Yam, Corn & Chard Chowder

Growing up, both my parents were proficient in the kitchen. My dad is an amazing cook and my mom is a superb baker. They both shared the responsibility of putting dinner on the table, equally (or so I remember). I also recall, when us kids were young, there was one night a week that we had to pick out a recipe for dinner and Dad and Mom would help us make it. Essentially, they were teaching us how to cook, know our way around a kitchen, also how to be familiar with vegetables and the secrets of the mysterious pantry items. In addition, whoever cooked dinner that night didn't have to clean the kitchen. That laid in the hands of the family members who ate the dinner, but were not responsible for actually cooking it. We all helped and it made light work. Whoever cooked got to kick back their feet and relax!

Because cooking was such an integral part of growing up, it is absolutely bewildering to me that there are people about us who don't know how to cook. Don't like to cook? I can understand if it's not your bag. After cooking my feet hurt, and I just want to sit down but then there's a pile of dishes staring at me. I get it. It can be time consuming and laborious. But don't know how to cook? That's a different enchilada altogether. 

Todd and I decided to devote each Sunday dinner to a little cooking class. He's the executive chef and I'm the sous chef/cooking instructor during these lessons. I'm super excited at this prospect! And I hope he is too. Todd is an exceptional waffle maker (better than me!), but his capacity in the kitchen kind of ends there. Sorry, honey.

However, that's all changing. Yesterday was the first cooking instruction and he was lead behind this tasty Yam, Corn & Chard Chowder. This chowder is slightly sweetened by yams, laden with silky strands of chard, and popping with sweet corn and split peas. 

Produce On Parade - Yam, Corn & Chard Chowder

He did such an awesome job, I think I might just have to be the sous chef every night from now on! Does your spouse cook? How do you involve your children in the cooking process?

Yam, Corn & Chard Chowder

Serves 8

Notes: Sweet potatoes can replace the yams if you like. Spinach or kale can be substituted for the chard. Be sure to clean the leeks well, as dirt likes to hide out in the leaves. 

  • Peas:
  • 1/2 cup split peas, dry
  • 1 1/2 cup water
  • pinch of salt
  • Aromatics:
  • 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. turmeric
  • Sustenance:
  • 2 medium yams or sweet potatoes, diced
  • 1 small strip of kombu (optional)
  • 3 cups vegetable broth
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 medium leek, cleaned and sliced (leaves removed)
  • Conclusion: 
  • 1 bunch of chard, de-stemmed and chopped
  • 11 oz. frozen corn
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper

In a small saucepan, bring the pea ingredients to a boil over high heat. Then, reduce to low and simmer for about 35 minutes or until the water is gone and the peas are tender. Set aside until ready to use.

Produce On Parade - Yam, Corn & Chard Chowder

In a large soup pot, heat the coconut oil over medium-low. Add the remaining aromatic ingredients and saute for about 5 minutes, until the onions are soft. Then, add the sweet potato and saute another few minutes. 

Produce On Parade - Yam, Corn & Chard Chowder

Add the vegetable broth and water. Turn to high and bring to a boil, then reduce to low and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are tender. Add the leeks and cook another couple minutes. 

Produce On Parade - Yam, Corn & Chard Chowder

At this point you can remove the piece of kombu, or blend it into the soup like I did.Transfer the soup carefully to a blender and blend roughly. It shouldn't be completely smooth.

Produce On Parade - Yam, Corn & Chard ChowderTransfer back to the soup pot and add the conclusion ingredients as well as the cooked peas. Heat over medium until the chard is wilted and the corn is heated, about 5 minutes. 

Produce On Parade - Yam, Corn & Chard Chowder

Serve hot. 

Produce On Parade - Yam, Corn & Chard Chowder Produce On Parade - Yam, Corn & Chard ChowderBob told me to tell you, "Happy Monday!"

Produce On Parade - Yam, Corn & Chard Chowder Produce On Parade - Yam, Corn & Chard ChowderHe also told me that you deserve tulips. Especially if you sign the Good Deed of The Day.

