Tag Archives: noodles

Soup Addict

Sweet, spicy, and tangy, this dish is also great served on rice.

A few years ago my husband and I started our own apparel company, and there were many long nights where it wasn’t unusual for us to work straight through until the next afternoon in order to fulfill orders in time. During that time we lived off of Red Bull, pizza, takeout Thai, and reruns of Seinfeld. One of my favourite episodes was “The Soup Nazi,” and when I came across this blog, Soup Addict, I naturally thought of Seinfeld, that particular episode, and that chapter in our lives that has now closed.

What hasn’t closed is our love of Thai food, though we’ve cut back on the takeout and try to make our own dishes. Since I’m half Thai you’d think I’ve tasted every Thai dish under the sun, but actually, I haven’t. I don’t know how authentic this Thai Chicken With Rice Noodles is, but I served it to my mother (she’s the Thai side of me) and she loved it! I’ve made this a few times, all without the curry paste so my toddler could have some, and I didn’t find the dish lacking. In fact, it’s an excellent balance of sweet and tangy, and the smell it emits is mouthwatering. I used red bell peppers and prefer it served with rice so the sauce can really sink in. This is definitely a cozy-night-in dinner. I have no doubt you’ll be making it more than once!

Soup Addict is written by Karen Gibson, a writer and self-professed soup addict based in Ohio. Obviously, she loves soup and you’ll find a nice array of soup recipes in her index, including this Cauliflower Apple Soup with Thyme Croutons. Now that summer has all but disappeared and fall is being ushered in by early autumn winds and rain, there’s nothing like a hot bowl of soup to keep you warm. The roasted cauliflower imparts a nutty flavour, which works well with the tartness of the apples; I used gala apples but I’m sure any kind will work. All of this flavour is then built on top of a brown butter base, folks. Nice and silky, I had this soup with a simple grilled cheese sandwich and it was a perfect afternooon meal.

There’s so much more to Soup Addict than soup. The recipes are based on seasonal ingredients, and Karen uses many herbs and vegetables from her beloved garden. There are many delicious vegetarian recipes, too. I don’t want to classify these Spicy Quinoa Patties as only suitable for a meat-free meal because I think they’re fabulous for any time or ocassion. Quinoa is super healthy for you (it’s a complete protein) and when cooked with herbs,  caramelized onions, and Gruyere, it’s irresistible. A dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt on top is all you need. We had these alongside a green salad for dinner, but they would also be wonderful for a light brunch, as appetizers (just make them smaller) for a dinner party, and my husband thinks they’d make great burgers. Oh, and the little one loved them as a snack!

Photos via Soup Addict

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Seasaltwithfood

This Vietnamese noodle dish is bursting with summer-fresh herbs and veggies.

It’s officially summer now, folks! In Toronto we’ve already had a couple of heat waves (what’s a city without a good concrete-roasting?) that have driven me indoors by 11 am. I’m not complaining, though, because for six months of the year, like every Torontonian out there, I’ve been dreaming of these blessed summer days. Every summer I indulge in things that wouldn’t have the same feel any other time of the year: iced drinks, Chris Isaak tunes, Paul Theroux’s The Mosquito Coast, and cooking with fresh herbs. Nothing beats a sunny kitchen, fragrant with the scent of fresh mint, cilantro, parsley, thyme, oregano, and basil. I also love to eat Vietnamese food this time of year; it’s light, bursting with fresh veggies and herbs, and incorporates grilled meats and seafood. One of my favourite dishes is  Grilled Lemongrass Pork. I found this lovely recipe, along with a couple of other summertime-fave eats on Seasaltwithfood, a Vancouver food blog that’s full of inspiration for your summer and year-round meals.

Since she started Seasaltwithfood in 2008, Angie Tee has been busy exploring the world through food. The grilled lemongrass pork is a popular dish in Vietnamese restaurants (it’s known as bún), and is served over vermicelli noodles along with beans sprouts, mint, cilantro, thai basil, shredded cucumber and carrot, lettuce, and toasted peanuts (are you salivating yet?). This deep-bowl dish is accompanied by a garlic-chili-lime sauce (don’t be afraid to add more sugar if you prefer it sweeter). I’ve tried this recipe using chicken, as well, and it was just as fabulous.

Wings go beyond pub grub with the addition of fried garlic and butter.

Summer is also patio season, and there’s nothing better than sitting outside with an ice-cold pint of microbrew and snacking on hot wings. Angie’s Spicy Garlic Hot Wings replace the deep-fried fatty version with baked wings that have been coated in flour to lend an extra crunch. Though the recipe calls for vinegar, you should taste your hot sauce first in case it already has enough of a tang (I used Frank’s Original Red Hot Sauce, which was already vinegar-y enough), in which case you can omit the vinegar. If you’re looking for more appetizer and snack ideas Angie has, oh, about 270 of them!

Mmm…this rosemary flatbread smells like summer!

I love big salads anytime of the year, especially when the weather is warm. Though I could eat a mixing-bowl size salad (seriously, I have), I still need something extra to fill me up, usually some freshly baked bread. You may end up eating more of this Rosemary Garlic Flatbread than salad, but that’s okay because it’s a nice, light bread. It’s also the perfect accompaniment to soups and grilled meats, or topped with chutney or brie. You’d be hard-pressed not to find something on Seasaltwithfood to suit your appetite, regardless of the occasion or time of year. Try any of these recipes, though, and I assure you, you won’t want summer to ever end.

Photos courtesy of Seasaltwithfood

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