My family got a large box of organic, mostly local produce in the mail from Full Circle Farms. A surprise array of vegetables and fruits show up at your door. My mom and I figured that the box would provide me perfect opportunities to think on my feet and create a recipe with whatever I'm given. The box contained red chard, which is a nutrient-dense superfood. I figured that by putting a ton of vegetables into a soup, I'd create the perfect immune system booster. I've attached my recipe and a picture.
Superfood Soup
Serves 6 - 8
This soup will definitely help you recover from any kind of common virus. The nutrient-dense chard and spinach, vitamin-C-packed bell pepper, lycopine in tomatoes, and comforting ginger all contribute to the name "superfood," and superfoods they are.
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
A 1-inch long piece of ginger, peeled and minced
2 tsp orange zest
The juice of ½ of a lemon
1 large tomato, diced
3 celery stalks, diced (include the leaves if possible)
1 red bell pepper, diced
6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 bunch of red chard, coarsely chopped (discard thick stems)
4 loosely packed cups of baby spinach
A couple handfuls of pine nuts, as a garnish
Salt and pepper, to taste
Preparation
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and pepper. Sauté until onions turn translucent. Add garlic, ginger, orange zest, lemon juice, tomatoes, celery, bell pepper, and salt. Sauté for 3 – 5 minutes, or until bell pepper and celery have softened a bit. Add broth and season once more if needed. Cover and bring to a simmer.
2. Once simmering, add chard. Cover again and cook for 9 minutes. Then, add spinach. Cook until barely wilted. Adjust seasonings if needed.
3. Serve each bowl topped with pine nuts.
