Temperatures are dropping, and there is something so comforting about sipping on a warm bowl of goodness. Avoid the pre-made stuff and use up all those leftover veggies in the fridge by whipping up these quick and super easy, heart-warming soups. These recipes are rich in anti-oxidants and plenty of other nutritious, delicious superfoods. The best part is, they can be made in 60 minutes or less.
Sweet potato, butternut and kale soup (serves 6)
Ingredients:
- 1 large sweet potato
- 1 small butternut
- 400 ml coconut milk
- 300ml almond milk
- 4 handfuls of chopped kale
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 apples, chopped
- Salt, pepper, curry (optional)
- Roasted pine nuts for garnish
- Small bunch coriander
Method:
- Start out with preparing the ingredients. Peel and dice the sweet potatoes and the butternut. Wash and chop the kale, onion, and apples.
- Bring the coconut and almond milk to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the sweet potato and butternut and cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes or until the sweet potato/butternut is soft.
- Add the kale, onion, and apples to the saucepan. Season with salt, pepper, and optionally curry according to taste. Let simmer for another 10 minutes.
- In the meantime, roast the pine nuts in a frying pan.
- Serve the soup hot with a good amount of the roasted pine nuts and fresh coriander.
Ginger and turmeric carrot soup (serves 4)
Ingredients:
- 400g carrots, chopped into rounds
- 4 medium beets, peeled and diced into small cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2-4cm of fresh ginger, grated
- 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Coriander, chopped, for garnish
Method:
- Toss the carrots and beets with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Spread out onto a baking sheet, transfer to the oven and roast for 30-40 minutes, or until the veggies are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Place the remaining tablespoon of olive oil into a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion to the pan and sauté for about 2-3 minutes, or until the onion begins to become soft. Add the garlic and ginger and sauté for one minute more, or until the garlic/ginger becomes fragrant.
- Add the roasted beets, carrots and vegetable stock to the saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until lightly thickened. Stir in the vinegar, cayenne pepper and turmeric. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the beet stock mixture to a blender or blend in the pot using a blender stick. Blend until smooth.
- Serve with chopped coriander to garnish.
Chicken zucchini noodle soup (serves 4)
Ingredients:
- ½ cup diced red onion
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small pinch of red pepper flakes
- 3 teaspoons fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 3 teaspoons fresh oregano (or 1 teaspoon dried oregano)
- 4 chicken thighs
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 cups chicken broth, low-sodium
- 2 cups water
- 3 medium zucchinis
- Avocado for topping (optional)
Method:
- Place a large soup pot over medium heat and add in the onions, celery, carrots, garlic and red pepper flakes.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes or until vegetables “sweat” and onions are translucent. Add in the thyme and oregano and cook for another 1 minute, stirring frequently.
- Place in the chicken thighs and bay leaf and pour in the chicken broth and water.
- Cover and let the mixture come to a boil. Once boiling, lower to a steady simmer and cook for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove the chicken and peel off the skin and discard. Then, shred the chicken off the bone and set aside, with any juices. Place the bones back into the soup pot and simmer for 10 more minutes, uncovered.
- While the bones simmer, slice the zucchinis halfway lengthwise. Then, spiralize/grate the zucchini. Set aside.
- Remove the bones and bay leaves and discard. Add the reserved shredded chicken back to the pot along with the zucchini noodles.
- Cook for 5 minutes or until zucchini is al dente. Season to taste.
- Top with sliced avocado (optional)