Winter greens are in abundance and it is the perfect time of year to enjoy warm, nourishing soups. This garden green soup is full of greens that are only lightly cooked, so they retain as much of their nutrients as possible. This soup will make the perfect winter starter or lunch and can be made using any greens you have growing in the garden.
Nourishing Garden Green Soup
Packed full of fresh nutritious greens from the garden, this soup is delicious served both warm and cold.
Ingredients
- 1 medium Brown Onion
- 2 cloves of Garlic
- 4-5 Rainbow chard leaves
- 10 Sweet Potato leaves
- 2 Broccoli or Cauliflower leaves
- 1 Sprig of Mint (10 leaves)
- 3 Sprigs of Fennel Frond leaves
- 2 Sprigs of Parsley (1/2 cup)
- 2-3 Nasturtium leaves
- 1 Tbsp Tamari (or soy sauce)
- 1 tsp ground Cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground Cumin
- 1/2 cup Coconut Milk
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 3/4 cup Water
Instructions
1. Finely dice the onion. Add oil to a frypan on medium-low heat and cook the onion for 10 minutes or until slightly golden.
2. Add in the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add in the cumin and cinnamon and stir to mix, cooking for a further 1 minute.
3. Add in the coconut milk, Tamari, and 3/4 cup of water. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring regularly. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
4. Rinse your greens and remove the stems.
5. Fill a wide bowl with cold water and ice and place it beside the stove. Place a wide pan, (or wok) on medium heat with 3-4 inches of water. Heat until the water is simmering.
6. Blanch your leaves in the simmering water and then add to the iced water to cool. This will lightly cook the leaves and help them remain bright vibrant green. Do this in stages with each type of leaf. Blanch the thicker leaves such as Rainbow chard, Broccoli, Cauliflower leaves, and Sweet Potato leaves for 45 seconds. The more delicate leaves such as Mint, Nasturtium, and fennel for 20-30seconds.
7. Strain off the green from the water.
8. Blitz up the cooled onion mixture and greens in a blender or similar (stick mixer, Nutribullet).
9. Transfer the mix to a saucepan and add salt (to taste) and reheat to serve or enjoy cold.
OPTIONAL: Top with mixed seeds (sesame, pumpkin, sunflower), edible flowers, and baby mint and nasturtium leaves. Serve with buttered Toast.
Notes
The Sweet potato and Broccoli leaves can be substituted with other garden greens you have growing in the garden such as Spinach, SilverBeet, Asian greens.
The darker the greens are in colour, the more vibrant green the soup will be.
