January Recipes

SWEET POTATO PEAR SOUP (Adapted from Recipe Lion)
1 TBSP margarine
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 C chopped carrot
1/4 C chopped celery
3 medium-sized sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
2 pears, peeled and diced
1/2 TSP dried thyme
1 TSP paprika
5 C vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
1/3 C coconut milk
2 TSP maple syrup, or to taste
2 TSP lime juice, or to taste
salt and pepper to taste

In a pot, heat margarine on medium heat. Add onion, carrot and celery and sauté for 1minute. Add sweet potatoes, pears and thyme and sauté for about 2 minutes. Add paprika and broth. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes or until sweet potato is soft.

Puree in a blender or food processor until smooth. Return to pot. Add coconut milk, maple syrup and lime juice. Simmer for 5 minutes. If soup is too thick add a little extra broth.

Season with salt and pepper, adding more syrup or lime juice as needed.

MOZZARELLA EGG ROLL STICKS
12 Wonton or Egg-Roll Wraps, at room temperature
12 Mozzarella String Cheese
Marinara Sauce for Dipping
Small bowl with water, optional

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Take one wrap (less likely to break and ooze cheese all over if room-temp and slightly wet) and lay on flat surface like a diamond. Put cheese stick in middle, corner to corner (or slightly below).

Take the bottom corner and fold it up over the cheese stick and stick to other side of wrap tightly. You can add a few drops of the water to make the wrap stick better.
Carefully fold over the right and left corners of the wrap onto the cheese stick to completely cover the cheese. (the wrap will tear if not at room temp) Roll up the wrap.

Bake at 400 for 10-12 minutes, turning once, until golden brown.

Fried Directions:
Wrap cheese as described above.
Heat 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat.
Add in half of the cheese sticks. Roll/stir sticks around for about 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown, and remove from heat. Repeat with remainder of wraps.

NOTE: I find they do not brown too well in the oven (watch closely) and often the cheese will start to "leak out." But the taste is still good! I will probably try an "egg wash" (egg white with a little water) brushed on the rolls the next time to see if that improves the 'browning." Any left overs can be warmed in a pan with a little non-stick pan spray and be just as good!

INSTANT MARGARITAS (Makes 8)
1 lime, cut into 8 wedges
1/4 C sugar
2 pints lime sorbet
1/2 C tequila

Rub the lime wedges around the rims of 8 stemmed glasses.
Place the sugar on a small plate. Turn each glass upside down and dip the rims in the sugar to coat.

Place 2 scoops of sorbet in each glass and pour 1 TBSP tequila over the top of each.
Serve with a spoon