Soupologie founder Stephen Argent shares his recipe for a healthy but hearty vegan and gluten-free homemade soup with us
I know that superfoods are springing up everywhere these days, but broccoli really deserves the accolade. It’s the original, and in my opinion, the tastiest of all the superfoods around. Broccoli has so much going for it - it’s hard to know where to begin! Suffice it to say that as well as having anti-inflammatory properties, it’s also high in vitamins and can lower the risk of stroke and heart disease. This recipe is incredibly simple, allowing the full flavour of the broccoli to come through, with the almond pesto adding a wonderfully nutty twist.
SERVES 4
For the Soup
30ml rapeseed oil
550g broccoli chopped, retaining some broccoli tips, see below for the pesto
1 litre vegetable stock (I like Marigold Bouillon)
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon mustard powder
Salt and ground black pepper
For the Pesto
100ml olive oil
1 large clove of garlic
Handful of broccoli tips
15g ground almonds
Salt
Method
Heat the rapeseed oil in a large pan and add the broccoli, cooking it on a medium heat until it starts to wilt. Add the vegetable stock, mustard and nutmeg and bring to the boil. Then simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Liquidise the soup and season.
While the soup is cooking, make the pesto by putting all the pesto ingredients together in a jug, and blend with a hand blender until smooth. Drizzle generously on top of the soup when serving.
Recipe copyright Soupologie Ltd. 2015