Organic Broccolini & Spinach Soup

Ingredients:

1 ½ pounds of organic broccolini

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 cup diced onion
1 cup chopped leek
1 ½ tablespoons minced garlic
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon of fresh basil chopped
1 teaspoon of fresh marjoram chopped
1 teaspoon of fresh Italian parsley chopped
5 cups organic vegtable stock (you can also use chicken stock)
2 cups of packed organic spinach washed, and trimmed
2 teaspoons of freshly grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons of Meyer Lemon juice
1 cup organic vanilla soy milk

Broccolini is a hybrid of broccoli and Chinese kale. The result is a tender, slightly sweet vegetable with edible stems and florets. If you were to use broccoli for this recipe you would need to peel the stems. This is not necessary with broccolini because of its tenderness.

Note: Because you follow an organic lifestyle, Organic Authority recommends using certified organic ingredients, when available, in all recipes to maximize flavors and minimize your risk of exposure to pesticides, chemicals and preservatives.

Serves 4-6

Method:

Cut the stems from the florets of the broccolini. Cut stems into about ½ - inch pieces.

Heat the olive oil in a soup pot over medium high heat. Add the onion and leek to pan and season with salt and pepper. Add garlic and cook for about 1 minute. Lower temperature to medium heat and cook vegetables slowly until tender about 10 minutes (you do not want the vegetables to take on any color).

Stir in the basil, marjoram, and Italian parsley. Add the broccolini stems, vegetable stock and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 2-3 minutes. Add the florets and cook until fork tender about 5 minutes. Stir in cleaned spinach and lemon zest. Once the spinach has wilted into the soup, puree the soup in small batches in a blender.

Return blended soup to pan and stir in lemon juice then soy milk. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve in warm bowls and garnish with lemon zest.

This recipe can be made ahead up until the point you blend the soup and store it in the refrigerator for several days or up to one month frozen.