Listening to: Mree – Monsters

German Word of The Day: Yam (or sweet potato) --> Süßkartoffel (pronounced: zeus-cartoffel ) Literally translates to sweet (Süß) potato (Kartoffel).

Good Deed of The Day: Sign this petition to help rescue Masha from a "Bear Baiting" camp in Russia. This just made my heart so sad.

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Windy Hearth Stew

I love it when I stumble upon a dish that is so perfect, it'll be entered into the regular rotation for dinner. This is one of those allstar recipes. I love this soup. It may look like a long list of ingredients, but it comes to together very easily. It's pretty hands off too, which is always good.  The flavors in this stew can't be beat. Rice, sprouted beans, spinach, and sweet potato all make a debut, offering up loads of wholesome protein and fiber. There's ample seasoning suggested by turmeric, cumin, and savory. Rich and silky coconut milk make this stew delightfully creamy. This dish is hearty, delicious, and the perfect balance between rustic and modern. 

Produce On Parade - Windy Hearth Stew

My decision to call this dish Windy Heath Stew came to fruition based off the fact that it's been insanely, insanely windy around here lately. Yesterday, I came home to every single ski and pole crashed on the ground beside the house. I guess that's what I get for not putting them away? In the loft, the windows were being battered so hard that it actually knocked a large, multi-photo frame off the windowsill.

After picking up the wreckage, I searched the house until I found Bob cowered on his bed, in the corner, tucked into a tiny ball of fur and limbs. He has a strong aversion to wind, poor thing. He's basically a big chicken. When I let him out the front door, he looked around sketchily with his ears back flat against his pinhead and then nervously sprinted to the back to door to be let inside at once. Knocking loudly at the door. Yes, he seriously knocks at the door. Sometimes more urgently than others.

Todd had some errands to do after work, so there I found myself...just Bob, the wind, and me. While making this soup, I couldn't help the feeling that I was in a storybook in which the wind was some evil omen and all I was trying to do was cook up some hot and hearty stew in my apron, over the oven hearth for my companion and me to fill our bellies with. Why yes, on occasion I might have a bit of an overactive imagination. Why do you ask? Oh and also, in this imaginary tale...I don't have an electric rice cooker. Just ignore that bit. 

Produce On Parade - Windy Hearth Stew

Windy Hearth Stew

Serves 8

Notes: Feel free to use any type of rice and/or sprouted beans you'd like. Also, this soup would probably freeze well. 

  • Rice:
  • 1 cup red rice, dry
  • 2 cups water
  • pinch of kosher salt
  • Aromatics:
  • 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. ground savory
  • 1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
  • Sustenance:
  • 10 oz. frozen spinach, thawed
  • 6 cups water
  • 1 medium sweet potato, cubed small
  • 2 cups dried sprouted beans (I use TruRoots Sprouted Bean Trio)
  • 2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
  • Conclusion: 
  • 1 Tbsp. liquid amino acids or soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
  • 1 15 oz. can of full-fat coconut milk

First, cook the rice. I cook mine by combining the rice, water, and salt in an electric rice cooker and allowing it to sit for about 45 minutes. Please cook the rice according to your package and/or rice cooker. 

Produce On Parade - Windy Hearth StewMeanwhile, heat the coconut oil over medium-low in a large soup pot. Add the remaining aromatic ingredients and saute about 5 minutes or until the onions are tender. 

Produce On Parade - Windy Hearth StewDefrost the spinach, then add to the soup pot along with the remaining sustenance ingredients. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Cover and simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the beans and sweet potato cubes are tender. 

Produce On Parade - Windy Hearth StewRemove from heat and add the conclusion ingredients. By now the rice should be done cooking and can be added as well. Stir to combine.

Produce On Parade - Windy Hearth Stew

Serve hot. 

Produce On Parade - Windy Hearth StewListening to: Shakira – Broken Record

German Word of The Day: Stew --> Eintopf (pronounced: eyen-topf)

Good Deed of The Day: Please sign this petition to have United Airlines change their policies to protect animals that are flying on airplanes, after a dog was found dead when the negligent airline left him in extreme heat. Bob's never flown anywhere but I couldn't even begin imagine the suffering! So tragic.

 

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