Tomato Basil Soup, Black Eyed Pea Walnut Dip, Fruit Salad With Honey Lime Dressing

Last week was full of visits to friends, relatives and just catching up with Mumbai itself…Had loads of fun but now I am back…First will clear up the backlog of recipes that I had to give you guys…Got a lot of requests for the tomato basil soup. So here are the recipes from last week.
As a vegan you are ‘expected’ to eat a lot of vegetables and fruits. But if you are handed over a plateful of raw veggies or even fruits every single day, would you really enjoy them. I wouldn’t!!..So the best way to have them is transform them into something you really enjoy. The following 3 recipes are few of such transformations and complete guilt free satisfaction.
Also pure vegans will not consider honey as vegan as it is a product derived from bees, but I consider it plant nectar and am in awe with its medicinal values. So guys if you think honey is not something you want to consume, skip it, other options are molasses, maple syrup, agave or just use raw unrefined sugar. Choice is yours!!

Ingredients for the Tomato Basil Soup

  • 4 large Tomatoes
  • 1 large carrot
  • ½ roasted red bell pepper (optional)
  • 1 small onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 5-6 leaves of flat leafed basil
  • Salt and pepper as per taste
  • A dash of paprika or hot sauce if you love spiciness

Ingredients for the Black Eyed Pea Walnut Dip

  • 1 cup black eyed peas (chavali)
  • ½ cup toasted walnuts
  • 1 clove garlic
  • ½ tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp sriracha / chilli sauce
  • Salt to taste

Ingredients for the Fruit Salad

  • 2 cups chopped fruit
  • 1 banana
  • 2-3 tbsps raisins
  • 2 tbsps coarsely powdered dry fruits of your choice

Ingredients for the Honey Lime Dressing

  • 3 tbsp maple syrup/molasses
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • ½ tsp lime/lemon/orange zest
  • salt and pepper

Method for the Tomato Basil Soup

  1. In a pot boil water, add all the ingredients except the salt pepper n paprika.
  2. Let it cool till its warm to touch. Add it to a blender and blend into a smooth mixture. (Do not add when it’s hot, it will cause the lid to pop) No need of straining, just make sure its well blended.
  3. Transfer it to a pot and bring to a simmer on low heat. Add the seasonings and serve it hot.
  4. P.S If you are fond of the ‘cream of’ version of this soup just add a handful of soaked cashews to the blender along with soup and trust me you will have the creamiest version of tomato basil soup.

Method for the Black Eyed Pea Walnut Dip

  1. Soak the black eyed peas in water for 6-8 hrs. Preferably overnight. Pressure cook then with salt
  2. Toast the walnuts in a pan.
  3. Grind all the ingredients in a fine paste. Add little to no water for grinding.
  4. Serve this dip with carrot sticks, cucumber sticks, radish, broccoli florets, celery, tomatoes etc.

Method for the Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing

  1. Mix the chopped fruit, chopped banana, raisins and dry fruits in a bowl.
  2. In a small bowl add the dressing ingredients and beat well.
  3. Drizzle it over the fruit mixture and Enjoy!!
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