There is nothing more comforting than a steaming bowl of soup to chase away the winter blues. So take your winter taste buds on an exciting culinary adventure with easy-to-make, nutritious and delicious soups. If you enjoy the tangy sweetness of tomatoes, try a citrus-infused tomato soup with grilled croutons. Dice and roast tomatoes in a saucepan with glazed onions, garlic, thyme, ground cinnamon, a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice and a few drop of vinegar, and voila, you have a healthy soup ready in no time. To make a meal out of it, you can pair the soup with cheese croutons by grilling slices of French bread for 60 seconds on both sides and topping them with cheese (or butter) for extra flavour.
For potato lovers, a broth of potato, chicken and onions, doused in sour cream, and seasoned with a hint of salt and black pepper makes for the perfect mid-day snack to boost energy levels. You can either use sliced or mashed potatoes, depending on how thick you want your soup to be; garnish with fresh, green chilli peppers, coriander or parsley to add zing.
If you want to stay away from carbs, you can always go vegan. All you need is some inspiration and just the right mix of vegetables and lentils-beets and cauliflower mixed with sweet, red legumes or the peppery, brown ones are your best bet in winter. Boil the vegetables for 15 to 20 minutes, sprinkle a handf of mustard and cumin seeds, add onions and bell peppers, throw in a few slices of ginger and garlic and top off with a dash of coconut milk, and you have a whole meal in a bowl.
By Hiba Jahanzaib