Sunday, October 18, 2015

Golden Cauliflower Soup in 25 Minutes



Golden Cauliflower Soup is as healthy as it is delicious! You'll be happy to know that this quick and easy yet highly nourishing vegan soup is very low calories as well as low in carbs!

In fact just like my zero points plus spinach soup, this soup is also counted as zero points on Weight Watchers. Don't you love a guilt free soup that can be eaten as a healthy snack or starter for lunch and or dinner that won't pack on the pounds?

This Youtube Video explains why I need to make zero points plus soups! ( just for fun!)



If you are trying to add more vegetables into your weekly menus, this is the way to do it! Homemade soup provides valuable nutrients and fiber. And my quick homemade soups are easy and quick to make! There is nothing more important to your health than building a strong immune system. Healthy vegetables and spices are key to giving your immune system a boost.

I've been reading lately how a strong immune system is paramount to not just fighting flu viruses, but also important for degenerative disease like Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer etc. Let's not kid ourselves, even health food store packaged or prepared foods are still high in salt, sugar, and some additives.

You will only find "real food"( as opposed to processed food) gluten free recipes that taste good and can be made quickly on my blog. With this hearty soup, you simply sauté the cut up vegetables in a saucepan and then add water and broth and cook for about 15 minutes until the cauliflower is tender. Puree with an immersion blender, top with some almond milk, or (coconut milk or cream for low carbers)  and enjoy!
What gives this soup it's golden color? Turmeric!

What is turmeric and why is it so healthy? 

Turmeric is a spice that is worth adding to your diet. If you are not familiar with it, it looks like fresh ginger when it grows ( sold in Whole Foods Mkt) , except that the inside is bright orange/yellow.

It is most commonly ground into a powder and sold in the spice isle of most supermarkets and Asian Indian ethnic stores.

Turmeric is the spice that gives mustard it's bright yellow color. It has a mild bitter taste that seems to disappear in soups and other hot liquids. It is felt to have anti-inflammatory effects on the body which again is important for health. Many studies suggest that inflammation contributes to diseases including Alzheimer disease. In villages in India where they use turmeric daily in their food, Alzheimer and dementia is non existent. So, if you have inflammation and want to add turmeric to your diet, try this soup!

Author: Judee Algazi from Gluten Free A-Z Blog
Prep Time:  10-15 minutes
Cook Time:  15 minutes


Ingredients:
1 medium- large cauliflower, washed and cut into flowerettes
8 single ribs of celery, sliced
1 large onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, diced
1 teaspoon of turmeric
6 cups water
2 cups of full flavored vegetable broth
Pink Himalayan salt ( provides minerals)
Black cracked pepper to taste ( helps the turmeric absorb better)
Olive oil cooking spray or 2 Tablespoons olive oil
 2 Tablespoons almond or coconut milk per bowl
1/4 cup chopped red onion

Directions: 
Spray a wide deep saucepan with cooking spray. Add the garlic, onions, and celery and saute for a few minutes, then add the cauliflower, the turmeric ( salt optional) , black pepper and continue to saute, stirring until everything is coated. Add 6 cups of water, (2 cups more if you used a really big cauliflower)  bring to a boil, turn heat down somewhat but more than a simmer and allow to cook covered for 5 minutes . Remove the cover and allow to cook another 5 minutes uncovered. Add vegetable broth and cook uncovered at a medium heat for 5 more minutes until the cauliflower is very tender and beginning to fall apart. Using an immersion blender, puree .  Add almond or coconut milk to each bowl and garnish with chopped red onion.

The cauliflower is tossed with the turmeric in this photo

This soup and the cauliflower has already cooked down before I added the broth
How I Make This Soup Even Easier
It can be made in 2 stages if time is a pressing issue ( you have  a new baby and other children, work too many hours, are exhausted, burned out, etc). I suggest cutting up your vegetables ( onion, garlic, celery, cauliflower) the night before. It should only take about 10-15 minutes to prep the veggies ( depending on your experience) then you can just assemble the soup the next day and allow it to cook for about 15 minutes. A bowl of fresh, nutrient dense, hot soup will nourish you, relax you,  and help you feel better.


My Notes: I think that adding some low calorie almond milk adds a nice flavor to the soup and coconut milk or cream ( if you eat low carb) is amazing! In addition, I added a few shakes of Trader Joe's 21 Salute ( a salt free herbal seasoning) to the soup. All of my recipes are gluten free, vegetarian, or vegan. ** you can substitute 2 small fingers of fresh turmeric for the teaspoon of powdered turmeric in this recipe HOWEVER, which ever one you choose to use, I must warn you that the any kind of turmeric stains! Don't get it on your clothes or plastic items. It stained my immersion blender. Yup , the head is now yellow!!

