Pumpkin and Kale Soup

Oh how I love a bowl of warm pumpkin soup. This is such a simple recipe with a twist of green vege ;) 

Using fresh, whole food ingredients this recipe is naturally gluten free and dairy free.
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Did you know many store-bought stocks may contain gluten, lactose and yeast? I recommend finding a brand free from these ingredients and free from flavour enhancers or excess salt, or alternatively you can make your own vegetable stock and freeze in batches for ready-to-go soup stock. 

Nourish 101:

• Soup is a great meal to nourish your body with nutrients. Fantastic for lunch, dinner or even breakfast, soups are an easy to digest meal. 
• Soup is also a great way to get kids to enjoy vegetables, especially some of those they wouldn't typically eat whole. 
• Pumpkin is a powerhouse of anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin A and C necessary for maintaining healthy skin, eye sight and mucus membranes. 
• Kale, the popular super-vege, is loaded with minerals and vitamins.  It contains health promoting nutrients such as iron, magnesium,manganese, vitamins K, A and C as well as fibre. 

​Recipe
Ingredients:

• 5 Garlic Cloves, crushed 
• 1 large bunch Kale, woody stems removed, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
• 2kg Pumpkin, peeled and diced into large pieces
• 1.25L Stock or well seasoned water
• 1/2 teaspoon ground Nutmeg
• Pinch Pink Salt 
• Generous Amount of Black Pepper

Method:

1. In an extra large saucepan or soup pot saute garlic and kale in olive oil for 3-4 minutes. 
2. Add pumpkin, stock, nutmeg, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes or until pumpkin is tender.
3. In a blender (I use Vitamix for all of my pureed soups) or food processor puree ingredients until smooth.

Make It Personal:

• Garnish with fresh chives or spring onions, chopped.
• Add 1 cup baby spinach leaves before pureeing.
• Add 11/2 head broccoli florets with pumpkin. 

Sensitive to FODMAPs?

• Omit fresh garlic and add 2 tablespoons garlic infused olive oil. 
• Choose Kent or Jap pumpkin and avoid butternut pumpkin.

​For more nourishing recipes, check out:
www.livelovenourish.com.au