Nut Butter, Lentil Soup (Dairy, Gluten, Grain and Free)

If you haven't already noticed.  I love soup.  Fall is such a great time to make soup as there are lots of vegetables ready and the weather is getting cooler.  This soup did not disappoint.  It has lots of flavour!

Ingredients

• 1 diced onion
• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 minced cloves garlic
• 1-2 teaspoon miced fresh garlic
• 5 cups vegetable or bone broth
• 1/2 cup red lentils
• 1 cup chopped kale
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 2 diced carrots
• 1/2 cup almond or peanut butter
• 1/3 cup tomato paste
• 2 bay leaves
• sea salt, cayenne and pepper to taste
• 1/2 juiced lemon

Directions

1. In a large pot heat oil. Cook onion until clear and soft (3 minutes,) add garlic and cook another minute. 
2. Add all remaining ingredients except lemon.
3. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 15-20 minutes or until carrots are tender.
4. Remove bay leaves
5. Add lemon juice and puree or leave as is.
6. Serve

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Roasted Vegetable Soup (Dairy, Gluten and Grain Free)

Our oldest daughter had a big bike fall at the end of this summer.  It caused a lot of damage to her mouth. She lost control down a steep hill, ran her bike into a tree and then scraped her face along the tree trunk.  I won't go into too many yucky details but basically she required some plastic surgery in her mouth and will eventually need some dental work to replace some adult teeth :(  We are thankful it was only her mouth that was affected and not her head, neck or back.

In light of this accident, she has had difficulty eating and has been on soft foods for two weeks already.  It has been a little challenging over here creating food for her, our little guy who has started solids and then the rest of us.  As much as possible, I have been trying to make something we can all enjoy.

This soup was simple to create, tasty and worked for the baby, our oldest, and the rest of us "regular" eaters.  I have since made this soup on numerous occasions, using whatever vegetables I have ready in the garden or in the fridge.

Ingredients

• 2 onions chopped into eighths
• 3-4 cloves of garlic
• 4 chopped carrots
• 1 diced zucchini
• 1 cup diced eggplant
• 1/2 a chopped cabbage
• 1 diced sweet potato
• 1 cup diced mushrooms
• 1-2 cups chopped kale
• olive oil
• 4 cups vegetable or bone broth
• sea salt and pepper to taste
• water (if needed)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
2. In two 9 x 13 pans, distribute chopped vegetables, except the kale.
3. Drizzle the vegetables with some oil, salt and pepper.
4. Stir vegetables to fully coat.
5. Roast in oven for 15 minutes.
6. Add chopped kale, stir together and roast for another 10 minutes or until vegetables are soft and browned.
7. Puree vegetables until smooth.  Add to a medium size pot.
8. Add broth and any water if wanting to thin soup.
9. Heat until boiling, stirring frequently.
10. Serve.

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Zucchini, Sausage, Tomato Garden Stew (Gluten Free)

Although it is summer, I enjoy this stew now and in the cooler seasons.  It is a great blend of garden vegetables and herbs.  I don't use a broth as I find the sausage, spices and herbs add lots of flavour. This is a quick stew to make on the stove but can also be combined into the crock pot for about 4 hours on high.

Ingredients (serves 6-8)

• 1 pound organic, gluten free sausage chopped
• 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 diced onion
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 jar tomato puree (or more diced tomatoes)
• 1-2 cups water (depending on desired consistency and freshness of tomatoes)
• 2 cups diced zucchini (green or yellow)
• 4 diced carrots
• 2 cups chopped spinach or kale
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 cup fresh shredded basil
• 1/3 cup fresh shredded cilantro

Directions

1. In a large pot heat oil.  Fry onion until clear and soft (3 minutes,) add garlic and sausage.  
2. Continue to stir and fry until sausage is browned.
3. Add tomatoes, puree, water, zucchini, carrots, kale, salt, pepper, cayenne and bay leaves.
4. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 15 minutes or until carrots are tender.
5. Add basil and cilantro.  Cook another 3-5 minutes.
6. Remove bay leaves.
7. Serve.

