Tomato Sweet Potato Soup

Adapted from Simply in Season, serves 4-6
Date made: 1/28/2011

1 medium onion, chopped
3 medium-small sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped*
4 c vegetable broth
1 c water
1 28 oz can of diced tomatoes
1/4 tsp ground pepper
3/4 c orange juice

Saute onion in oil in soup pot until translucent.  Add sweet potatoes, broth, and water, and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until sweet potatoes are tender, about 25 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in tomatoes with juice and pepper.  Puree until smooth and return to soup pot.
Add orange juice, heat gently until hot, and serve.

My sweet potatoes were a little on the small side so if I had to do it again, I'd cut back on either the tomatoes or the orange juice or add another sweet potato to cut the acidity.  The texture is interesting since it has a lot of the acid, but a hint of that starchy, almost creamy finish from the potatoes.  Knowing this, next time I might add a little cream or half-and-half instead of the cup of water.

Marinated Mushrooms

Adapted from several recipes I found online
Date made: ???

1/2 lb mushrooms, cleaned*
1 green onion, chopped finely*
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp rosemary
1/2 tsp parsley
1/4 c balsamic vinegar
juice of 1 orange*
1/4 c olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Saute mushrooms in about 1 Tbsp olive oil on medium heat until it starts to sweat.  Add balsamic vinegar and green onion, bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and let simmer until tender.
Add herbs, salt, pepper, and orange juice.  Pour mixture into a sterilized mason jar, seal, and allow to cool.  Refrigerate for several hours to a few days.


I don't remember exactly how I made this dish, but I think this is about right.  I might've added a clove of garlic as well.  I really just wanted something to do with the crap load of citrus I'd been getting at Hollygrove.  I got sick the week prior and the resulting sore throat was rather averse to acids for a while.

After the mushrooms marinated for several days I tossed it with a box of cooked penne and added some salt.  The mushrooms turned out pretty tasty, if I do say so myself.  I would probably something else to dress up the pasta though.