Greek Red Lentil Soup

In Greek, it's called Fakes Soupa (Fah-kess Soo-pah).  It's a lentil based tomato soup served with Red Wine Vinegar and Feta cheese.  Since we are eating vegan, I tossed out the feta and substituted it for vegan sour cream.  Feta or regular sour cream can be used if you do eat dairy.  This recipe is naturally vegan and naturally gluten free. Those recipes are the best because they are fresh, delicious, and easy.  You don't have to go on a witch-hunt to find the ingredients.  Dry red lentils can be found in the bulk area at any whole foods market.

Greek Red Lentil Soup


3 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/2 Large Red Onion, Chopped
2 Cloves of Garlic, Minced
2 Small Carrots, Peeled and Diced (about 1/2 cup)
4 Vine Ripened Tomatoes, 1 Chopped & 3 Pureed
1 (8oz) Can of Tomato Sauce
1 Cup Dry Red Lentils, rinsed
1 Tbsp Rosemary Olive Oil (Optional)
3 1/4 - 4 Cups Vegetable Broth (Use 4 Cups if you like the soup thinner)
2 Bay Leaves
Pinch of dried Rosemary
1/2 tsp dried Thyme
Salt & Pepper to Taste
Vegan Sour Cream (Optional)
Chopped Kalamata Olives (Optional)
Red Wine Vinegar



Heat Oil over medium heat in a large pot.  Add onion, and saute until translucent.  Add garlic and stir until fragrant.  Add carrots and chopped tomato and saute for about 2 minutes.  Add pureed tomatoes and tomato sauce.  Stir to combine and add rosemary olive oil if using*.  Stir in lentils, vegetable broth, bay leaves, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper.  Bring soup to a boil, cover, and lower heat so soup is simmering.  Simmer for 30 minutes.  Serve soup hot with sour cream, chopped olives, and red wine vinegar drizzled on top.

*I have a large collection of flavored olive oils.  I use them in cooking and for flavorful salad dressings.  I purchase my oils at Temecula Olive Oil Company, but you can purchase oils and any local grocery store.

Curried Carrot Soup

4 Cups Carrots, Sliced
2 Cups Yellow Onion, Chopped
2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Curry Powder
1/2 tsp Powdered Ginger
1/4 tsp Garam Masala
Salt & Pepper, to taste*
3 Cups Vegetable Broth
1 (13.5 oz) Can Coconut Milk**

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat and cook carrots and onions.  Cook and stir until veggies are soft and onions appear transluscent, about 8-10 minutes.  Add the curry, ginger, garam masala, salt and pepper.  Stir to combine and cook a few minutes longer until fragrant.  Add the vegetable broth and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes.  Stir in the can of coconut milk then blend the mixture together using an emmersion blender (you can also transfer 1/2 - 3/4 of the mixture to a regular blender).  Serve and enjoy!

*I have a sea salt-black pepper in pepper grinder that has roasted garlic in it that I used for this recipe.  Fresh garlic can be added, but I used my grinder just for a hint of the flavor.

**Light coconut milk can also be used for a lower calorie and lower fat option, but I haven't tried it so I'm not sure if taste or consistency will be as awesome as the regular stuff.

Nutritional Facts (Approximate) Serves 6 Per Serving: 222 Calories, 2g Protein, 17g Fat, 18g Carbs, 3g Fiber, 5g Iron

Japanese Cucumber Salad

I love love LOVE Japanese food.  Actually, I love any kind of Asian food.  One of my favorites is cucumber salad.  So I made a big bowl of it the other day to eat whenever my heart desired <3  If you like the 'Shanghai Cucumbers' at PF Changs, then you will love this salad.

