Freshly Dafna

soup

Best Ever Lentil Soup (vegan)

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Although we’re well on our way into spring and bordering the end of soup season, this soup is the big bowl of comfort that I think we all need right now. It’s a pantry driven, plant based soup that is perfect for a chilly spring night, very easy to make, and always just hits the spot. And this soup is so suitable for these days when the market may be more out of reach and we’re looking to make use of ingredients we already have at home.

I hesitated when naming this soup, always weary of titles like “best ever” or “ultimate” but this recipe is one that has transcended a few generations from my mother’s side. It really is the only good thing that my mom is able to cook and one we always loved and enjoyed eating as kids. So much so, that when I would come home from school, she would make me a big batch and freeze it so I could enjoy a cozy home cooked meal from afar. I have refined this recipe over the years and it always feels like a big bowl of love. It’s the soup I make when my husband is sick and needs something comforting and nourishing. And so I feel confident that if you make this soup, it will not disappoint. This soup is vegan, and when paired with a side of rice, it’s a perfect protein!

vegan, plant based, gluten free

If you make this, I’d LOVE to see your creation! Please tag me on Instagram @freshlydafna and use #freshlydafna.

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Best Ever Lentil Soup (vegan)

I simple and comforting soup that always hits the spot and perfect for using up pantry ingredients!

gluen free, vegan

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried lentils
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes canned or fresh
  • 1 large carrot or 2 medium
  • 2 celery stalks
  • 1/2 onion
  • 2 tbsp avocado or olive oil
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne (optional)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 2 bay leaves

Instructions

  1. Prepare the vegetables by dicing the onion, shredding the carrot, and thinly slicing the celery. You can use a food processor to save some time chopping.

  2. In a soup pot heat the oil over medium high. Once hot, add the onions and celery and stir together until onions are just becoming soft and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the carrots and cook, stirring often for another 4-5 minutes or until all the veggies are soft.

  3. Add the spices (except the bay leaves) and stir into the vegetables until everything is evenly distributed.

  4. Add the lentils, diced tomatoes, the bay leaves and 4 cups of water to the pot. Bring to a boil and cook for 3 minutes. Then cover and reduce to a simmer.

  5. Let the lentils simmer for about 30-40 minutes or until lentils are soft. Taste and add any additional seasoning per your preference.

  6. Serve hot, as is or with a helping of your favorite rice. Top with some fresh herbs, a dollop of yogurt, or a squeeze of lemon juice.

  7. This is very freezer friendly! Let cool completely and store in a freezer safe container. When reheating add a bit more water to the pot and cook until it is your desired thickness.

 

 

Whole Foods CopyCat Chicken Tortilla Soup (gluten free, dairy free)

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We don’t eat out too often. Unless it’s some kind of celebratory dinner, or sushi. I find that we’re both usually more satisfied with our simple home cooked meals than *most* things we eat when dining at a restaurant. Unless it’s sushi. Yes, I love sushi and I want it always.

The rare occasions in which we do pick up food, it’s usually a trip to the Whole Foods prepared foods section. I’ll always opt for an overloaded, overpriced, but extremely delicious salad and my husband will get their chicken tortilla soup and some other veggie forward side dishes. And let me tell you, the husbs always swoons EVERY time he sinks his spoon from the soup bowl to his mouth. And being the jealous type, and seeing that this immense happiness is not coming from something that I personally made for him, I set out recreate it. After a minor interrogation and several attempts over the course of a year I have finally received his approval that this recipe is as good if not slightly better than the WF inspired recipe. It has nearly identical ingredients to the Whole Foods original, but I use avocado oil instead of canola. Which is definitely a healthier oil option.

Please enjoy!


If you make this recipe I’d love to see your creation! Please either post a comment or picture on this page or if you’re posting on Instagram please tag @freshlydafna and use #freshlydafna.

 

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Chicken Tortilla Soup

gluten free, dairy free

This soup, inspired by one from Whole Food’s soup bar, is sure to warm any cold bones. It’s packed with flavorful veggies, warming spices, and shredded chicken. It’s super easy to make and will definitely be a winner with all your chicken soup lovers. 

Ingredients

  • 2-3 chicken breasts (bonesless, skinless) about 1 lb
  • 4 tbsp avocado oil divided
  • 4 tsp cumin divided
  • 2 tsp sweet paprika divided
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper divided
  • 2 tsp salt divided
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 carrots shredded
  • 2 celery stalks chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 2 tsp garlic chopped
  • 1 tomato, medium diced
  • 1 box chicken broth (4 cups)
  • 1/2 cup masa harina

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375

  2. Place chicken chicken breast in a bowl with 2 tbsp avocado oil, 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp sweet paprika, 1/8 tsp cayenne, 1 tsp salt. Massage the chicken with the oil and spices until everything is well coated. 

  3. Place chicken on baking sheet and bake for about 25 mins or until chicken is done, let cool. 

  4. While chicken is cooling, heat the remaining 2 tbsp of avocado oil in a large soup pot over medium high heat. Add the onions, carrots, celery, and green bell pepper to the pot and let cook, stirring often, until everything begins to wilt, about 5 mins. 

  5. Then add the garlic, stirring often, and let cook about 2 more minutes.

  6. Meanwhile, shred the chicken using either your hands or a knife. 

  7. Add diced tomatoes, shredded chicken, remaining spices and salt to the soup pot and stir everything together. Let cook for 2 more minutes. 

  8. Add the chicken stock, cover, and bring to a boil.

  9. Reduce the heat and let simmer for 30 minutes. 

  10. In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix 1 cup water with the masa harina and stir well. Stir well until the masa mixture is clump-free and thin. 

  11. Add to the soup and stir well. Let soup simmer 30 more minutes. Taste for seasoning adding more salt if necessary. 

  12. Serve with avocado, cilantro, creme fraiche, and/or some tortilla chips! 

Recipe Notes

* This soup will thicken if put in the fridge (because of the masa harina) just add some more water to the soup when reheating.