Buttery Baby Pea Soup With Pan Grilled Bread Food

SILKY CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH PARMESAN CRISPS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Remove the leaves and thick core from the cauliflower, coarsely chop, and reserve. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or soup pot over medium heat and add the onion and garlic. Cook until softened, but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add the cauliflower and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until the cauliflower is very soft and falling apart, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and, using a hand held immersion blender, puree the soup, or puree in small batches in a blender* and return it to the pot. Add the Parmesan and stir until smooth. Season, to taste, with salt and black pepper. Keep warm until ready to serve.
• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spread the shredded cheese over the foil in 1 even thin layer. Bake about 10 minutes until golden brown and crisps. Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes. Break sheet of crisp cheese into large pieces and garnish each soup bowl with a couple shards and a pinch of fresh chives.
• *When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth.

PAN-GRILLED VEGGIE SANDWICHES WITH RICOTTA, ARUGULA AND BALSAMIC

Steps:

• Brush large grill pan with vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat.
• Before grilling, toss veggies with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Grill vegetables in batches until nicely colored and soft, about 6 to 8 minutes per batch.
• Cut bread into 6-inch pieces. Cut pieces lengthwise but don't go all the way through.
• Spread a thick layer of ricotta on the bottom half of the bread. Sprinkle with salt.
• Toss arugula with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Place dressed arugula on top of ricotta layer. Then add the generous amounts of the different grilled vegetables.

TOMATO, AVOCADO AND BASIL OMELET OVER GRILLED BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler or oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of the olive oil with garlic, and let sit for 10 minutes. Brush 1 side of the bread with the seasoned oil, and put it under the broiler until lightly browned, 2 or 3 minutes. Set the bread aside and leave the broiler on. Whisk the eggs with the parsley and salt and pepper to taste. Heat an 8 to 10-inch skillet over medium heat, and add 1 tablespoon of oil, swirling the pant to coat the bottom. Pour in half the egg mixture. Use a spatula to push the cooked egg toward center, tilting the pan in a circular motion so that the uncooked egg flows to the outside. When the eggs are no longer runny, remove the omelet from the heat and arrange half the tomato, avocado, and basil on top. Put under the broiler until the eggs are cooked and the vegetables are warm, about 2 minutes. Using a spatula fold the omelet in half, sprinkle it with cheese if you wish and then fold it in quarters. Cover it to keep, and cook the second omelet in the same way. Arrange the grilled bread on 2 plates and put the omelets on top. Garnish with basil or parsley if you choose. Serve immediately.

MOROCCAN SPICED CHICKPEA SOUP

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until the onions begin to turn translucent; lower heat if browning starts to occur. Add spices and saute a minute or so. Add tomatoes, chickpeas, broth, and sugar. Season with a couple pinches of salt and 10 grinds fresh pepper. Stir well. Chickpeas should be just covered with liquid. If level is shy, add some water so the chickpeas are just covered.
• Bring to a simmer, then lower heat to low and gently simmer for 45 minutes.
• Remove soup from heat. Use a potato masher to mash up some of the chickpeas right in the pot. Stir in the spinach and let heat through until wilted, just a couple minutes.
• Season again, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• Serve soup, drizzled lightly with extra-virgin olive oil, if desired.

SMASHED BUTTERY PEAS

Steps:

• Cook 1 pound frozen peas with 4 tablespoons each butter and water and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a saucepan over medium heat until soft, 12 to 15 minutes. Uncover and smash with a potato masher to make a chunky puree. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon each lemon zest and pepper. Season with salt and thin with 2 to 3 tablespoons water.