Split Pea Soup

My wife loves soups because they're a quick and easy meal filled with all the nutrients she needs. I'm going to say my wife loves my soups, not because she's my wife, but because it taste better then any soups she's ever had (there, I said it!).

I regularly make this simple split peas soup which gives her about 4 1-litre jars to freeze for later.  Reheated from frozen or fresh, it taste the same every time.  The key is to soak the split peas ahead of time to soften them (I usually do overnight).  This recipe takes about an hour to make.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 clove garlic finley diced
• 3 cups dry yellow split peas
• 5 cups water
• 2 stalks green onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 an onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup sweet potato, cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup pumpkin, cut into cubes
• 1 tbsp thyme
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 1 pinch of ginger
• 1 tbsp brown sugar

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, cover 3 cups of dry split peas with water.  Let stand for at least 3 hours (overnight is fine)
2. Drain the split peas.
3. In a large pot (that can hold at least 4 liters),  add olive oil and heat on medium.
4. Once oil is hot, add garlic to the pot. 
5. Once the garlic is golden brown, add the split peas to the pot.  Stir in the water.
6. Add green onions, onions, salt, black peper, brown sugar, thyme, and ginger to the pot.
7. After 5 minutes, add the coconut milk, sweet potato, and pumpkin.
8. Cover the pot and turn the stove down to low and cook for 40 minutes. 
9. Check the pot and stir every ten minutes to avoid letting the peas stick to the bottom. 

Serve with your favourite side like fresh french bread or corn bread.

Tasty Beets

I love beets.  My mother made them often so I grew up knowing them as part of my regular meal.  They're healthy too - a great source of phytonutrients called betalains.  To cook beets, I use a simple recipe that adds a flavour that anyone would love.

Cooked Beets

Cooked Beets Recipe

• Peel skin off 3 regular-sized beets and wash them thoroughly
• Place beets in pot with enough water to cover the beets
• Add a 1/4 teaspoon of vinegar
• Add a teaspoon of brown sugar
• Add 1 stick of cinnamon and 4 cloves
• Boil for 5 minutes then turn off stove.  Let the pot sit on the stove for 5 more minutes.  
• Serve warm or chilled.  

Garden Delight Marinade

This year I planted a vegetable garden to allow me to experiment with fresh foods on the fly.  It has been a great experience.  I think everyone should grow at least herbs - nothing beats fresh herbs.

Garden fresh from my own backyard

I use vegetables and herbs from my garden to create a flavourful marinade that can be used a dip or to flavour meat.  I make a batch once a week and we use it with almost anything.  We eat it with chips, in stir-frys, and to quickly flavour chicken breasts and beef.

Alan's Garden Marinade

Baked Chicken Breast Recipe
Prepare chicken breasts and place in an over-safe pan.  Add 1/4 cup water to avoid sticking.  Pour the marinade over the chicken breasts, flip the chicken and pour some more marinade.  Cover the pan with foil and put it in the oven for 25 minutes.  Serve with vegetables or your favourite starch.

Get your free sample and try it! 
I'm offering free samples of this marinade so people can try it.  So far the feedback has been great and I want to share it with as many people as possible.  To get your sample, send me an email, give me a call, or leave a comment.