It's time for change! 

Summer Coolers, move over .. the weather has changed - its time to warm up with a bowl of hot and healthy soup!

The wholesome meal by itself,soups are not only filling but are highly nutritious and a good way to start your weight loss programme. 

Soups are an all time favourite with me - any time, any season! 

And the time is just right - as its pouring away... 

I know many of you, like me, relish soups and my friend Puja was requesting me for health soups so here they are - minus the frills of white flour, cornflour, cream and milk - and voila they taste good too !

Earlier when I started cooking I made soups with all the fancy ingredients, however, over a period of time for health and weight loss reasons, I made my own health soup recipes with ginger, garlic, onion and whole spice as the base minus the frills and they turned out just right for the palate. 

So for starters there are four - Drumsticks,Pumpkin,Whole Black Masoor (Lentil  and Whole Green Gram ( Moong).

SOUPS

Yellow Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin Contains Vitamin A, boosts immunity, has high antioxidants, low calorie content , helps in weight loss and protects cells from free radicals.

Pumpkin Soup Ingredients

 

Ingredients 

1. Yellow  Pumpkin - 500 gms 

2. Green Chilli - 1 deseeded

3. Onion - 1 big

4. Garlic - 1 to 2 cloves

5. Ginger - a small piece 

6. Bay leaf - 1

7. Cummin seed -1/4 tsp roasted 

8. Curry leaves for garnishing 

9. Salt and Pepper to taste

NOTE : Optional (those who want to add milk - add 2 tsps at the end). I dont. 

Method 

1. Saute ginger, garlic, onion and pumpkin in little butter.

2. Then pressure cook along with green chillie, bay leaf and roasted cummin seeds and salt  with 4 cups water for 3 to 4 minutes after the 1st whistle.

3. Cool and strain. 

4. Remove the bay leaf and blend the ingredients .

5 .Then bring to a boil

6. Garnish with curry leaves and serve .

Please note that the amount of water I have taken is for 2 cups each.

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2. Drumstick Soup

Packed with Vitamins C, A, K and B, Drumsticks also are a good source of minerals iron, calcium and fibre. 

Are said to be good for blood purification, maintaining blood sugar level, protects gut and respiratory ailments

Drumstick Soup Ingredients

Ingredients 

1. Drumsticks - 6 ( cut in medium size pieces) 
2. Onion - 1 Big chopped 

3. Garlic cloves - 5 to 6 crushed 

4. A small piece of ginger

5. Cummin seeds - 1/2 to 1tsp 

6. Coriander leaves for garnishing

7. Salt and Pepper to taste

Note : Tomato is optional - I make it without it mostly .

Method 

1. In a little oil saute garlic lightly brown . Then add the chopped onion. 

2. Pressure cook for 4 to 5 minutes after the first whistle along with the drumsticks,ginger,cummin seeds and 4 cups water. ( Add Tomato if you want but that is optional)

3. Cool and strain.

4. Remove the inside pulp of the drumstick and blend all together .

5. Bring to a boil . Add Salt and Pepper to taste.

6 . Garnish with coriander leaves and serve.

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3. Whole Black Masoor ( Lentil Soup ) 

Masoor or Lentils as it is known is high in fiber, protein  and minerals and is highly nutritious.

It has Vit B, Zinc and anti-inflammatory properties. It is said to be good for the skin and heart,reduces blood sugar and cholestrol levels. 

My granddaughter loves this soup I made for her. Being a poor eater, one day I made the whole black Lentil soup for her and was pleasantly surprised when she asked for a second helping and later reminded me to make it again.

Black Masoor ( Lentil) Soup Ingredients 

Ingredients :

1. Whole Black Masoor - 1 cup Sprouted Masoor

2. Carrots - 2 medium

3. Onion - 1 Big 

4. Garlic - 3 big cloves 

5. Ginger - 1 small piece 

6. Bay leaf ( tejpatta ) - 2 medium

7. Cinnamon ( Dalchini) - 1small piece 

8. Cloves ( Lavang ) - 2 

9. Pepper - 2 

10. Coriander Leaves for garnishing 

Method 

1. Pressure cook all above ingredients on slow for  5 to 7 minutes after the first whistle.

2. Cool, blend and then strain till the mixture is fully absorbed with the liquid

3. Bring to a boil .

4. Add salt and Pepper 

5.Garnish with coriander

6 . Serve hot . 

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4. Green Gram ( whole green moong ) Soup 

Sprouted Green Moong is rich in B1.B2, B3 and B6, Magnesium, Zinc ,amino acids  and antioxidants, have  fewer calories .

Green Gram( Moong) Soup Ingredients 

Ingredients

1. Sprouted Green Gram - 1 cup 
2. Onion - 1 big chopped 

3. Tomato - 1 big sliced slightly  thick

4. Garllic - 5 to 6 Garlic Crushed 

5. Green Chillie - 1 sliced and deseeded

6. Salt and Pepper to taste

7.Coriander leaves for garnishing

8. Curry leaves - a few 

Method

1. Crush the Garlic well .

2. Heat oil in a saucepan and when really hot add the garlic which should sizzle and become brown. It is important that the aroma of the garlic should reach the other ingredients as then only the flavour comes to the soup.

3. When the garlic turns reddish brown then add the green chillie, curry leaves and then onions and saute.

4. Add the Tomatoes and saute .

5. Finally  add the Sprouted Green Moong and saute 

6.. Add enough water to cook the green mung well.  If using pressure cooker then after the first whistle slow for 3 to 4 minutes and shut the gas immediately.

5 . Add salt and pepper to taste.

6. Garnish with Coriander and serve hot .