Eat Your Veggies!!

I came up with a pretty good recipe today. I'm sure it's not a "real" unique creation, but given how much we love summer garden produce, it's unique enough for me!

I can only eat so much fried zucchini, zucchini bread, zucchini pizza...etc. So finding another go-to recipe made me very very happy!

{THE Mac Miller}

MacMiller's Zuk Soup

In a big pot add:

3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 whole onion, chunked
6-8 medium zucchinis, chunked
1 red bell pepper, chunked
3-4 stalks of hearts of celery, chunked
(seeing a pattern here?)
4-5 cloves of garlic, smashed
5-7 small golden potatoes (ping pong ball sized), halved

Stir over medium heat and allow everything to gently sweat about 15 minutes.

Then add:
1/3 cup brown rice
1/2 cup dried green pea and lentil mix

Stir just until the oil coats the peas, lentils and rice, then add:

2 quarts (or more) water - just enough to cover everything (can use broth)
2 Tbsp better boullion
2 Tbsp salt
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning mix (recommend Penzey's!)
1 Tbsp dried basil, crushed
1 Tbsp Adobo seasoning
1 Tbsp smoked Paprika
1 Tbsp fresh cracked black pepper
1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (according to taste)
Check salt and add as needed

Cook for 20 minutes until the peas, lentils and rice soften. Strain, reserving the liquid. In batches, carefully puree the strained solids. Add the resulting heavenly grind to the reserved liquid and add:

2 cups milk (any % fat)
1 cup chopped Kale, or other hearty green

Bring almost to a boil, then remove from heat. Let set for15 minutes before serving. Freezable, and useful for moistening meatballs, meat loafs, base for other soups, etc. Serve with dollops of sour cream, mashed avocado, salsa, etc. and crusty bread. Enjoy!