1 pound lean ground beef
2 medium onions, chopped
1 small head cabbage, cored and chopped
5-1/2 ounces tomato paste
6 cups beef broth
1/2 cup long grain rice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon brown sugar
salt and pepper

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and fry until no longer pink, then add the onions and cabbage and a pinch of salt.
2. Reduce heat to medium and cook until cabbage is softened, about 10 minutes.
3. Transfer contents to a soup pot and add tomato paste and beef broth. Bring to a boil and add the rice, cinnamon and brown sugar. Cook until rice is tender, then season to taste with salt and pepper.

Makes 8 servings

2 tablespoons corn oil
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 red chilies, seeded and chopped
6 cups chicken broth
19 ounces canned diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 pound lean ground pork
1 cup masa (corn flour) or 10 corn tortillas
4 ounces cheddar, grated
4 ounces Monterey jack, grated
4 ounces mozzarella, grated
1 cup milk
1 cup tortilla chips
salt and pepper

1. Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Sauté carrots, onions, garlic and chilies until tender.
2. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil, then stir in the tomatoes, cumin, paprika, cayenne and oregano. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Stir in the pork and masa or corn tortillas and cook until pork is done and masa is thoroughly incorporated, stirring occasionally.
4. Reduce heat and stir in milk and 3/4 of the cheese. Serve garnished with tortilla chips and remaining cheese.

Makes 6 servings

1/2 pound lean ground pork
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 scallion, minced
24 wonton wrappers
1 egg, beaten
water

1 teaspoon cornstarch
3 cups chicken stock
1 cup vegetable broth
2 teaspoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 carrot, peeled and thinly sliced in coin
3 scallions, chopped
white pepper

1. Combine the ground pork with soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar and scallion and refrigerate for an hour.
2. Moisten the edges of a wonton wrapper with egg wash and place about a teaspoon of pork filling into the center. Fold the wontons as directed by the wonton package; over lengthwise, fold over again, keeping your thumbs in place, then join the corners to make a wonton shape. Repeat with remaining wonton wrappers and filling.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the soup while making wontons. Combine cornstarch with cool chicken stock and vegetable broth. Put in a large soup pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Stir in the soy sauce and oyster sauce then add the carrots and scallion. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until carrots are tender.
4. Add wontons to the simmering broth and cook until pork is fully cooked, about 10 minutes. Serve with a bit of freshly grated white pepper.

Makes 4 servings

1 pound whole shrimp
1 medium carrot, chopped
1 medium leek, chopped
1 bay leaf
2 cups water

4 tablespoons butter
1 clove garlic, crushed
4 tablespoons flour
3 cups milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried dill
2 tablespoons lemon juice
salt and pepper

1. Shell shrimp and put shells, carrot, leek and bay leaf with the water in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cook until vegetables are tender. Put through a strainer and season to taste with salt and pepper.
2. Melt butter with garlic in a large soup pot over medium heat, then whisk in the flour. Cook for about a minute.
3. Gradually whisk in the shrimp broth until fully incorporated, then add the milk, cream and shrimp meat.
4. Once the shrimp has turned pink, stir in paprika, dill and lemon juice. Adjust seasoning as necessary and serve.

Makes 4 servings

1 pound lamb, cubed
1 small red onion, minced
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
1 cup dry red wine
1 cup butter, cubed
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons turmeric
2 black cardamom pods
1 tablespoon ground coriander seed
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 tablespoon brown sugar
salt and pepper

1. Combine lamb, onion, jalapeno and red wine and marinate for about an hour.
2. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and skim off any solids that float to the surface.
3. Add the garlic, turmeric, cardamom, coriander seed, red pepper flakes, allspice and cloves. Remove from heat and allow to solidify.
4. Return the butter to the heat to liquify, then pour through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth to remove any solid matter.
5. Pour flavored clarified butter into a large soup pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Stir in the cayenne and brown sugar.
6. Remove the lamb from the marinade and pat dry, reserving marinade. Brown the lamb in batches, then return all the lamb to the pot and add the marinade, bringing to a boil.
7. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until lamb is tender, about an hour. Simmer longer for flavors to meld.
8. Pull apart lamb chunks with a fork and season to taste with salt and pepper and serve garnished with freshly chopped jalapenos.

