Lemony Cucumber Tofu Soup

 

            Lemony Cucumber Tofu Soup is a simple and a healthy clear soup. It is a soul satisfying soup with some coriander leaves and lemongrass. For more lingering aroma, you can throw in a few kaffir lime leaves into the soup. Simple and easy to dish out this amazing soup, it is light on the tummy. Add some lime juice while serving if you wish for some tang. You can relish anytime of the day or when you have hunger pangs. 

          

          I prepared a basic cucumber Tofu soup. So a protein rich soup at your disposal. You may add few fresh paneer cubes if Tofu is unavailable. So it is a complete and a wholesome light meal in itself. 

          Garnish with coriander leaves and have at room temperature. Do check for a quick step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this comforting soup.

• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1/2 cup tofu, diced
• 1 tsp. oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger, finely chopped
• 1 tsp. garlic, finely chopped
• 1-2 green chilies. finely chopped
• salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp. pepper powder
• 2 cups water / stock
• 2 lemongrass stalks (white portion), slightly bruised
• 1 tbsp. corn flour mixed with 1/4 cup water
• 1 tsp. coriander leaves, chopped

          Heat oil in a pan and sauté the onion, ginger, garlic and green chilies till they turn light brown. 

         Now add the diced cucumber, salt and pepper powder. Give it a mix and sauté for 1-2 minutes. 

         Add 2 cups water / stock and the bruised lemongrass. Bring it to a boil and simmer, covered for 4-5 minutes on a low flame or till the cucumber turns tender. Then discard the lemongrass.

         Now gently pour in the corn flour slurry and the tofu. Give it a mix and continue to simmer further for 1-2 minutes or till the soup turns slightly thick in consistency.

         When done, switch off the flame and garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Enjoy as it is or with any grilled veggies, meat or fish. 

Heat oil in a pan & sauté the onion, ginger, garlic & green chilies till they turn light brown. 

Now add the diced cucumber, salt & pepper powder. Give it a mix & sauté for 1-2 minutes. 

Add 2 cups water / stock and the bruised lemongrass. Bring it to a boil and simmer, covered for 4-5 minutes on a low flame or till the cucumber turns tender. 

                    Then discard the lemongrass.

                  Now gently pour in the corn flour slurry....

and the tofu. Continue to simmer further for 1-2 minutes or till the soup turns slightly thick in consistency.

When done, switch off the flame & garnish with chopped coriander leaves. 

                Enjoy as it is or with any grilled veggies, meat or fish. 

Lemon Coriander Soup

 

          Lemon Coriander Soup is a simple and a healthy clear soup. It is a soul satisfying tangy soup with some coriander leaves and lime juice. For some lingering aroma, you can throw in few kaffir lime leaves or lemon grass into the soup. I prepared a basic lemon coriander soup. However, you can add many more veggies of your choice to give it a healthy touch. So it is a complete and a wholesome light meal in itself. Do check for a quick step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this comforting soup.

• 1 tbsp. ginger, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp. garlic, finely chopped
• 2 green chilies, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp. coriander roots, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp. oil
• 2 cups water
• salt to taste
• 14 tsp. pepper powder
• 1 tbsp. corn flour 
• handful of coriander leaves, chopped
• juice of 1/2 lime

          Make a slurry of the corn flour and 1/3 cup water. Keep aside,\.

         Heat oil in a pan. Add the ginger, garlic, green chilies and coriander roots. Sauté till they turn slightly brown in color. 

         Now add the water, salt and pepper powder. Simmer on a low flame for 4-5 minutes. 

          Add the slurry and keep stirring till the soup turns slightly thick. 

         Switch off the flame. Add the chopped coriander and lime juice. Give it a stir.

         Serve in individual bowls for a comforting and a satisfying meal experience. 

Heat oil in a pan. Add the ginger, garlic, green chilies & coriander roots. Sauté till they turn slightly brown in color. 

Now add the water, salt & pepper powder. Simmer on a low flame for 4-5 minutes. 

                      Add the slurry.

                      Keep stirring till the soup turns slightly thick. 

Switch off the flame. Add the chopped coriander & lime juice. Give it a stir.

     Serve in individual bowls for a comforting & a satisfying meal experience. 

