Blended soups are an easy way to get in loads of healthy veggies (and sneak in a couple of veggies which your kids may not otherwise be inclined to eat!). They are very flexible, and a great way to throw in extra veggies that may be hanging around in the fridge. And, because they’ll be blended you can really rough chop your veggies which makes for easy prep. Best of all they are delicious and warming… perfect on these cold winter days!

The basics for starting a blended vegetable soup;

Warm approximately 2-3 Tbsp olive oil or 2Tbsp coconut oil in pot

Add roughly chopped onion (I like sweet onion, but any onion will do) and saute until starting to soften

Add chopped garlic (I love garlic, so this looks like 5-6 cloves for me, but if you are a more moderate garlic lover 2-3 cloves will do)

Add celery (preferably organic, rough chopped, 1-3 stalks), saute for an additional few minutes

If you’re adding dry herbs (ie.Italian herbs) or bay leaves, they can be added at this point.

This is the beginning basics of your soup. If desired, you can saute additional veggies with these or add your additional veggies in with your broth.

Next step is to add broth (preferably homemade chicken or vegetable broth, or organic broth available at the grocery store). One liter of broth is generally sufficient, and you can add extra water if needed for desired thickness of soup.

Add veggies of choice… I love broccoli and zucchini… or cauliflower and leeks…or carrot and sweet potato (for a sweeter soup! If desired you can also add some fresh grated ginger and a chopped apple or pear to the carrot and sweet potato soup)…or all of these veggies together!…any leftover beets in the fridge? Toss those in too!

Simmer your veggies until tender.

Now it’s time to add your greens and whatever herbs you desire… these require only a minute or so to soften… any combination of organic spinach, kale or bok choy greens (the white of the boy choy would have to go in to the pot a couple of minutes earlier) plus fresh parsley or cilantro.

Once those last greens have softened, blend with a stainless steel hand blender or transfer to a glass or BPA free and heat safe blender for blending (you may want to let it cool slightly before transferring to the blender…and be careful because it’s hot!). Blend to desired consistency. Transfer back to the pot, or immediately into serving bowls. Top with a sprig of parsley or cilantro if desired. If you enjoy a spicy soup you can add a little cayenne pepper at the end or saute chopped (and seeded) spicy peppers with your onions and garlic. Looking for a little protein.. top with goat feta, stir in a nut or seed butter, blend in cooked red lentils (or add rinsed red lentils to broth and simmer until softened with the other vegetables). Add sea salt and black pepper if desired.

Enjoy!