Thyme Out

I usually make this in the fall and winter, but the past few days have been so cold, I broke out the soup pot and made a double batch of Curried Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup. The roasted sweet potato slightly sweetens the bite of the curry and the two flavors meld together to create a complex and tasty soup.

6-8 servings

Ingredients

• 3 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons organic curry powder
• 2 cups red lentils
• 4 cups unsalted chicken broth
• 4 cups water
• 1 roasted sweet potato

Directions

1. roast sweet potato in a 425° oven for 30 minutes. Do this while you make the rest of the soup.
2. saute onion, in olive oil and butter over medium heat for 4 minutes
3. add garlic and cook for 2 more minutes
4. add curry powder and lentils and cook for a few more minutes
5. add water and chicken stock and bring to boil then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes
6. remove skin from sweet potato, then add the potato to the soup
7. puree everything together
8. return to pan and season with salt and pepper
9. ladle into bowls and garnish with a light dusting of paprika

We eat a lot of chicken, so I am always looking for a way to mix it up a little bit. This is easy to make, but has an exotic taste, like you spent a lot of time in the kitchen. In testing our new spice blends, we made this recipe twice. First with Garam Masala, then with Chinese 5 Spice Powder. In our kitchen the Garam Masala version won hands down, however, if you are a fan of anise, you may prefer the Chinese 5 Spice version.

If you plan ahead and marinate the chicken overnight, the flavors are richer and the chicken is more moist.

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons Champagne vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon organic ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoon organic Garam Masala (or organic Chinese 5 Spice Powder)
• 2 chicken breasts

Directions

1. Make a marinade by whisking together the mustard, vinegar, olive oil and spices.
2. Pound the chicken breasts to 1/2 inch thick and even in height.
3. Marinate the chicken breasts overnight in a plastic bag.
4. Grill chicken over medium heat until done.