The right diet is essential for a balanced lifestyle. It can help boost mood and energy levels, maintain a healthy weight, improve skin and hair, and reduce your risk of serious illness including heart disease and diabetes. It’s easy to rely on foods of convenience during busy periods in our lives, particularly Christmas time, when indulgent foods are everywhere, so dedicate at least one meal today to nourishing your body.
Try this super green vegetable soup recipe, for a nutrient-rich meal that brings warming comfort on cold days.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 1 bunch of parsley, stalks chopped, leaves separate
- 1 courgette, thinly sliced
- 1 fennel bulb, chopped
- 2 sticks of celery, finely chopped
- 1 head of broccoli, stalk chopped, florets separated
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 litres vegetable stock
- 400g of chickpeas, drained
- 300g of baby spinach leaves
- Juice of one lemon
- Thick Greek style yoghurt and truffle oil to serve (optional)
Chop your vegetables ready to cook
Method:
First, heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, parsley stalks, courgette, fennel, celery, broccoli stalk and bay leaf, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until vegetables have softened.
Increasing the heat to high, add the stock and chickpeas, bring to the boil and boil for 5 minutes. Add the broccoli florets, parsley leaves and baby spinach, reduce heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes or until the broccoli is tender.
Remove the bay leaf and discard. Purée the soup using a blender until smooth. Stir through the lemon juice and season to taste. Divide the soup into bowls, serving with Greek yoghurt and a drizzle of truffle oil if desired.
Superfood with Health Travel
SHA Wellness Clinic utilises nutrition as a fundamental part of their wellness programmes. During the course of your stay, receive a personalised nutrition plan which uses local, seasonal, and organic food to develop an energy boosting, alkaline diet to help you feel your best. Meals are low-calorie and mostly vegan, but deliciously prepared to create a satisfyingly healthy fine dining experience.
