Broccoli soup and 4 toppings
My goal is to create dishes that keep my body and mind healthy so that I can keep endometriosis at bay, get through menopause well, and age gracefully.
When I combine ingredients, I want to know how they can impact my overall health. And when you are passionate about what you are doing, the result is a delicious meal that does wonders for your body and mind.
So here is a simple recipe that’s easy to prepare, affordable, versatile, and nutritious.
Let’s take a look at the main ingredient, broccoli.
For me, broccoli is a superfood that has helped me keep endometriosis at bay and get through menopause well.
Broccoli is high in fiber, which supports a healthy gut microbiome (the good bacteria in your gut) and helps with weight loss by limiting overeating.
High-fiber foods can help prevent menopausal weight gain.
Studies have shown that nearly 70 percent of our immune system is in the gut.
So if you take care of it, you’ll stay healthy. Plus, a healthy gut is crucial for hormone balance.
Broccoli contains essential nutrients but has fewer calories.
Because metabolism slows down, menopausal women do not need as many calories as they did in their younger years. Now is the time to make a change: quality over quantity.
Menopausal women must ensure they eat enough nutrients to prevent health problems like osteoporosis and heart disease.
However, this magical vegetable can help with weight control and even relieve some symptoms of menopause.
Why is broccoli so beneficial to your health?
Broccoli is rich in sulforaphane – a potent sulfur compound that supports hormone balance and estrogen metabolism. In conclusion, it improves estrogen dominance.
Sulforaphane is a must-have for us, especially for women with endometriosis and other health problems caused by hormonal imbalances.
Since broccoli is rich in glucosinate, it detoxifies the liver. Glucosinate is a sulfur-containing compound that helps detoxify the liver and reduces the symptoms of menopause.
HEALTHY LIVER IS VITAL FOR HORMONE BALANCE.
Excess estrogen is filtered out of the body by the liver. A sluggish liver cannot eliminate the excess estrogen, so it re-enters the body.
As women, we are bombarded daily with chemicals, from makeup, creams, shampoos, conditioners, hair dyes, dishwashing detergents, household cleaners, etc.
Some toxins can mimic hormones in our bodies and lead to further hormonal imbalance. A healthy liver eliminates the toxic waste we take from the air, water, environment, food, etc., such as heavy metals, chemicals, additives, etc.
What ingredients do you need for broccoli soup?
Ingredients
500 g broccoli
250 g frozen peas (to give the soup more protein)
Two onions
Two medium carrots
Three cloves of garlic
½ teaspoon dried thyme
One teaspoon of dried coriander
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
Fresh chopped parsley to serve
Water or broth
Salt and pepper
Croutons:
Four slices of whole wheat bread for the croutons
Two cloves of garlic
Two to three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
How to prepare broccoli soup?
Preparation time 10 minutes
Cooking time 15 minutes
Step 1
Heat a few drops of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat
Add the onion and cook until it begins to soften about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and stir.
Add the carrots, turmeric, thyme, salt, black pepper, and water (or broth) to cover the vegetables.
Bring to a boil and reduce the heat.
Let everything simmer, covered, until the carrots are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 2
Add the broccoli and simmer for another 5 minutes.
Remove from heat.
Step 3
Puree the soup with a hand blender until you get a creamy, smooth consistency
Step 4
Thin the soup to the desired consistency by adding the milk of your choice
Season the soup with more salt and pepper if needed.
How to make the croutons?
Cut the bread slices into bite-sized pieces.
Drizzle them with the olive oil
Add the minced garlic and stir until everything is evenly mixed
Fry them in a dry pan, stirring, until they are golden brown on both sides.
The four different toppings of broccoli soup:
Here are my four favorite toppings that transform broccoli soup into four different soups.
Broccoli soup with feta cheese topping
Place the soup in a bowl and garnish with feta cheese (or your favorite cheese), fresh parsley, croutons, and a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
You can also omit the croutons and use a slice of crusty, buttered whole wheat bread.
This simple but comforting broccoli feta soup is creamy and delicate.
I love how the broccoli’s sweetness combines with the feta cheese’s salty bite.
Broccoli soup with a Sunny Side-up egg
Add a Sunny Side-up egg to the top of your broccoli soup. Garnish with grated cheese and fresh parsley.
Broccoli soup with a dollop of yogurt as a topping
Garnish your broccoli soup with a dollop of whole milk yogurt (or your favorite), fresh parsley, croutons, and a drizzle of olive oil.
I used whole milk goat yogurt because it is so creamy and healthy.
You can omit the croutons and use a slice of crusty, buttered whole wheat bread.
Broccoli soup with crispy bacon topping
Garnish the broccoli soup with crispy smoked bacon, fresh parsley, and croutons.
Ultimately, all combinations are about using your imagination and playing with ingredients.
These variations of broccoli soup make a wonderful, warming, and inexpensive lunch or dinner.
Storage: the soup stays in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
If you recreate this recipe for broccoli soup, let me know by sharing your pictures on Instagram and tagging it with the hashtag #healthywomanstyle, or leave a comment below with your favorite topping.
Wishing you a fall full of hearty soups, inspiration, and good things,
XOXO
Gabby
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Due to variations in ingredients, cooking temperatures, errors, omissions, or individual cooking abilities, you may not always get the same results we do.
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