Its that time of the year when I am always trying to find a way to eat colorful, rich, dark foods that are not only healthy but taste great. I have loved beets from a young age and eat them in salads, beet risotto, pickles… I just love them. Here’s a power soup that has the goodness of beets, ginger and garlic while being friendly to the waistline. It’s also non-dairy and can be served hot or cold. Here is the recipe:
Beet-Ginger Soup with Coconut Milk and Pomegranate
Olive oil
1 large diced onion
2 large grated carrots
3 stalks diced celery
6 cups water or vegetable stock
2 cloves minced garlic
2-3 large beets (scrubbed, head/tail removed grated)
4 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
2 teaspoons sugar (I used pomegranate molasses, commonly found in Lebanese grocery isles)
1 can coconut milk
1/2 teaspoon Salt and 1/4 teaspoon Pepper
I a large heavy-bottomed soup pot add 3 tablespoons olive oil, onion, carrot, celery. Cover and cook on medium until onions are transparent, about 5-8 minutes.
Add grated beets, ginger, garlic and sugar, 6 cups water (or vegetable broth). Boil with lid on for 15-20 minutes or until everything is soft-cooked. Note: I substitute the sugar for pomegranate molasses which brings out the sweetness of the beets and add some acidity; similar to lemon juice. This tangy-fruity syrup is also great for use in bbq sauces and on beef ribs.
Take pot off heat, keep covered and let rest. Puree small batches in blender until smooth. Always take caution when working with hot foods in a blender. I always leave the top vent slightly open and cover it with a dishcloth to let heat escape. The Ninja Auto iQ Blender seems to work very well… its got 1200 Watts and is about 1/4 the cost of the well-known blenders (it retails for less than $150 at Walmart in Canada).
Return blended soup to pot and stir in coconut milk. Season with the salt and pepper. Garnish with a dab of sour cream, sprigs of cilantro, drizzle of chili oil or add a few croutons. Add some crusty bread on the side for dipping and enjoy!
This soup tasted excellent cold. I drink a glass each morning… a great vitamin booster!
This blog post was not sponsored; I did it just for you. Enjoy, KL