 
                               I Will Be Linking this recipe to my Dail
                            Blog Carnival List 
   featuring WednesdayWaste Not Want Not this week!

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Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Turn Your Pumpkin Into a Serving Piece + recipes


Turn your "mini pumpkin" into a serving piece in 3 easy steps!
Just slice off the top, scoop, and fill!

I simply took one of my mini pumpkins - the ones that sell for about a $1.00 in most supermarkets or road side stands-, sliced off the top ( this is the tricky part- see instructions below),  scooped out the seeds and filled the pumpkin with dip- turning my pumpkin into a pretty fall "serving piece".





I decorate my kitchen with all kinds of colorful pumpkins and fall squashes this time of the year. I usually have at least 4 or 5 of the mini pumpkins as accents on my shelves. This is the first time I ever thought of actually scooping one out and trying to use it !

I love this idea for a Halloween party, Thanksgiving dinner, Succot, or any fall party. If you entertain a small crowd, you could make one for each person at his/her seat, or for a larger crowd make a few and use them for appetizers accompanied by crudite, GF chips, apple slices, etc. 

My mini pumpkin photo is filled with a simple guacamole 
( mashed  avocado,  diced celery, lemon juice and Himalayan pink salt). Another guacamole recipe is listed below. 

No matter which filling you serve, the presentation will be festive and colorful!

Try One Of These Dips or Fillings

Some of my easy and delicious GF pumpkin recipes: 
pumpkin pie 
pumpkin pudding bars 
pumpkin rice pudding ( vegan) 

Author: Judee Algazi from Gluten Free A-Z Blog
Prep Time: 3-5 minutes for slicing and scooping the pumpkin

Materials Needed:

A large chefs knife
1 mini pumpkin


How I sliced my mini pumpkin

Instructions: 
As easy as it sounds, it could be a little tricky to slice the pumpkin since the pumpkin is extremely hard. I used a large chopping type knife. I read about this on Pinterest, but it didn't give any instructions, so I had to guess. This is how I sliced it.


I couldn't cut it in one blow so I scored the pumpkin in a circle all around and then cut into it at one of the scored openings. When the knife was in the pumpkin, I then proceeded to use the knife to bang the pumpkin on my counter ( gently) until the pressure started to split the pumpkin. I then cut through and ended up with a clean cut. Good Luck!










DIY Craft: How I made my white Decorated Faux Pumpkins in the photo on the top of the page

                          I love to link my recipes to blog carnivals:
             
                             I Will Be Linking this recipe to my Daily
                        Blog Carnival List 

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Saturday, October 10, 2015

Simple Spinach Soup

Do you love sauteed spinach and garlic? Then you will love this low calorie spinach vegetable soup which is perfect for fall and can be made in just 20 minutes.

A hearty bowl is low calorie, low carb, vegan, and Zero Points Plus on Weight Watchers  according to my calculations at this time in 2015. Yet it is flavorful, fast, and full of fiber.
This healthy soup is a winner!



Weight Watchers zero point spinach soup

The main ingredients are generous amounts of spinach, celery, onions and garlic simmered for just 5-7 minutes in a vegetable broth ( or chicken broth if you are so inclined) and then pureed. The soup boasts powerful immune building protective antioxidants which is a plus during the fall and winter flu season!

Yes, fall is officially here and the weather is getting chillier. Wouldn't a hearty bowl of hot soup  warm the soul and the belly?

Zero Points Plus on Weight Watchers!
The best part is this wonderful soup is Zero Points Plus on Weight Watchers (as of now 2015). That means  you can enjoy a bowl and not even has to subtract any points from your daily point allotment of points on Weight Watchers! That means it's low in calories for every diet!

Pin it Now - Make it Later
If you are not ready for soup yet, pin it now so you will have this recipe for later- you won't want to miss it!

Interesting Seasoning Variations
The basic recipe is very tasty but mild- so it lends itself to the following variations: ( but additional seasoning is not necessary) 

You can spice it up with one of the following spices:
  • cumin 
  • curry spices
  • nutmeg  
  • cayenne 

Trust me. The soup doesn't need anyone of the spices, it is wonderful just the way it is.
 I just wanted to point out that it lends itself to other variations.

