Florence & The Machine ~ If Only For Tonight
Joan Jett ~ I Hate Myself For Loving You
Satie: Nocturnes - 1. Dous Et Calme
Stone Sour ~ Inhale
Beth Rowley ~ Almost Persuaded
Deacon Blue ~ Cover From The Sky
Maroon 5 ~ I Can't Lie
Faith No More ~ Everything's Ruined
Doris Day ~ Sentimental Journey
Texas Hippie Coalition ~ Pissed Off And Mad About It
The Eagles ~ The Last Resort
Tina Dico ~ Boys And Girls
Mary Chapin Carpenter ~ Shut Up And Kiss Me
Black Wolf ~ Keep On Moving
It's a very hectic week here at R&R HQ with operations happening, TLC needed in great quantities and then a departure for a weekend trip to London as the culmination of ML's birthday celebrations.
Our trip to London has been planned for some time and we have been looking forward to it very much. One of ML's favourite actresses is Harriet Walter and she is starring in Henry IV at the Donmar Warehouse and we have tickets to see the play. We have arrangements to meet up with ML's folks for lunch on the Saturday and then that evening we have more tickets but this time for a gig to see one of our favourite singer/songwriters...the extremely talented Ms Tina Dico who will be playing at the Shepherds Bush Empire. Sunday will be a day of resting and pootling around London and the great museums it has to offer and to be honest Monday will be more of the same until we catch our train back home. Good times...
So that's us all caught up...and now onto today's recipe. Originally I was going to give you a recipe for a recent creation which was a Hot/Cold Salad but the weather is dreadfully grey and drizzly right now...and not to mention cold. Yep..I said cold...who knew England could be cold! Only kidding its just I don't usually feel the cold due to my meds but even I have felt it this week. When it gets to this time of year I crave soups...but they have to be homemade.
Armed with an armful of vegetables I got prepping and chopping veggies that my body was craving. I wanted a thick based soup with some basic vegetables which was thickened by red lentils with a slight warming heat from freshly grated ginger and a small amount of garam masala. This is why I love homemade soups...with just a few basic ingredients you can have a steaming bowl of goodness in 20 minutes. No matter how much the pre-made, store bought soups say they are good for you..there will always be hidden nasties. And with this soup you have a satisfying, warming bowl of wholesome goodness that is comforting without all the fats, salts and sugars of a store bought one. As my littlest nice Layla would say...Boom baby!
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| Rocket & Roses Warming Leek, Carrot & Ginger Soup |
Rocket & Roses Warming Leek, Carrot & Ginger Soup Serves 4-6
(Original recipe from the Rocket & Roses Vegan Kitchen)
1 tsp coconut oil
2 sticks of celery, trimmed and sliced into 1" pieces
4 med/large carrots, peeled and cut into 1" chunks
3 leeks, trimmed and sliced into 1" chunks
2 garlic cloves, crushed
3 tbsp micro-grated fresh ginger with juices
1 1/2 cups dried red lentils
2 litres veggie stock plus extra water if needed
1/2 tsp garam masala
freshly ground black pepper
freshly ground Himalayan salt - optional
In a large soup pan gently heat the coconut oil and then add the leeks, celery and carrots and stir well to coat with the oil. Cook for about 5 mins stirring often. Add the garlic and ginger and stir in followed by the red lentils. Stirring for 1 minute. Pour over the veggie stock and season with black pepper and (if using) the salt. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes.
Check make sure the carrots are cooked and then stir in the garam masala. Scoop out 2 cups of the soup and blitz until smooth. Add back to the rest of the simmering soup. Stir well. Remove from the heat and serve.
Enjoy!
Thanks for stopping by and I hope your week is going well....
~Red~
NB: This is my creation and I have no problem with you using or sharing this recipe. I simply ask you give credit and links back to where its due. Many thanks...Namaste. ~R~
