Warming Carrot-Apple-Ginger Soup
Food is nourishment and information for our bodies. The right ingredients can signal your skin to glow, hair to shine, and your immune system to become super strong. This nourishing and warming soup is made of perfect plant ingredients to supercharge your natural defence system for the cold winter season.
Ginger
I love fresh ginger because it is a warming food and has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. It’s an anti-inflammatory beauty food: it promotes circulation and helps to get pathogens out of the system. Always choose organic one that feels firm all over with a light brown skin, and has a beautiful gingery aroma. Avoid any that have moist spots (warning sign for mold!) or those that look dried out and wrinkly. You don’t necessarily need to peel organic ginger, but if it is not organic, you must peel it, as all kinds of harmful chemicals, such as pesticides, will concentrate in the skin.
Paprika
Paprika is a ground, dry spice made from the larger varieties of peppers. It’s rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Paprika made from spicier peppers contain an important compound known as capsaicin that can have anti-inflammatory effects in the body. Thus, it can help to protect against a variety of inflammatory and auto-immune conditions, including nerve damage, and digestive issues.
Red Onion
Onions have a long list of impressive health benefits, and they have been used since ancient times to treat ailments. Onions are a great source of fibre and prebiotics, which are necessary for optimal digestion and healthy bacterial balance in the gut. Red onions are high in antioxidants and sulfur, a third most abundant mineral in the body. Sulfur is present in all living tissues, and is critical when detoxifying the body. Sulfur helps to grow beautiful hair and nails, and supports healthy metabolism by building insulin.
Carrots
Bright organic carrots are rich in beta-carotene and help to cleanse the liver. When our livers are functioning optimally, toxins can be removed from the blood. Carrots also contain many other vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, iron, vitamins C, K, and B vitamins.
Apple
Apple is a basic fruit but comes with many beautifying properties. And it brings nice sweet flavour to the soup! Apples are rich in fibre that is essential for healthy gut microbiome. And of course they come with many vitamins and minerals.
Sesame Seeds
Especially for those who it fully plant-based sesame seeds are an excellent source of calcium. They are also rich in magnesium, phosphorus, as well as vitamins B and E. Nuts and seeds have inhibitor enzymes to keep them safe from outside contaminants until it is safe to grow. So if you want to make them easier for your body to assimilate and digest, soak your sesame seeds in water for at least a few hours or over night, and rinse well before using.
Warming Carrot-Apple-Ginger Soup
SERVES 1
FOR THE SOUP
1 tsp virgin coconut oil
1/2 red onion
0.5 inch knob of fresh ginger
3 medium sized carrots
1 small apple
1/4 tsp paprika
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Sea salt, to taste
FOR THE TOPPING
Splash of coconut milk
Sesame seeds
Sprouts or fresh herbs
Directions:
Wash all produce well.
Peel onion and ginger. Chop onion, apple, and carrots.
In a soup pot, heat coconut oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent. Add minced ginger, chopped carrots and cook for a few minutes more.
Add water to cover carrots, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover the pot. Simmer for 15 minutes, or until tender.
Add chopped apple and paprika, turn off heat.
Using a hand blender, blend until soup is nice and creamy. If soup is too thick, slowly add in a little more water or coconut milk.
Add sea salt and pepper to taste (optional).
Pour into a bowl, top with (toasted) sesame seeds, herbs or sprouts, and a splash of coconut milk (if you like it creamy).
Enjoy with love and gratitude!