Soups!

We have been able to try some awesome new recipes with our veggies from our CSA including two amazing soups!  The first is a potato leek soup, and Vivek says that it is his favorite soup of all the ones I have ever made!  This is my first time cooking with leeks, which are like onions but have a milder flavor.  The soup is definitely hearty and delicious!

Recipe for Potato Leek Soup

INGREDIENTS
4 tbsp butter
4 leeks, diced
4 cups vegetable broth
4 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
2 cups 2% milk
2 tbsp low fat cream cheese
salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a large pot, heat the butter until melted.  Cook the leeks in the butter with some salt and pepper until tender, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes.

2. Pour the broth into the pot.  Add the potatoes and bring to a boil.  Season with salt and pepper.

3. Pour in the milk and add the cream cheese.  Reduce heat and simmer at least 30 minutes, until potatoes are tender.


The other soup that I made quickly became one of my favorites as it has a sweet and spicy element to it!  I made this soup using a delicata squash from the CSA box.  I had never heard of this type of squash before, but it is similar to a butternut squash or a pumpkin in that it has a sweetness to it when cooked.  I got this recipe from the Vitamix cook book, so it was relatively healthy as well :)

Recipe for Thai Squash Soup

INGREDIENTS
2 delicata squash, halved and baked until soft
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 can of tomato paste
1 tbsp chopped fresh ginger root
1 garlic clove, peeled and chopped
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 can coconut milk
1/2 tbsp chopped green chilies
1/2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Use a peeler to peel off the skin of the cooked squash and cut squash into chunks.

2. In a large pot, saute onions in olive oil until soft.  Add tomato paste, squash, ginger, garlic, broth and coconut milk. Mix well and allow it to heat for about 10 minutes.

3. Place the contents of the pot along with the lemon juice, green chilies, and salt in the Vitamix and blend on high for about 2 1/2 minutes or until smooth.

You can serve this soup garnished with some chopped cilantro, peanuts, sour cream, or drizzled with sriracha sauce!  So yummy!