In The Soup Loop

Making Peruvian Vegetable Soup

I LOVE SOUP SEASON. Get geared up for making flavorful, healthful and beautiful soups for lunch, for dinner, or a cozy late night "snack". There are so many great soups out there and still so many I've yet to discover. If you stock a few staples (what? not those staples, silly), you can make soup in a snap anytime. It's so easy and it's so delicious! Today, I'm going to share an easy and wonderful soup recipe that's quick, versatile and sure to satisfy. This Spinach and Rice Soup is going to quickly become one of your favorite dishes. Promise. Before the recipe though, I'd like to share with you a few tips to help you cook "off the shelf". Everyone will think you're a soup afficianado and you'll earn tons of respect from your friends who simply aren't "In The Soup Loop". As you know, I just want to make you look good. So, I just spent a bunch of time thinking of all of the things that are important to have on hand..... stuff that I have in KPK at all times. While I was typing away on the keyboard, I had a flashback that told me that I wrote about this in the past. BINGO! Here's the link to my "Soup Scoop" article which contains a great list of items to stock up on so that you're ready to make a fab pot of soup when the urge strikes! That link also features a ridiculously SIMPLE and DELICIOUS recipe for another all-time favorite soup . . . Potato & Arugula. You'll love it. When you're finished reading there, simply click on the "back" button and come back to finish reading THIS article!

Try this when you have 15 minutes!

Spinach & Rice Soup

Spinach & Rice Soup
I added just one carrot and one potato to the recipe here

1 10-ounce bag of fresh spinach (I love DeJong's Spinach for use in soups because it doesn't wimp out, plus they grow it right in our backyard - what a bonus!)
3 tablespoons of olive oil (enough to coat the bottom of your pot)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped finely, minced, grated or crushed (how's that for options?)
1 small fresh red chile, seeded and minced (or some red pepper flakes ~ no prob)
heaping 1/2 cup of risotto rice (either Arborio, Carnaroli or Vialone Nano )
1 1/2 quarts of either vegetable broth or chicken broth (your choice ~ see how easy this is : ) ~ a 48 oz. box of Swanson 100% fat free chicken broth is perfect
S & P (aka kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper)
Freshly grated Pecorino Romano for serving, if you have it on hand . . . if not,  it's still great  : )

OK - Let's keep this as simple as possible. Prep first. Wash and dry the spinach unless it's already washed. Peel and chop the onion. Peel and finely chop or mince the garlic. Prep the chile, if using. OK. That's done. Now, heat the oil over medium heat in a nice pot. Add the onion, garlic and chile. Cook for about 5 minutes until tender. Stir in the rice and coat well with the onions, garlic and oil. Pour in the stock. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, uncovered. While the soup is simmering, coarsely chop the spinach if it's the hearty, thicker spinach (I just cut it quickly into ribbons by piling it up and running the knife through it a few times. If you're using tender baby spinach - there's no need for chopping). The rice should be nearly done now. Add the spinach and cook about 5 more minutes until tender. Check for seasoning. This means add salt & pepper to please your palate. Now, I challenge you to eat the whole pot. I bet I could. Serve with grated cheese if you like. Or not.  Also, a few notes, you can use HALF the amount of spinach if you want, you could add a grated or finely chopped carrot if you like, you can add a cubed potato, if you like........ Make it your OWN. It's just a great, simple, soup and you can monkey with it, cool?

Below is a shot of a bowl of Chick Pea, Potato & Spinach Soup that was our first soup of the fall season at the Frankfort Country Market (just a few days ago on October 7th). A spicy and delicious vegetarian soup that is now an official member of the KPK soup repertoire. Freshly ground coriander and cumin add amazing aroma and flavor while cream and tahini add thick and glossy richness. I found the recipe in a book entitled "The Soup Bible" which Mark gifted to me over 10 years ago; I came across it while in search of a recipe for a classic Indian soup, Mulligatawny. Right! The one made famous by the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld. Click here for a few laughs.

Chick Pea, Potato & Spinach Soup... with Indian spices 

The photo at the beginning of this post was taken while prepping for a  Peruvian Vegetable Soup which was inspired by my dear friend, Uma, who described it to me after enjoying it in many restaurants on a recent trip to Peru. Her enthusiastic description of this aromatic and healthy soup prompted me to try it out and I was so pleased that I did. Extremely healthy quinoa, a variety of vegetables like green beans, onion, squash and zucchini, flavored with freshly grated ginger, cumin and hot chile pepper. Served with fresh cilantro, some diced onion and a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime. Fabulous. I'll have to make it again, keep track of the ingredients and post it here on the KPK blog for you. First, I'll need to get Uma's thumbs-up blessing on the flavor and authenticity.

