In a stock pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes or until translucent.
Add potatoes, corn kernels, cobs, and miso broth. Cover and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook until potatoes are tender. Remove cobs and discard.
Stir in cream, salt and black pepper. Carefully blend the soup to the desired texture in the pot with an immersion blender.
Serve garnished with chives and a light drizzle of toasted sesame oil. Enjoy!
Notes
*If you cannot find miso broth, use vegetable broth or water with 2-3 tablespoons of miso. You can also use heavy cream in equal amounts for a vegetarian version.
In a large pot, combine broth, aromatics, and spices (all recipe ingredients up to and including fish sauce). Bring to a gentle simmer for 25 minutes to infuse. Strain broth and return to the pot.
Add dumplings to the pot and cook based on the package instructions.
To serve, place zucchini spirals into serving bowls and ladle hot broth over. Place dumplings on top of broth and garnish with cilantro.
Notes
3 hours (if making broth from scratch) OR 40 minutes (if using store bought)
Cut potatoes into 1-inch pieces if large. Place potatoes in a saucepan with salted water, bring to a boil and cook until tender. Drain and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a sauté pan over medium-low heat.Add onion and whole spices. Sauté until onions are translucent and starting to brown.
Stir in diced tomato, garlic, ginger, ground spices, salt, and water/broth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes, or until tomatoes break down.
Add yogurt and stir until smooth then add in cooked potatoes. Heat through and serve garnished with cilantro and cashews.
Notes
Pairs well with steamed rice, chicken skewers, or garlicky naan bread
Can be made dairy free by substituting Greek yogurt with a plant-based version
Often picnics are thought of as a cooler full of cold drinks and food spread out under the summer sun on a hot day. But picnics can also be mugs of hot chocolate or warm soup enjoyed wrapped in a warm blanket amid the still solitude of a snowy day. Whether it’s a quiet and cozy meal for two or a family fuel-up, food always tastes better outdoors in the brisk, clean air!
Chai-Spiced Hot Apple Cider
Sweet apple cider partners perfectly with fragrant chai-inspired flavors for a delicious and warming beverage sure to spice up any winter picnic!
Using mortar and pestle, lightly crush cardamom pods, cloves, and fennel seeds.
In medium saucepan on medium heat, add apple cider, cinnamon, gingerroot, black peppercorns, apple slices, apple cider vinegar, and crushed cardamom pods, cloves, and fennel seeds. Bring to a boil and reduce to a low simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, discard apple slices, and pour apple cider through nut bag or cheesecloth to remove spice remnants. Divide and enjoy!
For a stronger and spicier cider, after discarding apple slices, refrigerate overnight and strain spice remnants before reheating to desired temperature.
Creamy Mushroom and Leek Soup
Full flavored yet easy to make, this simple but refined soup is cozy and rich in earthy mushroom flavors and cashew creaminess.
1medium-size leekchopped (white and light green part only)
1yellow oniondiced
2garlic clovespeeled and crushed
8cremini mushroomssliced
1tspsherry vinegar
3cupsmushroom broth
2fresh thyme sprigs
½tspsalt
Method
In small bowl, place raw cashews and add 2 cups boiling water. Let soak while preparing soup.
In large soup pot on medium, heat avocado oil. Add leeks and onions and saute for 5 minutes, until onions are translucent. Add garlic and sliced mushrooms and saute for a further 5 minutes, then add sherry vinegar, broth, and thyme sprigs. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes.
Remove pot from heat and discard thyme sprigs. With immersion blender, blend mushroom broth mixture well. Alternately, ladle all into blender and blend until smooth before returning to soup pot.
Drain water from cashews and add cashews to high-speed blender. Add 1 1/2 cups blended mushroom mixture to cashews and blend to create smooth cashew cream. Slowly whisk cashew cream back into remaining mushroom mixture in soup pot and bring to desired temperature. Enjoy!
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad Wraps
Roasted sweet potatoes and zesty Dijon mustard transform a classic picnic salad concept into a new and fresh menu item for your basket.
4sweet potatoespeeled and diced into uniform ½-inch squares
2tbspavocado oil
½tspsalt
1red bell pepperdiced
4whole wheat tortilla wraps
1cupspinach
2avocadossliced
Method
In medium bowl, whisk yogurt, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, chives, garlic, and 1/4 tsp black pepper; set aside.
Preheat oven to 425 F.