Makes 4 servings

3 pound butternut squash
2 small potatoes
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion, sliced
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 cup dry white wine
6 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
2/3 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Roast potatoes and squash until very tender, about an hour. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to the touch.
3. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until tender, then add the garlic and white wine.
4. Bring the wine to a boil and reduce by half, then stir in the chicken broth and reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
5. Cube the potatoes and slice the squash in half, scooping out out seeds. Add the potatoes and flesh of the squash to the soup.
6. Transfer the soup to a food processor or blender and puree in batches. Return to the pot.
7. Stir in stir in thyme and heavy cream and cook just long enough to heat through. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

Makes 6 servings

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 red chilies, chopped
3 shallots, minced
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon ginger puree
1 tablespoon red curry paste
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 large sweet potato, peeled and grated
1 medium carrot, peeled and grated
2 stalks lemongrass
1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup cooked chick peas
1 cup coconut milk
salt and pepper

1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot and add the chilies, shallot, garlic and ginger, sautéing until tender.
2. Stir in the curry paste, chili powder and turmeric, then add the grated sweet potato and carrot, as well as lemongrass. Add water until the vegetables are just covered and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes.
3. Remove the stalks of lemongrass and add chick peas. Puree with a hand blender or other, then add the coconut milk.
4. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve with a small slice of lime.

Makes 4 servings

2 tablespoon cumin seeds
1 tablespoon whole allspice
2 tablespoons black peppercorns
2 whole green cardamom pods
2 whole black cardamom pods
12 whole cloves
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
4 teaspoons coriander seeds
1 teaspoon thyme
2 tablespoons turmeric
1 bay leaf

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large white onion, sliced
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound lamb, sliced
5 ounces tomato paste
12 cups chicken broth
19 ounces canned chickpeas
1 cup yellow split peas or lentils
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

2 eggs
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon harissa

1. Lightly toast cumin seed in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, then combine with rest of spice mixture into a mortar and pestle or spice grinder until fine. Set aside.
2. Heat a large soup pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Lightly brown the onions, then add the garlic, stirring to combine.
3. Stir in the prepared spice mixture, lamb and tomato paste, then add the chicken broth, raise heat and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, covered, until lamb is very tender, about an hour and a half.
5. Add the chickpeas, lentils and cilantro and cook until tender, about another hour.
6. When soup is ready to be served, beat eggs with lemon juice and stir in the harissa. Blend a tablespoon or two into a serving of soup to serve.

Makes 6 servings

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small zucchini, halved and sliced
1/2 cup green beans, 1" pieces
1 large carrot, halved and sliced
4 cups vegetable broth
8 ounces diced tomatoes
4 cups tomato juice
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 sprig thyme, minced
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
19 ounces cooked red kidney beans
19 ounces cooked cannellini beans
3 ounces shell pasta
salt and pepper

1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, zucchini, green beans and carrot and sauté until onion is tender.
2. Add the vegetable broth, tomatoes and tomato juice and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and add parsley, thyme, basil, oregano and sage. Simmer until vegetables are tender.
3. Stir in the beans and pasta and cook until pasta is tender. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with crusty bread.

Makes 8 servings

3 tablespoons butter
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
8 cups beef stock
3 medium beets with leaves, peeled and sliced
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
3 small potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
1 cup green cabbage, chopped
1 cup diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1/2 cup sour cream
salt and pepper

1. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat and add the onion and garlic, sautéing until tender.
2. Meanwhile, in a large soup pot, bring chicken stock to a boil and add the beets, boil for about 10 minutes, then add the carrots, potatoes and dill.
3. When potatoes just begin to give to a fork, stir in the cabbage, chopped beet greens and diced tomatoes. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover, cooking for about 20 minutes.
4. Season to taste with salt and pepper, stir in cider vinegar and serve with a doll of sour cream.

Makes 6 servings