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Spinach lentil soup

1 large yellow onion, diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
4 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp cumin
1 large potato, in small cubes
1 1/2 cup dried lentils
4 cups vegetable stock
4 cups water
1 lemon
8 oz spinach

  1. In a large pot at medium heat, brown the onion and garlic in olive oil, 5-10 minutes. Add cayenne and cumin, and cook another minute.
  2. Add potato, lentils, and stock, and bring to a boil.
  3. Add water, and simmer 30 minutes.
  4. Add zest and juice from the lemon.
  5. Meanwhile, wilt the spinach, and add it to the soup. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Levain chocolate chip walnut cookies

2 sticks butter, cold and cut into small cubes
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp cornstarch
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
2 cups chocolate chips
2 cups walnuts, roughly chopped

  1. Preheat oven to 410 F.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and sugar.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one.
  4. Stir in flours, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Mix until just combined to avoid overmixing. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.
  5. Separate dough into large balls and place on parchment-lined lightly colored cookie sheet. Makes 8 very large cookies, 4 to a standard half sheet pan. (You can refrigerate half the dough for later.)
  6. Bake for 9-12 minutes or until golden brown on the top. Let rest at least 10 minutes to set.

Swedish meatballs

1 lb ground beef (or imitation ground beef)
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1 Tbsp parsley, chopped
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
1 egg

1 Tbsp olive oil
5 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp flour
2 cups broth
1 cup cream
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp Dijon mustard

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, spices, onion, and egg. Roll into 12-20 meatballs.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 1 Tbsp butter. Add meatballs and cook, turning continuously until brown on each side and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil.
  3. Add 4 Tbsp butter and flour to skillet, whisking until brown. Slowly stir in broth and cream, then Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard. Bring to a simmer until sauce starts to thicken. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Add meatballs back to skillet and simmer until reheated. Serve over egg noodles.

Cucumber yogurt salad

1/2 English cucumber, diced
1 cup plain yogurt
1/3 cup cold water
1 tsp dried mint
1/3 tsp salt
minced garlic (optional)
olive oil (optional)

  1. Combine ingredients in a bowl. Let rest 30 minutes in refrigerator.

Mushroom stroganoff

1/2 lb egg noodles
3 Tbsp butter
1/2 onion, chopped
3/4 lbs portobello mushrooms, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp flour
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)

  1. Boil egg noodles.
  2. Melt butter in a large saucepan. Add onion, salt, and pepper, and cook until translucent. Add mushrooms and cook until liquid is released and mostly evaporated, adding garlic toward the end.
  3. Add flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often to evenly coat mixture.
  4. Add broth, and simmer until slightly reduced and thickened.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Season to taste, and serve over egg noodles.

Sun-dried tomato cream cheese

8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped, with 1 tsp oil
1 Tbsp chopped basil

  1. Combine ingredients and stir. Add salt to taste. Let sit overnight in refrigerator.

Doogh (yugort shack)

1 cup plain (Greek) yogurt
3/4 cup cold water (1/2 cup if non-Greek)
1/4 cup ice
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp dried mint (optional)
1/8 tsp garlic powder (optional)

  1. Put all ingredients in blender. Blend until ice is incorporated.

Corn avocado salad

1 lb corn kernels (e.g., thawed from frozen)
1/4 red onion, diced
1 avocado, cubed
1/4 tsp cumin
cilantro, chopped
1 lime

  1. In a large skillet, sauté corn in a couple tablespoons of oil.
  2. Move to large bowl and toss with salt, pepper, and cumin. Let cool.
  3. Add onion, avocado, cilantro, and lime juice. Stir.

Arugula salad

Arugula, washed
Olive oil
Lemon juice
Parmesan cheese, shaved

  1. In a large bowl, toss arugula with olive oil and lemon juice until well-mixed. Add salt and black pepper to taste. Top with shaved Parmesan.

White bean and spinach quesadillas

15 oz cannellini beans, drained
3/4 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp salt
2 cups spinach, chopped
4 oz pepper jack, shredded
1/2 cup sour cream
4 flour tortillas

  1. Stir beans and spices in a large bowl until mixed well.
  2. Add spinach, cheese, and sour cream and stir to combine.
  3. Put roughly 1/4 of the bean mixture into each tortilla, and cook in a skillet over medium heat.