Winter Cauliflower Soup with Roasted Chickpeas

Making soup is in my blood.  I get it from my momma and my momma's momma!  Whenever it was cold outside you can always bet there would be at least 2 types of soup being made in the house.  I made this cauliflower soup the other night and it was so good I needed to share.  Cauliflower is rich in vitamins C and K, packed with minerals, rich in protein and folate, and is filled with fiber.  I added Tumeric to this recipe to add an anti-inflammatory property as well as add a beautiful yellow glow.  Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think.  

• 2 Yellow Onions

• 2 Tbs coconut oil

• 1 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 Large head of cauliflower or 2 small heads

• 1 tbs turmeric

• 1 tsp cumin

• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

• 4 cloves garlic

• 4 cups vegetable broth (try making your own or search for an organic low sodium version)

• 1 cup full fat coconut milk

• Parsley to garnish

• Pepper to taste

• Top with Roasted Chickpeas (recipe to follow)

In a large sauce pan sauté onions with coconut oil until onions are transparent, around 6-8 minutes.  Add salt, turmeric, cumin, and pepper and mix well.  Add in chopped cauliflower and garlic and cover pan for 3-4 minutes.  Slowly add in vegetable broth and allow contents to mix until cauliflower is fork tender, around 15-20 minutes.  When cauliflower is tender add in coconut milk.  Add soup mixture to Vitamix or use an immulsion blender to puree soup until all contents are incorporated.  Serve hot with parsley , salt and pepper to taste, and roasted chickpeas. Enjoy !  

Roasted Chickpeas

Soak 2 cups dry/raw chickpeas overnight in large bowl with water to cover.  You will want a decent sized bowl with plenty of water because the chickpeas will expand overnight.  After soaking drain water and allow chickpeas to dry.  Heat oven to 375 degree.  Add chickpeas to a large bowl and add EVOO, 1 Tbs turmeric, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper, pepper to taste.  Mix well and spread out on a baking tray with parchment pepper.  Roast in oven for 45-50 minutes.  Texture should be crunchy.  Allow to cool down for up to 10 minutes.  Can be served right away or stored in an airtight glass tupperware for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.  

Vegan Cesar Salad

This Vegan Cesar Salad is super simple and will leave you filled and satisfied.  Ditch the dairy dressing for this tahini one instead and replace the simple carb croutons for protein packed roasted chickpeas instead.  Give this recipe and try and let me know what you think.  This salad lasts great stored in tupperware overnight for lunch the next day!

Salad ingredients

• 1 Bunch Lacinato Kale de-stemmed

• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

• 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup chopped cherry tomatoes

• 1 cup Roasted Chickpeas ( see separate post for recipe)

• 1/2 cup Tahini Dressing

De-stem Lacinato kale and roughly chop into bite size pieces.  Pour dressing on kale and lightly massage to soften kale.  Add all other ingredients into large bowl and mix lightly.  Serve and enjoy !

Tahini Dressing

• 1/2 cup tahini paste

• 1/2 cup nutritional yeast

• 1/2 cup water

• 4 garlic cloves

• 2 pitted dates soaked for 3 minutes in warm water

• 2 lemons juiced

• 1 teaspoon salt

• pepper to taste

Place all ingredients into a high-speed blender and mix well to incorporate.  Serve right away or store in an airtight glass container in the fridge for up to 1 week.  

Super Shot

This juice is jam packed with anti-inflammatory properties to help fight the winter cold as well as cleanse the gut.  Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti fungal, and antioxidant that works great as an adaptogen.  Ginger is also an anti-inflammatory and helps with keeping our digestive system calm and at ease.  Apple Cider Vinegar and Lemon are also added to this juice to promote an alkaline effect, aid in digestion as well as stabilize blood sugar.  Try this little juice as a morning wake-me-up and I am sure you won't be needing that morning coffee!

Serves 2

• Turmeric Root ( 1 inch)

• Ginger Root ( 1/2 inch)

• 1 Lemon

• 1 Orange Peeled

• 1-2 Tbs Apple Cider Vinegar

• Dash of Cayenne Pepper

• Dash of Ground Black Pepper

Add turmeric root, ginger root, lemon and peeled orange to your juicer.  Pour in a glass and add ACV, cayenne, and ground black pepper.  Enjoy right away !