Healthy and easy to make Soups for Autumn

Healthy and easy to make Soups for Autumn

In this post Emma is sharing one of her easy to make and delicious soups. She will explaining why soups are economical and good for our health. So over to Emma.

“Soup is a natural and healthy option that can be prepared in various ways, with vegetables, meat, chicken or even beans and rice. It is quick to make and a great way to use left over vegetables. Even better with a slow cooker, you can throw a variety of ingredients into a slow cooker in the morning and when you return home in the evening a delicious meal will be waiting for you.

Soup is a good way to add fibre to your diet, vegetables and legumes keep your digestive system healthy and prevent bloating and constipation.  Adding all those wonderful vegetables gives you an antioxidant boost.  They contain natural chemicals that help us fight infection and all the different colours contain special compounds so variety is important.  

Use garlic and onion in your soup.  Both of these vegetables help boost immune function. They have antibacterial and antiviral properties from a compound called allicin. Cooking can reduce this active immune-boosting ingredient.  So leave them to rest for 5 – 10 minutes after chopping and before cooking to help retain more allicin in your meal.”

SPICED CREAMY CARROT AND GINGER SOUP

30gms chopped ginger 
1 tsp turmeric powder 
1 tsp ground cumin and coriander 
1 tsp ground cardamom or half teaspoon cardamom seeds
500g carrots chopped into 1 cm chunks
1 litre bone broth or vegetable stock (1 tbsp bouillon powder with 1 litre water)
1 can coconut milk
1 tsp sea salt 
½ tsp black pepper 
2 tbsp coconut oil 
a handful of fresh chopped coriander 

• Heat the oil in a pan and saute the ginger, turmeric, coriander, cumin and cardamom
• Stir well and cook gently for a further few minutes 
• Add the carrots and bone broth or veg stock
• Bring to the boil and then simmer for 20 minutes.
• Season and add the coconut milk, mix then cool slightly
• Blend the soup with a handheld blender or processor
• Mix in the fresh coriander and serve 

I love making Emma’s carrot and ginger soup. It is so quick and tastes wonderful.  She says that ginger and turmeric are great immune boosters. At this time of year, when we are more likely to get coughs and colds, we need all the help we can get.

I find my soup maker and slow cooker come into their own at this time of year. My soup maker is by Cuisinart from JohnLewis&Partners. I find it so easy and quick to use.

If you missed Emma’s last soup recipe you can check it out here

If you live in the UK Emma will be running cookery and nutrition workshops at her home in Buckinghamshire. Only a few places left so you will need to hurry. I attended one last year and have booked up again for the 6th November. The recipes she shares are absolutely delicious.