Big Green Immunity-Boosting Vegetable (Printable Version)

Creamy green soup blended with spinach, asparagus, broccoli, and cashews for a nutrient-dense, immune-supporting meal ready in 40 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 leek, white and light green parts, sliced
05 - 1 medium head broccoli, cut into florets (about 10.5 ounces)
06 - 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (about 8.8 ounces)
07 - 5.3 ounces baby spinach

→ Nuts & Dairy-Free Creaminess

08 - 2.8 ounces raw cashews, soaked in hot water for 15 minutes and drained

→ Liquids

09 - 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
10 - 1 cup water, plus more as needed

→ Seasonings

11 - 1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
13 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, optional
14 - Juice of 1/2 lemon

# Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, minced garlic, and sliced leek; sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
02 - Add broccoli florets and asparagus pieces; cook for another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Pour in vegetable broth and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes until vegetables are tender.
04 - Add baby spinach and drained soaked cashews; simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until spinach is wilted.
05 - Remove from heat. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until completely smooth and creamy. Alternatively, blend in batches using a countertop blender.
06 - Stir in sea salt, ground black pepper, nutmeg if using, and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - If soup is too thick, add more water or broth in small increments to reach desired consistency.
08 - Ladle into bowls and serve hot, optionally garnished with a drizzle of olive oil or extra lemon juice.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • If you soak the cashews in very hot water they transform into a cream so rich that nobody will ever guess this dish is entirely plant based.
  • The addition of a single leek provides a subtle sweetness that balances the earthy tones of the broccoli and asparagus perfectly.
02 -
  • Overcooking the greens for even a few extra minutes will turn the bright emerald soup into a dull olive shade.
  • Soaking the cashews in boiling water is the only way to ensure the texture is truly creamy rather than slightly gritty.
03 -
  • Add a handful of fresh basil or parsley just before blending to give the soup a professional herbal finish.
  • If the soup feels too thick you can thin it with a splash of hot water without losing any of the richness.
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