With the cold and wet weather upon us here in BC, big salads are starting to lose some of their charm. So how to pack in those nutrient rich veggies and banish the winter chill? Veggie packed soups bursting with flavour should do the trick!
Here are 5 soups that are loaded with nutrition and add some much needed cozy to your lunch.
Seared Broccoli and Potato Soup
The quick sear (or broil) on the broccoli adds a ton of flavour to an otherwise basic soup. You’ve probably got most of these ingredients in your kitchen- what’s not to love! And broccoli is a member of the potent cruciferous family– lots of nutrients to help get you through cold and flu season unscathed.
http://food52.com/recipes/38899-melissa-clark-s-seared-broccoli-and-potato-soup
Parsnip and Pear Soup with Red Lentils
Parsnips are an often overlooked root vegetable. Mild and slightly sweet, they add a creamy texture to this veggie soup. Lentils add fibre and protein, and pears a soft sweetness. Swap veggie stock for chicken and you could easily have a vegan version if that’s your path.
http://www.lentils.ca/recipe/parsnip-pear-soup-with-split-red-lentils/
Slow Cooker Lentil & Tomato Bisque
This high protein version of a lunchtime classic is made in one of my favourite kitchen appliances- a slow cooker! Perfect for batch cooking while still in your PJs on the weekend, and a wonderful way to build flavour without a lot of effort.
http://www.lentils.ca/recipe/slow-cooker-lentil-tomato-bisque/
Curried Cauliflower Soup
A trio of anti-inflammatory ingredients – cauliflower, onions and turmeric – are the stars in this cozy and simple-to-make soup.
http://food52.com/recipes/11855-curried-cauliflower-soup
Red Pepper and Cauliflower Chowder
Warmth from the peppers and body from the cauliflower- this will be one filling, and fibre packed soup. Peppers are also a great natural source of Vitamin C (take that- dull winter skin), folate and cancer fighting carotenoids.
http://food52.com/recipes/31659-red-pepper-and-cauliflower-chowder
I hope these soups help you fight off that winter chill- without resorting to big bowls of empty carbs or calories. Nutrient dense all the way for team Westcoast. Happy eating!
