STEMS & FORKS

Beautiful musings of flora and fare.

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Curried Potato and Parsnip Soup

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Paderno Wooden Spoon and Paderno Variable Speed Immersion Blender

This post was sponsored by Paderno Kitchenware. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

And just like that, the summer break is over, the kids are back in school and we find ourselves pulling our duvets out from the cedar closet. It’s my favourite time of year. That time sandwiched between summer and fall when the evenings are chilly enough to start serving hot soups with bread and slurp by an open fire. 
 
This curried potato, parsnip soup is the perfect weeknight soup. It’s fast and easy to prepare…20-25 minutes tops. And it’s full of potassium, rich in antioxidants, fibre and vitamin C. Typically cream is used for potato soups however this recipe calls for plain Greek yogurt. Use low fat plain Greek yogurt to make it less calorie rich. 
Any powdered curry should work here. I tend to like a bit of heat and thus used 1 tablespoon. Feel free to reduce this to 1 1/2 teaspoons to make the curry flavour mild. Be creative with toppings. Pictured here i used croutons and crème fraîche then sprinkled with some fresh dill and toasted walnuts. Alternatively you can use are pea shoots, pumpkin seeds, chevre, parmesan or bacon bits. 
 
One tool you will require is the PADERNO Variable Speed Immersion Blender pictured above. Featured is the option of 10 speed settings that provide precise control of the desired consistency. Perfect for blending the soup into a smooth creamy consistency. The Paderno Variable Speed Immersion Blender also comes with a BPA free blender cup and mini chopper. Chop your parsnips and potatoes in the mini blender then use the blender attachment to cream the soup. 
Paderno Variable Immersion Power Blenderhttps://www.paderno.com/collections/blenders/products/variable-speed-immersion-blender
As well if you’re making your own crème fraîche, the Paderno Variable Speed Immersion Blender also comes with a whisk attachment. Chop, blend, whisk. The Paderno Variable Speed Immersion Blender has all you require to make this perfect fall soup. 
 
Potato storage tip: 
Remove from plastic bag. Store in a well ventilated paper bag or basket. 
Keep your taters out of the sun. Potatoes like being stored in cool humid and dark places such as your basement. Fridges are too cold. The ideal temperature is about 10 C.
Shrivelled sprouted potatoes should be discarded. 
Bon Appetit.
Paderno Variable Speed Immersion Power Blender
Paderno Richmond Ladel
Curried Potato and Parsnip Soup
Serves 4
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Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
15 min
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
15 min
Ingredients
  1. 750 g or about 4 medium sized potatoes peeled and washed
  2. 3 cloves of garlic
  3. 150 g or 3 medium fresh parsnips peeled and washed
  4. 4 cups vegetable stock
  5. 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  6. 1 tablespoon powdered curry
  7. 1 tablespoon of olive oil
  8. Salt and pepper to taste
  9. 4 tablespoons crème fraîche or sour cream
  10. 4 sprigs of fresh dill
  11. croutons (optional)
  12. crushed toasted walnuts to garnish (optional)
Instructions
  1. Roughly chop the peeled washed potatoes, parsnips and garlic in your Paderno Variable Speed Immersion Blender into large chunks.
  2. Over medium heat in an iron pot or dutch oven, add the olive oil heat the potatoes, parsnips and garlic for approximately 3 minutes.
  3. Add the vegetable stock and curry and mix, partially cover with lid and continue to heat on medium for 15 minutes or until the vegetables are very soft.
  4. Add the Greek yogurt and blend with your Paderno Variable Speed Immersion Blender, on the lowest setting, for about 3 minutes or until the soup becomes creamy.
  5. Serve with Paderno ladle.
  6. Top with croutons, crème fraîche or sour cream.
  7. Sprinkle crushed walnuts. (optional)
Notes
  1. -Servings are enough for 2 for a meal or 4 as a starter.
  2. -Soup can be kept in sealed container for up to 2 days in fridge or frozen for up to 1 month.
STEMS & FORKS https://www.stemsandforks.com/

Tahini Maple Syrup Brownies

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The post was sponsored by Metro Ontario. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Peanut butter, dry roasted nuts and my childhood favourite, Pirate peanut butter cookies. I loved peanuts and anything peanut. However, as of 2008, I have not had any peanuts. That was the year we discovered my daughter was allergic to peanuts and was classified as anaphylactic. 

