foodie: leek-chard soup

 

not knowing exactly what to do with a huge bunch of leeks and a mongo-size bunch of swiss chard, i decided to make a soup.  this super-healthy soup is hearty, earthy and very filling.  we enjoyed our bowls topped with a spoonful of cottage cheese and sprinkled with toasted pumpkin seeds!

here's what you'll need for 5-6 servings...

1 large bunch of leeks, cleaned and roughly chopped
1 large bunch of swiss (or rainbow) chard, roughly chopped
1/2 head of garlic, roughly chopped
1 cup almond milk (or vegetable broth)
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
1/4-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
salt & pepper

toppings:
cottage cheese or sour cream
toasted pumpkin seeds

1. in a large stock pot, pour in the olive oil.  add in the veggies and garlic, and cook over medium heat, covered until the volume reduces by half.  season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.  cook until the veggies are tender.

2. add the cooked veggies, butter and 1/2 the almond milk into a food processor and blend.  continue to add the remainder of the almond milk until you achieve a thick, creamy consistency (it may take more/less milk depending on how thick you want it).

3. pour soup back into stock pot to bring it back up to temp.

serve with grilled cheese sandwiches or buttered toast points :-)  it tastes "green".

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need a dinner idea? how about creamy butternut squash soup?!

this soup is truly divine.  it's rich, and creamy, and surprisingly healthy, too!  if you love a good butternut squash soup, this recipe can't be beat.  and, it's the perfect winter meal for a cozy evening by the fire. 

picture credit {here}

1 butternut squash (2 lbs), seeded and chopped into 1 inch cubes
1 vidalia onion, peeled and quartered
2 carrots, quartered
1 tablespoon olive oil, plus extra for brushing
1 whole garlic bulb
3 cups vegetable stock
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/4 cup cream sherry
1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano (or 1/2 teaspoon dry)
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup milk or half & half
salt to taste

View full recipe

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees. line a baking sheet with foil. place vegetables on baking sheet and brush with oil. trim off top of garlic bulb, brush lightly with olive oil, wrap with foil and place on baking sheet with vegetables.

2. roast vegetables in the center of the oven for about 40 minutes or until they are very tender. set aside to cool.

3. after they've cooled - squeeze the garlic cloves out of their skins; scrape the flesh from the squash and remove outer layer of onion. add half of the garlic, squash, onion, and carrots to the food processor. add 1 cup of the vegetable stock and purée until smooth; repeat two more times until all veggies and stock are combined.

enjoy it with some warm, fresh baked bread, and you're all set!

bon appetit!

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