Thursday, September 12, 2013

No-Cream Creamy Basil Spinach Soup {i.e. Lifechanging Soup}

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 1 large or 2 medium leeks, green parts trimmed and discarded, white parts washed well and chopped
  • 2 medium zucchini, ends trimmed, and chopped (about 4 cups total)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil
  • 2-3 cups fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
  • 1-2 cups cooked chicken
DIRECTIONS:
  1. In a saucepan, heat the olive oil and add the garlic, leeks, and zucchini. Stir in the salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, 3-4 minutes, until the leeks have softened. Add 1 cup of the broth, cover and cook, stirring every once in a while, until the zucchini is falling apart and very tender, 8-10 minutes.
  2. Transfer the mixture to a blender and add the basil. Carefully blend (in batches if needed). Pour the soup back into the pot. Stir in the remaining 1 cup of chicken stock. Stir in the chopped spinach and cooked chicken and cook until heated through, 4-5 minutes.  Serve with crusty bread and devour.  It's amazing.

*www.melskitchencafe.com