Broccoli Soup (dairy free)

I like this recipe because it's simple, nourishing and yummy.  It's a straight-up good recipe that will satiate your tastebuds and 'fill in the gaps' so to speak.  I like have it when I feel a bit low on nourishment or if I haven't got my 8-10 servings of veggies/fruit in for the day.  A big bowl of this gives you almost half that.
Now that's guilt-free living!

You'll need:
6 cups broccoli, finely chopped
2 medium size carrots, scrubbed and grated finely (not peeled)
1 litre organic chicken/turkey/beef stock, preferrably homemade
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp organic butter and/or cold-pressed olive oil
1-3 cloves of garlic (depending on your preference)
3 tbsp fresh parsely, chopped finely
2 tbsp fresh/dried dill
1 tsp cumin seeds powder (fresh ground is best)
unrefined salt, to taste
fresh ground pepper, to taste
dash of paprika
dash of cayenne pepper, optional
sprinkling of raw, organic parmesan cheese, optional (garnish)

*If you have food processor you can make a nice creamy consistency which is nice, but not essential.

1.) Sautee onion with butter/olive oil until almost translucent, add carrot and sautee further.
2.) Meanwhile, bring stock to a boil, then add brocolli.
2.) Add garlic and herbs/spices a courple of minutes before onions are done, to release flavours..
3.) Add onion and carrot mixture to soup pot and let simmer for several minutes, adding salt and pepper as needed.
4.) Let cool slightly and serve garnished with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and a dusting of hungarian paprika

Some great accompaniments to this soup are wholegrain sprouted grain or sourdough bread, brown/wild rice, red quinoa, roasted organic chicken/turkey, adollop of plain organic (and non-homogenised) yogourt and/or a sprinkling of your favourite ground nuts/seeds.

Note: You'll see that I specifiy some things as organic. That is because I believe that they should be sourced organic as often as possible due to typicaly high agri-chemical residues. The others are typically low so do not necesarily need to be organic. However, if you have access to afforable organic everything - that is my true preference as there is much more advantage to buying organic than just the lower chemical content. Not all of us can afford or access that option though unless we grow our own or have friendly organic farmer's for neighbours :)
Check out the 'Dirty Dozen' and 'Clean 15' chart from Environmental Working Group's website for more info on chemcial residues on produce: www.foodnews.org

Enjoy...and be well nourished.     Lisa Marie

PS: Please contact me via this blog if you have a favourite recipe you'd like me to 'update' to a holistic healthy meal or if you just want to share a yummy recipe :) 
Note: not all recipes will be published.