I have been obsessed with making soups lately. I guess that is just an inherent to-do that comes with the changing of the seasons. I want to get in my cozy sweater and slippers and slurp something warm. This soup does just that. Its got just a tiny mild amount of spice to warm you up. The warm flavors, the creaminess from the potatoes, and just a hint of protein and richness from the chicken. It was so simple to make, and so simple to devour. I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients: 
1 tablespoon olive oil 
1 leek, diced
1 onion, diced
salt and pepper
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 tsp curry
1 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp lavender
4 cans stock 
2 carrots, diced
3 pound bag red potatoes
1 chicken breast, grilled or baked, then cut into 1/4 inch cubes

Directions: 
Warm your oil in a large dutch oven pot, leek, onion, salt and pepper and saute until softened. Add your garlic and cook for 30-60 more seconds. Then add your curry, turmeric, lavender, and stir until fragrant. Add in your stock, then your carrots and potatoes. Bring to a boil then reduce to medium heat and simmer until your potatoes are fork tender. Use an imersion blender until you have reached your desired smoothness. Add your chicken to the soup and stir until warmed through. Serve with bread or pita chips for dipping. 

This soup has a warm creamy vibe with just a slight hint of spices. It is the perfect way to cozy up this fall. 

This soup is lovely vegan option verses your traditional bacon laced leek and potato soup. You make up for the lack of bacon with the lovely spices, especially the warm taste of turmeric. It's filling due to the potatoes, but the richness in this soup is surprisingly virtually fat free. This is a delicious healthy fall soup that will warm your belly whenever there is a chill in the air. 

Ingredients: 
1 tablespoon butter
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 leek, diced
1.5 tsp lavender herbs de provence (found here) 
1 tsp tumeric
1 large onion diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 carrots, chopped
4 red potatoes, cut into 1 inch squares
1 sweet potato, cut into 1 inch squares
2 cans broth
1/3 cup water
Salt and pepper

Directions: 
Saute your onions, garlic, leeks, and celery (with salt and pepper) in your butter until softened (about 4-5 minutes). Then add your turmeric and herbs de provence and stir until mixed. Throw in the rest of your ingredients (carrots, potatoes, broth, water, etc) and season additionally with salt and pepper as needed. When the potatoes are fork tender, use your emersion blender until you reach the desired smooth consistency that you prefer. Serve with bread for dipping. 

Enjoy!

I love a good one pan meal. I also love a good one pan meal that is low in fat and full of good for you vegetables. This meal received my "wow babe, this is delicious" seal of approval from my husband. It has a great tang from the mustard, peas and carrots similar to one of our favorite shrimp dishes at a great restaurant, and filling protein and carbs. It comes together in just a few minutes and you will be happy to welcome this easy dish into your repertoire. 

Ingredients: 

1 tablespoon butter

30-40 count medium shrimp

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons dijon mustard

5 cloves garlic, minced

2 leeks, cleaned/diced

1 large carrot, shredded

1 cup frozen peas

1 1/4 cup israeli pearled cous cous

lavender salt

fresh cracked pepper

2 cups water, boiled

Directions: 

Melt your butter, add your shrimp, salt and pepper them. Saute your shrimp for 3-4 minutes until just barely pink all the way through. Set aside. In your same skillet add you olive oil, leeks, carrots, mustard, and garlic. Salt and pepper them and saute until soft and cooked through, about 5 minutes. While your vegetables are cooking, boil 2 cups of water. When the vegetables are soft, add your peas and cous cous to the pan. Dump your water over the top them, turn off your heat source, cover, and let sit 7-8 minutes until the cous cous has plumped. Season with lavender salt and pepper and return the shrimp to the dish. 

Simple, healthy, filling, and delicious. Hope you enjoy this quick one pot meal.