Starting a pot of  Chanterelle & Barley Soup

Eat some soup and warm YOUR cockles,

Love,

Katie

I'll be posting more great and easy soup recipes as I make them, photograph them and eat them all!

KPK At The Market, Sunday, September 30th

SPECIALS FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH AT THE MARKET

GRILLED EGGPLANT with SHEEP'S MILK FETA & FRESH BASIL 

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

PECAN SHORTBREAD COOKIES plus our KPK "Chia Flowers" and the KPK "5G" will all be available for sale this Sunday, September 30, 2012 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

at the FRANKFORT COUNTRY MARKET in historic downtown Frankort, IL

KPK Special for August 26, 2012

How about a fried organic egg and a slice of a red, juicy summer tomato with a little freshly made basil mayonnaise on top of some grilled and crusty, garlic-rubbed ciabatta?    YES! Just like sittin' in the kitchen. Stop by for a taste of summer in the kitchen.

KATIE'S PASSION KITCHEN

 "KPK At The Market Bruschetta Bar"

 serving from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm, tomorrow,

 Sunday, August 26th

 at the Frankfort Country Market.

 Be our guest for a KPK favorite and a little love. 

KPK At The Market Avocado & Garden Tomato Bruschetta

Juicy, ripe garden tomatoes and creamy avocado slices are tossed together with freshly squeezed lemon juice, olive oil, sheep's milk feta cheese, thinly sliced red onion and fresh basil. This is kind of like a deconstructed, international guacamole served on a chunk of crusty, olive-oiled, garlic-rubbed, grilled ciabatta bread. It's definitely a favorite in KPK. Come out to the Frankfort Farmer's Market for a big juicy bite.

Also on sale this weekend are the soon-to-be-famous KPK 5G Cookies ! ! ! These svelte, crispy cookies are made with WHOLE grains like wheat, oats, rye, barley, triticale and even flaxseed! The original 5G includes dried tart and chewy cherries. Two new cookies this week are the KPK 5G with Pistachios & Cherries PLUS the KPK 5G with Chinese Cassia Cinnamon, toasted Pecans & Chocolate. Try them all and bump up your fiber while you enjoy some satisfying grindage. LOL. We love these cookies. : )

Our popular Chia Flowers will be available this weekend also, in limited quantity. Hurry there!

Come out and see us at the Frankfort Country Market, every Sunday from 10:00 am til' 2:00 pm. We love to feed you : )

Keepin' it Fresh & Keepin' it Fun ~

KPK At The Market

Love, Katie

The Frankfort Country Market is held every Sunday thru October from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, rain or shine. Located in historic downtown Frankfort, Illinois, just southwest of the intersection of Rte. 30 and Rte. 45 (La Grange Road).

KPK Special for August 5, 2012

CLASSIC CAPRESE Bruschetta!

Juicy ripe tomatoes, beautiful whole basil leaves, fresh, creamy mozzarella. What the heck else can you ask for? Oh, a little hot Capicola, you say? We've got the "hot-cop" for anyone who's interested. We are serving these summertime flavors on our crusty, olive-oiled, garlic-rubbed, grilled ciabatta bread tomorrow, Sunday, August 5th at the Frankfort Country Market. 

Savor the flavors of summer with KPK At The Market.

Also, I'd like to say Happy Birthday to my niece, Stephanie, aka "Sleepy Boo". Thanks for sacrificing sleep and late Saturday nights for your Auntie K!  Love you Boo.

Come out to Frankfort for some delicious summer juiciness : ) & say Happy Birthday to Steffi! 10:00 am - 2:00 pm in historic downtown Frankfort..... We are at the far end of the "new lot" . .  aka the VIP lot.

Summer Love,

Katie

P.S. Big hugs to WAYNE for saving the day. Great tomatoes!!!

Radicchio & Garbanzo Salad

Radicchio and Garbanzo Salad

New fave. Made from what I had on hand last night. Super fresh tasting. Filling. A little sweet. A little hot. This will liven up your buds. Try it tonight!

Ingredients:

Red Onion - about half of a medium onion, thinly sliced

Radicchio - one head, cleaned, trimmed, sliced thinly

Red Jalapeno - about half of a pepper, thinly sliced (more or less depending upon your hot pepper love) ~ I cut each slice in half and used the seeds too . . .

