Everyone always gravitates to soups and chowders the minute the weather starts to feel chilly. Obviously, it is because a warm bowl of chowder, like this Healthy Root Vegetable Chowder with Autumn Spices, is the food equivalent of a cozy, warm quilt wrapped around yourself as you sit in front of a blazing fire.
Seasoning is Everything
It takes a lot of seasoning to make a soup or chowder really zing. Let’s face it, a pot of broth without some jazzy spice to make it exciting, is truly nothing more than a pot of bathwater. Boring. Uninspiring. And without verve. Look that up…..This, on the other hand, is a Root Vegetable Chowder that has a lot of interesting flavors that make you believe that eating healthy does not mean eating bland. Nosiree. This chowder is far from bland.
Chowder with a Difference
Every day I see one soup after another on the Internet. Everyone loves soup. But how many people can say that the soup they eat on a regular basis should win a “Best Winter Soup” contest? This chowder has everything. Root vegetables. Check. And lots of them–carrots, butternut squash, parsnips, and sweet potatoes. Protein. Check. Chickpeas and Greek yogurt (optional if you would prefer to keep it vegan). Spices. Check. Tumeric, ginger and ground coriander and some fresh cilantro for… well, freshness.
The red lentils give this a colorful burst of texture and flavor. If you are looking for that warm, cozy Winter blanket to envelop your family and friends, this Healthy Root Vegetable Chowder, brimming with the vegetables and lentils is just the Winter dinner you need. And, of course, there will be plenty left over for lunch.
I topped the Root Vegetable Chowder with a spoonful of Greek yogurt (Stonyfield Farms of course) but you can certainly omit if you don’t want to add dairy. The coolness and tang of the Greek yogurt does set off the richness of all the root vegetables but adding it is totally your call.
I hope you will find comfort in this Root Vegetable Chowder and more importantly, that you will be thrilled to feed your family such a delicious do-ahead meal. I like to serve this with a warm, crusty loaf of Sourdough Bread (and butter of course) for dipping/dunking and a salad with some apples and cranberries to keep the Fall theme going.
Happy Halloween everyone. Be safe and have fun.
Healthy Root Vegetable Chowder with Autumn Spices
A thick and rich chowder brimming with healthy root vegetables and red lentils. A hearty meal in a bowl that you and your family will love on a cold Fall or Winter day.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 pound carrots peeled and chopped
- 6 celery stalks chopped with leaves
- 2 medium parsnips peeled and chopped
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated ginger
- 1 ½ tablespoons finely minced garlic
- 1 ½ teaspoons turmeric
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 small butternut squash peeled and chopped (see note)
- 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and chopped
- 1 large bunch cilantro divided
- 48 ounces vegetable broth
- ¾ cup red lentils
- 15 ounce can chick peas
- 3 cups baby kale
- 1 ½ cups Greek yogurt full or reduced fat (optional)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
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In a large stock pot heat olive oil over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add onion, carrots, celery and parsnips. Saute the vegetables for 10 minutes until they are starting to soften.
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Add ginger, garlic, turmeric and coriander and stir the spices with the vegetables for 4-5 minutes until fragrant and just starting to lightly brown.
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Add butternut squash, sweet potatoes and the chopped lower stems of the cilantro. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil over medium high heat.
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Lower the heat to medium and cook for 20 minutes. Add the lentils and chick peas and cook for 15 minutes. At this point the chowder can be refrigerated for 1-2 days if you want to make it ahead.
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When ready to serve, bring mixture to a boil and add the kale and the chopped leaves of the cilantro, reserving some for garnish. Taste for salt and add as desired.
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Cook the chowder for 5 minutes and spoon into bowls topped with the Greek yogurt, if desired.