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Cheeseburger or Hamburger Soup with Dairy Free Option

I can certainly not take credit for this recipe.  This is my very slight adaption of Kelly Broyzna's Dairy-Free Cheeseburger Soup from the The Spunky Coconut.  Do check our her many delicious recipes.

I have made this recipe about five times since I first discovered it in December.  It is so delicious and a definite family favourite. The added cheese is not needed, but I will admit I have a little weakness for cheese in my tomato soup.  This recipe is easy to make and very filling.  With a lot of lettuce and cilantro on top it definitely eats like a complete meal.

I normally add a lot more lettuce on top of my soup 

but didn't want it to take away from the soup.

Ingredients (serves 4-6)

• 1 diced onion
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 pound grass-fed ground beef
• 2 cups tomato purée
• 3 cups broth, chicken, beef, or vegetable
• 1 1/2 cups raw unsalted cashews
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/3 cup chopped cilantro + extra
• shredded cheese (optional)
• shredded lettuce or spinach

Directions

1. In a large pot over add olive oil and onion.  Fry for 3-5 minutes until soft.  
2. Add garlic and ground beef.
3. Stir occasionally, breaking up the beef, and cook until the meat is no longer pink, and the onions are tender.
4. Add the tomato puree and increase the heat to medium.
5. In a blender add the broth, cashews, tomato paste, and salt and puree until completely smooth.
6. Pour the puree into the pot, and bring to a boil and turn down to simmer for 3-5 minutes.
7. Stir in the cilantro and serve.
8. Add shredded cheese, lettuce and cilantro on top.
9. Enjoy.

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Cabbage, Beef and Tomato Stew (Gluten and MSG Free)

There is nothing like a stew on a cold day.  This cabbage stew is definitely a comfort food for me.  It is very easy to make and tastes great as leftovers as well.  I prefer to use my own stock/broth as I am sure it is MSG free, but there may be a few other brands out there. We like it with okra, but you could add in peppers, potatoes or many other favourite vegetables. Cabbage and tomatoes are in abundance right now making this a great fall recipe.
I hope you enjoy this as much as we do!

Ingredients

• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound stewing or ground beef
• 1 diced onion
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 2 cups diced tomatoes (or 1 cup diced with 1 cup tomato puree)
• 1/2 large diced cabbage 
• 4 cups homemade or MSG free broth
• 3 diced carrots
• 3 stalks diced celery
• 1 cup diced okra (optional)
• sea salt and pepper to taste
• handful fresh parsley

Directions

1. In a large pot or dutch oven heat oil and fry onions for 3 minutes.
2. Add garlic and beef and cook until beef is brown.
3. Add all remaining ingredients (except parsley.)
4. Bring to boil then turn to low and simmer 45 minutes.
5. Add parsley and cook another 5 minutes.
6. Serve.

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Coconut, Shrimp and Okra Soup (Dairy, Gluten and MSG Free)

I love this soup.  It has such a fresh taste, a hint of heat and includes one of my favourite vegetables, okra.  Okra is an excellent source of vitamin C and K.  Okra also has a lot of fiber and folate, making it a great pregnancy food as well.  (No I am not pregnant!)

Ingredients

• 1 diced onion
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 4 cups water
• sea salt to taste
• pepper to taste
• cayenne pepper to taste
• 1 1/2 cups diced tomatoes (could use canned tomatoes as well)
• 1 diced bell pepper
• 1 minced jalapeno pepper (or to taste)
• 2 cups diced okra
• 1 lime juiced or 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 1/2 -2 cups cooked shrimp
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

1. In a large pot saute onions in olive oil until soft (3-5 minutes.)  Add garlic and curry, continue to saute for another minute.
2. Add water, salt, pepper, tomatoes, bell pepper, jalapeno pepper and okra.  Bring to a boil and then simmer for 15-20 minutes.  
3. Add lime juice, coconut milk, shrimp and cilantro.  Simmer for anther 5 minutes.

