Watercress Soup – Serves 4
This is an excellent soup to eat if you want to lose a few pounds or just feel you want to start the New Year off being a bit healthier.
Watercress is extremely healthy as it is packed full of vitamins and minerals. And if you do decide to add a little richness then just add creme or remem fraiche just before serving.
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 pints of chicken or vegetable stock
- 2 small potatoes diced
- Approximately 250g of watercress
- salt and black pepper
In a large saucepan sweat the onion in a couple of tablespoons of stock or water for a few minutes. Add the rest of the stock, potatoes together with the seasoning into the pan. Bring to the boil and simmer until the potatoes are soft. Add the watercress and allow to cook while stirring for approximately 3 minutes until wilted.
Remove from the heat and blend in a liquidiser. This soup is delicious served piping hot or cold.
Curried Parsnip & Apple Soup – Serves 4
- 1 large onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 500g of parsnips
- 2 pints of hot vegetable stock
- 2 tsp curry powder
- 1tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 level table spoons of apple sauce
- 150g fat free natural Greek yogurt, plus extra to serve(or cream of creme fraiche)
- Salt and pepper
- to decorate 1 tbsp of fresh chopped parsley
Place the onion, garlic and parsnips in a large saucepan along with 250ml of the stock. Cover and bring to the boil. Boil for 5-10 minutes then add the curry powder, ground ginger, thyme and the remaining stock to the pan. Bring back to the boil then cover the pan and simmer for 15-20 mins or until the parsnips are soft.
Remove from the heat and blend in a food processor. When ready to serve return to the pan, add the apple sauce and yogurt. Reheat stirring slowly over the lowest possible heat. Do not boil.
Season to taste and sprinkle with chopped parsley and an extra swirl of yogurt.
