Puréed Broccoli Soup

by Daniel Valko


    
   I was walking home in intesipation of cooking and shooting pictures for this soup recipe. And was walking for less than a minute. When the loud sound of thunder sounded over head and the rain started poring down, making me instantly wet. As I kept walking the rain got harder and my rain coat started leaking threw. By the time I got home, my backpack was a watery mess of wet papers and dripping blue ink. And my clothes were wet like I fell in a river. With shoes full of cold rain water I finally made it home. This just shows how when you think the hot summer weather is here to stay. You are proven wrong by the rainy weather in Portland  So on future days like this. Make yourself a bowl of warm soup and enjoy the rest of your day.






Ingredients:

• 4 cups chopped Broccoli  
• 2 1/2 cups Vegetable broth 
• Half Celery stalk   
• Half Chopped Onion  
• 1 1/2 cup water 
• 2 tbs butter 
• 1 tbs olive oil 
• 1/2 tbs parsley 
• 2 tbs cilantro 
• 1 clove garlic 
• 1/2 tbs Tarragon 
• 1 tsp fresh or dried oregano  
• salt 
• pepper


1) In a medium sized Dutch oven or pot add butter and olive oil, on medium heat.

2) Chop up half of a onion and half a stalk of celery, then add into pot and cook for about 5 minutes    stirring often.

3)  Then stir in garlic and chopped herbs parsley, oregano,cilantro and tarragon cook for 30 seconds.

4) Add chopped broccoli, broth and water then bring to a simmer and cook for about 7 minutes, add some salt and pepper.

5) Purée the soup in a blender (while still hot, using caution) 

6) Taste the soup to see if more salt and pepper is needed.


This soup is best served with a rustic French bread or your favorite sandwich. You can add a swirl of olive oil on top for garnish and some extra flavor, enjoy.

Feel free to comment on what you liked or recipes and changes you would like to see in the future...thanks for reading! 

Potatoes with Lemon Vinaigrette dressing

by Daniel Valko


  This is a vibrant spring recipe that will give a burst of lemon flavor to any meal. The taste comes not only from the lemon juice but also from the lemon zest...(which is the yellow skin on the lemon). The praper way of zesting a lemon is scraping the yellow part of the lemon....the white part is very bitter, so avoid scarping any of it. Enjoy this recipe and feel free to leave any questions or comments you have.








              Ingredients 
potatoes 
• 2 lbs potatoes 
• 1/3 cup cut green onions 

Dressing 
• 1 clove garlic 
• 2 tbs salt
• 1 lemon 
• 1 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil 
• 2 tbs grainy or regular Dijon mustered 

1  Place the potatoes in a sauce pan, cut them cut if they're not bite size. Then cover them with cold water 1 inch over the top.

2  Add 2 tablespoons salt and set the pot on high until it's boiling, them lower to medium low and cook for 12-15 mins.

3  Meanwhile the potatoes are cooking make the vinaigrette. zest the lemon and place in a mixing bowl. Then peel and press 1 clove of garlic with a garlic press. 

4  Now add 2 teaspoons of salt and 2 teaspoons black pepper, 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 tbs grainy mustered. And squeeze the juice from 1 lemon. 

5  Them whisk together the lemon vinaigrette in a bowl and set aside. 

6  Now drain the potatoes in a colander and place them in large glass dish for easier mixing. 

7  Pour the lemon vinaigrette over the potatoes and mix together. Serve warm 


Strawberry Citrus Smoothie

by Daniel Valko


This is a recipe I came up with a couple years ago. It's a great smoothie, just in time for summer!













   {Ingredients} 
•  1 small lemon 
•  2 1/2 cups fresh strawberries 
•  2 oranges 
• 1/2 cup sugar (optional)

1)  Peel the oranges and lemon,then cut the strawberries and freeze them for about 20 minutes. 

2)  Now mix all the ingredients in a blender. mix one ingredent at a time, to make it easier to blend.  Enjoy!