Low Carb Diet?

Sometimes I'm following a low carb diet like an Atkins type, so I can add lots more fat to the recipe and make it taste like a richer creamy spinach soup.



***All of my recipes are gluten free and quick and easy to prepare! 


Don't like spinach? Try one of my other quick healthy soup recipes like 



Author: Judee Algazi from Gluten Free A-Z Blog
Prep Time:  10 minutes
Cook Time: 10- 15 minutes



Ingredients:

1/4 cup of vegetable broth for sautéing (or olive oil if you prefer)
1 large onion, chopped
1-2  single cloves garlic, diced
8 single ribs of cele (ry, cleaned, remove strings, and chopped
1 bag of frozen spinach ( 10 or 12 ounces) or 2 bags of fresh spinach
4 cups of vegetable broth
2-3 cups water ( start with 2)

Directions: 

 Saute the onion, celery, and garlic I vegetable broth for about 4-5 minutes stirring frequently. Add the frozen spinach and stir and sauté a few minutes more. Add the 4 cups of vegetable broth and water, bring to a boil and then simmer for 5 minutes. Use your immersion blender to puree the soup. (or use a regular blender).
Weight Watcher zero point spinach soup


weight watchers spinach soup




My Notes (2021) and Disclaimer
1. This is a tasty easy soup that I made when I was on WW back in 2015. The official WW diet plans change frequently, so now you will need to check you current WW plan to see if this soup still meets the criteria for ZERO points on WW.

                 This post will be shared and linked on daily blog carnivals

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including Waste not Want not
and Plant Based Carnival  where I'm featured this week! go see

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Monday, October 5, 2015

Healthy Pumpkin Cake Pops ( grain free)


Looking for healthier dessert alternatives? Tis the season for pumpkin, and these adorable healthy pumpkin cake pops are easy to make, nutritious, and look like little pumpkin donut holes. Made from healthy real food ingredients, they bake up in just 20 minutes in the oven or in 5-8 minutes in the cake pop machine.



I found pumpkin decorated paper straws that we inserted into the pops as a stick. It worked great, but the majority of the pops we just popped in our mouths without a stick and were delighted with the simple but rich pumpkin treat!

These seasonal snacks are healthy for kids of all ages. They pack easily into a lunchbox, are perfect for after school, and especially fun for Halloween! They are nutritious as well as grain free, gluten free, and can be made vegan making them ideal for many types of allergies. The sweetness comes from a ripe banana and a 1/4 cup of coconut crystals ( per 20 pops).

They look cute and taste moist and delicious.  Add a few dark chocolate chips or unsweetened coconut for a tasty variation !

The recipe uses coconut flour and almond flour, both readily available in Trader Joe's and any health food store. I like grain free recipes and flourlessless recipes even better. My flourless Pumpkin muffins are a favorite.

Author: Judee Algazi from Gluten Free A-Z Blog
Prep Time: 8-10 minutes
Bake Time : 20 minutes
Makes : 20 cake pops


Ingredients: 

1/2  cup almond flour
1/2 cup coconut flour
2 large eggs (vegan?  substitute two chia egg replacer recipe )
1 medium ripe banana ( mashed)
3/4 cup of pumpkin puree ( or mashed cooked sweet potato)
2 tsp of melted coconut oil
1/4 cup of coconut crystals ( Trader Joe's or health food store)
1-2 tsp cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice ( your preference)
1 teaspoon baking soda
Optional: 1/2 cup of chocolate chips ( dairy free)

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 325 degrees
Mix dry ingredients and then add wet ingredients.
Make into small balls ( 1-11/2 teaspoons) and place each ball into a well greased mini muffin tray ( makes about 20)
Bake for 20 minutes until done
or if you are using an electric cake pop machine, follow directions according to the machine.

I made them both ways and both ways were delicious, but I thought the one's that I made in the little cake machine were a little moister than the ones made in the oven.
What is it about pumpkin ??? As soon as the fall begins, I just have to have it!! I'm not even sure I love it- but it is like a fall addiction. I'll be searching for pumpkin recipes for the next few weeks.
  1. Make these pumpkin cake poppers for dessert to kick off the Halloween celebration! They are nutritious and very filling because coconut flour is packed with fiber! Fill up before the Halloween candy frenzy!
    Insert a stick or a straw for the kids or just eat them like donut holes!
    This is the inside of the cake pop machine
    These are the ones I made in the oven in a mini muffin tray. Just a tad drier- but still very good!

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