, celery and carrot in a large soup pot with the water.  Cook, stirring frequently until vegetables have softened and the water has evaporated.  Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and stir well to mix.  Add the canned tomatoes and their juices, the vegetable broth and the roasted tomatoes and their juices.  Mix well and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes.  Remove from heat and slowly and carefully blend slightly with an immersion blender.  (See hints below.) Add the basil, barley and soy sauce.  Stir to mix and cook over low heat for another 15 minutes to blend flavors well.  Season with a bit more sea salt, if desired.

Hints:  If you don’t have plum tomatoes in your garden, just use any flavorful fresh tomatoes and cut into wedges before roasting.  ½ cup of uncooked barley cooked in 1 ½ cups of water for 30-40 minutes yields about 1 ¾ cups of cooked barley.  If you don’t have an immersion blender, this may be slightly blended in a regular blender in small batches.  Either way, be very careful, as the hot soup can spatter easily.  You don’t want the soup to be too smooth, a few chunks of tomatoes and vegetables should still be visible.  The basil and barley are added to the soup after the blending process is completed. 

Chef Kevin Dunn
Vegan Culinary Instructor
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Kevin graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York and has worked in several four-star restaurants throughout the United States. Learning to cook was following his dreams, but he didn’t start out at a cooking school. He grew up in Southwestern Michigan and graduated from the University of Notre Dame, where he studied Economics and Labor Law.

After working in Nashville, New York and Milwaukee, Kevin returned to Michigan to become the Executive Chef of the Kellogg Corporation in Battle Creek. His responsibilities included running a 200 seat fine dining restaurant, marketing, research and development, and a weekly talk radio show about food. It was while at Kellogg that he was hit with a bombshell; he was diagnosed with diabetes and heart disease at the young age of 35. Since then Kevin has been on a quest for health and better tasting vegetarian cuisine. He has re-developed many classical dishes into healthier alternatives, which he believes should satisfy anyone’s palate.
Kevin spent seven years at the prestigious New England Culinary Institute in Vermont where he fostered his vegetarian cuisine. He is presently in the process of writing a vegan cookbook which he believes will change many of the misconceptions of vegetarian cuisine.

Kevin joined the nationally renowned Hospitality Education Department at Grand Rapids Community College in August of 2003. His responsibilities are for the direction of the Advanced Food Production Class which operates the Heritage restaurant, a fine dining restaurant run by the students. The menu of the Heritage is an eclectic blend of classic cuisine and vegetarian alternative.

Ethiopian Cuisine

Dr. McDougall's Health and Medical Center
Advanced Study Weekend
September 8, 2012

 Kevin Dunn

Injera
Ethiopian meals are eaten without utensils. Instead, injera, a soft spongy pancake is used. Injera is made in large circles, which are used in two ways; first as the plate and secondly pieces are pulled off and used as spoon to scoop up the food.

1 ½ Cups    Ground Teff
2 Cups        Water
Salt, to taste

Method:
1.) Mix ground teff with the water and let stand in a bowl covered with a dish towel at room temperature until it bubbles and has turned sour; This may take as long as 3 days, although I had success with an overnight fermentation; The fermenting mixture should be the consistency of a very thin pancake batter.
2.) Stir in the salt, a little at a time, until you can barely detect its taste.
3.) Heat a well-seasoned griddle; use medium heat.
4.) Pour in enough batter to cover a 10-inch circle. (About a 1/4 Cup)
5.) Injera is not supposed to be paper thin, so you should use a bit more batter than you would for crepes, but less than you would for a pancake.
6.) Cook briefly, until holes form in the injera and the edges lift from the pan; do not let it brown, and don’t flip it over as it is only supposed to be cooked on one side.
7.) Remove and let cool.

Ethiopian Cooking Necessities

Berbere      Yield: 1 ½ Cups

3/4 Cups     Hot Dried Chile Flakes
2 Tbls.        Garlic Powder
1 Tbls.        Onion Powder
1 Tbls.        Powder Ginger
1/8 tsp.       Ground Cloves
1 Tbls.        Kosher Salt
2 tsp.          Ground Cumin
1 tsp.          Ground Fenugreek
1 tsp.          Ground Cinnamon
1 tsp.          Ground Cardamom
1 tsp.          Fresh Cracked Black Pepper

Method:
1.) Combine and thoroughly mix all ingredients. 
2.) Store in an airtight container.

