News

by Tabatha Buessing

Warm up with this healthy homemade superfood vegetable soup, packed with vibrant veggies, protein-rich quinoa, and nutrient-dense kale! 🥕🍃 This nourishing, plant-based soup is loaded with flavor, fiber, and a boost of Vanilla Superfood Protein for extra sustenance. Perfect for meal prep, it's gluten-free, dairy-free, and easy to customize with your favorite seasonal vegetables. Whether you're looking for a cozy weeknight dinner or a wholesome immunity-boosting meal, this hearty soup will keep you satisfied and energized. Ready in about 30 minutes.

Ingredients:
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium white onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 to 2 cups chopped seasonal vegetables (zucchini, yellow squash, bell pepper, sweet potatoes)
• 6 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 large can diced tomatoes
• Scant 1 cup quinoa, rinsed well in a fine mesh colander
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp salt, more to taste
• 2 bay leaves
• Pinch red pepper flakes
• 1 scoop of Vanilla Superfood Protein
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 can great northern beans
• 1 cup or more chopped fresh kale
• 1 to 2 teaspoons lemon juice

Directions:
1. Warm the olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion, carrot, celery, seasonal vegetables and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until the onion has softened and is turning translucent, about 6 to 8 minutes.
2. Add the garlic and thyme. Cook until fragrant while stirring frequently, about 1 minute. Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and cook for a few more minutes, stirring often.
3. Pour in the quinoa, protein, broth and the water. Add 1 teaspoon salt, 2 bay leaves and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Season generously with freshly ground black pepper. Raise heat and bring the mixture to a boil, then partially cover the pot and reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
4. Cook for 25 minutes, then remove the lid and add the beans and the chopped greens. Continue simmering for 5 minutes or more, until the greens have softened to your liking.
5. Remove the pot from heat, then remove the bay leaves. Stir in 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Taste and season with more salt, pepper and/or lemon juice until the flavors really sing. Divide into bowls! :)