Zucchini Pho Soup

INGREDIENTS

1. 2 litres good quality  stock 
2. 1 stick of cinnamon (or 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
3. 2 star anise
4. 4 whole cloves
5. Thumb sized piece of ginger, peeled and grated
6. 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
7. Zest of 1 lime
8. 2 tablespoons fish sauce 
9. Handful of green beans, cut into small pieces
10. 1 zucchini, spiralized

Garnish

1. Handful of coriander (cilantro), finely chopped
2. Handful of cashews, chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. Place the stock, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, ginger, garlic, lime zest, fish sauce,  in a large pot. Heat on high until the mixture comes to a boil then turn down to simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick, star anise, and cloves. Add in the sliced beans and cook for a further 2 minutes.
2. Divide the spiralized zucchini and soup among 4 bowls. Garnish with the chopped coriander, and cashews, 

Lemon, lentil and spinach soup

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 1/2 cups dried brown lentils
• 3 potatoes, peeled, diced
• 2 litres vegetable stock (or chicken stock)
• 1 bunch English spinach, leaves removed, washed, chopped
• 2 lemons, rind finely grated, juiced
• Turkish bread, to serve

• Step 1
  Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add  garlic. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until soft. Add lentils, potatoes and stock. Bring to the boil. Use a slotted spoon to skim any residue from surface of soup.
• Step 2
  Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, covered, for 25 minutes or until lentils are tender. Remove from heat. Add spinach, 1/2 cup of lemon juice, and salt and pepper. Stir until well combined. Ladle into bowls. Top with lemon rind. Serve with bread.

Tomato Lentil Soup (slow cooker)

1 litre (4 cups) beef stock
1 large tin chopped tomatoes
1 jar tomato pesto or stir through sauce (I used sun dried tomato and roasted garlic)
2 cups red lentils
i container sour cream

Add first 4 ingredients to slow cooker along with any other desired seasonings (I used a generous sprinkle each of salt, dried basil and dried oregano)

cook for at least 4 hours on low or 2 on high (to cook the lentils)

add sour cream

Roasted Vegetable Soup

Healthy Roasted Vegetable Soup Recipe serves 4-6 

low fat, gluten free, clean eating friendly, vegan 

1 medium eggplant (~250g), washed, peeled if desired and cut into chunks*

3 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks(~300g)

1 small leek, cut into chunks

2-3 large potatoes (~450g), washed, peeled if desired and cut into chunks 

~5 cloves of garlic**

1 cup mushrooms, washed and quartered (~100g)

2 medium zucchini (~250g) 

1 medium sweet potato (~150g)

2-3 tsp garlic salt (to taste)

pepper 

3-4 cups water 

Optional but recommended: Fresh basil and parsley, finely chopped

To serve: Fresh herbs and a dollop of greek yogurt/cream if desired

• Preheat your oven to 200C/395F 
• Place your veggies on a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake until they just start to soften and brown up (about 20-40 minutes) and then remove from the oven. If they're browning too fast, turn the heat down slightly and cover your veggies with foil. 

Stovetop Directions:

• Place your veggies into a large saucepan with 3-4 cups of water (just enough to cover everything). 
• Bring your soup mixture to the boil and add in your garlic salt, pepper and additional herbs if desired.
• Once your soup has come to the boil, turn it down to a simmer and allow to cook until your veggies are soft. 
• Once your veggies are soft, transfer your soup into a blender and blend until smooth. If needed, return your soup back to the pot to thicken and reduce to your desired thickness. 
• Serve immediately, sprinkled with some fresh herbs and a dollop of plain greek yogurt/cream if desired.
• The soup will keep in the fridge for up to a week or can be frozen in individual portions to eat later

Dal lentil soup

For the slow cooker:

2 tsps garlic
1/2 tsp turmeric
2 tsps curry powder or paste (I used Massaman paste)
1/2 tsp garam masala
1 tsp cumin
1 can diced tomatoes
2 cups lentils (preferably red)
4 cups stock (I used chicken)

cook several hours in slow cooker several hours.
Blend if desired,
then add

1 1/2 cups coconut milk
3 tabs lemon or lime juice
fresh chopped coriander

serve

White Gazpacho

Ingredients.

350g flaked almonds
425g sourdough bread, crust off, soak in water
5 cloves garlic, peeled
2 pinches salt – (Murray River Pink)
375ml extra virgin olive oil, blend with canola
150ml verjus
625g grapes (White Thompson Seedless)
375g cucumber, peeled (Telegraph Cucumber)

Method.

1. Blend almonds to a fine texture.

2. Add all ingredients and blend to a smooth paste.

3. Adjust seasoning and acidity with verjus and salt.