harissa!

last night i made some harissa to top a simple moroccan lentil and chickpea soup.  i can't believe that i have been living my entire life without this delicious sauce!  really, it is my new favorite thing.  i am planning on canning some and keeping a jar in the fridge to use as a hot sauce on just about everything!  also, the color is vibrant and beautiful.

all you need is:
4 dried red chilies soaked in hot water (for about an hour)
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 teaspoon ground caraway seeds
3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon salt
about 3 tablespoons water

puree everything but water till smooth.  stream in water to reach desired consistency.  then enjoy on anything and everything.

on another note we harvested a few lemons off my lemon tree, for the first time, for our soup.  i could be crazy but they sure did taste better than any store bought lemon i've ever had.

hot hot pot

i love spicy asian soups.  lately we have been eating loads of pho, multiple times a week.  its great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  i have yet to grow tired of it and doubt i ever will.  

this soup was a fun homemade change from the current "usual".  it's a hot pot and it was so very tasty! really easy too!  I found the original recipe over at theppk.com but changed a few things here and there.  check out the original recipe post for some good ideas about some tasty toppings and add ins.

first, mix 1 tablespoon potato starch with 4 cups mushroom stock, set it aside.  Sauté sliced red onion and sliced red bell pepper in a bit of sesame oil until soft. then add minced garlic, ginger, lemongrass, red pepper flakes, 2 star anise, 1/2 stick cinnamon and a few dried mushrooms. 

slowly add the starchy broth, stirring constantly.  continue cooking for a few minutes before adding a few tablespoons tamari, chopped tomato, salt, and pepper to taste. let simmer away until broth has thickened up.  finally stir in a can of coconut milk and juice from half a lime.

we ate ours with baked tofu, jasmine rice, and cilantro!

this soup is definitely going to become a regular at our house.