Broccoli Clear Soup with Whole Black Peppers

While the folks in the northwest took the brunt of the severe snowstorm  we got our stash this past weekend, the first of the season. It settled down for about 3 - 4 inches, quite low for this time of the year was what I heard. Anyways here's another super healthy soup to keep you all warm through this winter weather.
 I learned this recipe from the Chef Jacob's morning cooking show in the TV. My MIL who does'nt know how to cook broccoli and was always wondering how to cook it according to our taste , now makes this soup regularly at home. The whole peppers are the star ingredients in this recipe rather than broccoli as it gives the otherwise bland vegetable a spicy makeover. I have used carrots in this recipe to make it more interesting for my son but its optional, it adds a nice color to the soup though.

Ingredients.
2 cups broccoli cut into florets.
1 cup of diced Carrots(optional) 
2 tsp whole pepper
3 tsp whole jeera
4 large cloves of garlic sliced thin
1 medium onion sliced thin


Method
In a sauce pan, add about a tsp of olive oil.
Add the whole pepper and jeera. When the jeera splutters add the garlic and onion.
Saute fora minute and add the broccoli florets and carrots, saute for 2 mins. Now add the required  amount of water and salt close with a lid. 
Allow it to boil for 15 mins in medium heat. Take care not to over cook the broccoli .
Serve hot with dash of  crushed pepper.

Don't keep aside the whole peppers in the soup, thats what brings out the flavors in this soup. Try to take it along with the broccoli and you will not regret it.

Notes.
Always cook the Broccoli to a correct consistency, a little but on the crunchy side. Otherwise the taste becomes very bland. So make note of the time, when you make the soup for the first time. I cook it for for about 15 - 20 mins on low heat.


I bet this soup makes you hungry after 20mins. Make a perfect appetizer.


You can also use the same recipe to make a cauliflower and carrot clear soup too.

Linking this to Priya's Healthy diet - Warm Soups Event. Have Fun.

Carrot Celery Soup

Though I make a variety of soup's during winter I just realized that I have never posted one in my Blog.
Onions and celery forms the base for many of the soup recipes, but here is a simple and comforting soup that uses this basic veggies, just right for the cold winter evenings.
Also stay tuned for some more of these soup recipes throughout this month.


Carrot Celery Soup

Ingredients: 
2 medium carrots peeled and chopped.
1 medium onion chopped
2 large celery stalk chopped
2 cloves of garlic
salt and coarse pepper powder as needed.


Method.
Add about a tblsp of olive oil in a sauce pan.
Saute the garlic and onions till translucent (do not brown)
Now add the chopped garlic and celery, give it a stir.
Add  some salt to taste and  2 cups of water. Close with a lid and simmer for about 30 mins.


Let it sit for about 15 mins and then blend it using a hand held blender or transfer it a blender.
Add coarsely ground pepper before serving. Coarse pepper gives a better taste and flavor than powdered pepper.

Sending this soup to Priya's own event 'Healthy Diet - Warm Soups'