The Nourishing Gourmet

Nourishing. Satisfying. Gourmet.

Soups

Creamy Curry Red Lentil Soup

by 4 Comments


This creamy, dairy-free soup is frugal and comforting on a cold winter’s night. Cumin, garlic, ginger, and curry powder all help give this soup a robust flavor profile, while the balsamic vinegar provides just the right tang. 

Red lentils cook up in a hurry, making this a wonderful last-minute meal. I love lentils as they are full of essential nutrients, a frugal source of protein, and are delicious too! 

I add gelatin to the soup to add more protein, but that’s optional. This soup is easily made with broth or water, vegetarian or not. 

Serve with muffins, bread, or over brown rice, and a large salad for a complete meal. For those on THM, this makes a wonderful “E” Meal.

Tips

For easy blending, use an immersion blender.

For more protein and collagen, use the optional gelatin. This is a good brand.

I like to keep all of the ingredients for this soup on hand. They are easily made into a variety of dishes, and I can also make this soup for last-minute meals!

Other Soup Recipes 

Creamy Curry Red Lentil Soup

  • 1-2 tablespoons fat or oil of choice 
  • 3 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced 
  • 1 onion, peeled and chopped 
  • 3 celery, thinly sliced 
  • 3-6 garlic cloves, peeled and minced 
  • 2 cups red lentils, rinsed in a fine sieve (remove any small pebbles, if there are any)
  • 8 cups broth or water 
  • 1 heaping teaspoon cumin 
  • 1 heaping teaspoon dried ginger or one tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger 
  • 2 teaspoon curry powder 
  • ¼ cup of gelatin in 1 cup of cool water, optional
  • Around 1 – 2 tablespoons of salt 
  • 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 

1. In a large pot, add the fat/oil (just enough to lightly cover the bottom of the pot) and turn on medium heat until the fat is just hot. Add the carrots, onion, and celery, and lightly sprinkle with salt. Stir here and there, and cook until the vegetables start to soften (about five minutes) and add the garlic and cook for one or two more minutes. 

2. Add the red lentils and broth/water, turn heat to high, and bring to a simmer. Turn down to keep at a gentle simmer. Remove with a large spoon any foam that may come to the surface of the soup. 

3. Add the spices. Simmer for around twenty minutes, or until the lentils are soft. 

4. Stir together the gelatin and the water, soften for a few minutes. Stir into the soup, along with salt (to taste, you will need more if you used water) and balsamic vinegar. 

5. For a creamier texture blend part or all of the soup. The easiest way to accomplish this is to use an immersion blender, which you can put right into your pot for easy blending. OR, carefully scoop out some of the soup, and blend in a blender (follow procedures for your specific blender for how to do this safely. For my blender, I vent it, and only fill halfway, and blend on low to start). For blending in a blender, you will need to do at least several batches. I blend about half of the soup. 

6. Check the flavor, and adjust with salt, vinegar, or pepper, and enjoy!

Instant Pot Ginger and Garlic Broth

by 6 Comments

“Flavorful Ginger and Garlic Instant Pot Broth is so simple and easy to make! It also makes a wonderful full meal soup when poured over rice and shredded cooked chicken. Yum! Paleo, AIP, and grain free friendly soup! -- The Nourishing Gourmet

I love this gingery broth with hints of garlic. It’s perfect to sip on as a sipping broth (like this turmeric one!), but also makes a lovely simple soup. This easy broth is a cinch to make in the Instant Pot, and results in a flavorful broth full of good-for-you-ingredients. To dress it up, sometimes I add coconut milk or coconut cream, and squeeze fresh lime juice into my bowl or cup. Yum!

To make it into a main dish soup, you can serve over cooked rice and shredded cooked chicken. Top with chopped cilantro and fresh lime juice. Yum!

I make this with a leftover chicken bones from when I roast a whole chicken, but I’ve also use 3- 5 pounds of chicken legs (another inexpensive option).

