broth
: liquid in which meat, fish, grains, or vegetables have been cooked (simmered).
soup
: a liquid dish, typically made by cooking meat, fish, or vegetables in stock or water.
The best thing about soup is…. it is SIMPLE. It gives you the ability to make a dish intuitively with very little guidance (that I’ve provided you with below). It’s also a great way to delegate a group of ingredients to guests for an interactive gathering; Soup Night. You can create a soup together, not knowing what it is going to turn into and each give your input on what item to add to the pot.
serving soup
As a meal = TWO cups (Lunch/Dinner)
A guide to making your own intuitive soup:
“Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.” – Beethoven
- Grab a Medium to Large Pot
- Choose your oil:
Olive Oil, Coconut Oil or Ghee (1 to 2 TB)
- Choose your broth: (Homemade is best)
Water, Vegetable, Chicken, Beef or Fish
- Choose your spices/flavor:
Ginger, Black Pepper, Cumin, Turmeric, Cayenne, Garlic, Onion, Leek, Lemon, Sea Salt, Fennel
- Choose your grain/potato:
quinoa, brown rice, barley, buckwheat (Kasha), wheat berries, millet, sweet potato or noodles
Rule of thumb: 2 cups of grain (or 4 cups potato) + 12 cups of Broth = 8 servings
- Choose your veggies:
Winter Squash: Buttercup, Butternut, Acorn, Delicata, Kabocha
Roots: Carrots, Parsnips, Celeriac, Turnips, Beets
Cruciferous: Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower
Beneficial Fungus: Mushrooms (Oyster, Maitake, Chanterelles, Cremini, Portobello, Shiitake, Enoki)
- Choose your greens:
Bok Choy, Kale, Swiss Chard, Spinach, Collard Greens, Dandelion, Mustard Greens, Sorrel, Beet Greens
- Choose fresh herbs:
Cilantro, Basil, Thyme, Parsley, Mint, Sage, Tarragon, Rosemary, Oregano
- Choose your protein:
Plant: Chickpeas, Black Beans, Pinto Beans, Kidney Beans, Lentils, Adzuki Beans, Tofu, Nuts/Seeds
Animal: Chicken (pasture-raised), Lamb, Venison, Sausage, Turkey or Beef (grass-fed)
Fish: Monkfish, Dogfish, Haddock, Cod, Halibut, Swordfish, Wild Salmon, Squid
Shellfish – Shrimp (wild), Oysters, Scallops, Clams, Mussels
NOTES:
- If you’d like to make a smooth soup —-> Blend or use an immersion blender to smooth ingredients to your desire. You may use nuts or seeds as a protein to garnish your dish.
- If you’d like to make a creamier soup —-> Add almond milk, coconut milk, almond butter or cashew cream (blend cashews + water)
The average 32 oz carton of vegetable broth costs $2.99. If you choose the organic vegetable broth, it increases to $3.99 on average. You can save money on your grocery list and get more health benefits by making your own broth out of vegetable scraps from previous meal preparations. Read below.
Simple Steps to Making Your Own Broth:
1. Save all vegetable scraps when preparing meals, at least 3 – 5 cups {garlic tips are great!}
2. Place in a large stock pot
3. Fill with water and place over medium heat for 1 hour
4. Turn down to simmer for 4 – 8 hours or more
5. Add a pinch of Sea Salt, black pepper & simmer for an additional hour.
6. Place in glass jars and use with recipes throughout the week (you can also freeze)
2 Comments
Can you crockpot the veggie broth? Does it need the first hour on medium high?
Hi Les! You can definitely use a crockpot to make veggie broth.