Inspiration: 101 Cookbooks

I meant to write up a recipe for a sweet potato soup today last week, but I just didn't get around to it. I got distracted/lazy. I'll be sure to get that up this week, because it was very good ifidosaysomself. So, in lieu of that post I thought I'd show some blog love to a blogger that I admire for her creativity both in the kitchen and in life. She inspires me to look at simple ingredients differently and to play around with flavors.

101 Cookbooks is written by the talented Heidi Swanson who is based in San Francisco. Her recipes are simple, healthy and honest food. What always wows me is how she incorporates and plays with flavors. Stuff that you would never think of putting together. I mean it's not rocket science, but sometimes trying to cook an easy meal feels like it.

Take for example her Red Lentil Soup. A seven ingredient (six if you're me) list, none of which scream exotic or amazing. Why did I make it then? A friend who has good taste and loves to cook recommended it to me, so I figured why not. Well, I'm glad I did!

The soup itself is basic and a cinch to prepare. What makes it special are the little extras she suggests as toppings. Almonds, black cured olives, feta. Yes please to all of them (well maybe not the dairy for me)! Those toppings take a humble soup of brown rice and red lentils and make it so much better. And if you happen to have a bottle of truffle oil that someone was kind enough to gift to you, well then swirl that in too.

Some of my other favorites:

Simple Tomato Soup
Baked Quinoa Patties
Orange and Oat Scones
Nikki's Healthy Cookies

If you're looking for simple food with flair then be sure to visit 101 Cookbooks!