Today is the 137th celebration of Punxsutawny Phil, the unofficial meteorologist groundhog, attempting to predict if spring is on its way. In case you haven’t heard, Phil predicted 6 more weeks of winter! Whether there is more winter to come or if spring is right around the corner, there is still plenty of room for nourishing your body and making the most of February days for healthy living. Here at Maple Dell Farm we are all about good food and healthy eating! Give yourself a little TLC using this easy 5 step soup recipe. It takes very little effort and you can use whatever is in your pantry. You’ll feel good about feeding yourself and your loved ones something warm and nourishing and creating an original-to-you meal.
EASY 5 STEP SOUP
Start by choosing a large pot and heating up a couple of tablespoons of good quality oil over a medium heat. Olive oil, avocado oil and coconut oil are good choices.
Then:
#1. CHOOSE A PROTEIN — This could be anything from chicken to tofu to canned beans to lentils. This is a great use for leftovers! If you’re using fresh meat, saute bite-size pieces over medium heat until cooked through. This is also a good time to saute any fresh garlic or ginger that you’re using. Remove the meat from the pot and set aside. If you are using canned beans or lentils, you’ll want to add them after you have added the liquid in step #3.
#2. CHOOSE A VEGETABLE — This is where your soup can really shine in bringing health and well-being! Including several different vegetables is an easy way to pack your soup full of vitamins and minerals and antioxidents that we all need for warding off winter illness. Saute any hearty vegetables like carrots first and cook for 5 – 8 minutes. Add softer vegetables like tender leafy greens toward the end of the cooking time to keep their vitamin content.
#3. CHOOSE A LIQUID — This could be a stock, a bone broth or water. For a thicker soup you might need only 2 or 3 cups; for a thinner soup you might need 4 – 6 cups. Adjust amounts for the quantity of people you are cooking for. If you want to add milk or cream for a creamy base, add it after you have brought the pot to a boil and it’s near the end of cooking in step #5.
#4. CHOOSE A CARB — What’s in your pantry? Rice? Corn? Barley? Perhaps try a new grain — wild rice, quinoa, amaranth or millet. Maybe you want to throw in a favorite pasta or toast up some bread cubes for croutons!
#5. CHOOSE YOUR SPICES — Any herbs, spices or citrus that you like is fair game! Try experimenting with garlic, oregano, thyme, mustard or lemon. Ginger and turmeric are especially anti-inflammatory. Garlic will fight off colds and flu. Don’t miss the opportunity to add all the flavor and health benefits that herbs and spices have to offer.
Bring the whole pot to a boil, then reduce to a simmer (add milk ingredients once simmering) and simmer for 20 – 30 minutes. Taste and adjust your seasonings. Add salt and pepper if you like.
Add some crackers or a loaf of crusty bread and there you have it! Feel the satisfaction of creating a nutritious, comforting, one pot meal to boost your health and well-being.