Dairy Freed

Sweet Potato and Roasted Red Pepper Soup

It's a given, potatoes will explode in a microwave if you don't poke them, right?  Have you ever tried it? 

A few years ago the US Potato Board came to the magazine I was working for and showed us new techniques for baking, mashing and roasting potatoes in the microwave.  I'll be honest, I was surprised the techniques worked as well as they did but the one that stood out for me was the mashed version.  They went against "common sense" and didn't poke holes in them before nuking them. 

Asparagus and Shiitake Mushroom Noodle Bowl

No matter what the cuisine, noodle soups are always comforting.  Inspired by a dish I always get at a little Thai restaurant around the corner from my office, this is great served as a soup or reduce the broth by half and serve as a pasta dish.  Try adding some grilled chicken, pork or tofu for a more robust meal.