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Creamy Vegetable Soup (with crunchy chickpeas)
This divine, nourishing Creamy Vegetable Soup (with crunchy chickpeas) is a protein rich meal or starter. It’s loaded with fibre, good fats, liver and gut loving veggies and it tastes so creamy and delicious. The chickpeas add in lovely flavour and texture and also form a complete vegetarian protein with the cashews.
The curry flavour is very mild, almost unnoticeable but it adds a real depth of flavour (and lots of goodness) that just works beautifully with the cheesiness of the nutritional yeast. There’s so much to love in this wholesome soup.
Health benefits
Cauliflower and sweet potato bring fibre, vitamin C and slow-burning carbohydrates to support steady energy. Cashews add healthy fats and a lovely creaminess while also offering minerals such as magnesium. The mild curry spices gently support digestion, and roasted chickpeas add plant protein and extra fibre to keep you fuller for longer.
Ingredients
For this creamy vegetable soup recipe, you will need cauliflower, sweet potato, celery, onion, garlic cloves, cashews, chicken broth, mild curry powder, nutritional yeast and a topping of roasted chickpeas seasoned with tamari, cumin, smoked paprika and maple.
How to make this Creamy Vegetable Soup
Roast the seasoned chickpeas until crisp. While they cook, sautรฉ the onion and celery, then add garlic, curry spices, cauliflower, sweet potato, cashews and broth. Simmer until tender, blend until smooth and stir in the nutritional yeast. Taste and adjust the seasoning so the flavours really shine.
Serving suggestions and how to store
Serve warm with the crunchy chickpeas and fresh coriander scattered over the top. A drizzle of chilli oil works beautifully if you enjoy a little heat. Store leftovers in the fridge or freezer and reheat gently to maintain that velvety texture.
Vary this Creamy Vegetable Soup to suit your dietary needs
Omit the chickpeas for a legume-free version and add toasted pepitas on top. Swap the nutritional yeast for grated parmesan if dairy is tolerated.
For more healthy soup recipes, click HERE.
Creamy Vegetable Soup (with crunchy chickpeas)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil – or ghee
- 1 onion/s – diced
- 2 stick/s celery – diced
- 4 clove/s garlic – minced
- 2 tsp mild curry powder
- 1 small cauliflower – approx. 400g broken into florets, stem chopped
- 1 sweet potato/s – peeled and diced
- 140 g raw cashew nuts – 1 cup
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste
- 750 ml stock or broth – 3 cups chicken or vegetable
- ยผ cup/s nutritional yeast – see variation below
Crunchy Chickpeas
- 400 g canย chickpeas – drained and rinsed
- 1 tbsp tamari
- ยฝ tsp ground cumin
- ยฝ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
To Serve
- ยฝ bunch/s fresh coriander leaves – finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200ยฐC / 390ยฐF (fan-forced).
- Drain the chickpeas really well and dry in a clean tea towel.
- Toss in the tamari, cumin, paprika and maple syrup.
- Place on a baking tray (in a single layer) and roast for 20-30 minutes, stirring a few times.
- While they are roasting make the soup.
- Place the onion and celery in a large pot with the olive oil or ghee.
- Saute for 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and curry powder and saute for a couple of minutes, stirring.
- Then add the cauliflower, sweet potato, cashews, broth or stock and season to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook until the vegetables have softened, 20-30 minutes.
- Allow to cool before pureeing with a stick blender or blender. Add the nutritional yeast and blend again. Taste and adjust the seasoning (salt really brings out the flavour).
Thermomix
- Follow steps 1-5 to make the crunchy chickpeas.
- Place the onion (quartered), celery (roughly chopped) and garlic in the Thermomix bowl. Chop 5 seconds, speed 5.
- Add the olive oil and curry powder; saute 3 minutes, 100deg, speed 1, MC off.
- Add the cauliflower (roughly chopped), sweet potato (roughly chopped) and cashews and chop 5 seconds, speed 5. Add the broth or stock and seasoning.
- Cook 25 minutes, 100deg, speed 2, steaming basket on top to prevent splatter.
- Add the nutritional yeast.
- Blend 30 seconds, speed 6-7 or until smooth. Turn the dial up slowly to prevent splatter and make sure the steaming basket is still on top.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning (salt really brings out the flavour).
Serve
- Once the chickpeas are crunchy (or almost crunchy) remove from the oven and serve over the soup with the coriander. I also added a drizzle of chilli oil (because I love a bit of spice) but this is entirely optional.
Make-ahead
- Re-heat in a pot over a low heat until just hot.
Store
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Grab Bag Formula Method
- If you've done the **Grab Bag Formulaย Short Course, this is the method to convert this recipe…
- Place all the ingredients for the soup into the Grab Bag.
- Carefully seal your Grab Bag. I close most of the seal then press out as much air as I can then complete the seal. Place the Grab Bag in the freezer.
- To cook, remove the Grab Bag from the freezer, place on a baking tray and thaw in the fridge overnight.
- Tip the contents of the Grab Bag into a large oven proof dish (with a tight fitting lid) or Dutch oven. It may still be a bit frozen; thatโs okay.
- Place the lid on the pot, set your oven to 150ยฐC/300ยฐF (fan-forced) and cook for 2 hours.
- Allow to cool before pureeing with a stick blender or blender. Add the nutritional yeast and blend again. Taste and adjust the seasoning (salt really brings out the flavour).
- **ย Theย Grab Bag Formulaย Short Course is available to purchase for just AU$46ย HERE.ORIf you are a full-accessย Well Nourished Familyย member, the course is included in your membership and you can access in the members portal –ย HERE.