Niter Kebbeh                Yield: 1 ¾ Quarts

2 Quarts      Vegetable Stock
½ Cup         Chopped Spanish Onion
½ Cup         Minced Garlic
8 tsp.          Ginger, grated on a micro-plane
2 tsp.          Turmeric
20 each       Green Cardamom Pods, crushed
4 each         Cinnamon Stick
10 each       Whole Cloves
¼ tsp.         Fresh Ground Nutmeg

Method:
1.) Slowly heat the vegetable stock in a medium-sized saucepan over low heat.
2.) Add the other ingredients and simmer uncovered on the lowest heat for about 20-30 minutes.
3.) Strain the mixture through a double layer of cheesecloth.
4.) Refrigerate until needed.

Doro Wat                     Yield: Serves 8 people

Baked Sweet Potatoes and Baked Tofu Sub-Recipe

¾ pound      Sweet Potatoes, peeled and cut in large French fry cut
¾ pound      Extra Firm Tofu, cut ¾” cubes
6 ounces     Almond Milk
1 Tbls.        Fresh Ginger, grated      
1 Tbls.        Soy Sauce, Less Sodium, Yamasa     
8 ounces     Pineapple Juice, Dole     
3 ounces     Sweet Chili Sauce, Mae Ploy
1 tsp.          Agave, light, raw
1/8 tsp.       Sea Salt      
2 Pinches    Fresh Ground Black Pepper     

Method:
1.) In a bowl mix everything except the tofu and the sweet potatoes, to form the marinade.
2.) Marinate the sweet potatoes and tofu, separately in the marinade for at least 1 hour.
3.) Re-heat the oven to 400-degrees
4.) Drain the sweet potatoes, and tofu. Bake both the sweet potatoes and the tofu on separate sheet pans lined with a silicon mats.
5.) Bake the tofu for 7-10 minutes until golden and firm.
6.) Bake the sweet potatoes for 20-25 minutes, until golden and tender.

Rest of the Doro Wat Ingredients

1 batch        Baked Sweet Potatoes and Baked Tofu
2 Cups        Spanish Onion, chopped
2 Tbls.        Garlic, minced
2 Tbls.        Lemon Juice
2 tsp.          Ginger, grated on a micro-plane
¼ Cup         Niter Kebbeh
6 grates       Fresh Nutmeg
3/4 Cup       Vegetable Stock
1/4 Cup       White Wine
2 tsp.          Berbere
1 tsp.          Paprika
1/8 tsp.       Hawaiian Black Salt (to replace a hard cooked egg flavor)
                  salt and pepper, to taste

Method:
1.) In a sauté pan, add the niter kebbeh and heat over a medium flame.
2.) Add the onions, garlic, ginger, paprika and nutmeg, simmer two to three minutes.
3.) Add the vegetable stock, wine, black salt and the berbere.
4.) Cover and simmer 10 minutes.
5.) Uncover and simmer until sauce thickens slightly.
6.) Add the tofu and sweet potatoes
7.) Season to taste, with regular salt, pepper and fresh lemon juice.

Yemisir Kik Wat (Lentil Sauce)     Yield: serves 8 people

4 Cups        French Lentils
½ each       Red Onion, small dice
1 tsp.         Minced Garlic
½ Cup        Niter Kebbeh 
1 tsp.         Berbere
1 tsp.         Ground Black Cumin
2 tsp.         Fresh Grated Ginger, utilize the micro-plane
4 Cups        Vegetable Stock
                 salt and pepper, to taste

Method:
1.) Rinse and cook the lentils in 6 Quarts of water until tender approximately 20 to 30 minutes, until tender. Drain and reserve.
2.) In a separate pot sauté the red onions and garlic in the niter kebbeh, until the onions are just translucent.
3.) Add the berbere, ginger and the black cumin, cook for a few minutes more, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
4.) Add 3 Cups of vegetable stock and continue simmering.
6.) Add the lentils and simmer for 15 to 25 minutes, until tender.
7.) Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Yeater Kik Alicha Wat (Yellow Split Pea Sauce)          Yield: Serves 8 people

2 Cups        Yellow Lentils
½ each       Spanish Onion, small dice
1 Tbls.        Minced Garlic
½ Cup        Niter Kebbeh 
1 tsp.         Berbere
1 tsp.         Ground Cumin
1 tsp.         Paprika
3 Cups       Tomatoes, emonde (skinned) cut small dice
¼ Cup        Tomato Paste
2 cups        Vegetable Stock
1 Cup         Frozen Green Peas
                 salt and pepper, to taste

Method:
1.) Rinse and cook the lentils in 3 Quarts water, approximately 5 minutes, until tender. Drain and reserve.
2.) In a separate pot sauté the onions and garlic in the niter kebbeh, until the onions are just translucent.
3.) Add the berbere, cumin, and paprika and sauté for a few minutes more, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
4.) Mix in the chopped tomatoes and tomato paste and simmer for another 5 minutes.
5.) Add 1 cup of vegetable stock and continue simmering.
6.) Add the lentils and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
7. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
8.) Add the green peas and cook until ready to serve.

