Soups on! Vegan Chikin and Dumpling Soup x2

Today I recreated a soup that I made back on December 3rd with my friend and co-worker Jay. It reminded me that I never blogged about that crazy cooking experience! We attempted this recipe that Jay had made with his mom over Thanksgiving. In my small kitchen, it was quite an adventure!

Fist we had to make the dumplings. We mixed vegan butter with flour, and baking powder. We mixed this until it crumbled. We had to clear off the table in our living room to have enough space to roll out the dough for the dumplings. I am sorry to say the table is back to all clutter.


Then we added soymilk and it became a dough.


Kneading the dough was a little messy.


Then Jay rolled it out.


Meanwhile, I began to chop the vegetables. I was really excited to use my new chopper. We were going to use more carrots, onion, and celery, than the recipe called for, so it was going to be a big job.


But the chopper proved more difficult than I had expected. I had to use a lot of muscle.


The onion we used was CRAZY! It was so strong. It was a spanish onion. I was crying my eyes out.


Even my sister, in another room, not helping, was affected by the onion.


After all was chopped, Jay put the onions, celery and some vegan butter in a saucepan and sauteed it until soft. He added flour to make a paste. He then put the mixture in boiling vegetable stock. I didn't get a picture of this step because I was busy chopping carrots. After stirring the mixture, we added the carrots and some fake chicken or "chikin." We used traditionally flavored Seitan, the blue box.


Then Jay stirred the pot.


I took over stirring while Jay cut up the dumplings and started bringing them over to go into the soup.


I was amazed that my sister helped with this part! I think she just wanted us to be done so she could eat it!


(I couldn't get this picture to rotate, but I think this way it emphasizes the craziness of the occurrence. Bizarre!)

My kitchen was a little small for this project and being that I wasn't familiar with the recipe, I didn't plan right. As a result we had a little accident with the cutting board and the stove.


It just melted a little. I always like to clean up right away. So I started on the dishes while the soup simmered.


We didn't know how we were going to get the flour off the table without getting it all over the floor and carpet. So I came up with a very effective method. I used the spatula to push the flour onto tin foil and then wrapped up the tin foil and threw it away. Very clean and easy.


The soup was so thick!!


It was a big project. But I had help. So it wasn't one bowl wonder.


It wasn't even two bowl wonder.


It was THREE bowl wonder!!! My sister, Jay and I all enjoyed the soup. It was hearty and delicious.


And very filling.


What a fun night cooking with friends!


I recreated the soup this snowy day because I was in the mood for something hearty. This time I wanted to make it a little easier. So I got pre-chopped onions, celery, and carrots. A little more expensive but totally worth the time and energy. I also used a baking sheet to roll the dumpling dough so I didn't have to clean off the table. I also put a little more broth in this one so it was not SO thick.



I was able to avoid melting any kitchen equipment this time, too. It is really a very yummy soup.

Green Soup and Glee!

Last night I made some Green Soup! Yup, it is very green. I got the recipe at 101 Cookbooks.com here. I usually don't follow recipes, but this time I was pretty exact. I started with sweet potato. I boiled it.


Then I chopped up the onion and caramelized them in a pan.


Chopped up some leeks. I always love leeks in soups. I am not even sure what the pure flavor of a leek is, but if you are making a soup, I say, "Throw it in there!"


Then I added some green chard and spinach.


And then I added some vegetable stock to ... well, I wanted to say "beef it up," but that would be weird on a vegan food blog. I added vegetable stock to give it body.


The recipe said you can leave it chunky or puree it. It looks a lot prettier when left chunky, but in terms of taste it was better pureed. Getting a chunk of chard was a little bitter. Much better when all the flavors hit your mouth at once. So, into the blender it went.


And it came out green! It tasted pretty good. The ginger made it a little stringy, but I liked having the ginger taste. Oh, and ya know how I had one plate to my name (which is no longer the case)? Well, I only have one bowl, too. My sister has some dishes, but for the most part we only eat out of our own. So here is the soup.


And I have plenty.


I watched the TV show Glee while I ate it. I like the show. I am often disappointed in the musical numbers because I think they could be a lot better. I don't like how it looks so much like they are lip syncing. I wish it looked more like they were singing in the moment.

Jane Lynch is AMAZING on the show. She is the reason I am into the show. She is hilarious. Favorite quote from the episode Vitamin D:

"Oh dear god, stop talking. I'm trying to desperately to ignore the treacly, sweet inanity of your asinine conversation, but now I've got bile in my mouth and I will hold my tongue no further."

Love Jane Lynch!

On another note, here are some good foods I have eaten of late that I did not cook but hope to cook soon!

This carrot cookie was so good. I got it at the Union Square farmer's market. It was perfect for breaking the fast at Yom Kippur.


And, the best for last! THE GIANT PRETZEL!!!! This was great. I got it at Amy's Bread! I hope to make soft pretzels soon. being from Philly, I am kind of obsessed with them. Don't worry, I did not eat this alone. My sister helped (a little). :) It was real good. Not from Philly, that was clear. But it was good.


Till next time...