Hearty healthy soup

Every week usually on Sunday, I roast organic chicken in my clay pot.

Fill the cavity with a lemon and herbs. Detach the breast skin and fill with a thick layer of fresh herbs; I love parsley and cilantro the best. Add slices of butter under the skin. Salt and pepper the bird place inside the soaked clay pot and put on the lid. Roast at 400 degrees for 1.5 hours. Remove, separate the meat from the bones and set the bones aside to make the soup. Serve the meat with roasted vegetables and Salad.

STOCK

I love to make my soup from my own stock so after gathering the gizzards and bones from the roasted chicken I place them in a pot with water, salt and pepper, garlic, onion and any vegetables I have in the fridge: carrots, celery, parsnips, broccoli ends etc. Simmer for ages until the stock is rich and flavourful.

SOUP

In a large saucepan brown a large red onion, garlic and any herbs you love, in butter. Chop your favourite vegetable (only one variety if you want to make a pureed soup or many varied ones if you make a chunky vegetable soup). Add veg to the onions and cook until glossy from the butter. Season as liked. My family loves hot chillies so I often add jalapeño or ancho chillies chopped. Toss and stir until all veg are coated. Add the chicken stock and simmer until the veg are tender. If you plan to puree the soup go ahead and do it now, then serve with chopped parsley and a dollop of yoghurt.

If not then add the left over chicken meat and serve hot with crusty gluten free bread as a stand alone meal.

The pot then goes into the fridge over night and as the week progresses ALL left overs get added. You can add left over rice, beans, bread, noodles and salad. In the morning I reheat the pot as a ready made lunch.

Be creative when you serve: add grated cheese, dried onions, sour cream or croutons!

This hearty delicious pot of soup often lasts a whole week.

written by Marjolein Brugman

Marjolein Brugman is the founder of lighterliving and Aeropilates. “lighterliving is a movement and lifestyle choice we can all make. Let’s make it simple – make one decision a day to be better and watch the small steps lead to big changes. Eat smart, stay active, and you’ll live to feel a lighter life."