Tag: soup

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Recipes

Pumpkin, Spinach & Buttermilk Soup

There’s a contest on at CAL, that laid certain ingredient restrictions for qualifying entries. I chose to work with Pumpkin, Spinach and Cinnamon from the list.

It’s fun to try and make something when we don’t have a world of choices. I also believe we’re at our creative best when our options are restricted.

This soup won’t taste very good with rice or rotis IMO, even though it seems more like a curry. Might go well with Kerala parottas or Bengali lucchis – maida flatbreads of different sorts essentially.

It is low carb, somewhat nutritious, though it can support more vegetables to improve nutrition and quite low fat.

Ingredients:

  • Main
    • Pumpkin, about 300gms, blended, with a little water
    • Spinach, handful, chopped
    • Buttermilk, Mother Dairy, masala version, 2 packets (400ml)
  • Flavours
    • Onions, 2 medium, finely sliced
    • Ginger, 3 tablespoons, grated
    • Mustard seeds, 3 teaspoons
    • Urad dal, 3 teaspoons
    • Cinnamon, 1/4th teaspoon
    • Green chilies, 6 pieces, slit
    • Black peppercorns, 1 tsp, pounded fine
    • Hing powder 1/2 tsp (not pure resin)
    • Red chilies, dried
  • 3 tsp cornstarch mixed with cold water
  • Finish
    • Garam Masala
    • Salt to taste
    • Coriander, fresh, for garnish

Method:

  1. Heat oil, splutter mustard, brown the urad dal, fry the ginger, hing, dried red chilies, fresh green chilies and curry leaves.
  2. Add the onions, fry till beginning to brown at the edges.
  3. Add the pumpkin, mix well, add the buttermilk. Thicken with cornstarch and mix well. Simmer 2 – 3 minutes.
  4. Bring to a boil. Add the spinach leaves, cinnamon, salt and garam masala per taste. Simmer 5 minutes. Mix well.
  5. Serve garnished with coriander leaves.

Notes:

  • Thickening is to avoid the buttermilk splitting/curdling. If you’re alright with that, skip the cornstarch.
  • Cream can taste nice in this. If you do add cream, be careful of it splitting, both due to temperature, and acidity.
  • This soup supports more vegetables. Add as per cooking time required. For example, add carrots toward the middle and small broccoli florets towards the end.
  • Reduce chilies per taste. Keep in mind, chilies will reduce carb cravings.

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Recipes

3 Minute Hunger Reducing Soup

This is a quick way to make a soup that’s healthier than the usual, and keeps away hunger plus is versatile enough to go with almost any vegetables available in the home . This is great for use when breaking an intermittent fast as well as a good snack idea when fasting.

While it literally takes 3 minutes to prepare, the time does depend on two ingredients that I try and keep in my fridge all the time – the chutney mentioned below and any kind of boiled lentils or legumes.

This soup is quickly made and the spice brings satisfaction as well as keeps off hunger.

Ingredients:

  • Chilli Garlic Chutney (Click for recipe)
  • Butter / Olive Oil / other fat
  • Tulsi (Holy Basil), Basil leaves, chopped
  • Salt to taste
  • Chickpeas / safed chana, boiled with a little salt

Method:

  1. Heat a little fat in pan
  2. Add chutney as per taste
  3. Add a mug of water
  4. Add a mug of chickpeas
  5. Bring to boil
  6. Season
  7. Serve

Notes:

  • Add fat, butter or olive oil as per your taste. If you choose to add none, start with water in a pan and then continue to step 2, omitting step 3.
  • Add basil and/or tulsi leaves as per your taste or availability. You can also try hara dhania / coriander leaves if both aren’t available. The leaves need to have some flavour though in my opinion, so spinach, for example, may not work well on its own.
  • Add chilli chutney per your tolerance / taste. This chutney can get pretty hot. To keep away hunger, ensure you add a little more chilli heat than you’re comfortable with.
  • You can add any other vegetables you want, such as carrots or peas among others.
  • Add a boiled egg or a omelette to it for extra nutrients and protein.
  • You can also have it as a soup without adding any chickpeas or other ingredients.