HealthGeekChic

This week I was cold and craving something warm and hearty as well as healthy. I went into the kitchen and whipped up this soup on a whim, with what I had in the pantry and crossed my fingers. Luckily this pumpkin sweet potato soup was awesome.  It was a great change from my usual soups, it is creamy (without cream), thick and filling. And obviously so healthy! The bright orange color makes you feel like you are really getting tons of vitamins and nutrients in each bite. And if that isn’t enough to get you to try it–here are some health benefits of pumpkin: it’s filled with fiber which we know is an awesome way to feel fuller longer and keep your GI system in check! The bright orange color is full of anti-oxidants like beta-carotene to neutralize free radicals and keep skin looking young AND vitamin C to help boost that immune system through the fall and winter. Also, pumpkin has tons of potassium which helps you de-bloat and manage the ever critical electrolyte balance in the body!

Give it a try–I think you will love it as much as I do! (Wondering why there is no picture of the soup? We ate it all before I could get a good set up for the picture. Yep, it’s that good!)

Pumpkin Sweet Potato Soup 

1/2 small sweet onion, diced

1 clove garlic minced

1 cup organic pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)

1 sweet potato diced (approx 1 cup of diced pieces)

1 quart box low sodium vegetable broth (my favorite is 365 from Whole Foods..its only $2.00 a box and only 140mg sodium per serving)

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

2 Tsp Smoked Paprika

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• Saute the diced onion and garlic in olive oil until soft
• Add in broth, pumpkin, sweet potato, and paprika. Stir pumpkin into liquid well
• Bring to a simmer for approximately 30 minutes until sweet potatoes are soft
• Blend with an immersion blender until smooth and creamy
• Season with S + P and allow to simmer for 10 more minutes
• ENJOY!

Extras: This would be awesome topped with a dollop of creme fraiche OR you could try adding some great warm spices like red curry powder or cumin to take this soup to the next level!  If you are REALLY feeling it you can roast your own pumpkin and make pumpkin puree, courtesy of Whole Living.

References: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/05/pumpkin-health-benefits_n_1936919.html#slide=1596917