Broccoli Cauliflower Soup with turmeric (dairy and gluten free)

 So I have been learning the benefits of turmeric. One of the benefits is it can help in preventing cancer. It helps fight inflammation too.  The ideal is to eat 1/2 tsp a day of it. When I was making this soup the other day I decided it would make a great addition and it did. You can also add turmeric to salad dressing, cooked or raw vegetables, pastas, sprinkle on your salad etc..

This soup incorporates two great vegetables into one great soup. Ideal for lunch or dinner. What are you doing fun for the weekend? I get to go watch my grandson sing in his kindergarten program. He said he would sing all the songs except the one called "friendship". He said "That one is ridiculous." Ha ha! I love being a grandma.

Ingredients

4 C washed cauliflower cut into bite size pieces
4 C washed broccoli cut into bite size pieces
3 T olive oil
1 tsp salt
4 T olive oil
1 chopped onion
5 cloves of garlic minced
3 tsp turmeric
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp chili powder
2 C water
1 C broth (I used bone broth, vegetable for vegan)
4 C cashew milk or other milk

Directions   Serves 6

1. Heat oven to 425.  Place cauliflower and broccoli on cookie sheet drizzle on the oil and sprinkle on the salt. Place in oven. Cook until lightly brown and tender about 30 min.
2. In a stock pot on the stove heat to medium heat. Pour in the oil and let it heat up.
3. Stir in the onion and let cook a few minutes to soften. Then stir in garlic and turmeric. Cook until you start to smell the garlic.
4. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Let the soup heat up all together for a few minutes to incorporate all the flavors.
5. Then blend 1/2 the soup at a time until all smooth and creamy.
6. Return the soup back to the stove and let cook on medium low another 10 min.
7. Serve warm.
(I sprinkled chili powder on top and swirled it with a knife)

Indian Spiced Cauliflower Soup

Britney had a busy day yesterday. She welcomed her 4th son into the world he is a beautiful little boy. It is a wonderful way to end a great year. Britney and baby are doing great.

This is a fun way to use cauliflower by adding some Indian spices to the soup. It makes it a yummy lunch or dinner. A great way to stay warm.

Ingredients

olive oil
1 large cauliflower head washed and chopped
3 T olive oil
1 C chopped up carrots
1 onion chopped
3 garlic cloves minced
2 tsp grated ginger root
1/4 C chia * optional
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp black mustard seeds
2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp salt
4 1/2 C water
1/2 C plain yogurt

Directions

1.  Place cauliflower on cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil, and roast. Place in middle rack heated to 375. Cook about 25-30 until it starts to soften.
2. Put the oil in a large pot and put in the roasted cauliflower, carrots, onion, garlic, ginger, chia, cumin, mustard seeds, turmeric, and salt. Cook together on medium heat for 5-10 min. Until vegetables start to soften
3. Stir in the water and let mixture come to a low boil. Turn down the heat to medium low and put the lid on. Stir occasionally. Let cook for 30 min.
4. Place mixture into blender and puree you may have to do it in two batches. Then blend in the yogurt.
5. Serve warm with a nice naan bread. Happy New Year!

Healthy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

I think it is fun to change favorite recipes that we use to eat into a healthier version. This is a recipe I used to make all the time. So in this recipe the changes I made were, I took out the miracle whip and sugar and replaced them with honey and yogurt. Then fruit which added gave it a natural sweetness too. I was happy with the end result.

Ingredients
3 C chopped up broccoli
1 head of cauliflower chopped up
1/8 C diced purple onion
4 apples diced small pieces (I used small pink lady)
1/2 C currants or raisins 
1 6 oz pkg bacon bits*optional
3/4 C mozzarella cheese
1/2 C sunflower seeds

Dressing:
3/4 C plain yogurt
1 tsp Worcestershire * optional (for savory flavor)
1 T mustard (wet)* optional
2 to 3 T honey (more if you want added sweetness)

Directions
1. Toss the vegetables, fruit, *bacon, cheese and seeds in a bowl. Set a side
2. In a small bowl mix all the ingredients for the dressing. Pour on to the salad. (If you want more dressing you can increase the measurements.) Stir until all combined.
3. Serve right away you can garnish with more currants or cheese if desired. You can also cover the salad and let it chill. Make sure you stir before serving to mix the dressing that settles at the bottom.  

Broccoli Califlower Soup

I had 3 heads of cauliflower in my fridge so I decided it was time to use it. Even though Summer time is not the normal soup making time, it tasted really good. It was nice to put the cauliflower and broccoli to good use. It was a healthy soup as well. :)

Ingredients:
4 T coconut oil or butter
1 onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
1/4 C whole grain flour or 1 to 2 tsp ultra gel
5 C water or vegetable broth
1 bunch broccoli broken into small pieces washed
1 head cauliflower broken into small pieces washed
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes * optional
1 tsp thyme
1/8 tsp paprika
1 tsp marjoram * optional
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1/2 C milk or half and half * optional

Directions:

1. In large pot melt oil, on medium heat. Then add onion and garlic. Saute 4 min.

2. Add flour to onion mixture, and mix until it thickens.

3. Then add broccoli, cauliflower and spices. Let boil and then turn down heat. Simmer until vegetables are tender.

4. Pour into blender. and blend till desired consistency.

5. Pour back into pot and heat on med low heat. Add milk. and heat till warm.