Japanese Cucumber Salad


1/4 tsp salt
1 large cucumber, thinly sliced
1 large daikon radish, Julienned
1 small carrot, grated
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp mirin
1 tsp sesame oil


In a colander, salt the cucumber, daikon and carrot and let set.  Meanwhile, in a medium bowl dissolve sugar in rice vinegar.  Once dissolved, add the mirin and sesame oil.  Add the cucumber, daikon radish and carrots and toss to coat.  Let it marinate in the fridge for at least 30 mins before serving. Serve chilled.

Nutrition Facts (Approximate) Serves 4, Per Serving:  125 Calories, 1g Protein, 1g Fat, 22g Carbs, 1g Fiber, 1g Iron

Green Olive Hummus

I bought some hummus at the store over the weekend and I always try to buy something different to try new things which led to a lemon flavored hummus.  I was so disappointed!!  I've never met a hummus I didn't like until the other day :(  So, I decided I was going to make my own hummus.  I have so many olives in my fridge of all different varieties, and the ones that get used the least were the stuffed queen Spanish olives.  They were going to be my victim.  Hummus is not only naturally vegan, but it is also naturally gluten free and one of the easiest, most versatile things to make!  You can use it as a dip for pita bread, veggies, a spread on sandwiches, or even a spread for bagels.

Green Olive Hummus


1 15oz Can Garbanzo Beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 Cup Tahini
1/2 to 3/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (for consistency)
Juice of 1 Lemon
1/2 to 1 Cup Green Olives (to taste)


In a food processor, blend the garbanzo beans as much as you can.  You may need to scrape down the sides to get all of the chunks.  It's ok if you can't get it smooth, it will smooth over when you add more ingredients.  Add the tahini, and 1/2 cup of the olive oil.  It's best to drizzle the olive oil into the mixture as the food processor is running.  If the mixture is still chunky, keep adding bits of olive oil until it's a smooth texture that looks almost creamy.  Add lemon juice and 1/2 cup of the olives.  Blend together until well combined.  Do a taste test, if you'd like a more olivey dip, add the rest of the olives and blend to combine.  To serve the hummus, place the dip in a serving bowl, and drizzle with olive oil and chopped olives on top. 

Yellow Split Pea Soup with Corn & Green Chilies

Yellow Split Peas give this soup a hearty texture and the little bits of cayenne pepper packs a nice punch.  For a less spicier soup, toss out the cayenne pepper.  Some fresh tomatoes would also make a great addition for a fresh garnish.  Top with your choice of toppings, I picked vegan sour cream & cheddar cheese and fresh cilantro and avocados.

Yellow Split Pea Soup with Corn & Green Chilies

2 Tbsp Earth Balance Buttery Spread

1 Yellow Onion, Chopped

2 Anaheim Chilies, Seeded and Diced

3 Carrots, Peeled and Diced

1/2 Cup Celery, Diced (2 or 3 Stalks)

2 Cups Corn (frozen is fine)

1 Cup Yellow Split Peas, Rinsed

Salt & Pepper to Taste

1/4 Tsp Cayenne Pepper

4 Cups Vegetable Stock

1/2 Cup Soy Creamer

Chopped Fresh Cilantro

Slices of Avocado

Vegan Sour Cream

Vegan Cheddar Cheese


Heat margarine in a large soup pot over medium heat being careful not to burn it.  Add the onion, and saute until translucent.  Add the chilies, carrots, celery and corn.  Saute for about 5 minutes, or until veggies are soft.  Add the yellow split peas and stir to combine.  Salt and pepper to taste and add the cayenne pepper if using.  Stir in the vegetable stock and bring soup to a boil.  Once the soup is boiling, lower the heat to a simmer; cover and cook 30 minutes.  Add the soy creamer and blend the soup with an immersion blender (or blend half of the soup in a regular blender).  Do not blend until it's smooth, just a little blend to combine.  Serve hot and top with cilantro, avocado, sour cream, or cheddar cheese.  Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts (Approximate):  Serves 6, Per Serving: 241 Calories, 10g Protein, 8g Fat, 41g Carbs, 12g Fiber, 10g Iron