Tomato Shorba / Soup

 

          This is an incredibly simple, comforting and a wholesome Tomato Shorba, where I added few coriander stalks and mint leaves. This combination gives this dish a nice flavor and aroma. Serve along with some croutons, tortilla chips or bread sticks. 

          It is perfect for a winter night. There are many variations to it. For instance, you can add few kaffir lime leaves or curry leaves instead of coriander / mint leaves for a different flavor. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare my version of this healthy dish.  

 

               Tomato, as we know, is a rich source of nutrients, minerals, proteins and vitamins like A, C, K & B6. It is good for our eyes, fights against cancer, urinary infections, kidney problems and diabetes. 

               It also improves digestion, lowers cholesterol levels, detoxifies our body and reduces inflammation among other benefits. It is also good for babies / kids, during pregnancy and for the elderly too. 

• 5-6 tomatoes, roughly chopped
• 1 tbsp. oil
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2-3 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1" ginger, sliced
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• 1 tbsp. oats
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp. coriander powder
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. Kashmiri red chili powder
• handful of coriander stalks
• few mint leaves
• 2 cups water 
• 1 tsp. coriander leaves, chopped (to garnish)
• pinch of pepper powder

          Heat oil and butter in a pan. Add the onion, ginger, garlic and green chilies. Sauté till light brown. 

          Add the oats and sauté for a few seconds. Now add the tomatoes and cook till it is nicely mashed.

          Then add the turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder and red chili powder. Mix everything well and sauté for a minute.

          Add the coriander stalks, mint leaves and salt to taste. Give it a stir and stir fry for a few seconds.

         Add 2 cups water and pressure cook for 2-3 whistles. Keep aside to cool. Then blend into a smooth paste and strain.

          Bring the contents back into the pan and heat through. Add chopped coriander leaves and a pinch of pepper powder. 

          Garnish as desired and serve as a light comfort meal as is or with bread / soup sticks.

          

Heat oil & butter in a pan. Add the onion, ginger, garlic & green chilies. Sauté till light brown. 

                   Add the oats & sauté for a few seconds.

              Now add the tomatoes & cook till it is nicely mashed.

Then add the turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder & red chili powder. Mix everything well & sauté for a minute.

Add the coriander stalks, mint leaves & salt to taste. Give it a stir & sauté for a few seconds.

                       Add 2 cups water.

                    Pressure cook for 2-3 whistles. Keep aside to cool. 

                   Then blend into a smooth paste & strain.

                    Bring the contents back into the pan & heat through.

Garnish with chopped coriander leaves & a pinch of pepper powder.

Garnish as desired & serve as a light comfort meal as is or with bread / soup sticks.

French Onion Soup with Rosemary Flavor

 

            French Onion Soup, a very popular signature dish from France is a simple and a hearty soup. With few variations, I was able to create this delectable dish. I omitted the use of wine and added some rosemary instead of the mandatory thyme. Sprinkling grated cheese to the end product adds some zing to this comfort one-pot meal. You can enjoy as it is or with some croutons. or bread sticks. It can also be had in a pureed form, garnished with grated cheese. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this comfort dish.

• 3 large onions, sliced
• 3-4 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 sprig rosemary
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 & 1/2 cups water
• 2-3 tbsp. cheese, grated
• Few croutons

          Heat butter and olive oil in a pan and sauté the garlic till it changes color.

          Now add the onion and continue to stir fry till golden brown in color. 

          Add the water, rosemary, salt and pepper to taste. Pressure cook for 3-4 whistles and let it come to room temperature.

          Discard the rosemary sprig and ladle into individual bowls. Top it up with the croutons and grated cheese. 

          Microwave  for a few seconds or till the cheese melts and enjoy. 

                    Heat butter & olive oil in a pan.

                 Add the garlic and sauté till it changes color.

                       Now add the onion...

                     Continue to stir fry till golden brown in color. 

                    Add the water, rosemary, salt & pepper to taste. 

Pressure cook for 3-4 whistles & let it come to room temperature. Discard the rosemary sprig. 

          Ladle into individual bowls & top it up with the croutons...

                        and grated cheese. 

      Microwave  for a few seconds or till the cheese melts & enjoy.