In large bowl, toss sweet potato with avocado oil, sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper and spread evenly on large parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Place in preheated oven on middle rack and roast until squash is fork tender, about 30 minutes, stirring halfway through. Remove from oven and let cool to room temperature.
When sweet potato has cooled, add diced red bell pepper and dressing, and mix well. This can be stored in the fridge overnight to assemble wraps the next day.
To assemble wraps, lay out tortillas on counter. Divide spinach among wraps, placing it on the bottom third of each tortilla. Top spinach with evenly divided avocado and then sweet potato salad mix. Fold in tortilla’s two sides and then roll up from the bottom, folding and tucking in the two sides as you tightly wrap the tortilla to the end. Wrap each individually in parchment paper or place in resealable container small enough to keep wraps rolled up.
Stock up on canned pumpkin so you can enjoy this cozy soup all season long. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy! Pumpkin adds fiber and nutrients to this simple soup. After chopping onion and garlic, it’s as simple as opening cans and stirring. Save your cooking energy for the big meal!
Make it plant-based by replacing half and half with a plant-based creamer.
Servings 4
Ingredients
3tbspolive oil
1large yellow oniondiced
1tbspminced garlic
24-oz cans diced green chilies
1quartvegetable stock
115-oz can pumpkin puree
1tspground cumin
½tspdried thyme
½tspdried savoryoptional
2cupsfrozen corn
1cuphalf and half (or alternative)
1large baking potatopeeled and roughly mashed
1tbspsriracha hot sauce
½cupcilantrochopped (optional)
1 ½tspsea salt
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a stock pot over medium-low heat. Add onion and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes.
Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds then add green chilies and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Stir in vegetable stock, pumpkin puree, cumin, thyme, and savory (if using). Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5–10 minutes.
Stir in corn, half and half, potato, sriracha, cilantro (if using), and sea salt. Cook until corn is warmed through.
When you’re looking for a soothing and nourishing recipe that can help boost your immune system and provide comfort, a healing herbal vegetable broth is the perfect choice.
Packed with a variety of vegetables and aromatic herbs, this broth not only tastes delicious but also provides a wealth of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Whether you’re feeling under the weather or just want to warm up on a chilly day, this recipe is sure to become a go-to in your kitchen.
Elisa Franco
Healing Herb & Vegetable Broth
This healing herbal vegetable broth is a kitchen staple that you'll want to keep on hand year-round. Its nourishing properties make it a go-to when you're feeling unwell, and its delicious taste makes it a versatile addition to various recipes. Sip and enjoy the benefits of this homemade broth and share it with your loved ones. Store extra in the freezer to have at the ready.
1tspturmeric powderor a small piece of fresh turmeric root
1-inchknob of gingersliced
1small handful of dried shiitake mushrooms
12cupswater
salt and pepper to taste
3jalapeño slicesoptional, for heat
1/2cupsliced reishi mushroom, or 2 tbsp powderedoptional, for immune boost
1piece kombuoptional, for immune boost
1tbspdried astragalusoptional, for immune boost
Method
Gather all your ingredients and chop the vegetables as indicated.
In a large soup pot, dry-toast the coriander seeds and fennel seeds over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant. This step enhances their flavors.
Add all of your ingredients, except the water, to the pot. Stir to combine.
Pour 12 cups of water into the pot, covering all the ingredients. Slowly bring the mixture to a soft boil over medium high heat.
Once it boils, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the broth simmer for about 1.5 to 3 hours. This allows the flavors to meld and the vegetables to release their goodness. Add salt and pepper to taste during this time.
After simmering, carefully strain the broth into another pot or large bowl. Discard the solids or save them for compost.
Your healing herbal vegetable broth is ready to serve. Sip it as a comforting and soothing drink or use it as a base for soups, stews, or any recipe that calls for broth. It's a wonderful way to nourish your body and support your immune system.
If you think of imperfectly rehydrated vegetables and a foam cup when you hear noodle cup, you’re not alone. This creamy Tom Yum noodle soup is way beyond that mediocre convenience food! With a few minutes and a bit of slicing, you’ve got a mix of fresh and sautéed veggies, crispy tofu, and a hearty meal ready to stave off any lingering chill of winter. No air fryer? You can always start the tofu in the pan and sauté the veggies once you’ve got some crispy edges. For a more hands off approach, you can also cook the tofu in a 400°F oven on a lined baking sheet. Either way, you’re just a few minutes away from creamy, rich, hot and sour soup!