Notes
Legume free
Omit the chickpeas. Perhaps top with toasted pepitas.No nutritional yeast
Sub with grated parmesan cheese. ย ย ย ยWhat did you think of this deliciously creamy plan-based vegetable soup…let me know in the comments below…
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Immune Bombs
These Immune Bombs are a fabulous remedy to make ahead of the cooler weather. They are quick and easy to make and store well in the freezer. If you’re feeling under the weather or just want to get ahead with immune support during the flu season, you can use these to make a fast, no fuss immune supportive, anti-inflammatory tea.
Add the ice block to boiling water, mix in Manuka honey (I love the Barnes Naturalโs range if you are in Australia, it’s Aussie made so you’re supporting local beekeepers and has the most beautiful flavour) or another raw medicinal honey and take a moment to relax and enjoy instant immune support!
Warning – the turmeric can stain (hands, benches, plastics). Wash in warm soapy water. Also sunlight helps remove the stains if utensils do become yellowed.
Health benefits
Turmeric & Ginger – The turmeric is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral. This, combined with the anti-inflammatory and warming effects of ginger, means that both are wonderful for treating the congestion associated with respiratory infections.
Lemon – Lemon obviously donates a little hit of vitamin C. But it is the zest that impresses the most. Lemon zest is very nutrient dense, an amazing antioxidant and is very anti-bacterial too. It is also very good for stimulating digestion and breaking down mucous. This is why where ever a recipe calls for lemon juice, I always try to incorporate the zest too.
Sea Salt – supports hydration
Black pepper – Black pepper is replete with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Coconut oil – The principle medium chain fatty acids in coconut, lauric and capric acid, are anti-inflammatory and support immune and digestive health. The fat also helps the absorption of fat soluble vitamins and active compounds in the turmeric.
Cinnamon – Cinnamon is showing some promising results as an antiviral. It is an anti-inflammatory, warming herb with many antioxidants.
Honey – Honey has been used for centuries to reduce inflammation, promote healing and reduce infection. But not all honey is created equal! Processed honey has NO medicinal qualities. Only real, raw honey possesses these properties, with some types of honey more potent than others. Manuka honey is a type of honey which is potently antibiotic and is receiving much attention in the medical community for its medicinal qualities. Look for a MGO of 400+ -550+ for high grade immune support. I use Barnes Natural’s brand if you are in Australia (you can buy it in store or online at Chemist Warehouse).
The final ingredient to help your body heal is REST. Stop and take the time to sip slowly at this hot cup of tea and allow your body the opportunity to heal. Get enough sleep and give your immune system the chance to fight infection.
Make these Immune Bombs ASAP so they are ready to grab from the freezer at the first hint of a sore throat, cold or feeling run down!
Health benefits
Turmeric and ginger are renowned for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Combined with the vitamin C from lemon, black pepper for better turmeric absorption, and honey for its soothing, antimicrobial benefits, this recipe delivers an immunity-enhancing drink to help your body thrive.
Ingredients
This recipe brings together immune-supportive ingredients such as fresh turmeric, ginger, lemon, and black pepper, which aid in combating inflammation and improving digestion. Coconut oil adds healthy fats that help the body absorb the turmeric’s curcumin, while cinnamon adds warming spice and balances blood sugar levels.
How to make Immune Bombs
Blend the turmeric and ginger together until finely minced. Add the rest of the ingredients (except the honey) and blend until smooth. Freeze the mixture in ice cube trays for easy, grab-and-go portions. When ready to enjoy, place a cube in a mug, add boiling water, stir to dissolve, and mix in honey to taste.
Serving suggestions and how to store
Simply drop a frozen Immune Bomb cube into a large mug or thermos, add hot water, and stir to create a nourishing drink. These cubes can be stored in the freezer in an airtight container, making them easy to prepare whenever needed.
Vary this to suit your dietary needs
For a coconut-free version, substitute the coconut oil with ghee, which provides similar health benefits and a rich, buttery flavour. You can also adjust the amount of honey or opt for a different natural sweetener, depending on your preference.
Take a look at the variations (below the main recipe) for suggestions to alter the recipe to suit many specific dietary requirements.
Important
This information is solely for informational purposes and is not intended to take the place of medical advice. Always seek the advice of your health care professional if unwell.ย Please consider, whilst I would love to help each and every one of you, I am not able to offer individual health or medical advice.
Download your FREE Immune Health Plan ebook – A practical guide filled with simple tips to help support your immune system so you and your family stay fighting fit this winter.
Immune Bombs
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp fresh turmeric root – can sub with 1 tsp ground if you can't source fresh
- 2 tbsp ginger root – fresh (scrubbed or peeled)
- 2 lemon/s – zest and flesh (no pith or seeds)
- ยฝ tsp sea salt
- ยผ tsp ground black pepper
- 60 ml coconut oil (ยผ cup)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- manuka or raw honey – to taste
Instructions
- In a high speed blender or food processor, add the turmeric and ginger and finely mince. If using a Thermomix 10 seconds, speed 8. Scrape sides and repeat if neccesary.
- Add the rest of the ingredients (except the honey) and puree on high for a good minute. If using a Thermomix, blend 20 seconds, speed 9. Scrape the sides and repeat a few more times until smooth.
- Freeze in cubes.
Serve
- Place a cube from the freezer into a large mug or thermos. Add boiling water and stir to dissolve the cube.
- Then mix in the manuka honey to taste.
Store
- Airtight in the freezer.
Notes
Coconut-free
Replace the coconut oil with ghee. ย ย ย ย ยLet me know what you thought of these potent Immune Bombs in the comments below…
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