Cream of Broccoli Cashew Soup
Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped
1 Tbsp coconut oil or butter
1⁄2 tsp. sea salt
1-2 celery stalks diced
2-3 carrots diced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
2 lbs broccoli, chopped into florets (can include peeled stems as well) 6 cups bone broth or vegetable stock/chicken stock
1⁄4 cup nutritional yeast
2 tsp. lemon juice
1⁄2 cup full fat coconut milk
1⁄4 tsp nutmeg (finely ground) sea salt and pepper to taste Few sprigs of fresh parsley
chili flakes for garnish, if desired Cashew Cream
1 cup raw cashews 1 1⁄4 cups water
1 tsp. lemon juice 1⁄4 tsp. sea salt
Method:
1. Place cashews in a large bowl and cover with water. Add 1 teaspoon of sea salt, stir and let soak at room temperature for about 1.5-4 hours (overnight is fine). Drain and rinse.
2. Place cashews in a blender, add all other cashew cream ingredients and blend on the highest setting until completely smooth. Season to taste. Set aside.
3. Heat coconut oil or butter in a large stockpot. When melted, add onions and a few pinches of sea salt, stir, and cook until the onions have softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic stir, cook for a few minutes. Add the broth, and bring to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and simmer for just five minutes – do not overcook, broccoli should be bright green.
4. Remove about half of the cashew cream from the blender and set aside. Add the stockpot contents to the blender (you may need to do this in batches) and blend on the highest setting until smooth. Add the nutritional yeast, parsley, and lemon juice. Blend on high until smooth. Season to taste.
5. To serve, pour the soup into bowls. Add a few spoonfuls of the leftover cashew cream and swirl into the soup. Sprinkle with chili flakes and a couple parsley leaves. Enjoy hot!