I love to add ginger and garlic into my food any time of the year, but they are especially soothing in this broth during the cold and flu season (and I love their immune building properties too!).

This is the Instant Pot that I own, Instant Pot 6 Quart, (if you are buying one and are making food for a family, I’d recommend going even bigger to this model, Instant Pot 8 Quart).

For those who don’t have an Instant Pot, yes, you can make this on the stove! I’d gently simmer it on the stove top for 6-12 hours to get close to the same richness as the Instant Pot recipe. I’m sure that you could make this in the slow cooker as well (I’d try low for 12 hours).

This recipe works great for those on a paleo or AIP diet too.

Flavorful Ginger and Garlic Instant Pot Broth is so simple and easy to make! It also makes a wonderful full meal soup when poured over rice and shredded cooked chicken. Yum! Paleo, AIP, and grain free friendly soup! -- The Nourishing Gourmet

Equipment and Ingredients:

Instant Pot Ginger and Garlic Broth

Variation: You can also add some fresh turmeric root (or 2 teaspoons powder).

Ingredients:

  • Bones leftover from one roasted chicken or 3-5 pounds of chicken legs or drumsticks
  • 2-3 inches of fresh ginger root, rinsed and thinly sliced
  • 3-5 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1 medium onion, peeled and the roots cut off, cut into quartered
  • Salt and pepper
  • Filtered Water
  • 1 cup of Coconut milk and fresh limes for serving, optional

Directions:

1.Place the chicken, sliced ginger, and garlic in instant pot insert. Add a scant tablespoon of unrefined salt and a couple large pinches of freshly ground pepper (leave pepper out if AIP).

2. Fill water to slightly under the fill line.

Edit:While most Instant Pot Recipes online fill the pot high for broth making, it’s recently come to my attention (through an article) that filling your Instant Pot to the Max fill line is NOT recommended. According to the manual,  “For all pressure cooking programs, do not fill the unit over 2/3 full. When cooking foods that expand during cooking such as grains, beans, and dried vegetables, do not fill the unit over 1/2 full. Overfilling may cause a risk of clogging the pressure release valve and developing excess pressure. Please see “Cooking Preparation”.” So I would only fill your pot 2/3s full of water for this recipe.

3. Press manual, and set time to 2 hours on high.

4. Let get to pressure and let it run through the pressure cycle.

5. Allow broth to naturally release pressure for 20-30 minutes.

5. Carefully release pressure. Carefully pour through a fine sieve into a heat safe bowl or pot, OR, my favorite, use a skimmer ladle to remove the bones and vegetables and place in compost. If you used fresh drumsticks, then you can also remove the meat from the bones once they are cool enough to handle, and use the meat in the broth or another recipe.

6. Adjust salt to taste.

7. To finish: Optional: Pour in about 1 cup of coconut cream or coconut milk and serve with quartered limes for squeezing into individual bowls.

Variation: Serve over cooked rice and shredded cooked chicken, and top with chopped cilantro and fresh lime juice. Yum!

Printable Version:

Instant Pot Ginger and Garlic Broth
 
 
Instant Pot Ginger and Garlic Broth Bones leftover from one roasted chicken or 3-5 pounds of chicken legs or drumsticks 2-3 inches of fresh ginger root, rinsed and thinly sliced 3-5 garlic cloves, peeled 1 medium onion, peeled and the roots cut off, cut into quartered Salt and pepper Filtered Water 1 cup of Coconut milk and fresh limes for serving, optional
Instructions
  1. Place the chicken, sliced ginger, and garlic in instant pot insert. Add a scant tablespoon of unrefined salt and a couple large pinches of freshly ground pepper (leave pepper out if AIP).
  2. Add water until the pot is about ⅔'s full.
  3. Press manual, and set time to 2 hours on high.
  4. Let get to pressure and let it run through the pressure cycle.
  5. Allow broth to naturally release pressure for 20-30 minutes
  6. Release pressure. Carefully pour through a fine sieve into a heat safe bowl or pot, OR, my favorite, use a skimmer ladle to remove the bones and vegetables and place in compost. If you used fresh drumsticks, then you can also remove the meat from the bones once they are cool enough to handle, and use the meat in the broth or another recipe.
  7. Adjust salt to taste.
  8. To finish: Optional: Pour in about 1 cup of coconut cream or coconut milk and serve with quartered limes for squeezing into individual bowls.
  9. Variation: Serve over cooked rice and shredded cooked chicken, and top with chopped cilantro and fresh lime juice. Yum!

