Coconut Tomato Soup with Ginger

This soup is amazing- I learned how to make it in my cooking class. It makes a huge stock pot of soup so you can divide the recipe in half for a smaller portion that still serves 8.

Ingredients:
3 Tbsp olive oil
6 oz red onion, small dice
3 oz carrot, small dice
3 oz celery, small dice
1 jalapeno, seeded + diced small
2 Tbsp ginger, minced very small
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp coriander
2 oz flour
3 quarts (12 cups) vegetable stock
4 lb canned tomatoes
2 quarts (8 cups) coconut milk
fresh cilantro, chiffonade (optional)
scallions, sliced thinly (optional)
salt & pepper to taste

In a heavy saucepan, sweat the mirepoix (onion, carrot and celery) for 3 minutes. Add jalapeno, ginger, cumin, and coriander. Sweat for another 3 minutes. When softened, stir in flour to make a roux. Slowly whisk in stock, bring to a boil. Add tomatoes and simmer for 30 minutes.

You can either strain the soup through a strainer, pressing down to get all the juices, or I prefer to blend with an immersion blender to make a thicker soup. Return soup to a simmer and stir in coconut milk. Simmer for ten minutes to heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with cilantro and scallions for garnish (optional).

Happy Purim Hamentashen!!

Ingredients:
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup OJ
5 1/2 cups flour
1 Tbps baking powder
1 cup fruit preserves or chocolate filling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheets. Beat eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Add oil, vanilla and OJ. Combine flour and baking powder. Stir into batter to form stiff dough. If dough is not stiff enough to handle, add more flour. Roll out to 1/4 " thick. Cut into circles and spoon 2 tsp of filling into center. Pinch edges to form three corners. Bake 12-15 minutes until light brown.

Roasted Butternut Squash Couscous

Ingredients:
1 box couscous
2 cups butternut squash soup (Imagine brand)
1/2 tsp salt, plus more for sprinkling
1 Tbsp olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 lb butternut squash, cut up
5-6 fresh sage leaves, torn
4 Tbsp non-dairy butter (Smart Balance)
1 Tsp brown sugar

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Combine soup, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 Tbsp oil to just a boil in medium pot. Add couscous and stir. Remove from heat and leave covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Spray baking sheet with non-stick spray and spread out butternut squash in one layer. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. In medium pan, melt butter over medium heat. When it begins to foam add brown sugar until melted. Add sage and stir. Spoon sage butter over squash and roast 25-35 minutes stirring occassionally, until carmelized. Serve squash over couscous.