I have a confession to make. You might be surprised to hear this, but I am actually not such a big fan of kale… I know, shocking isn’t it?! Having said that, I eat it almost daily because I truly believe in the benefits of including it in your diet. Today I am sharing with you a creamy green detox soup recipe which is simple, delicious and involves kale, BUT in the form of powder!
Kale is one of nature’s superfoods. It boasts many nutrients and vitamins including beta-carotene, vitamin A, C, K and calcium. One thing needs to be said… the list of the many health benefits of kale goes on and on, but the taste and texture can be off-putting. Instead of using raw kale, I like to use kale powder. There are a few reasons, one of them being it doesn’t go off like the real stuff. You always have to buy a full bag of it and have to throw it away within the next couple of days if you don’t use it all up (I hate food waste).
I love Indigo Herbs kale powder which they have kindly send to me for free to review, taste and test. They are a small business in Glastonbury and are as passionate about healthy eating as me!
Another reason why I like kale powder is because of the high nutritional content. The process of making the powder is basically reducing the water content of the leaves by freeze drying which ensures all the nutrients, flavour and colour are locked in. It comes in either a 250g or 500g airtight pouch which will last you for ages as you only need couple of teaspoons at a time. I use it in everything - think smoothies, stews, dips, sauces, salad dressings, omelettes, scrambled eggs and of course soups, like this creamy green detox soup recipe I am sharing with you today. Just remember when making this lovely soup to protect all the nutrients, add it to the soup only at the end of the cooking process.
To make this creamy green detox soup I have used my beloved Vitamix, but I understand not everyone owns one like me, so I am including a method for normal blender too.
You can buy Indigo Herbs kale powder here and while you are there, check their other products as they are really an amazing company.
Here's the creamy green detox soup recipe
Recipe
Creamy green detox soup recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pint of stock (I used veggie)
- 1 head of raw broccoli
- 1 bag baby spinach
- 1 stick of celery
- 2 spring onions
- 2 tsps Indigo Herbs kale powder
- 2 cloves of garlic
- ½ cup of raw cashews
- 1 handful of basil or flat leaf parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- The Vitamix way:
- Add the stock into the Vitamix, followed by the broccoli florets, baby spinach, celery (broken into two), spring onions, garlic cloves, fresh herbs (basil or parsley), salt and pepper. Keep pushing the baby spinach down to make space for the rest of the ingredients.
- Secure the lid. Pulse a few times to get the ingredients moving.
- Select Variable 1 or the soup option and turn the machine on.
- Let the option run till it stops or blend for 6-8 minutes or until the desired temperature is reached. If using hot vegetable broth, blend for just 2-4 minutes.
- Stop the machine. Add the kale powder and give it another quick whizz.
- Taste and check for seasoning.
- Add more stock if the soup is too thick.
- Serve hot with a blob of yogurt or sprinkled with some seeds and enjoy.
- Regular blender way:
- In a large pot, heat up a tablespoon of olive or coconut oil and sauté 2 cloves of chopped garlic. Add the chopped spring onion, chopped broccoli florets, baby spinach and sauté till the spinach is a little wilted.
- Add the stock, salt and pepper and bring everything to a boil. Then reduce it to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes till the broccoli is tender.
- Transfer the broccoli and spinach mix into a blender or food processor, along with the liquid.
- Add the raw cashews, kale powder and the fresh herbs.
- Blend or process on high till the soup is smooth and creamy.
- Taste and check for seasoning.
- Add more stock if the soup is too thick.
- Serve hot and enjoy.
Trust me, this creamy green detox soup recipe is so simple and delicious it will become regular lunch or evening meal! And kids and fussy husbands like it too!
You can follow Indigo Herbs on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Much love,
Hedi
Hayley
This might seem like a stupid question but will a food processor do the same as your vitamix? I have both a food processor & normal blender but wonder if I'll get better results with my food processor than my blender..
Hedi Hearts
Vitamix is so powerful, but normal blender will be great too. I also like using hand-held blender, it gives it a lovely super creamy texture. Hedi x x x
Jemma
As I dont have Kale Powder could I use fresh Kale. If yes how much would you use
Hedi Hearts
Yes, you can Jemma. 2 big handfuls at least 🙂 Hedi x x x