Carrot-Turmeric Soup with Carrot Top ‘Pesto’

carrot soup with carrot top pesto

No matter the season, carrot soup is comforting and is especially savoury with this no-fuss carrot top ‘pesto’. The next time you get carrots with its leaves intact, consider using them. Carrot top leaves are similar to parsley in taste with a hint of carrot flavour. 

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carrot soup with carrot top pesto

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Carrot-Turmeric Soup with Carrot Top Pesto

Prep Time: 20 minutes               Cook Time: 45 minutes

Yields: 4 small bowls / 2 lrg       Author: Milk and Marigolds

Soup Ingredients:
4 large carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 leeks, diced
1 large potato (120g or 10oz), diced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp Kosher salt
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
A few generous turns of black pepper
1 900ml carton unsalted chicken or veg broth
1 to 1.5 cups of water depending on preferred consistency

Carrot Top Pesto: (Yields 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup packed carrot top leaves off stems  (or parsley)
1/2 packed cup fresh basil
7 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
1/2 small garlic clove (microplaned or grated very finely)
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp plus a pinch of salt
a few turns of black pepper

Suggested Garnish:
fresh basil
carrot top leaves
sautéed leeks
sautéed carrots
chili flakes
extra virgin olive oil 

Instructions:

1.Start by preparing the soup. Make the pesto once the soup is cooking. Wash, peel, prepare and dice your vegetables.

2.Add 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil to a medium- large sized pot at medium heat. Add the leeks once the oil is warmed and start to sauté them. Cook for about 5 minutes, stir. Remove a small sautéed amount of the leeks as garnish for later.

3.Then add the diced celery to the pot. Continue to stir. After a few minutes, add the remaining vegetables and the garlic. Sauté for a few more minutes while taking care that the garlic doesn’t brown or burn. 

4.Next, add in your spices and seasonings (salt, pepper, ground cumin and turmeric) and stir for a minute or so. Follow by adding the broth and water and cover the pot. Bring to a light boil and then lower the heat to a simmer on low-medium heat. Simmer for about 45 minutes. Be sure to stir occasionally. Follow by pureeing the soup. Keep in mind that the pesto will add some extra salt and seasoning to the soup once added/served.

5.In the meantime, prepare the carrot top pesto. If you don’t have carrot tops available then parsley makes for a good replacement. You can certainly do this step by hand or by using a food processor. Roughly mince the carrot top leaves and fresh basil (reserve some whole leaves for garish). 

6. Combine the minced greens with the fresh lemon juice, finely grated garlic, salt and pepper and then slowly whisk in the olive oil. Drizzle on top of the soup when ready to serve.

Copyright 2015 © Milk & Marigolds

Chimichurri Crispy Potatoes

how to make crispy potatoes

Is there anything more comforting than roasted potatoes? My recipe for crispy, yet soft on the inside potatoes is savoury and comforting. Add a little chimichurri and you’ll be in crispy potato heaven.

how to make crispy potatoes

If you care to, please share your creations with me by using the hashtag #milkandmarigolds or tag your post on Instagram @milkandmarigolds

Chimichurri Crispy Potatoes

Prep Time: 20 minutes          Cooking Time: 1 hour + 15 minutes
Author: Milk & Marigolds     Serves: 4 as a side (easily scalable)

Ingredients:
6 large Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into approx. 11/2 inch cubes
1/3 cup canola oil
Kosher salt

Chimichurri Ingredients: (yields about 3/4 cup)
1/2 cup (packed) fresh parsley (leaves and the thinner stems), chopped
1/2 cup (packed) fresh cilantro (leaves and stems), chopped (or basil if you’re not a cilantro fan)
2 tbsp lemon or lime juice (I used lemon)
2 tbsp white wine vinegar (cider vinegar if you don’t have w.w.v)
1/2 small garlic clove,  very finely grated
1/2 tsp kosher salt (1/4 if using table salt)
1 heaping tsp minced shallot
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
A couple turns of black pepper
Optional: 1/2 tsp chili pepper flakes

Suggested Garnish:
Fresh herbs of choice
Spring onion
Chives
Lemon zest
Parmagam cheese (or vegan alternative)

Equipment:
Large cooking pot
2 sheet pans (I used non-stick)
Measuring cup
Food processor (but can be done without one)
Fine grater or microplane grater
Kitchen scissors or sharp knife
Spatula

how to make crispy potatoes

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F, the potatoes will need to cook on the middle rack. Cut the potatoes into equal pieces that are approximately 11/2 inch cubes. In a large pot, add water and the peeled/cut potatoes once the water starts to boil. Boil for no more than 10 minutes and then drain well and toss.

