Weekly Recipe Planner: Exotic Soups
Few things are healthier than a wholesome bowl of soup. They’re pretty fuss-free compared to other ingredient-heavy, savoury dishes, and you can go crazy with customising them, depending on what your kids like (or need). But enough of the usual suspects like tomato soup and chicken broth. Yawn. Try out these more exotic ones for a refreshing change.
Sweet Potato, Apple and Ginger Soup
Never had breakfast soup? Trust us, it’s good. This healthy combination of sweet potato, apple and ginger is a good break from the norm of poached eggs and cereal. Plus, it’s sweet and nutritious way to start the day and particularly good for fussy eaters. Serve with a side of multi-grain toast and some sharp cheddar for a complete meal.
Creamy Cheese Tortilla Soup
It’s hard to believe this is a vegan-friendly option. A cheesy alternative to the tomato-base tortilla soup, this creamy bowl of goodness is just 200 calories a serving and is guaranteed to keep everyone full for a while. It’s easy to make too, so that makes it a much more tempting dinner option.
Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup
This traditional Chinese recipe may be full of strange ingredients you’ve probably never worked with before – like codonopsis, Chinese yam, and dried red dates – but don’t be intimidated. Follow instructions closely and you’ll be rewarded with a wholesome treat that’s flavourful, minus the MSG.
Indian Spiced Red Lentil Soup
Pick this lentil soup over a spicy curry if you like Indian fare on the mild side. Compared to a coconut milk-heavy curry, this soupy choice is high in fibre and low in saturated fat, making it a much healthier meal.
Green Gazpacho
A Spanish staple, gazpacho is typically made with raw vegetables and is usually served cold. It’s also often red in colour thanks to the amount of tomatoes used to make it, but a green gazpacho – although uncommon – is not unheard of. The best bit? You can use whatever greens you have, depending on what you find in the fridge. Tomatillos, melon, green grapes – whatever’s convenient, you decide.