Gomen Wat (Collard Green)                   Yield: serves 8 people

2 pounds     Collard Greens, weight before trimming
1 each        Large Spanish Onion, minced
2 Tbls.        Niter Kebbeh
1/2 cup      Water, as needed
                 salt and pepper, to taste

Method:
1.) Triple Wash the greens well in a sink full of water, to remove sand. Drain the water 3 times.
2.) Remove about 2 inches off from the bottom of the stem.
3.) Chop the stems well and reserve.
4.) Cut the leaves in a very large chiffonade and reserve.
5.) In a heavy bottomed pot heat the niter kebbeh. Add the onions and the chopped collard stems. Sweat until the onion is translucent and the chopped stems have softened.
6.) Add the collard leaves and stir well. Cook until tender adding a small amount of water if necessary. (To help the greens steam)
7.) Cook the collards until tender and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Alicha Wat (Ethiopian Cabbage Stew)               Yield: serves 8 people

2 Tbls.        Niter Kebbeh
1 ½ Cups    Red Onion, small dice
½ tsp.        Minced Garlic
4 Cups       Yukon Gold Potato, cut in 1-inch cubes
4 each       Baby Carrots, cut on a bias
1 each       Green Cabbage, cut into small wedges
1 each       Serrano Chili, cut fine brunoise

Reserve Until Step #3
2 Cups        Vegetable Stock
5 grates      Fresh Nutmeg

To Garnish:
2 tsp.         Parsley, chopped
2 Tbls.        Fresh Basil, cut chiffonade

Method:
1.) In a sauté pan add the niter kebbeh and cook onions and garlic in small amount of vegetable stock until translucent.
2.) Add the rest of the ingredients (except the stock and nutmeg), cook until lightly golden.
3.) Add the stock and nutmeg and then cook slowly for 30 minutes.
4.) Season to taste.
5.) Add the parsley and basil to garnish.

Yetakelt Wat (Potato and Tomato Stew)           Yield: Serves 8 people

 2 Cups       Spanish Onions, small diced
1 Tbls.        Garlic, minced
2 tsp.         Berbere 
2 tsp.         Paprika
½ Cup        Niter Kebbeh
2 Cups       Baby Carrots, cut on the bias
3 Cups       Yukon Gold Potatoes, peeled and cut ¾-inch dice
2 Cups       Tomatoes, emondé (peeled) cut small dice
1/8 Cup      Tomato Paste
4 Cups        Vegetable Stock 
                  salt and pepper, to taste

To Garnish:
2 Cups        French Green Beans, steamed and reserved for service
2 Cups        Frozen Peas, reserved for service
1/4 cup       Fresh Chopped Parsley, reserved for service
 
Method:
1.) Sauté the onions, garlic, berbere, and paprika in the niter kebbeh for 2 minutes.
2.) Add the carrots and potatoes and continue to sauté for about 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
3.) Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste and vegetable stock.
4.) Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer until all of the vegetables are tender and the stew is thickened.
5.) Season with salt and pepper.
6.) Add the green beans, peas and parsley and season to taste.

Ethiopian Salad            Yield: Serves 8 people

3 each         Vine Ripe Tomatoes cut into tomato wedges with seeds removed, these should look like rose petals.
¼ Cup         Red Onion, julienne
½ head        Baby Iceberg, large shredded
½ each        Serrano Chili, seed and cut fine julienne
1 tsp.          Roasted Garlic, smashed
1 pinch        Hot Dried Chili Flakes
1 batch        Salad Dressing
                  salt and pepper, to taste
¼ Cup         Chopped Parsley

Method:
1.) Combine the ingredients and season to taste.
2.) Drain well and place in the center of the Injera.

Ethiopian Dressing                Yield: Serves 8 people

1 Cup                   Ketchup
2 ounces              Vegetable Stock, low sodium
1/8 tsp.                Onion Powder
1 pinch                 Dried Thyme
¼ tsp.                  Dried Basil
1/8 tsp.                Dried Oregano
1 tsp.                   Roasted Garlic
¼ Cup                  Rice Vinegar
¼ Cup                  Sugar
                          salt and pepper to taste
2 drops                Sriracha
¼ tsp.                 Xanthan Gum

Method:
1.) Combine all ingredients, except the xanthan gum.
2.) Place in a stainless steel sauce pot and bring to a boil, constantly whisking.
3.) Once this liquid boils turn the heat down to low and simmer for 3 minutes.
4.) Cool the dressing and then whisk in the xanthan gum. Refrigerate until cold.
5.) Toss the tomato salad with this dressing.

2012 John McDougall All Rights Reserved
Dr. McDougall's Health and Medical Center
P.O. Box 14039, Santa Rosa, CA 95402
https://www.drmcdougall.com