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Sweet Potato and Pear Soup (Dairy, Gluten and Grain Free)

This is one of my favourite soup recipes.  I make it all the time and continually get requests for the recipe.  I definitely can't take credit for it, as it is my adaptation of Vegan Sweet Potato and Pear Holiday Soup  by Oh She Glows.  Angela has some excellent vegan recipes on her website, do check it out and definitely try this soup.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 diced onion
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 diced stalks of celery
• 2 diced carrots
• 2 peeled and diced sweet potatoes
• 2 diced ripe pears
• 3 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth if vegan
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 1 juiced lime
• sea salt to taste

Directions

1. In a large pan heat oil and fry onions for 3-5 minutes or until clear.
2. Add thyme, paprika and cayenne.  Heat and stir for 30 seconds.  
3. Add celery, carrots, sweet potatoes, pears and broth.
4. Bring to a boil and the simmer until vegetables are tender.
5. Add coconut milk, lime and salt.  
6. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
7. Puree soup in a blender or with immersion blender until smooth.  If soup is too thick just add a little water or more coconut milk if you prefer.
8. Enjoy!

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Curry, Carrot and Caramelized Onion Soup (Dairy, Gluten and Grain)

I was in the mood for soup but wanted to make something different.  I was reminded of a soup my mom made us.  I love using Indian spices as they not only taste great, but also have excellent detoxifying properties.

Ingredients

• 2 diced onions
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• pinch of sea salt
• 5-6 diced carrots
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 1 cored and diced apple
• 1 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 5 cups home-made chicken or vegetable broth
• cayenne pepper to taste
• sea salt to taste

Directions

1. In a pan heat oil then add sliced onions and a pinch of sea salt.
2. Let onions fry on in pan and stir on occasion to release onions from sticking to pan. Continue to fry onions until clear, brown and at desired texture.  Usually takes 5-7 minutes.
3. Add carrots, celery, apple, curry and turmeric.  Fry and coat for 1 minute bringing out flavours.
4. Add broth, salt and cayenne.  Bring to a boil.
5. Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until carrots are soft.
6. Puree until smooth.
7. Serve.

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Beef Stew -One Pot Meal (Gluten and Grain Free)

My husband loves a good one pot meal and I like the ease of making them.  It is a wonderful meal on a cold winter day and is a great way for using up vegetables that are getting close to expiring. This stew can be made ahead of time and just reheated when desired.

Ingredients

• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 diced onion
• 2-3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 pound stewing beef
• 4-5 diced carrots
• 2-3 diced parsnips
• 1 pound diced mushrooms
• 1 can diced tomatoes with juice
• 1 handful fresh parsley
• 2 bay leaves
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon Montreal steak spice
• 1-2 cups broth or water

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In a dutch oven heat oil and fry onion until fragrant.  Add garlic and fry another minute.
3. Add beef and give cook just until browned on the outside stirring continually.
4. Add all additional ingredients and place pot in oven.
5. Cook for approximately 60 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

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Split Pea and Bacon Soup (Dairy, Gluten and Grain Free)

The weather is cooling and soup season is upon us.  I hadn't made a pea soup in a while.  This soup was relatively easy to make and tastes good pureed smooth or left more as a stew.

Ingredients

• 3 cups dried split peas
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 5 cups water or use more broth for water
• 6 strips nitrite free bacon cut into bite size pieces
• 2 diced carrots
• 2 diced celery stalks
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 diced onion
• 2 minced garlic
• olive oil for frying

Directions

1. Heat oil in a frying pan and cook onion for 3-5 minutes until soft.  Add garlic and cook another minute.
2. In a large pot add all ingredients including the onion and garlic.  Bring to a boil and then simmer for approximately 45 minutes or until peas are soft.  Be sure to stir frequently.
3. Serve can be pureed or left as is and served.
4. Soup will thicken as it cools and you may want to add additional water.

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