Beans

This recipe is based on the one by Cooks Illustrated; it produces a creamy, delicious, "restaurant style" hummus that is unlike the usual grainy dip that often emerges from the home food processor. I'm using canned beans here to illustrate quantities, but I usually make my own and don't measure so precisely--it's the technique that matters most, and adding enough salt, and not adding too much garlic. ;)

--2 small garlic cloves
--1 1/2 tsp. salt

--2 25-oz. cans chickpeas, drained (Westbrae works well; if you use another brand, or make your own, you'll have to adjust the salt)

1 large or 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced
3 T red wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 tsp. salt, or to taste
2 15-oz. cans chickpeas, drained
1 large carrot, peeled and coarsely grated
1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Freshly milled black pepper

In a large bowl, combine the shallots, vinegar, garlic, and salt.
Set aside for 10 minutes to allow the shallots and garlic to mellow.

In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring 2 quarts of water to a
boil. Add the chickpeas and blanch for 1 to 2 minutes. Drain.

Adapted from "A Year in a Vegetarian Kitchen," a fantastic cookbook by Jack Bishop.

2 tbsp. olive oil
1 cinnamon stick, about 4 inches long
1 bay leaf
10 whole black peppercorns
1/2 tsp. coriander seeds

1 medium onion, minced

3 medium garlic cloevs, minced
1 tbsp. minced ginger root
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground turmeric

1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes (or equivalent fresh or frozen)

3 15-oz cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained (or about 4-5 cups cooked chickpeas)
~1 cup water (or chickpea cooking liquid)
Salt

2 tbsp. fresh cilantro leaves for garnish (optional)

This soup is infinitely variable and adjustable. In fact, the only rule is that you can only make it the same way once.

1/4 cup olive oil
1 large onion
1/2 head green cabbage, cut up small
3 celery stalks or a celeriac
3 cloves garlic
Salt and pepper
Red pepper flakes

1 potato
2 carrots

28-oz can tomatoes, plus some tomato paste or dried tomatoes
2-4 cups cooked beans
1/4 cup dried basil
2 tbsp. dried oregano
pinch of fennel
2 bay leaves

1/2-1 cup cooked grain, or a handful of uncooked rice or wheat pasta

1 head kale, stemmed, finely chopped

Makes about 9 cups

Another total favorite from "Laurel's Kitchen," by Laurel Robertson et al.

1 1/2 cup black beans

6 cups water

1 onion, chopped

2 tbsp. oil

2 cloves garlic

2 celery stalks

1 potato

1 carrot

1 bay leaf

1 tsp. oregano

1/4 tsp. savory

2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

1 lemon, juiced

Wash the beans and put them in a saucepan along with the water. Cover loosely, bring to a boil, and simmer for 2 1/2 hours or so, until the beans are quite tender.

Makes about 8 cups, to serve 6

From "Laurel's Kitchen"

A thinner, more flavorful version of lentil soup than the usual stewy kind.

2 cups lentils (green, red, or French lentils)

8 cups water

half an onion, chopped

1 carrot, diced

1 potato, diced

1 celery stalk, diced

2 tbsp. olive oil

2 bay leaves

1 1/2-2 tsp salt

2 tsp. red wine vinegar

Pick over lentils and wash.

Mix all ingredients except the vinegar in a soup pot and cook until the lentils are very soft, about one hour. Stir in vinegar at the end and serve

So good, from "Laurel's Kitchen," by Laurel Robertson et al.

1 onion, diced
2 tbsp. oil
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. celery seed

1 cup green split peas
1/2 cup barley or rice
2 quarts water

2 tsp. salt
dash pepper
1 small carrot, chopped
3 stalks celery, diced
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1 small potato, diced
1/2 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. thyme

Saute onion in oil until soft, along with bay leaf and celery seed. Stir in peas and barley. Add 2 quarts water and bring to a boil. Cook on low heat, partially covered, for about an hour and a half.

Makes 4 to 6 generous servings

Adapted from The Best Vegetarian Recipes by Martha Rose Shulman

"From France to Italy to Lebanon to India to Mexico, lentils are appreciated for their distinctive earthy flavor. Any lentil soup can be a main dish. This one, with pasta or rice added at the end and Parmesan sprinkled over each serving, is another Italian minestrone, or "big soup." The pasta and rice absorb much of the liquid, so the soup is thick (you can add more water if you want a brothier soup). Use just enough cayenne to add a little bite.
"

1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 cup pink lentils

3 cups water

1/2-1 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2-1 teaspoon garam masala powder
(if you need a recipe, check here http://www.lifeisapalindrome.com/recipes/garam-masala-spice-blend )

Baghar:

1 tablespoon oil or ghee

1/2-1 teaspoon cumin seeds

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon coriander powder

preptime: 40 minutes

servings: 6

source: Moosewood Cooks at Home

1/2 cup bulger

1/2 cup hot water

1 28-oz can diced tomatoes

3 tbsp. olive oil

3 cups onions, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 generous tsp. ground cumin

1 generous tsp. chili powder

1 tbsp. hot pepper sauce, or 1/4 tsp. cayenne

2 green bell peppers, chopped

2 cups cut corn

1 14-oz can black beans, drained

1 14-oz can kidney beans, drained

salt to taste