Mushroom Chowder, Indian spiced soup with fenugreek leaves, Tuscan Style stews, Lenitl-mushroom loaf

The weather in Los Angeles has gone back to "winter"..highs only in the mid 60's and brrr at night down to 50f's ( yes we ARE spoiled in LA).
The menu for tomorrow is very diverse and truly international with lots of Southern Californian twists..

the soups:
A wonderful Mushroom chowder one with spinach & the other without..almond milk based with sherry and smoked paprika and thickened with grated Russet potatoes as well as chunks, this is in place of using corn starch or wheat flour.
When using mushrooms in all hot dishes, saute first, then add the stock etc, as it brings out more of the deep mushroom flavors. This is finished with smoked paprika and fresh own grown flat leaf parsley.

Adding raw mushrooms to any already made stock/veggie mix is just adding bulk with little flavor

A great Indian inspired chickpea and vegetable soup ( Above photo) with Kashmir Chili ( bright red chili powder and very hot) with fenugreek leaves and Hing (the garlicky aroma in most Indian food grocers). I have added spinach to cool it down

The Entrees

A Tuscan Inspired Chickpea and vegetable stew with rosemary, yams in place of the reg white potato, carrots, celery, leeks , tomatoes and fresh broccoli ( 1 without broccoli) to add texture.
This is served with brown rice or pasta

A great 8 inch sesame-seed potato crusted vegetable tart, filled with sauteed eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini, black olives, nutritional yeast, basil and rosemary, garlic and topped with bread crumbs and cheese
These are to be baked at the clients home, so I have no photos of the finished product..the crusts are pre-baked just shredded starchy potatoes and sesame seeds, Fried to a crisp, then topped with the Ratatouille mix and bread crumbs and cheese and baked for 30 mins at 375f ( for Vegans you may omit the cheese)..this is a great naturally  gluten free Pizza base too.

Lentil and mushroom loaf with mashed yams with orange zest..this also will be baked at the client's home and served with the mashed ( baked) yams like a nutritional dense "Meat Loaf"..chickpeas, lentils, onions, mushrooms, sherry, garlic, 1 egg, bread crumbs, steamed brown rice, cumin, chopped cilantro.
The entire thing is "processed" then allowed to "bloom" overnight before being packaged and delivered 

The side dishes are:
Greens with chopped dried apricots..spicy/tart

Zucchini with garlic and pine nuts


Dessert: Whole wheat apple and berry crumble (whole wheat shortbread topped poached fruit) very British