Detox Vegetable Soup

 
This soup is packed with detoxifying vegetables and beans besides immune boosting spices and herbs with healing properties. The spices / herbs I chose to flavor this soup have been used in India from ages for their medicinal properties in everyday cooking. I used a basic version of garam masala which contain coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cinnamon, clove, black pepper and cardamom which all aid in digestion in one way or another besides adding a great flavor to the soup base.

Ginger is anti inflammatory, aids in digestion, reduces nausea and helps to fight cold while vitamin C rich lemon cleanses your stomach and strengthens immune system. Turmeric and coriander seeds are anti-inflammatory. Cumin aids in digestion and improves immunity. Where as cardamom helps to counteract digestive problems similar to ginger. Cinnamon helps to treat muscle spasms, vomiting, loss of appetite, common cold and even believed to lower blood sugar levels in diabetics. Garlic boosts up the immune system and helps the liver.

I used some cooked mung beans as well to the soup for protein. Mung beans is rich in protein and fiber besides with antioxidant properties. It is one of the recommended detoxifying legumes which aids in digestion preventing bloating and gas. There are in fact khichdi detox diets, based on rice and mung dal. It should not come across as a surprise to Indians, considering that khichdi is recommended there for people recovering from stomach upsets since it is easy to digest besides being nutritious. Use homemade stock or water for the base.
 

Ingredients: 
1 tsp. olive oil (optional)
1 garlic clove, finely minced
1" piece of ginger, peeled and grated
1 small onion, finely chopped
3.5 to 4 cups of water / vegetable stock
2 cups of chopped veggies, (I added broccoli, cauliflower, celery, carrots, beans, & tomato)
A handful of cooked mung beans
1 tsp. cumin powder
1/2 tsp. garam masala
1/8 tsp. turmeric powder
Salt if needed
Lemon juice to taste
Cilantro to garnish

Method:
* Heat oil and add garlic and ginger. Saute for few seconds until they brown and add onion. Fry until translucent. Skip the sauteeing part if not using oil.
* Add cumin powder, garam masala and turmeric. Saute for few seconds.
* Then add vegetables (except broccoli and cauliflower) and water / stock to the pan and cook until the vegetables are half done. Add broccoli and cauliflower now and continue cooking until desired consistency is reached. Add the cooked mung beans at the final stages of cooking.
* Add salt if needed and stir. Garnish with cilantro and squeeze lemon juice before serving. 


This is going to be a part of Blogging marathon #64 under 'detox recipes' and check here to find out what other marathoners are cooking today.

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Ginger Lemon Detox Drink

I was surprised to notice that a lot of food ingredients that are allowed in a detox diet are commonly used in Indian kitchens regularly, especially the spices that aid in digestion and kick start the metabolism. This detox drink for instance, consists of two powerful detoxing ingredients, ginger and lemon which are commonly found in most kitchens. 

I made this drink on my husband's request without realizing at that moment that it is detoxifying. Ginger is anti inflammatory and effective in relieving digestive problems.Whereas lemon water is believed to be a natural diuretic which helps in detoxifying the body. And besides the citrus fruit is high in vitamin C content. Start your day healthy with a glass of this ginger lemon drink or refrigerate and drink through out the day.
 
Ingredients:
2.5 to 3 cups of water
2 inch piece of ginger
1/2 lemon

Method:
* Peel the ginger and either grate it or cut into small pieces.
* Bring together ginger and water to a boil. Or water can be boiled and poured over the ginger and allowed to sit for few minutes.  
* Squeeze the lemon juice or add the lemon slices to the ginger water. Let it sit for a couple of minutes if slices were added.
* Filter out the ginger pieces and lemon slices. 
* Enjoy the drink warm or cold. (My husband loved it with a pinch of salt and black pepper addition.)


This is going to be a part of Blogging marathon #64 under 'detox recipes' and check here to find out what other marathoners are cooking today.

Comments