Some links may be affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on items purchased through my links. 

“Busy Day” Asian Veggie Noodle Soup (Gluten & Grain-Free Options)

by Leave a Comment

Busy Day Asian Veggie Noodle Soup - AnAppetiteForJoy.com

By Natalia Gill from An Appetite For Joy

This asian-inspired broth is rich, savory, and loaded with perfectly cooked veggies and gluten-free rice noodles (or grain-free kelp noodles). The best part? It comes together in a flash! And it’s high on nutrition, particularly if you have homemade broth on hand.

I typically use chicken broth I have in the freezer, made in one of two ways – either a budget-friendly bone broth or a time-saving gelatin rich drumstick broth.

I’ve always looked for ways to spend less time cooking without sacrificing nutrition. But now, simple cooking is a must since earlier in the summer, we got a big surprise that our family is expanding! I’m on a mission to get my meal rotation pared down to simple meals, many of them using the slow-cooker or prepped ahead in the freezer (Check out Kimi’s great list of gluten-free freezer meals!)

My favorite simple meal is chicken soup and all the quick variations that can be made with it – from enchilada to Thai red curry to this Asian veggie noodle. I notice that my kids eat this variation with more gusto than plain chicken noodle, so I make it often.

I omitted the chicken this time for a lighter, veggie-focused soup. But feel free to add a few boneless, skinless thighs in at the beginning of cooking. When they are done, take them out, shred them and add back into the soup.

ADDITIONAL SIMPLE MEALS ON MY ROTATION:

Busy Day Asian Veggie Noodle Soup
 
Author:
Recipe type: Soup
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Serves: Serves 6-8
Print
 
This Asian inspired veggie noodle soup is so comforting and full of flavor, but requires very little time and effort! See the recipe notes for additional shortcuts or ways to further enhance it.
Ingredients
  • 8 ounces thin rice or 24 ounces kelp noodles (kelp noodles are hydrated in the package and weigh more), freshly prepared according to package instructions and set aside in individual serving bowls
  • 8 cups chicken stock or broth
  • 2 cups broccoli florets, chopped
  • 1 cup carrots, diced
  • 2 cups snow peas (ends removed, halved)
  • 2 scallions, diced
  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium tamari or soy sauce (less if full sodium)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce (optional)
  • salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Bring the broth to a simmer and add the diced carrots. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  2. Add the snow peas and tamari. Simmer another 5 minutes.
  3. Add in the broccoli florets and scallions. Simmer until the broccoli and carrots are fork tender but still have life in them.
  4. Stir in the sesame oil and, if using, fish sauce. Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasonings. (Add salt and pepper if needed.)
  5. Add the soup to the individual bowls you have set aside with the noodles. Enjoy!
Notes
When you have less time: Swap out the snow peas for frozen peas and put them in with the broccoli (step 3). Buy pre-chopped broccoli florets (Trader Joe's sells a bag of organic ones).

When you have more time: Add 2 cloves of crushed or minced garlic, a small knob of fresh peeled ginger (removed at the end), and/or 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro to the soup with the carrots (step 1).

Some links may be affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on items purchased through my links. 

Golden Turmeric Sipping Broth

by 22 Comments

This golden broth is flavored and colored by bright turmeric, ginger, with garlic undertones and richness from coconut milk. It's a savory version of "Golden Milk" and so delicious! -- The Nourishing Gourmet

This savory broth is a lovely mix of creamy coconut milk, nourishing chicken broth, and is spiced with turmeric, ginger, black pepper, and garlic for a flavorful, anti-inflammatory sipping broth.

