Disease Proof

Beth’s Tomato-Vegetable Soup

2 red, yellow and/or orange peppers
4 stalks celery
1 large onion
2 heads baby bok choy
3-1/2 pounds assorted types of tomatoes
5 large cloves garlic
2 teaspoons Mrs. Dash
1 teaspoon dill
1/2 cup water

Cut all vegetables, add seasonings and water, and simmer in large, covered pot for 40 minutes, or until vegetables are soft. Remove from stove and process in blender or Vita-Mix. Blend until smooth and frothy. For variation, substitute other spices for Mrs. Dash and dill—or 5 ounces of other green leafy vegetables for baby bok choy. This recipe freezes easily and maintains the body that blending the cooked ingredients achieves. To serve, add brown rice (optional). Serves 6.

Jean’s Broccoli Cheeze Soup

3 medium potatoes, peeled & diced
3 large carrots, peeled & diced
1 bunch broccoli, cut into florets & stems, sliced
2 inches water (just to cover potatoes & carrots in pot)
1 cup plain soymilk
1/2 cup raw cashews
1/2 cup nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Mrs. Dash - original blend
1 teaspoon Spike
1/4 teaspoon celery salt (optional)

In large pot, cover diced potatoes and carrots with water and simmer until tender—15 minutes or so. Meanwhile steam broccoli until tender (I have a steamer insert that fits inside the pot I use for the potatoes and carrots). While veggies are cooking, puree cashews and all seasonings in a blender with the soymilk. When potatoes and carrots are done, add them to the cashew mixture and re-blend, adding enough of the hot cooking liquid to make a creamy "cheese" soup consistency (I used almost all of the cooking water.) You might need to do this in batches, depending on your blender. Return pureed soup to pot and stir in broccoli. I couldn't believe the gorgeous color and flavor of this soup—just like the broccoli cheese soup that I used to eat way back when. While this soup doesn't have as many veggies as my usual soups, it's a nice change of pace. Serves 4.

Irene’s Collard Greens Soup

1 onion, finely chopped
1 green pepper, seeded and chopped
2 cloves fresh garlic, chopped
32 ounces water
1/2 vegetable bouillon/low-sodium
1/16 teaspoon fresh black ground pepper
1/16 teaspoon cumin
8 ounces collard greens

Lightly sauté onion, pepper and garlic in a few drops of extra virgin olive oil. Add water/bullion with spices and shredded collard greens. Bring to a boil and then simmer about 30 minutes. Can also add 8 ounces of black eyed peas if you wish. Serves 4.