Creamy Tom Yum Noodle Soup
Take a super easy ramen soup cup, add crispy tofu, sautéed veggies, and coconut cream. In no time, you’ve got a satisfying meal that will taste like it took much longer to make. Your secret is safe with us!
With just a few ingredients, you can make this luxurious, creamy soup. Perfect for days that don’t quite feel like spring, take storage potatoes, spring leeks, and the best vegetable stock you can find, whether it’s homemade or boxed. Adding a hefty pour of cream brings decadence that will satisfy you even if you’d rather soup season were behind you. An immersion blender makes quick work of creating the smooth texture, but don’t be afraid to leave the soup chunky or use a countertop blender if that’s what you’ve got. Crusty bread makes this soup a meal!
Potato Leek Soup
With just a few ingredients, you can make this luxurious, creamy soup. Perfect for days that don’t quite feel like spring.
Thanks to Christine Waltermyer & The Natural Kitchen Cooking School!
Christine Waltermyer is a local and renowned Wellness Chef, private chef to celebrities, published cookbook author and founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, which offers an online Plant-Based Cooking Program. She also loves shopping at Basil Bandwagon! Visit naturalkitchenschool.com to subscribe to her email newsletter for new recipes, tips, and FREE access to the Power of Veggies mini-course!
New Orleans Gumbo is an amazing fusion of cultures and flavors. While the roots of gumbo are African, the modern dish is a culmination of contributions from Native American, French, Spanish, and Caribbean cuisines. Enjoy!
½cupghee (clarified butter)divided (or tallow or bacon fat)
2cupsfrozen okrasliced and thawed
½cupall-purpose flour
1medium yellow onionchopped
1medium bell pepperseeded and chopped
2stalks celerychopped
2cloves garlicminced
2bay leaves
1poundsausagesliced
5sprigsfresh thyme
1tablespooncoconut aminos
Sea saltto taste
White or black pepperto taste
2poundsshrimppeeled, deveined, and rinsed
4cupscooked rice
1-2teaspoonsfilé powder
Fresh parsleyto garnish
Method
Make the seafood gumbo stock
In a large soup pot, place all of the seafood gumbo stock ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the stock through a large fine-mesh strainer. Set aside. If not using right away, the stock can be cooled and stored in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Make the mild Creole seasoning
In a small bowl, stir together all of the Mild Creole Seasoning ingredients until well combined.
Fry the okra
Heat 2 tablespoons of the ghee in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the okra and fry for a few minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the okra to a paper towel-lined plate.
Make the roux
Whisk together the remaining ghee and the flour in a large soup pot over medium-low heat until for 25 minutes. Whisk constantly, until it turns a rich brown color. Watch closely, being careful not to burn the roux. Remove from the heat and continue whisking until it cools down.
Cook the gumbo
Place the soup pot containing the roux back on the stove. Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, and the mild creole seasoning. If you like more seasoning, feel free to increase the amount of spices used. Cook and stir for 5 minutes over medium heat, or until the onions have softened. Add the garlic and bay leaves.
Increase the heat to medium-high heat. While whisking or stirring constantly, add the seafood gumbo stock, a few cups at a time. Add the okra, sausage, thyme, and coconut aminos. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1 hour. Add more salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the shrimp. Cook for 10 more minutes. Stir in the filé powder.
Ladle 2 cups of the hot gumbo into each bowl. Add one cup of rice in the center of each bowl. Enjoy!
Notes
Note: Cool any remaining gumbo by placing the soup pot in an ice bath, then transfer to a covered container and refrigerate immediately to prevent spoilage.
Thank you to Christine Waltermyer and the Natural Kitchen Cooking School for working with us to help promote healthy, nutritious meals and products that are affordable, full of nutrients, and simple to make at home!
There are few things more comforting than a hot bowl of soup on a cold night. Think of this as a no-recipe recipe. Got leftover rice from takeout? Need to clean out the crisper drawer before heading to the store for a restock? Mix and match the vegetables in this warming vegetable soup to your preferences, but make sure to include the ginger!
Warming Vegetable Soup with Ginger
There are few things more comforting than a hot bowl of soup on a cold night. Substitute veggie stock for a vegan version and know that you’ve got dinner covered!
In a large stockpot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until tender. Add ginger and cook for a minute.
Add stock and carrots. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Add potatoes and kale and return to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are tender then stir in rice. Season soup to taste with salt, pepper, and sriracha.