Nutty Roasted Cauliflower Soup

1 head cauliflower, cut into 1” flowerets
10 garlic cloves, peeled and left whole
1 onion, sliced
2 carrots cut into matchsticks
5 T olive oil
1 cup walnut halves, toasted
3 cups chicken broth
¼ cup white wine
½ roasted red pepper
¼ cup fresh parsley
½ tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1/8 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
1 cup half and half

In a large baking pan, toss cauliflower, garlic, onion and carrots with oil to coat and roast at 425 F for 40 minutes or until vegetables are golden.

Put walnuts into dry pan on stovetop and toast until slightly browned, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly and process in food processer until finely ground.

In a large saucepan, simmer broth, wine, roasted cauliflower mixture, ground walnuts, roasted red pepper, parsley, thyme, bay leaf and nutmeg 30 minutes or until cauliflower is very tender.

Discard bay leaf. Using immersion blender, blend all ingredients until smooth. Salt and pepper to taste.

Add half and half and heat over moderate heat until just heated through.

Portuguese Kale Soup

2# pinto beans
2 pigs feet
4 linguica
1 sliced onion
About 5 potatoes, peeled and cut into medium-sized chunks
About 3 cloves pressed garlic
3 bunches Kale

Put everything into a big pan and cover with water. Simmer until beans are done—about four hours.

When beans are done, take out the pigs feet and linguica. Mash the beans and potatoes right in the pan. Slice a head of cabbage and add it to the pan. Add three bunches of kale. Put the pigs feet and linguica back into the pan. Add more water and season with salt. Simmer all day.

Split Pea Soup with Homemade Croutons

2 c dried split peas
2 T olive oil
1 carrot, finely diced
1 medium onion, finely diced
1 rib celery, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, pressed
2 bay leaves
4 smoked ham hocks
2 qt chicken stock

Cover dried peas with water and let sit for one hour.

Saute carrot, onion, celery, garlic, and bay leaves in olive oil. Add peas, smoked ham hocks and chicken broth. Simmer, covered, for 2 hours.

Simmer an additional hour, uncovered, or until soup is desired consistency.

Homemade Croutons
Cut sourdough bread into slices, then cube. Put 2 T olive oil in frying pan and saute bread until browned and crispy.