But the thing about persistently cloudy, rainy days is that they make me want to be constantly burrowing under a cozy blankie, reading Tom Robbins or Wodehouse or cuddling on the couch with hubby, watching episodes of Misfits or Modern Family.
If only I had a genie who'd appear in my kitchen and make those rainy day comfort foods - Deep Fried Bajjis and Bondas, Multi Grain Herbed Loaves, Piping Hot Soups and Stews, Hot Chocolate Brownies, Spicy Masala Chai... Mmmmmmm
Apparently hubby was thinking on the same lines, except he seemed to be under the impression that I was the genie! It was the evening of a particularly rainy day. I had just managed to steam and toast a batch of GF Flatbreads for dinner. I was feeling too lazy to make anything to go with it so my idea was that we would be having it with garlic pickle and chutney pudi mixed with vegan curds. But hubby had other ideas. One look at the bread and he was like, "oooh that would be so nice with some hot, spicy soup".
Normally I might've replied, "yeah I bet it would, but here's the garlic pickle!" But the poor guy had been sniffling all day with a cold (minor dust allergy from the cleaning we'd done around the house on the previous day), so I said, "okay baby, soup coming up soon". Then I proceeded to concoct the easiest, quickest, yet one of the most delicious soups I'd ever made. It's *laziness* that's the true mother of all invention! :D
1 large slice Red Pumpkin
2-3 large White Radishes
1/2 C Almonds
1 tsp each of Cumin Seeds and Black Pepper Corns
1/2 tsp Fennel Seeds
1 inch Cinnamon
2 Cloves
Salt
Nutritional Yeast
De-seed and clean the pumpkin. Keep the peel intact and cube.
Toss with salt and microwave in a medium sized glass dish for five to six minutes.
Meanwhile, scrub and wash the radish and slice into roundels.
Add the radish to the pumpkin and microwave for another one minute.
Keep aside to cool to room temperature.
Combine the whole spices in a small glass dish and microwave for one to two minutes, until they emit a nice aroma.
Allow to cool for a few minutes.
Grind the almonds and the roasted spices together into a find powder.
Mix in the cooked veggies and blend into a smooth paste, using a little water at a time.
Add more water to reach desired consistency and blend well.
Pour the mixture back into the glass dish used to cook the veggies and microwave on medium heat for two to three minutes.
Ladle into large soup bowls, crush more pepper on top, sprinkle some nooch and serve hot with some toasted vegan, gluten free pearl millet flatbread.
Enjoy! :)
Delicious soup, you are right, nice one for rainy day.
ReplyDeleteThanks Swathi. :)
DeleteThat must have hit the right spot on a cool rainy evening - looks delicious and easy, definitely going to try it!! One question - where in India does one find Nutritional yeast please?
ReplyDeleteNeeta, I'm thinking you could try a raw gazpacho too with almost all the same ingredients. :)
DeleteWe on't get nooch in India yet. I usually get mine from the US, either when I travel or when kind friends brings/send some over. I loooove nooch! I try to keep it well stocked but it just seems to disappear so quickly. haha
Yes I think I'll try the Raw gazpacho version for my hubby soon and both versions once I've stopped juice fasting :-) I better stock up on my Nooch (love the word ;-) and bring it back with me to India next month, thanks so much for the heads up!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteHaha yeah I love the word 'Nooch' too. If I recall correctly, it was coined by Isa Chandra of Post Punk Kitchen.
DeleteIt's so lovely to be tucked up indoors while nature rages outside - and with some soup too! I wouldn't have thought of putting radishes with pumpkin - what a clever idea
ReplyDeleteJoey, this is the first time I added radish in my soup too. I had some lying around and I figured they'd add an extra spice to the mix. That's why I barely cooked them, so a bit of the raw spiciness remains. :)
DeleteThe soup looks so comforting. Just the thing you need when the temperature takes the plunge.
ReplyDeleteI'm really waiting for the rains to start again so I can make it more often. Right now, in this terrible heat, it's hard to feel attracted to soup. lol
Deletehahaha, laziness is the mother of all mothers of invention. I hope this fantastic soup helped heal your husband! Those allergies are not fun, but that soup is. Radishes are one of faves.
ReplyDeleteLOL yes yes yes! Us lazies are the most creative people, Gi. :oP
DeleteAnd yeah, the soup did the trick. I think it was that partially raw radish in there which helped boost hubby's health. :)
Looks great, but in this heat I can't think of having a hot soup. But, your choice of ingredients is quite interesting. Can you suggest a summer chiller recipe for me?
ReplyDeleteRachna, you could actually make a delicious chilled gazpacho with the radish. Just grind it with a juicy fruit like melon or watermelon and some herbs, salt, pepper and lime juice.
DeleteAlso check out the Mango Mint Kokam Cooler recipe I recently posted. :)
Radish in soup is new to me. I have somehow stepped up from hating Radishes to Radish Paratha and sometime back was thinking there aren't many mooli recipes and variations, are there?
ReplyDeleteHaha it's new to me too, Nisha. I just popped it in there because I had some radish lying around. I just love how it turned out though, so will be adding radishes to more of my soups.
DeleteApart from Mooli Paratha, I make Sambar and Chutney with Mooli. And add a bit into salads too. Other than those, I can't think of other pre existing recipes.