Lemony Leek Soup

adapted from Recipes from a Kitchen Garden by Shepherd et al

• 1 T butter
• 2 T vegetable oil
• 6 cups thinly sliced leeks
• 1 carrot, thinly sliced
• 1 stalk celery or fennel, thinly sliced
• 6 cups vegetable or chicken stock
• 1 T grated lemon zest
• 2 T lemon juice
• 2 t fresh marjoram or 1 t dried
• 1 T chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup brown rice
• 1/2 cup milk
• Salt & white pepper to taste
• garnish: sour cream or yogurt
• 3 T minced chives
  In a 4-5 quart saucepan, heat butter and oil, add leeks, carrot and celery and saute until softened. Add stock, lemon rind, lemon juice, marjoram, parsley and rice and simmer, covered, for about 40 minutes until vegetables are very tender. Puree in a blender (or with a stick blender) or food processor. Pour mixture back into pan; add milk, & S & P to taste. If soup is too thick add more milk or stock. Heat soup through, but do not boil. Serve hot or cold, sprinkled with chives and dollop of sour cream or yogurt. Serves 6-8
  

RED AND YELLOW BEET SALAD With ORANGE VINAIGRETTE

This recipe was inspired by a dish at the deceased Symphony Cafe in New York City. The contrast with warm beets and goat or blue cheese is marvelous.

• 1 small bunch each of orange and red beets with greens attached
• 1 tablespoon minced shallots
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 cup each, fresh orange juice and apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• Salt and freshly white pepper to taste
• 1 orange, peeled and thinly sliced
• About 4 ounces crumbled low-fat goat or blue cheese
• 4 or 5 strands of fresh chives, roughly chopped

Clean and steam beets. As soon as beets are cool enough to handle, but still quite warm, remove skins and cut beets into 1/4-inch slices. Meanwhile, combine shallots, cloves, orange juice, vinegar, oil, salt and pepper. Line a platter with beet greens. Layer beets, alternating orange and red beets. Pour dressing over. Garnish outside with orange slices. Sprinkle top with crumbled goat or blue cheese. Top with chives. Serves 6.