A long time ago I was a volunteer at a place where people were not feeling very good, they needed a friend or a little help. I was assigned to a special woman who loved to cook as much as I did.
At the time I had a restaurant and so I would bring her special foods when I would visit.
Our friendship lasted many years, and many times when she was very sad I would bring her my "healing soup”—it worked every time, she just felt better and it made me smile to know a simple soup could help so much.
The healing soup reflects the flavors of the season. The vegetables make the stock base. Try to use the freshest vegetables available. And don’t be afraid to add all sorts of veggies––it all comes out good, I promise.
- 4 large onions coarsely chopped
- 8 scallions minced
- 10 Yukon gold potatoes peeled and chopped
- 3 large sweet potatoes peeled and chopped
- 1 head of celery chopped
- 1 cup parsnips peeled and chopped
- 1 butternut squash peeled and chopped
- 2 cups carrots peeled and chopped
- 1 cup of lentils any color
- 1 cup navy bean
- 1 cup or heirloom red beans
- 1 cup white beans
- 1 cup of split pea
- 1 cup of fava beans
- 1 cup of lima beans
(Mix & match beans according to your taste)
- 2 cups sweet corn
- 2 cups cream of corn
- 2 cups tomato puree or tomato soup water
- 6 cups water
To season the soup you will need:
- Red pepper flakes
- Turmeric
- Salt
- Garlic
- Fresh minced parsley
(These are my favorite spices, they are all optional, add the spices you like best.)