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Monday, March 23, 2009

Soup for the soul

The Weather's been terrible here in Seattle lately but then its almost always bad (seriously,we Seattlites never know if it will rain,snow or be overcast the next hour.The Sun is always playing peek-a-boo,titillating us with occasional appearances through a cloud ridden sky and and then mysteriously disappearing on us for days on end.We are always prepared for the worst).

But even we, were not prepared for the snow storm in Dec'08 when it snowed continuously for week and we were forced to be under house arrest.Our state government was not equipped to handle all the chaos that ensued and all freeways and roads turned into free for all ski resorts.Though all that pristine snow is a sight to behold, its not fun after a week when one runs out of movies to watch,food to cook and people to call.A week then feels like a year.Arrgh, I never want to be in house arrest again with the weather holding me prisoner in my own home. For more pictures of how unforgiving snow in Seattle can be go here:)

Its almost April and we are still getting snow.As if that's not enough....the economic climate makes you want to throw up your hands in despair.With more 650,000 jobs lost in Feb'09 alone and the unemployment steadily climbing up(8.1%),we are learning to reach out for that comfort food,self soothe and just hang in there and hope it will get better.Or will It?

Its for times like this ,that I make my vegetable and turkey soup.A bowl of that, and I am instantly filled with a sense of well being and hope that all will right with the world again, for a few hours at least :) Try it, its good and did I say HEALTHY?

You need

1 tablespoon Canola Oil
1 cup chopped medium onion
2 cups ground turkey
4 cups water (you can use chicken or vegetable stock too)
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped Carrots
1/2 cup chopped mushrooms(any kind are fine)
1/2 cup Corn(fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup chopped zucchini
2 medium chopped Tomatoes
1 18oz can of black beans
1 cup Cooked baby shrimp ( I added them just for fun)
1 teaspoon cumin
2 Bay leaves
2 tablespoons Parsley
1 teaspoon cumin powder
Salt and Pepper -- to taste

This is how you make it
In a large pot,heat oil and add cumin and bay leaves.When they splutter add onions, mushrooms,carrots,bell peppers,zucchini,corn,black beans and ground turkey.Saute till the vegetables are soft and turkey looks cooked.Add diced tomatoes and saute till they are soft and done.Add salt ,pepper,cumin powder and water.When the soup begins to boil,add the cooked baby shrimp. Cook for a few minutes and stir in parsley.Simmer until done.Take off the soup and serve hot,as is or with bread. You can add a dash of lime juice to the soup.Feel better already? Mission accomplished :))



Vegetable and turkey soup

18 comments:

FH said...

Fortunately, Winter is over for us here, sunny days are here again. Hold on for few more days, it will get better there too! :)

Soup looks yum, comfort food.

Finla said...

Here we too have a small bowl of soup before our main lunch.
And this soup looks really fillng and delicious.

Trupti said...

soup looks very delicious Meenal

Varsha Vipins said...

Oh..Meenal..did u get snow lately?We just got some rains here..I cant tell ya how much am waiting for spring..sigh..Am gona see those pics now..yeah..That week was fun for us ,as we had got the hint and already stuffed up things..:P
The soup looks warm n perfect for us Seattelites..Anytime..:)

joyeeta said...

Hey, i absolutely love the new look of your blog, white rules and makes it look really classy, great job :)

Your friendly blog stalker

Manju said...

we had soup yesterday for dinner adn it was soo comforting!!i really wish the weather would change a little bit, just for a day or so atleast! :(

Cham said...

Turkey soup, very different recipe. Should be great for seattle weather!

Meenal Mehta said...

@Asha ..thanks , I sure hope so too .Hanging in there

@Happy Cook – Thanks , it was quite filling and If I may say so , yummy too :)

@Trupti..thanks

Meenal Mehta said...

@Varsha … we had some last week too , I know we all get super excited just to see some sun so we are waiting anxiously as well . We got the hint too but were not expecting it would go on for so long .Thankfully we all made it one piece :))

Meenal Mehta said...

@Joyeeta ..hello, hello to my friendly blog stalker ..haha, why would you call yourself that …if that’s the case, Iam happy you are stalking me ..lol Glad you like the new look and feel. I think White is easier on the eyes too

Meenal Mehta said...

@Superchef …I saw the udon noodle recipe and pic on your blog, looks delicious .Iam sure it was great . You know it does get better for a day or two but that isn’t enough anymore…I say, better for longer:)


@Cham ..its different and simply good for any weather , and you right especially for rainy and cold Seattle Weather

TNL said...

Times are changing indeed.....and the uncertainty that it brings,is scary.....we've been feeling the kick all the way here in Canada too....weather wise and economically.

Comforts of home and home cooked food are sanity savers right about now!

I like the look of your blog! Looks very fresh and clean....here's hoping to a bright spring season ahead.

cheers, trupti
the spice who loved me

Meenal Mehta said...

@ Trupti..I know ,no one seems to have been left untouched by the horrors of the time. You are so right about comforts of home and home cooked being sanity savers right now:)that and hanging on to hope.

Iam glad you like the look and feel of my blog.was time for a new avatar

Cheers to better times
-Meenal

Vandana Verdia said...

I agree with "Joye the stalker" :p the new look is very good! Keep up the good work and I am watching out for this space tomorrow :))

(eye roll) I wonder why!!!!

Meenal Mehta said...

@ vandana...yeah yeah keep wodnering..Iam glad u like the blog's new avatar

Priyanka Agrawal said...

soup looks yummy and i like your blog's new avtaar! keep blogging!

Meenal Mehta said...

thankyou my dear Food fanatic :)

Anonymous said...

Hope the weather improves soon. Its really bad to be house arrested! Lucky here! no signs of snow now..;-)

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