Split Pea and Mushroom Soup

As the icy fingers of winter start creeping up outside the window, there is often nothing so warming and comforting as a hot bowl of split pea soup. Plain and simple, or with the added flair of spices, mushrooms and fresh grated Parmesan cheese, this earthy and sweet soup is always a nice way to curl up for the season.

Miso Seaweed Broth with Mushrooms and Carrots

Slowly fermented into a thick and robust paste, soybean miso added to soups is an almost ideal protein for tender tummies. And gently cooked seaweed, carrots and fresh beet green tops combine to make a vitamin and mineral packed broth that's as nourishing and easy to go down as it is fast and simple to prepare.

Wild Rice Chowder with Fresh Coconut and Mushrooms

This cold weather recipe was inspired by a recipe for Wild Rice Chowder found in World Vegetarian Classics: Over 200 Essential International Recipes for the Modern Kitchen by Celia Brooks Brown.

Spicy Kidney Beans with Tomato and Yogurt Sauce

Craving kidney beans, I soaked some dried ones and the next day decided to make this variation of the ever popular rajma. I was originally going to use paneer in this recipe, but forgetting to pull a block from the freezer, figured goat cheese would also work well in this tart and hot dish. The resulting fusion-style rajma was a taste experience that was popular with my dinner companions.

Moosewood's Turkish Lentil & Spinach Soup

Red lentils in broth constitutes possibly the most simple and digestible source of much-needed protein for someone recuperating from a stomach flu or whose digestive system is still sensitive. In the case that the patient retains a zest for flavor, a little cayenne and a helping of vegetables provide welcome taste as well as the additional fortification of vitamins and minerals in this quick and easy soup that places as little strain on the cook as on the convalescent.

Roasted Beet and Coconut Curry

Beets are one of my very favorite vegetables and it just so happens they are extremely good for you too. In addition to having detoxifying properties, beets are packed full of vitamins and minerals and are known to reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure. Beets do not get as much attention as they deserve. The only drawback of course is they are rather messy and should be handled with care. You may wish to wear gloves while preparing them, though I find a sink load of dishes usually removes the stains from my hands.

French Lentil Salad with Sweet Corn and Tomato

Sweet corn and tomatoes are two of southwestern Ontario's classic late summer harvests, and both flavors burst through in this fresh-tasting, nourishing and easy-to-make lentil salad. Served with fresh baked bread, this refreshing salad tossed with a zesty dressing is a splendid lunch or light dinner to have outside on a beautiful warm autumn day.