Jac o' lyn Murphy: spring
Showing posts with label spring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spring. Show all posts

Sunday, April 28, 2019

Spring Asparagus Coconut Soup with toppers


I've found it!
The perfect soup to make that seasonal transition everyone looks forward to...
Winter to Spring.

I received a copy of The Modern Cook's Year by Anna Jones
and her Asparagus Coconut Soup immediately caught my eye.
Not only did the soup look amazing, but so did the soup toppers.
It is a quick and easy recipe with beautiful fresh ingredients.


I am a firm believer that a soup isn't complete without a topping.
Some of Amanda's suggestions include,
Toasted Coconut...

Crispy Pan Fried White Beans...

and Golden Sesame Seeds...

I couldn't pick one so I used them all...

This recipe is just one of the over 250 in this epic vegetarian cookbook,
that will see you through every season. 


Asparagus and coconut soup
from The Modern Cook's Year
Serves 4
2 Tablespoons butter of coconut oil
1 leek finely chopped
3 3/4 cups asparagus trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
a small bunch of basil leaves picked, stalks finely chopped
1 1.45 ounce can coconut milk
2 cups vegetable stock
1 lemon

Put a large deep pan over medium-high heat, add the butter and leek and cook for 10 minutes, stirring until the leeks are soft and sweet.

Next, add the asparagus, the basil stalks and the greens and allow to cook for a minute or two, then add the coconut milk and stock and simmer until the asparagus is tender, this should take about 4-5 minutes.

Add the basil leaves and blitz in a blender or in the pan with an immersion blender, until the soup is completely silky smooth.  Squeeze in the lemon juice.

Next, make any adjustments to the soup. Add more water if the soup is too thick, pinch alt if needed, or more lemon.  Once it is tasting great, ladle into bowls and top with suggested toppings if desired.

Topping ideas:
toasted coconut flakes and drizzle of olive oil
little basil leaves and coconut milk
pan crisped white beans and lime zest
toasted sesame seeds




Thank you to ABRAMS Books for sponsoring this post and for sending me an advanced copy of The Modern Cook's Year .  I am part of the ABRAMS Dinner Party so there will be more wonderful recipes to come.

Friday, March 10, 2017

Lucky Farms - St. Patrick's Day Crudité

It's always a good day at the Farmers' Market but around St. Patrick's Day, 
it's all about the Luck of the Irish.
So many shades of green and so much bright, fresh produce that I'm calling it, 
Lucky Farms and putting together a St. Patrick's Day Crudité.

 I gathered bunches of green goodness like
Av o' cados...

Celtic Cucumber...

Shades of Shamrock Sugar Snap Peas...

 Rainbow Chard...

and of course, the customary cabbage...



I started this emerald endeavour with sliced avocado,
 a touch of fresh squeezed lime...


then topped with Everything Seasoning.
It is bursting with flavor and character, 
just like many irishmen I know.

Spiralizing veggies makes anything cooler and more fun to eat, 
and it's not blarney that it tastes better too.
Cucumbers and zucchini have never looked better...



A wee bit of spicy red pepper flakes and olive oil 
added to sugar snap peas will have you ready to do the jig.

We are all looking for rainbows on St. Patrick's Day.
Swiss Chard stems add just a punch of color...

and crunch when the leaves are made into Sea Salt and Vinegar Chips...

A day celebrating the Irish isn't complete without a touch of cabbage...

Our's is front and center,
 filled with Toby's Ranch Dip

So try the Lucky Farms, 
they're magically delicious!




Thursday, March 9, 2017

Do you want to grow a rainbow? St. Patrick's Day Gifts

This St. Patrick's Day we're taking Rainbows to a new level.
Not only are we making them, we are growing them.
It takes just minutes to make these festive gifts that will last for months...
Play-Doh Rainbows that lead you to a Pot 'O Veggies!



All you need are:
an assortment of Play-doh containers
(I used the mini ones from a starter pack of 8)
potting soil
colorful seed packets

Select 4 colors and roll into thin strips...

Using the Play-Doh lid as a size guide, 
mold the rolled strips into a rainbow shape...

and trim the edges.

Poke a few holes on the bottom of your Play-Doh container for drainage,
 and fill with potting soil

then place your Play-Doh Rainbow on top of the soil.



Pair with your favorite seed packet...

and they are a leprechaun approved St. Patrick's Day gift.




Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Flu Shots - perfect for Spring Fevers

I've been sick as a dog for the last few days.
Aches, fever, chills, stuffed up nose... 
not the kind of Spring Fever I was hoping to catch.
So I whipped up a quick batch of Flu Shots for a little relief.

They are full of healthy ingredients to provide some relief and
kick my immune system into gear.

A combo of:
Orange juice - Vitamin C galore!
Banana - can help lower body temperature and aids in digestion
Parsley - full of vitamins C, B12, K and A - helps immune system
Honey - reduces cough and throat irritation
Ginger - helps with nausea, loss of appetite and body aches


Light, fruity, fresh,
and this shot has no scary needle...

Cheers to fruity flu fighting!

Flu Shots
Makes four 2oz shots or one 8oz smoothie
1 cup of fresh squeezed orange juice
1 Tablespoon parsley leaves
1 teaspoon honey
1/4th of a banana
1/4 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
3-4 ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in blender until completely mixed. Take that flu!



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Friday, April 15, 2016

Channeling Coachella - Boho Daisy Bracelets

The Coachella Music Festival is this weekend,
and although I won't be there,
a girl can add a little fresh Boho style to her look, right?

All you need to make these easy daisy bracelets are freshly cut daisies 
(with at least 2 inches of stem), 
a bangle bracelet 
(mine is from the craft store jewelry supply section) and 
washi tape 
(or floral tape but I had washi on hand)


Attach your first daisy with tape...

then the next...

go about half way around your bracelet, 
then start on the other side...


snip any long stems where the rows of daisies meet, 

and then cover with more tape -
and that's it!

Put that baby on and get ready for some fun...

Obviously a fresh daisy bracelet will not have a very long "life", 
but enjoy the beauty while it lasts and you can try to preserve by misting with water and 
putting in the refrigerator.

Or make one that is just as cute with faux flowers using the same method!




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