This is my savory version of “golden milk” – a traditional drink that is sweet and spicy. This version uses salt instead of honey, and chicken broth instead of water for a great way to mix things up. Plus, you get the benefit of homemade chicken broth! (Though, the recipe also works with store-bought as well).

I’ve been trying to add more turmeric to our diets lately, and this is a delicious way to do so. My kids love it! They like it especially if I add a handful of rice to give them something to bite into.

As homemade broths and stocks continue to gain popularity, flavored sipping broths are getting a foothold. Those who have followed a “nourishing” diet have long extolled the pleasures of sipping salted homemade broth in the morning chill. That idea is taking off now even commercially. I still enjoy an occasional cup or rich broth by itself, but I love flavoring mine. One example is this recipe. Another one of my favorites is my Simple Thai Broth from my cookbook, Ladled: Nourishing Soups for all Seasons. (Amazon links are affiliate).

AIP Note: This recipe is safe for you if you leave out the black pepper and use a gum free coconut milk/cream. If/when you can handle black pepper, add it, as it helps you get the benefit from the turmeric.

Recipe Notes: I use organic spices, and this brand of gum free Coconut Cream .

This golden broth is flavored and colored by bright turmeric, ginger, with garlic undertones and richness from coconut milk. It's a savory version of "Golden Milk" and so delicious! -- The Nourishing Gourmet

Golden Turmeric Sipping Broth

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups of chicken broth
  • 1 cup of whole fat coconut milk or coconut cream
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric*
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger*
  • 2-4 cloves of garlic, smashed and peeled*
  • Generous sprinkle of ground pepper, (freshly ground, preferred)
  • Unrefined salt

Directions:

In a medium pot,  combine all of the ingredients and bring to a low simmer. Simmer, on low, or medium-low heat for about ten minutes. Remove garlic with a spoon, salt to taste, and enjoy! Serve 2-4.

Notes:

*I’ve also made this with fresh ginger and turmeric. Take 2-3 inches of turmeric and fresh ginger, and slice it on a diagonal. Add to broth instead of the ground versions. Remove the roots along with the garlic before serving.

*You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to give it a bit of a punch.

Golden Turmeric Sipping Broth
 
 
Ingredients
  • 4 cups of chicken broth
  • 1 cup of whole fat coconut milk or coconut cream
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric*
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger*
  • 2-4 cloves of garlic, smashed and peeled*
  • Generous sprinkle of ground pepper, (freshly ground, preferred)
  • Unrefined salt
Instructions
  1. In a medium both combine all of the ingredients and bring to a low simmer. Simmer, on low, or medium-low heat for about ten minutes. Remove garlic with a spoon, salt to taste, and enjoy! Serve 2-4.
Notes
*I’ve also made this with fresh ginger and turmeric. Take 2-3 inches of turmeric and fresh ginger, and slice it on a diagonal. Add to broth instead of the ground versions. Remove the roots along with the garlic before serving.

*You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to give it a bit of a punch.(Not AIP)

Golden Turmeric Sipping Broth
 
 
Golden Turmeric Sipping Broth
Ingredients
  • 4 cups of chicken broth
  • 1 cup of whole fat coconut milk or coconut cream
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric*
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger*
  • 2-4 cloves of garlic, smashed and peeled*
  • Generous sprinkle of ground pepper, (freshly ground, preferred)
  • Unrefined salt
Instructions
  1. In a medium pot combine all of the ingredients and bring to a low simmer. Simmer, on low, or medium-low heat for about ten minutes. Remove garlic with a spoon, salt to taste, and enjoy! Serve 2-4.
Notes
*I’ve also made this with fresh ginger and turmeric. Take 2-3 inches of turmeric and fresh ginger, and slice it on a diagonal. Add to broth instead of the ground versions. Remove the roots along with the garlic before serving.

*You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to give it a bit of a punch.(Not AIP)
3.3.3077

Some links may be affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on items purchased through my links.