Warm & Heart Healthy Soup

by Noor H. Salem

When it’s snowing or below zero degrees outside, it’s most likely the case that you are craving something nice and warm. There’s nothing like homemade soup, both for better taste and additional health benefits. This lentil soup has some pumpkin as well; feel free to use butternut squash or sweet potatoes instead. Pumpkin, and squash alike, are loaded with vitamin A, vitamin C, dietary fiber, and a ton of other vitamins and minerals. They balance your blood sugar levels, contain heart health benefits, and are also great for digestion. The best part about the soup is your capability of tossing in various vegetables, such as carrots and zucchini, and blending it thereafter. Your young children and adults alike would find this soup delicious.

Ingredients:

7 cups water

1 cup dried split red lentils, soaked (orange in color)

½ cup organic pumpkin

1 small onion, peeled and sliced

3 zucchinis, washed and sliced

4 large carrots, washed and sliced

1 tablespoon ground turmeric

1 teaspoon ground mustard

1 teaspoon dried cilantro

1 tablespoon Himalayan pink salt

1-2 tablespoons parsley, chopped

Directions:

1. Place water, lentils, sliced veggies and pumpkin in a pressure cooker.
2. Add all spices except dill. Stir slightly.
3. Cover properly and cook on high heat for about 20 minutes.
4. Once the pressure cooker whistles, leave on stove for about 10 more minutes.
5. Turn off heat. Before opening the pot, make sure all the pressure is released.
6. Use a hand blender and carefully blend the soup until smooth and creamy.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley; serve warm.

Noor H. Salem is an author, speaker, and Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, from Michigan. Noor works with clients in better understanding their bodies and healing with natural foods through her wellness practice, Holistic Noortrition. She presents various workshops, school lectures, group coaching classes, and community lectures on the topic of holistic health. Noor recently published her book, SUNNAH SUPERFOODS, a culmination of life-changing recipes and remedies, with a foreword by Dr. Waleed Basyouni. Her book consists of prophetic hadith, modern research, and delicious recipes, and is in the process of being translated into other language.