carrot

Red Lentil Sauerkraut Soup

November 3, 2013 by Zizi

This soup is called korhelyleves in Hungarian. Is is originally a meaty cabbage soup that is often eaten on New Year’s Day. Korhely often refers to a person who likes to drink alcohol and as a result is lazy and careless. Sour cabbage (sauerkraut) soup is thought to relieve the symptoms of a hangover, and this is probaby the reason why this traditional Hungarian soup is so popular on New Year’s Eve and also called korhelyleves.

Sauerkraut is made by a process of pickling called lacto-fermentation that is analogous to how traditional (not heat-treated) pickled cucumbers and kimchi are made. The cabbage is finely shredded, layered with salt and left to ferment. Fully cured sauerkraut keeps for several months in an airtight container stored at 15 °C (60 °F) or below. It is extremely high in vitamins C, B, and K; the fermentation process increases the bioavailability of nutrients rendering sauerkraut even more nutritious than the original cabbage. It is also low in calories and high in calcium and magnesium, and it is a very good source of dietary fiber, folate, iron, potassium, copper and manganese.

I love this soup especially during cold months so I cook it quiet often. Of course, mine is a vegan version and I usually add vegan what sausage to the soup which gives a great smoky flavor to the soup.

Red Lentil Sauerkraut Soup

Ingredients (serves3-4)
– 1 onion, chopped
– 3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
– 2 medium carrot, grated
– 200 g red lentil
– 200 g sauerkraut
– 1 and 1/2 liter water
– 2 bay leaves
– vegan wheat sausages (optional)
– salt
– sunflower oil
– sour cream/soy yoghurt for serving the soup

Wash the sauerkraut well in cold water and chop them.

In a pan heat 3-4 tablespouns sunflower oil and saute the onion and garlic for a few minutes. Then add the grated carrot, red lentil and just enough water to cover. Season with salt, add bay leaves, wheat sausage (if you use) and sauerkraut. Put a lid on top and simmer for 20 minutes.

Serve the soup with sour cream or soy yoghurt.

Grilled Carrot And Carrot Green Pesto Sandwich

April 15, 2013 by Zizi

Sandwiches are a widely popular type of lunch food, typically taken to work, school, or picnics to be eaten as part of a packed lunch.

Do you know what the predecessor of open sandwich was? During the Middle Ages in Europe, thick slabs of coarse and usually stale bread, called “trenchers”, were used as plates. After a meal, the food-soaked trencher was fed to a dog or to beggars at the tables of the wealthy, and eaten by diners in more modest circumstances. These trenchers were the precursors of open-face sandwiches. Initially perceived as food men shared while gaming and drinking at night, the sandwich slowly began appearing in polite society as a late-night meal among the aristocracy. The sandwich’s popularity in Spain and England increased dramatically during the 19th century, when the rise of an industrial society and the working classes made fast, portable, and inexpensive meals essential. It was at the same time that the sandwich finally began to appear outside of Europe. In the United States, the sandwich was first promoted as an elaborate meal at supper.

The most famous or known sandwiches are: BLT (bacon-lettuce-tomato), peanut butter & jelly/jam, Reuben, Croque Madame / Monsieur, Tortas de Carnitas (Mexican), Banh Mi (Vietnamese), etc.

What is your favourite one?

Grilled Carrot and Carrot Green Pesto Sandwich
(Recipe adaptation: Happyolks)

Ingredients (serves 2)

– 1 bunch carrots with greens
– 3 cloves garlic, peeled
– 1/4 cup olive oil + more for the carrots
– juice of 1 small lime
– 150 g Cheddar, cut into thin slices
– 4-6 slices of sourdough bread
– butter
– salt, pepper

Method

Preheat the oven to 180C (356F). Remove the greens from the carrots and set aside. Place carrots on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes until it gets brown.

Meanwhile transfer carrot greens to a food processor, add olive oil, lemon juice and garlic and pulse until it gets smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

First spread butter, then pesto on one side of each slices of bread, layer with cheese slices and a few grilled carrots. Finish with another layer of cheese and cover with the other slices of bread. Place these sandwiches in a hot non-stick pan and grill on each side until they get golden brown.

Enjoy!

Sunshine Juice

March 30, 2013 by Zizi

I think the weather is ridiculous in Hungary but as I see it on Instagram photos, it is crazy everywhere in Europe. It’s already April and it’s still cold, grey and gloomy here, we hardly see the sun and there are two options every day: raining or snowing. This winter has just been too long and looks like it doesn’t want to leave.

I really hope that we will notice the first signs of spring very soon. Fingers crossed that this sunshine juice – that is fully packed with vitamin C – brings us luck and we will see the first warming shines the sooner the better. The juice is powerful that helps boost your immune system after these cold and clammy months.