Get the Soup On!

Happy New Year!

With all the hubbub of Christmas festivities finally behind us and packed away into boxes and buried in the basement, until next year, we are finally looking forward to 2013. I’m not big on making lots of  New Year Resolutions as they always seem to fall by the wayside quickly leaving me feeling disappointed that I havn’t achieved the 102 hoplesly over ambitious challenges I’ve set myself. I never seem to be able to get the balance right between being too extreme or just making too long a list. Having said that, I do feel a need to do something to ring the changes such as refresh the menu planner and replace all the hearty stodgy food of December with some healthier lighter options.

I have little patience with diets but like the idea of trying to start the day with herbal teas and fruit juice and a steaming bowl of healthy soup for lunch. Casting around the internet you are bombarded with a variety of soups that proclaim themselves to be healthy, yet, once you dig a little deeper, have hidden calorific or artery blocking ingredients. 

I've chosen this soup as it is full of fresh vegetables that are loaded with all sorts of great vitamins that happen to be good for us and very little else. Try it and let me know what you think. 

Leeks:  supply plenty of potassium, a bit of folic acid, beta-carotene and vitamin C.  They may help to reduce cholesterol levels and offer some protection against cancer, while also disposing uric acid and helping those with arthritis.

Garlic: is a true superfood, as it’s full of vitamins such as A,B, C which help the body to fight carcinogens and get rid of toxins. The sulfur compounds can regulate blood sugar metabolism, stimulate and detoxify the live and stimulate the blood circulations and nervous system

Carrots: Have a large amount of Vitamin A and rich in C., E, B6, K and many more.

Celery: Excellent source of Vitamin C and fiber. Folic acid, potassium and vitamins B1 and B6, B2 and calcium.Celery contains phytochemical compounds called coumarins. Coumarin compounds lower blood pressure, tone the vascular system and have a positive effect on migraines.

Tomatoes: They are rich in vitamin C and A, B and potassium, iron  and phosphorus.

Kale: Powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory. It is hight in beta carotene, vitamin K, lutein, zeaxanthins and rich in calcium

Healthy Veggie Soup

Ingredients

            2 medium leeks, chopped

            4 cloves of garlic, crushed

            1 serrano pepper, thinly sliced

            4 carrots, chopped

            4 celery stalks, chopped

            3 small courgettes, diced

            8 cups water

            3 tomatoes, with seeds and skin, diced

            2 bunches of kale, thinly sliced

            1 juice of 1/2 lemon

            maldon salt, to taste

            fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1.             Heat a large pot over medium heat.

2.            Add the leeks, garlic,and pepper.

3.            Sweat over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring often.

4.            Add carrots, celery . Cook for about 3 minutes.

5.            Add the water, tomatoes and, simmer over low heat for at least 30 minutes.

6.            The longer, the better the flavor is.

7.                   Cook 15 minutes before serving stir in the kale and courgettes

8.            Cook for 5 minutes.

9.            Stir in lemon juice.

10.        Season with salt and pepper to taste.

11.         Serve.