The first question I always get from young mothers is, “How did you find out?”. My daughter was 2 years old and a typical toddler. She was a super picky eater when it came to meals. In retrospect, this was a good thing. The day we found out was when I decided to share my peanut butter and jam sandwich. It was a first for Moineau. She took one bite and spat it out with disgust. Moments later, she broke out with a rash around her mouth. After seeing an allergist and getting tested, it was official. She was severely allergic to peanuts.

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Raspberry Beet Smoothie Cake

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This post was sponsored by Paderno Kitchenware. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Paderno’s Power Blender with the Vortex Blade System, Paderno’s Maple Cutting Board and Paderno’s Immersion Blender .

A few years ago, I remembered travelling by train and talking to a few tourists from Germany about the unbearable scorching heat we were experiencing at the time in the south of France. They teased me that the humidity was probably a warm welcome, considering the arctic conditions I must endure back home here in Canada.

That’s right…arctic conditions. 

Paderno’s Richmond Cake Server.

It’s 30 C temperature plus humidity here in Southern Ontario.  Which means I try to keep the oven off, dishwasher running at a minimum and stick my head in the freezer as often as possible. Snacking consists of cold coffee, smoothies, and ice cream. And definitely loads of fresh local berries. 

Which is why this Raspberry Beet Smoothie Cake made with Paderno’s Power Blender is my go-to cake to battle our humid hot summers. I tend to omit the word “beet” when asking the kids if they want some “raspberry smoothie cake topped with whipped cream.” And to be completely honest, you don’t taste beets. Rather a smooth, sweet, crunchy and icy treat. 

Paderno’s Richmond Cake Server.

The beautiful thing about using Paderno’s Power Blender is the Vortex Blade System. It ensures a smooth and consistent result every time. No undesirable chunks of beets that kids may potentially bite into. Instead, a creamy, perfect texture. The blender itself is super easy to use. There are pre-set functions and manual speed settings for smooth operation and accurate controls. There’s even a smoothie function!

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Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Eggs

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This post is Sponsored by Gwillimdale Farms. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Whenever I see potatoes, I think of Vincent Van Gogh’s “The Potato Eaters.” The first time I saw this dark, murky impressionistic painting, was in 2nd grade in an Encylopedia Brittania book. AKA the Wikipedia of the ’70s and ’80s. I was so taken by its hard reality; the wrinkled, stained hands, the sunburnt skin, and tired, hungry faces. 

Eventually, when I was old enough, I read the background behind the sombre painting, and I was even more moved. 

The Potato Eaters by Vincent Van Gogh

“You see, I really have wanted to make it so that people get the idea that these folk, who are eating their potatoes by the light of their little lamp, have tilled the earth themselves with these hands they are putting in the dish, and so it speaks of manual labor and—that they have thus honestly earned their food. I wanted it to give the idea of a wholly different way of life from ours—civilized people. So I certainly don’t want everyone just to admire it or approve of it without knowing why.”- Vincent Van Gogh.

 The concept of working the land with one’s hands to nourish oneself and others to survive, resonated with me for years. To live “honestly.”  

Not much has changed since 1885 when the Dutch post-impressionist painter created this masterpiece. Farmers are still toiling the land but on a much larger and faster scale to keep up with demand. 

This post is in partnership with Gwillimdale Farms. Operated since 1903, family owned and operated by the humble and hardworking John Hambly, wife Cristina and his children.  4th and 5th generation farmers, Gwillimdale currently farms on 1000 acres of fertile lands on the Greenbelt of Bradford, Ontario.  

