Genesis of a Recipe with the Ingredients of the Moment.

Imagine the scene:

You open your fridge, it's full of good ingredients, root vegetables of all kinds, broth, cheese, eggs, meat, fruits. You know that your pantry is full of grains, lentils, other legumes and spices. You even have vegetables in the freezer... but you're flat, you have no inspiration to cook...

It is exactly for these days that I created Robo-Cuistot !

He is a virtual expert in cooking, organic-local ingredients and gardening that is available for free on our website! I trained him with all the documentation that I could gather on the original and healthy use of organic vegetables that grow in Quebec.

Unlike other recipe apps, Robo-Cuistot is specifically designed for improvisational cooks who love to experiment with what they have on hand.

How Robo-Cuistot Works: Your Intelligent Culinary Assistant

How does Robo-Cuistot work? It’s simple! Describe what you want to cook or the ingredients you have on hand, and our artificial intelligence will instantly generate personalized suggestions. Continue the conversation to refine the recipe, change the type of cuisine or get other ideas.

A Typical Day: From Inspiration to Culinary Creation

Just yesterday, I felt exactly as I described in the introduction. So I wrote all this to Robo-cuistot and asked him for suggestions. He gave me some ideas for using my ingredients.

1. Root Vegetable Soup : Sauté onions and garlic in a pot, add your diced root vegetables (like carrots, turnips, and potatoes), then pour in broth. Simmer until vegetables are tender. You can add lentils for extra texture and protein.

2. Root Vegetable Gratin : Slice your root vegetables (like potatoes and carrots), arrange them in a baking dish, add cheese in between the layers, and drizzle with cream or milk. Bake until the top is golden and crispy.

3. Vegetable Omelet : Beat eggs and add vegetables of your choice (like spinach, peppers or onions). You can also add cheese for more flavor. Cook in a skillet until eggs are cooked through.

4. Meat and Vegetable Stew : Brown meat in a large pot, add root vegetables, spices and broth. Simmer until meat is tender and flavors blend.

5. Spicy Lentils : Cook lentils with spices like cumin and paprika. Add cooked or fresh vegetables for a hearty salad.

Not bad… the gratin looked good, but a bit complicated for my energy level… So this little conversation led me to the soup, which I wanted to make in the Instant Pot, so that it would be quick and hassle-free. So I continued by asking Robo-Cuistot for a recipe for Instant Pot soup with carrots, beets, potatoes, onions, garlic, lentils.

I never follow exactly the recipe he gives me, I always take the time to modify it a little, here is my modified version.

My Recipe of the Day: Instant Pot Lentil and Root Vegetable Soup.

Ingredients :

• 2 carrots, peeled and diced

• 2 beets, peeled and diced

• 3 potatoes, peeled and diced

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, chopped

• 1 cup lentils (beluga), rinsed

• 6 cups vegetable broth

• 1 tablespoon sunflower oil

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Spices of your choice (I used oregano and cumin)

• 2 cups cooked rice

Instructions:

1. Preparation : In the Instant Pot, select the "Sauté" mode. Add the sunflower oil and sauté the onion and garlic for about 2-3 minutes until translucent.

2. Adding vegetables : Add carrots, beets and potatoes to the pot. Stir well to combine.

3. Adding lentils and broth : Add rinsed lentils and vegetable broth. Season with salt, pepper and spices of your choice.

4. Pressure Cooking : Close the lid of the Instant Pot and make sure the valve is in the “sealing” position. Select “Soup” or “Manual” mode and set the cooking time to 20 minutes.

5. Pressure Release : Once cooking is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 10 minutes, then release the remaining pressure.

6. Mix and serve : Open the lid, add the 2 cups of cooked rice and mix the soup well. Adjust the seasoning if necessary.

7. Alternatively, for a smoother, creamier texture, you can let the rice do its thing and blend your soup, adding a little cream.

Creative Variations: How to Transform a Simple Recipe

If you find this recipe too ordinary, just ask Robo-Cuistot to give you ideas to modify this recipe and make it more unique.

1. Adding Coconut Milk : For a creamy, exotic touch, stir in a little coconut milk at the end of cooking. This will add a sweetness and richness to the soup.

2. Various spices : Experiment with spices like curry, garam masala or smoked paprika to add a new dimension of flavor to your soup.

3. Fresh Herbs : Add fresh herbs like basil, cilantro or parsley just before serving for a touch of freshness.

4. Chili Peppers or Chili Flakes : If you like spicy food, add fresh chili peppers or chili flakes for a little heat.

5. Crunchy toppings : Serve your soup with crunchy toppings like croutons, toasted pumpkin seeds or nuts to add interesting texture.

6. Cheese : Add crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese on top of the soup before serving for a creamy, salty touch.

7. Pesto : A spoonful of pesto (basil or other) added just before serving can add a nice flavor and vibrant color.

    

Finally, I served my soup with grilled vegetables. My 4 children loved it! It's the best gift for a chef!

Tomorrow, I'm going to blend my leftover soup with coconut milk to change the taste and diversify it a bit.

The Robo-Cuistot Philosophy: Cooking with Creativity and Spontaneity

Since I put Robo-Cuistot online 2 years ago, I use it regularly to inspire me and help me in the kitchen. In fact, I even put a shortcut to Robo-Cuistot on my phone's home screen!

I don't follow many recipes, I find that I never have all the ingredients and I don't like following instructions. But I do like cooking with the ingredients I have on hand! When I get into the kitchen, I take inventory of the ingredients that inspire me and if the ideas don't come to me on their own, I consult Robo-Cuistot!

Cooking with seasonal ingredients is also a great skill to develop for those who receive an organic basket, full of beautiful surprise vegetables, so delicious and varied; or for those who harvest abundance in their personal garden! It is more than a cooking method - it is a philosophy of culinary creativity and connection with our local resources.

Your Invitation to Kitchen Improv

I hope that Robo-Cuistot can also help you find inspiration in the kitchen and that you will come back to our site often to use it!

Ready to transform your ingredients into original and delicious meals? Robo-Cuistot is here for you! 🥕🥘 ;-)

Go to Robo-Cuistot now!

Frederic