Recipe: Broccoli, Bean and Leek Soup

This recipe makes for a delicious, filling soup. Leeks are in the same family as onions, but have a mild flavor that complements the other ingredients without overpowering them.

This recipe can be made without oil by slowly cooking onions and garlic in a covered pot until the onions are translucent. Also, you can substitute frozen broccoli if fresh is unavailable. Additionally, cannellini beans can be easily substituted with navy, great northern or even garbanzo beans.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
2 cup sweet onion, diced small
2 teaspoon fresh garlic, minced
1 cup leeks, white part only, medium dice (about 1 leek)
5 cups vegetable stock
1½ cups cannellini beans, or one 16-ounce can of cannellini beans, rinsed
1 lb broccoli florets
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  1. In a four-quart, pot sauté the onions on medium heat in olive oil until transparent.
  2. Add garlic and cook without browning while stirring frequently, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add the diced leeks and sauté 2 minutes.
  4. Add the vegetable stock, increase heat and bring to a simmer.
  5. Add the cannellini beans and broccoli florets or two 10-ounce packages of frozen broccoli florets and simmer on medium heat until broccoli is lightly cooked but still crunchy.
  6. Add salt and pepper, turn off the heat and blend with an immersion blender until completely pureed.

Nutrition information per serving

Makes 10 1-cup servings
Calories 80
Sodium 360 mg
Sugars 3 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Saturated fat 0 g
Fiber 4 g
Protein: 4 g
Carbohydrates 13 g

Aug 5

Roasted Garlic Champ with Pure Irish Butter

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This traditional Irish peasant food gets an upgrade with the help of some pure Irish butter and decadent truffle oil. The snap of fresh chives adds a finishing touch to an old-fashioned side made new again.

Avonmore Raspberry, Cream and Custard Trifles

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Ingredients

  • 1 x 135g packet rasberry jelly
  • 100g raspberries
  • 200g Avonmore Fresh Custard
  • 180g Madeira cake, cut into small cubes
  • 200ml Avonmore Fresh Whipped Cream

To decorate:

  • flaked almonds
  • Edible gold glitter

Directions

  1. Make the jelly according to the packet instructions and allow to cool slightly.
  2. Divide the raspberries between six decorative glasses and pour over the unset jelly until each glass is about one-third of the way full. Allow to cool slightly, then place in the fridge to set completely for 5-6 hours.
  3. Spoon a layer of custard over the jellies and add a layer of Madeira cake.
  4. Dollop the Avonmore Freshly Whipped Cream over the custard and smooth with a butter knife.
  5. Sprinkle with flaked almonds and edible gold glitter and refrigerate until ready to serve.
    
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Fresh Scallop Tartlets – Kevin Dundon @cookwithavonmore

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The delicate flavour of the scallops and the crisp pastry are a lovely combination

Ingredients

  • 2 x sheets of puff pastry, each about
  • 30 x 20cm (12 x 8 inches)
  • Egg wash, made with 1 egg, beaten with 1 tsp milk
  • 8 fresh scallops
  • 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for greasing
  • 1 tsp finely shredded tarragon leaves
  • 1 tbsp sea salt
  • 1 tbsp ground black pepper

To serve

  • 200g (7oz) lamb’s lettuce (mache) or baby leaves or greens
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Lemon wedges

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 190oC/375oF/gas mark 5. Grease a baking sheet.
  2. Roll out the puff pastry and, using a 10cm (4-inch) diameter biscuit (cookie) cutter, cut out four large circles. Place them on the prepared sheet and brush with the egg wash.
  3. Slice the scallops into discs that are about 1cm (. inch) thick. Place them on the pastry circles so that they are slightly overlapping, drizzle with a little of the olive oil, sprinkle with tarragon and season with salt and black pepper.
  4. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and the scallops are just cooked. Remove from the oven, drizzle with some more olive oil and serve immediately with lemon-dressed lamb’s lettuce and lemon wedges.