soups

Soups are a part of almost every culture's diet. They are nourishing and comforting. Soups can contain any food in a watery medium.

• Soups contain a main ingredient: grains, beans, vegetables, tofu, noodles or meat. 
• Seasoning: sea salt, miso, seaweed, herbs, onion, garlic, ginger.
• Thickener: flour, pureed vegetables,couscous, oatmeal.
• Garnish: cilantro, parsley, sprouts, dulse.

By eating foods that are water saturated we strengthen the fluids in our body.
Soups can be adapted to the different seasons, not only the choice of vegetables would be different, but the cooking time. Winter soups are rich, creamy and thick. They are cooked longer. On the other hand, summer soups are light, clear and cooling. They are cooked quickly.

• Try to avoid using commercial soups, they contain to much sodium and fat.
• Soups are high in volume, yet low in calories, they help you to feel full with very low amount of calories. Ideal to loose weight.
• Even an inexperienced cook can create a delicious soup with a few basic ingredients: diced carrots, shredded cabbage, sweet potatoes and other vegetables. Add water, miso, seaweed and herbs and bring to boil. Simmer for 20 minutes or so.
• Bouillon cubes can be used, but they contain too much sodium, MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) and other ingredients.
• Although some vitamins may be lost during the slow cooking period, if fresh ingredients are used, they will provide an excellent array of vitamins, minerals and protein.
• Cook your vegetables until they are barely tender, that way they can retain their nutrients with a minimum loss.
• For those who use meat in your soups, remove the fat. By chilling the stock the fat is forced to congeal on the surface and can easily be scooped out.