After the week we’ve all experienced, many of us are in need of some good comfort food. Foods that are warming, nurturing, filling; foods that will feed not only our bodies but also our souls. Soup is great comfort food, especially during this time of year. Here are a few reasons why you should get your soup pot out this week.
Soup is a nutrient-dense food. Soup can be a mixture of all of the macro-nutrients (protein, carbs, and fat), as well as many micro-nutrients and phytonutrients. By having all of these important components in one pot, soup can be a complete meal.
Soup can be very easy and quick to make. By using ingredients you have on hand and a good quality store-bought broth, you can have a meal ready to eat in 30 minutes. Basic soup components include almost any vegetable, beans (canned or dried), lentils, pasta, rice, quinoa, a variety of animal proteins, tofu, tempeh, broth (store-bought or homemade), herbs and spices, and more.
Nutrient-packed soup can be very supportive of the immune system, helping to prevent illness. There is science behind your grandmother’s chicken soup being good for a cold or the flu! Soups can contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids that can help decrease inflammation and fight infections.
Since soup is liquid-based, it is hydrating. During the winter, many of us don’t drink enough water. Soup can help contribute to the liquid our bodies need to function optimally.
Family recipes for soups, stews, and chilis can help us recall good memories - from past family gatherings, childhood meals, parents, grandparents, and more. Creating these dishes from passed-down recipes can be meaningful and heartwarming.
Making soup can be therapeutic and contribute to feelings of well-being. This may be one of the best reasons to have soup on the menu! By using a variety of veggies - the colors of the rainbow - and including other ingredients you love, you can create a superfood meal that will nourish you and your family - both physically and mentally.
Here are some wonderful recipes from a favorite website of mine Feasting at Home
There are 20 recipes that will comfort, heal, and nurture you! Enjoy!
If you have a little time, it is well worth the effort to make your own broth. It is not as intimidating as it seems! A vegetable broth is very easy to make - you can use scraps, stems, and leaves of vegetables you keep in your freezer from meal prep or any vegetables you have on hand. Add a strip of kombu (seaweed) to the pot for rich umami flavor, vitamins, and minerals. This is a recipe for an easy vegetable broth full of magnesium, potassium, and other nutrients. You can drink it as is, or use it in your soup recipes.