Italian Wedding Soup (Greens)

2 cups water or broth

1/3 cup orzo

1/3 cup chopped carrots

large handfuls of kale (or spinach, or chard...), roughly chopped into small pieces

meatballs/veggie meatballs, however many you like

salt and pepper to taste

Bring the water/broth to a boil. Add the orzo, carrots, greens and meatballs. Reduce to a simmer, stirring occasionally until the greens have wilted and the meatballs are heated through. Taste, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Note - this soup can absorb a lot of greens. Feel free to add a handful, let it wilt, and then add more until you feel there is enough in the soup.

Beets, Beet Greens and Lentil Stew

A spicy chunky soup that is "NOT borscht". Enjoy!

olive oil for sautéing
1 onion finely chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger root
3 garlic cloves minced
1 carrot chopped small
1 celery stalk chopped small (can use equivalent amount of chard stalks or kohlrabi)
3-4 medium beets (or equivalent) well washed and diced
greens from the beets, chopped
1 cup lentils, rinsed
10 cups vegetable stock
1/2 tsp cayenne (optional)
yogurt and mint for garnish (optional)


Place a large pot over medium heat and when it is hot, add the oil. Add onion ginger carrot and celery and cook until tender, about 10-15 min.
Add the beets, lentils, stock, cayenne, and cook partially covered until the beets and lentils are tender, about 1-1.5 hours. Can serve immediately or is also excellent if you cool and refrigerate overnight, so the flavours can mingle.
Makes 10-12 cups.

From Souped Up by sally Sampson

Chocolate Beet Cake

from Kristin Desjardins

1 19 oz. can of beets pureed or fresh equivalent
2 eggs
1 cup of oil
12 tbsp. cocoa
1&1/2 cups white sugar
1&3/4 cups white flour
1&1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
A few drops of pure vanilla and also almond flavouring
1 cup or more of chocolate chips and some nuts , if desired for topping.

Puree cooked and peeled beets, add oil and beat well while adding sugar- to which cocoa has been added- and then add the eggs and flavourings. Slowly add the dry ingredients just until mixed. Pour the batter into a prepared pan-greased and floured- and top with chocolate chips and or nuts.
Bake in a 350`F oven 35 to 40 min. Enjoy!