2. Divide a 1/3 cup of canola oil between two sheet pans (I used nonstick). Then, equally disperse the drained potatoes so they are well spaced and not crowding one another. Use a fork to scrape the surface of the potatoes so more crispy bits form while cooking in the oven.

3. Once the oven is ready, put both trays in and cook for 35 – 40 minutes. Then, flip the potatoes and use a fork to gently smash them down (this is optional but creates more crunch). Bake for another 20 – 25 minutes. Peek in occasionally. In the meantime, prep the Chimichurri sauce.

4. Wash and throughly drain your produce. Roughly chop your fresh herbs, juice your citrus, mince the shallot and garlic.

5. In a food processor, begin by adding the shallot, garlic, white wine vinegar, juice, salt, black pepper and pepper flakes and pulse a few times. If you don’t have a processor, this can be done by hand, it just means you need to chop everything much more finely and whisk by hand.

6. Then, add in the chopped herbs and pulse a few more times until the ingredients are well dispersed and so that the herbs are more finely chopped. Next, slowly add in the olive oil as you pulse the processor. Set aside. The Chimichurri will keep in the refrigerator for about 4 – 5 days in an airtight jar.

7. Once the potatoes are crispy and ready to serve, lightly pour the Chimichurri over the potatoes and garnish to your liking. Salt and pepper from a height.

Copyright 2015 © Milk & Marigolds

The “Keep it Flexible” Pesto Bean Salad with Fresh Basil & Radish

pesto beans on marble

Serve it alone as a salad or on top of thick-sliced crusty bread topped with goat cheese. Don’t have cannelloni beans on hand? Switch them out for any other white bean like butter beans. Basil can also be substituted with any leafy green such as arugula. I like to keep this recipe simple by using store-bought pesto.

This easy to make recipe by Milk & Marigolds is spring inspired and full of freshness and flavour.  Follow my instagram account & recipes at: @milkandmarigolds 

pesto beans on toast on marble b:g

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Asparagus with Fragrant Parsley Pesto

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Whether you are celebrating Easter, Passover or just looking to shake up your meal  routine, look no further. Fragrant and savoury, this recipe is the perfect spring dish while not breaking the bank. The ingredients are also interchangeable depending on what you currently have in your fridge and pantry.

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Asparagus with Fragrant Parsley Pesto (nut & dairy-free)

Prep Time: 20 minutes         Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Author: Milk & Marigolds      Serves: 2 large servings (easily scaleable)

Ingredients: 
1 bunch of asparagus
2 eggs, soft boiled and halved
1/3 cup packed flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
1 lemon (zest and 1 tbsp of its juice)
1/2 garlic clove, minced
2 1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp sea salt
a few turns of ground pepper
a few pinches of red pepper flakes

Equipment:
food processor
fine grater or zester
serving platter

Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to broil. Begin by washing your produce. Roughly chop your parsley (stems included) until you have a 1/3 cup amount (packed). Then mince half a garlic clove and zest your lemon. Set aside the zest for garnish.

2. In a food processor, add the garlic and the parsley and lightly pulse (do not blend). Then add your salt, pepper, lemon juice and slowly add the olive oil with just a few pulses. Set aside. This will yield about 1/2 a cup parsley “pesto” sauce.

3. Next, boil the eggs to your liking and once cooled, peel and halve them. Meanwhile, cut the woody stems off the ends of the asparagus. Space out the asparagus in a roasting pan without oil. Broil for about 4-5 minutes.

4. While the asparagus is still warm, place it on a serving platter and top with as much pesto as you like. Garnish with red pepper flakes, lemon zest and anything else you desire. Enjoy!

Copyright 2015 © Milk & Marigolds

asparagus with pasley pesto

Warm Mushroom Salad with Avocado, Dried Cranberries & Quick-Pickled Red Onions

watercress soup milkandmarigolds.com-3
How are you getting your Vitamin D these days? Did you know that mushrooms are the only natural (non-fortified) plant source of Vitamin D? 

Mushrooms are incredibly versatile and can enrich any meal. If it is challenging to find fresh mushrooms, try ordering dried mushrooms which can be easily rehydrated. This warm mushroom salad is both sweet and savoury and full of nutrients. Let me know if you give it a try and please use @milkandmarigolds or #milkandmarigolds on Instagram to show me how yours turns out! 

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