Healthy Spinach Soup - SPICY

Healthy Spinach Soup is made with cashews and spices to make a flavorful and creamy soup without any cream. It is spicy, healthy and is perfect for the fall season!

Healthy Spinach Soup

You'll love this tasty Indian Inspired recipe! It is amazingly nutritious, light, creamy, healthy and light. The perfect recipe to warm you up on a cold, chilly night or when you are under the weather.

Cashews not only adds a creamy consistency, but also helps it to thicken instead of any potato or heavy cream.

It's also easy to make in under 30 minutes, uses easy pantry ingredients, budget friendly and is perfect as a light appetizer or a first course. The creaminess doesn't weigh you down, so it can enjoyed as healthy, warming beverage flavored with curry spices.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE?

1. Flavorful – Amazingly flavorful with a spicy kick from garlic, onion, curried spices like coriander, cayenne, turmeric and stock.
2. Ready in under 30 minutes – It comes together with just few minutes of prep and cooks in few minutes.
3. Creamy but light – It is made without cream or potato, making it healthy and light.
4. Economical + Pantry Ingredients – All you need is fresh spinach along with a few pantry ingredients.
5. Nutritious – It is chock-full of good for you ingredients and nutrients.
6. Diet Friendly - It is dairy free and gluten free.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Spinach (aka palak in hindi) is probably the most common iron-rich leafy green found in super markets. It is also rich in Vitamin A, C, K, calcium, magnesium, folic acid, and iron, low in calories and high in fiber.

WHAT TYPE OF SPINACH TO USE?

Baby fresh greens work in this recipe for their mild flavor. Baby variety is convenient because it's typically sold already cleaned (we love to stock our fridge with an organic box from Costco and use in various dinner, lunch or even appetizers).

Mature spinach that is often found as a bunch has more flavor but can be very gritty, so it needs to be washed well. Stems can be left on for this recipe.

Can I use frozen? Yep, make sure to defrost and drain frozen spinach before adding. It can be defrosted by allowing to thaw in the refrigerator overnight or for a few hours at room temperature or use the defrost setting in the microwave. Make sure to squeeze out as much of the liquid as possible before adding into the pot.

HOW TO THICKEN?

This recipe uses blended greens along with toasted cashew nuts for natural thickness instead of relying on thickening agents like cornstarch, flour, cream or stale bread.

BEST BLENDERS TO USE

Any good blender at home will work! Our favorite go to is Vitamix or Nutri Bullet to give a fine consistency. We do not recommend using an immersion blender, as it might not blend to the creamy consistency we are aiming for.

INGREDIENTS

1. Spinach - We used fresh baby spinach or palak which is mildly flavored and cooks fast.
2. Cashews - Raw whole cashews.
3. Chicken stock - Use vegetarian stock to make it vegetarian.
4. Spices - Coriander, cayenne and turmeric powders.
5. Basic aromatics - Onion, garlic and cumin seeds.

PRO TIPS

• Use baby spinach - It's sweet and mild in flavor. Regular greens takes longer to cook and has a stronger flavor. Most grocery stores carry baby spinach in both bags and cartons.
• Boil only for one minute - Bring the bisque to a boil and let boil for exactly one minute. Boiling it longer will change the green color.
• Toasting Cumin Seeds - This adds a key flavor. Add cumin seeds only when the vegetable oil is hot (not smoking hot). The cumin seeds will toast and get larger in size.
• Raw Cashew nuts - Use only raw cashews and not toasted kind. It tends to alter the flavor.
• Take time to toasting spices - Don't rush this step, since toasting spices brings out the amazing taste.
• Stock - I used 33 % less sodium chicken stock. If using regular sodium or no sodium, then adjust salt accordingly.
• Make it vegetarian - Use vegetable stock instead.
• Salt - I used 33% less sodium chicken stock and ¼ plus ⅛ teaspoon salt. If you are using regular sodium or no sodium chicken stock then adjust salt accordingly.

TOPPINGS

Toppings are the perfect way customize for a special touch! We opted to serve as is without any toppings. But here are a few ideas if you wish to add garnish:

• Chopped cashew nuts
• Red pepper flakes
• Cilantro
• Lime wedge
• A drizzle of coconut milk
• Toasted bread or croutons

HOW TO MAKE?

This simple recipe is so easy to make at home from scratch Plus, it takes only few minutes of hands-on preparation and it’s made in just one pot!

(Don’t forget to scroll down for the detailed instructions in the complete printable recipe at the bottom of the page.)

1. Sauté vegetables : Toast cumin seeds in some vegetable oil. Add raw cashews, chopped onion and garlic. Saute until translucent.
2. Toast spices : Add spinach leaves, coriander powder, cayenne pepper powder and turmeric powder. Saute until spinach is wilted and spices are toasted.
3. Cook: Stir in chicken stock and salt. Bring to a boil and let boil for 1 minute ( not any longer).
4. Blend: Remove pan from heat, cool until warm and blend into a fine puree.

HOW TO SERVE?

It is perfect as a appetizer, snack or light dinner with grilled cheese sandwich. It can also be served before entree, pasta dishes, salad, chicken, fish, shrimp or rice dishes.

HOW TO STORE LEFTOVERS?

Leftovers can be refrigerated in a covered container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Warm in microwave to re heat at a low setting or serve at room temperature.

CAN I FREEZE?

Freeze in sealed containers for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm in microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions

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