Garbanzo Beans - one can, rinsed and drained

Fresh Basil - a large handful, stems removed, gently sliced into large pieces - or . . . whole small leaves

Tomato - one medium, cut into bite sized chunks (or cherry tomatoes, halved)

Gorgonzola - a handful of crumbled Gorg

Kosher salt to taste

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Olive Oil

White Balsamic Vinegar

This just happens to be one of those combinations that really pops! You know the little dishes of sweet-hot vegetables you get at the Thai restaurant? Little shreds of cabbage and carrots with sliced onion and jalapeno? That's kind of what this reminds me of . . . The basil and the white balsamic vinegar give it the sweetness. The garbanzos add heft and make it really filling. The jalapeno adds that super zippy and flavorful BAM! Onions, I love.  The cheese gives it a little creamy bite now and then but it would be just as delicious straight-up vegan without the cheese. If you are a cheese person, feta or farmer's cheese would be great too.  I went about 50/50 on the oil and vinegar because I think the vinegar really keeps this salad tasting lively. You can add your own twist and enjoy. With these types of ingredients, how can you go wrong?

Have fun with your salads and remember to "eat the rainbow" for great nutrition. Color your diet today.

Garbanzo Beans: Great for you! High in dietary fiber, manganese, folate and iron . . . You need these little guys in your diet! They're filling and delicious. aka Chick peas, Ceci beans . . . Hummus anyone?

Radicchio: Low in calories, rich with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and fiber . . . Eat some NOW!

Enjoy the Colorful Summer,

Katie

KPK At The Market NEWSFLASH

KPK At The Market NEWSFLASH!

This Sunday, July 1, 2012

Tonno e Fagioli Special 

Tuscan style tuna and cannelini bean salad with raddichio, red onion, fresh basil and tomato in a light, summery, vinegar and oil dressing. Served piled high on crusty, grilled and rubbed ciabatta, of course! You MUST try one!



KPK can now take your credit card with Square!

Low on cash? Not a prob. Swipe it : ) !











Chia Flowers 4 Sale 


Gourmet pecan and chia seed shortbread cookies are buttery, tender and crisp and make you feel better about having your cookies and eating them too!  Perfect with tea, coffee, milk or Silk!

If you need a Gluten-Free Bruschetta option, read this!


We've got your back. KPK At The Market is now offering a delicious bruschetta option for our special customers. We will prepare fresh and healthful bruschetta on "oiled, grilled and rubbed" gluten-free bread, just for you. Just ask. We'll hook it up, hot off the grill. Really delicious!


See you at the market!


Katie & The KPK Mojo Crew


The Frankfort Country Market is held every Sunday thru October from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, RAIN or SHINE. Come out and see us in historic downtown Frankfort. We're in the "new lot" cuz we're newbies.  : )

KPK At The Market ~ Grilled Eggplant Special & THANK YOU!

Here's a shot of last Sunday's Grilled Eggplant Special. Hey, who doesn't love melanzane? This bruschetta featured grilled eggplant slices, cut up just a bit, lovingly piled onto oiled, grilled, garlic-rubbed ciabatta, and finally topped with fresh basil and sheep's milk feta cheese.

THANK YOU SO MUCH
TO EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT TO SEE US ON SUNDAY (AND/OR ANY PREVIOUS SUNDAY) AND TO ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS WHO ARE DIGGIN' OUR BRUSCHETTA! WE LOVE FEEDING YOU!


THIS WEEKEND, CHIA FLOWERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE, AS WELL AS OUR FEATURED DRINKS, THE WHITE GRAPE LIME COOLER AND our SUPER POPULAR HERB-INFUSED LEMONADE TEA. 



SEE YOU AT THE MARKET!


THE FRANKFORT COUNTRY MARKET IS OPEN EVERY SUNDAY FROM 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, RAIN OR SHINE. Take a drive to historic downtown Frankfort this Sunday : ).
Love, Katie  . . . and . . . thanks again!  

KPK Chia Flowers and More !

NEW! KPK Chia Flowers this Sunday, June 10, 2012 at the Frankfort Country Market. Buttery and crisp shortbread cookies with toasted pecans and organic chia seeds. Get your cookie fix AND your fiber! This weekend's menu will again feature a lovely seasonal special . . . fried asparagus bruschetta. We're making a lot more this weekend! Our standard bruschetta items will be served along with  a new refreshing "mocktail", the White Grape Lime Cooler. The popular Herb Infused Lemonade Tea remains available, fresh edible orchid and all! Take a peek here below . . . and, we'll see you at the market!

WHITE GRAPE LIME COOLER

. . . a Kamikaze Flashback . . .

The Frankfort Country Market is held every Sunday thru October from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, rain or shine. Take a ride to historic downtown Frankfort.

KPK Biscotti LOVE

Gourmet Biscotti now available at "KPK At The Market" 

These premium quality cookies are now available for purchase! Made with the finest quality ingredients like whole toasted almonds and walnuts, Grand Marnier and Nocello liqueurs with fresh orange zest and cocoa . . . these crisp cookies are begging to be dunked. Coffee, tea, milk, anyone? 

Come and see us this Sunday at the Frankfort Country Market in historic downtown Frankfort. We're looking forward to serving you!