Their specialty: root vegetables. Parsnips, onions, carrots, beets and potatoes. 

And in all sincerity, their produce is impressive. Always crisp carrots, fresh potatoes, and firm parsnips. Gwillimdale not only grows their produce, but they also harvest, clean, pack, and distribute directly from their farm to your local grocer. They are, without a doubt, one of the finest root vegetable producers in the province.  I’m so honoured to be sharing this simple brunch recipe with you to showcase their humble, versatile and beautiful vegetable; the humble Solanum tuberosum, aka the potato.  

Bon app!

Visit Gwillimdale Farms for more information and/or recipe ideas.

Instagram: @GwillimdaleFarms

Facebook: @GwillimdaleFarms

Twitter: @GwillimdaleFarm

Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Eggs
Serves 4
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Save Recipe
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Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
1 hr
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
1 hr
Ingredients
  1. 1.5 kg or 8-10 medium Gwillimdale Farms Potatoes washed and scrubbed (approx 150 g per potato)
  2. 6 tablespoons unsalted fresh butter
  3. 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  4. a few sprigs of (purple) basil
  5. 2 cloves of fresh garlic
  6. 4 large fresh eggs
  7. Salt and pepper to taste
  8. Parsley to garnish (optional)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425 F
  2. In a large pot, add the potatoes, a tablespoon of salt and add water until it covers all the potatoes.
  3. Bring to a boil and cook for 30 minutes until potatoes have softened through (25 minutes if using smaller potatoes and 35 minutes if using large potatoes)
  4. Drain the potatoes in a colander and allow to sit for 3-5 minutes for the excess water to dry/drip away.
  5. Meanwhile take the two garlic cloves and give it a pound with a knife so that they split open.
  6. Place the garlic, the sage and the butter on a baking tray about 12 x16 inches or so on the stove top at medium heat and allow the butter to melt for about half a minute.
  7. Transfer the potatoes to the baking tray and smash them with a potato masher until about 1 inch thick.
  8. With a basting brush or spoon, make sure the tops of the smashed potatoes are all coated with the butter.
  9. Drizzle the 2 table spoons of olive oil over the smashed potatoes.
  10. Sprinkle salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.
  11. Bake for 35 minutes or until golden and crispy.
  12. Remove tray from oven and position your potatoes to create “walls” to contain your eggs.
  13. Add your 4 eggs in between the smashed potatoes and bake for another 2-5 minutes depending on how well done you’d like your eggs to be. Keep an eye on your eggs!
  14. Remove from oven, sprinkle the eggs with salt and pepper and parsley to garnish.
Notes
  1. Feel free to spray your potatoes with vinegar or sprinkle with chili flakes or drizzle with siracha sauce. Be creative!
STEMS & FORKS https://www.stemsandforks.com/

Mochi Balls with Fermented Organic Blueberries from Chile

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This post was sponsored by Fruits From Chile. All thoughts and opinions are my own

If you didn’t get it right with your new year’s resolutions this month, don’t worry. There’s another new year coming up on February 5th 2019 and you can start anew! With the Lunar new year just around the corner, I thought these Mochi Balls filled with lacto fermented organic Chilean Blueberries would be perfect to ring in the new year and provide a second opportunity to become healthier and kinder to one’s body and mind. 

Lacto-Fermented Foods:

So we all know how naturally fermented foods provide healthy probiotic bacteria. Stuff that’s good for our gut. Studies have shown that the natural probiotics created from fermentation also increases vitamin content thereby boosting our immunity naturally which helps fend off the flu and cold. (source) Consuming fermented foods are also safer to consume than raw as the lactic acids essentially kill off the bad bacteria such as E-Coli. (Source) And it has been proven time and again that improving gut health aids digestion thereby helping promote healthy body weight. It doesn’t stop here. There are a plethora of reasons lacto fermented foods are good for us. 

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