A standard from many Paleo recipe sites and cook books, this recipe is one to add if you don’t already have it in your repertoire. It truly is reminiscent of the smokey chowders I loved growing up in Massachusetts, without ingredients most kids I work with can’t eat. A super easy recipe with good odds that your kids will like eating vegetables this way. As always on my blog, this recipe is free of gluten, dairy, or soy; it also happens to have zero sugar or sweeteners, nuts, or eggs. A nourishing, restorative food.
Cauliflower and Broccoli Chowder
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Easy to fix on short notice. You'll need a food processor or large capacity high speed blender.
Chop fresh broccoli and cauliflower to small pieces. Steam the broccoli and the cauliflower to soft texture without overcooking. For broccoli, this will be about 10-15 minutes on medium high heat (longer if you've included stem pieces). For cauliflower, this may be 8-10 minutes. Test for doneness with a knife; it should easily poke into the vegetables. Remove from heat and drain.
While vegetables are steaming, mince the garlic fine. Saute over low-medium heat in melted ghee til soft, about 3-5 minutes. Don't let it become dark or crisp. Set aside.
Using your food processor or blender, liquefy the broccoli with half the broth until smooth. Continue this process with cauliflower and remaining broth until all are smoothly blended.
A twist on usual dahl recipes that rely on a tomato base. For kids who need grain-free, easily digestible carbohydrates (which help them gain weight), this can work well, as long as the lentils are cooked long enough to be very soft, about 2 hours. This recipe uses garlic salt instead of raw garlic, which seemed too pungent with the pumpkin. For meat eaters, this dish is good with chicken apple sausage like Applegate brand (GF, CF, organic). For vegetarians, if grains work, a black rice paired here is hearty and delicious. Makes 6 generous servings or 8 smaller ones.
A twist on usual dahl recipes that rely on a tomato base. For kids who need grain-free, easily digestible carbohydrates (which help them gain weight), this can work well, as long as the lentils are cooked long enough to be very soft, about 2 hours. This recipe uses garlic salt instead of raw garlic, which seemed too pungent with the pumpkin. For meat eaters, this dish is good with chicken apple sausage like Applegate brand (GF, CF, organic). For vegetarians, if grains work, a black rice paired here is hearty and delicious. Makes 6 generous servings or 8 smaller ones.
Place uncooked lentils in pot with broth, bring to low simmer. Add the cider vinegar and cook for about 30 minutes, or until they begin to soften.
While lentils are cooking, prepare your vegetables: Chop potato, cauliflower, onion, and ginger root.
After lentils are softened, add potatoes, coconut milk, and canned pumpkin. Cook for 20 minutes more.
Once potatoes are softening after about 20 minutes, add chopped cauliflower, onion, and ginger root. Add the spices ( turmeric, curcumin, and garlic salt) now too.
Cook until vegetables are soft, adding more broth if needed. I usually let this simmer for 2-3 hours and longer is fine too, as long as the dahl does not dry out or burn. Stir in maple syrup and serve.
