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A Mixed Vegetables & Greens Soup And Red Lentil Tomato & Saffron Soup

Cabbage Soup With Salmon

Well, looks like the flu is making the rounds at work and I was not immune to its path. This strain has knocked me down for the greater part of last week. I am just starting to feel my head being clearer although I am still hacking away and the most simple activity leaves me completely wiped of energy. It totally zapped my appetite too leaving me with little desire or interest in food. A travesty!

Cabbage

I do know however that my body requires good, wholesome fuel in order to fight the virus. After the first couple of days spent on chicken broth, I took opportunity of a few moments when my energy was better to head out to the kitchen to fix a couple of big batches of nutritious soups. Even if I could only manage a spoonful here and there, I purposely cooked soups that would provide me with all the nutrients, proteins, natural carbs and fiber I needed.

 

Carrots

While I might have had to sit down at the kitchen counter to chop vegetables (legs and arms were getting tired fast), the promise of being able to lay back on the sofa, curled up with a pup and a hot bowl of soup was equal to none. Very slowly, one spoon after the other, I might manage this eating thing…

 

Cabbage Soup With Salmon

The first soup I made was kind of one of those you might create while cleaning out your fridge. I started picking up ingredients with flavor profiles that would work great together and added a few unexpected things to it. Spring cabbage, carrots, onion, potatoes were chopped, diced and simmered together. A whole head of mizuna went in last, adding a nice peppery touch. The whole thing got a whirl in the Blendtec until smooth. I served the soup warm, topped with some leftover cooked salmon and some pomegranate seeds. Nourishing and filling. While my husband took his with a glass of wine, I had to take an extra swing of cough syrup…but still, there was progress with the whole no appetite thing!

 

Mizuna

The second soup was from Diana Henry’s new book "A Change of Appetite". I love that book and have been cooking my way through it over the past few months. I had been eyeing her "Lentil and roasted tomato soup with saffron" for a while and happened to have most of the ingredients on hand. So with a little adaptation in execution such as replacing fresh tomatoes with a canned fire roasted tomatoes and subbing the yogurt topping for a little creme fraiche, I was in for a rich soup packing a bunch of comforting flavors.

 

Red Lentil Tomato Soup

Mixed Vegetables & Greens Soup:

Serves 6

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

3 small red potatoes, skinned and diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 small bunch Parisian carrots or 4 medium regular carrots, peeled and diced

1 head Spring cabbage, (about 4 cups), chopped

1 quart water, chicken stock or vegetable broth

1 bunch mizuna (you can omit or use 1-2 cups arugula)

salt and pepper to taste

8 oz cooked or grilled salmon (you can use hot smoked salmon too)

1/3 cup pomegranate seeds

Directions:

In a large Dutch oven, heat up the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, potatoes, garlic ad carrots and cook for 5 to 8 minutes or until the vegetables start to color slightly. Add the cabbage  and cook for another couple of minutes. Add the water or stock. Turn the heat up and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes or until the cabbage is tender.

Remove from the heat, let cool for about 15 minutes, add the mizuna and process the soup in a food processor until smooth.  Check the soup for seasoning, adding salt and pepper to your taste.

When ready to serve, reheat the soup over low heat if necessary, ladle into bowls and top with some salmon and pomegranate seeds.

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Lentil & Tomato Soup With Saffron, adapted from Diane Henry’s A Change of Appetite:

Serves 4

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons cumin seeds

1 teaspoon coriander seeds

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large onion, diced

4 garlic cloves, smashed and chopped

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

pinch of saffron

3/4 inch piece of ginger root, peeled and diced

1 cup red lentils

1 can fire roasted tomatoes

3 1/2 cups vegetable stock

salt and pepper to taste

creme fraiche

Directions:

In a dry pan set over medium heat, toast the cumin and coriander seeds for a couple of minutes. Let cool slightly and grind with a mortar and pestle. 

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat and cook the onion until soft and golden brown (about 8-10 minutes). Add the garlic, turmeric, saffron and ginger and cook for an additional couple of minutes. 

Add the lentils and toss to coat. Add the tomatoes and stock. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the lentils have turned into a puree. Season to taste.

Let cool for about 10 minutes then process the soup in a food processor until smooth or leave it chunky. When ready to serve, reheat the soup over low heat if necessary and garnish with creme fraiche (or sour cream or yogurt) and serve. 

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Comments


Unknown February 17, 2015 um 1:32 am

Beautiful soups! I recently got Diana Henry's book but haven't made anything from it. Hope you're feeling better!


Tori February 17, 2015 um 10:36 am

I am craving a big bowl of this soup now! Gorgeos photos!


Fran Amenábar Ch. February 17, 2015 um 12:05 pm

This looks terrific. The summer is leaving, so soon I'll be on soup season and I'll try your reciipe (I love the red lentil soup of your blog) Kss from Chile!!!


carol February 17, 2015 um 12:10 pm

the flu season has been a harsh one, so sorry you got knocked down by it as well… the soups look luscious & healthy medicine, hope you're feeling much better very quickly!


Ksenia @ At the Immigrant's Table February 17, 2015 um 1:06 pm

Both of these soups are absolutely stunning, though I am particularly drawn to the greens soup with a dollop of canned salmon – what a great way to lift up a humdrum canned ingredient, and make a soup into a complete meal.


jaime : the briny February 17, 2015 um 5:48 pm

both soups look delicious. the lentil one is similar to one i like to make often, but my version usually includes a little paprika or ground fenugreek seed.

i hope your recovery from the flu is quick! lingering effects are no fun at all. cheers!


Lori Harris February 18, 2015 um 2:26 am

Helene, I have a whole new appreciation for your work today. I spent two hours wrestling with photographing beef stew. I see your lovely soup from above and am just blown away with your artistry. Thank you for the inspiration!

Hope you feel better soon!


Lauren February 18, 2015 um 2:17 pm

I hope you are feeling better! These soups sound so nourishing 🙂


Rocky Mountain Woman February 19, 2015 um 3:41 pm

I had that awful mess a few weeks ago – feel better!

Both soups look lovely. I'd take a bowl of either right now!


Penny February 25, 2015 um 10:59 pm

Great soups. Hope you are feeling better. I am down right now and can't even think about cooking. Hate that. We are having frozen pizza ( Paul Newman's) tonight. Not my finest hour. But at least I have homemade cole slaw to go with it. I have to say your soups have given me inspiration.


Matea March 1, 2015 um 3:21 am

Lentil soup is one of my favorite winter soups! I usually make the same one over and over again, so I'll have to switch it up a little and try this version! Looks delicious 🙂


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