Vegetable Soup with Liver

I was out at Cure Organic Farm the other night and prepared a few dishes for folks to sample. I made a traditional pot roast, ground beef braised in a tomatillo sauce, and vegetable soup with liver. Liver from pasture raised cattle is so nutritious. In addition to being an excellent source of protein, it contains the B complex vitamins, is a good source of folic acid, is a very accessible form of iron, and contains trace elements such as copper.  Copper, along with iron, helps in the formation of red blood cells. It also helps in keeping the blood vessels, nerves, immune system, and bones healthy. Copper is essential for maintaining the health of your bones and connective tissues.  Here is the recipe for Vegetable soup with liver:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Liver, sliced ½” thick
• 3 Carrots or hand full of small
• 2 Celery stalks, finely chopped
• 1 Medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 Garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 Yam
• 2 Cups winter squash
• 6 Cups broth or more (See Lasater blogspot for homemade stock)http://lasatergrasslandbeef.blogspot.com/2010/10/beef-broth-at-home.html
• 1 Cup chopped tomatoes (frozen from summer)1 Cup mixed peppers (frozen from fall)
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil 
• Thyme
• Swiss chard or spinach (garnish & added nutrients)

Directions:
Saute onions, carrots, celery, winter squash, yam & potatoes in olive oil for 5-8 mintues on med-high, add garlic saute for additional 1-2 minutes.
Add tomatoes, peppers & stock.
Add salt, pepper & thyme or other herbs (tarragon, parsely).
Bring to boil then reduce to a simmer for 30-40 minutes or until root vegetables are tender.
Slice liver into ½” thick pieces.
Season liver with generous amounts of salt & pepper.
Heat skillet on med-high.
Add olive oil to pan, let heat for 30-60 seconds.
Place liver in pan and sear on both sides approximately 2 minutes each side or less. Chop into to small pieces and add to soup.

Serve soup with liver immediately.

Liver is best when cooked quickly and left a bit pink inside.

Fresh fall & summer frozen vegetables

Vegetable soup with liver

Cure Organic Farm has a market that is open on Wednesday evenings from 3-6pm till mid December. All sorts of good food is available. In addition to gorgeous produce there is Cure honey, Lasater Grasslands briskets, meaty shanks (for stew & broth), filet Mignon, and western slope fresh fruit available. You don't have to be a CSA member to shop - all are welcome.