If You do One Thing this Weekend… Make Soup!

I love soup and a bowl of homemade soup makes me feel more energised and healthier instantly, perfect all year round.

I’m sharing my all-time favourite French Watercress soup handed down from my mum who made it often for Friday-night dinner when I was growing up. You can make it super indulgent with more butter and whole milk if serving for guests.  Watercress is a superfood and a rich source of vitamins and minerals such as vitamins K and A. Studies also suggest it contains compounds that may have anti-cancer effects.

French Watercress Soup
Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter & 2 tablespoons oil
1 medium onion finely chopped
1 clove of garlic pressed
1 medium potato peeled & finely sliced
Ground pepper and pinch of salt
2x bunches watercress (or a large packet)
1/2 pint milk
1/2 pint chicken stock (can use vegetable but nicer & richer with chicken)

Method
Heat butter & oil & sauté onion and garlic over a moderate heat till transparent but not coloured.
Add the potato slices, sprinkle with pepper and pinch of salt & cover with 1/2 pint of water. Bring to the boil, reduce heat & simmer until potatoes are soft – 10 mins or so.
Wash the watercress & take out any course stems. Chop roughly & put in the pan & stir in the chicken stock & milk.
Simmer for 15 minutes or so & then purée in an electric blender or with an electric soup whisk.
Delicious!

Super simple Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup
Two nutritional powerhouses low in fat & rich in Vitamin C, A & B6. Sweet potato is a very good source of fibre & the squash gives an additional boost of Vitamin E & calcium. What are you waiting for?

Ingredients
1 kg butternut squash & sweet potato roughly chopped
1 small red onion finely chopped
1 litre chicken stock (or water or veg)
A little bit of milk

Method
Fry the onion until soft but not coloured in some vegetable oil
Add the squash & potato & toss in the oil & onion & fry for a few minutes
Add the stock or water & cook on a moderate heat for 20 mins or until soft
Blend & add some milk if required
To serve add a spoon full of Pomegranates. I absolutely adore the contrast & Jennifer introduced me to this combo in her own recipe. Pomegranates give a massive kick of anti-oxidants & is shown to have incredible effects on the body. KERPOW!