Cauliflower Curry FaceFood Soup

This is definitely one of the best soup recipes on the planet! It’s thick and creamy but doesn’t actually require cream and it has SUCH a unique array of rich spices and flavors like curry, coconut and tumeric. Curry and coconut always go well together but we’ve never had such a tasty cauliflower soup before and it was ridiculously easy to make. We also threw in some turmeric to boost immune systems functions and provide anti-inflammatory benefits. It’s almost like a stew and it gets better the next day as the spices really intensify and meld together. Enjoyed with a warm slice of our homemade bread (with butter) this was PHENOMENAL!

Ingredients

1 tbsp coconut oil (or EVOO)
1 yellow onion diced
2 cloves of crushed garlic
1 tbsp of ginger
2 tbsp of curry powder or paste
1 1/2 tsp of ground coriander
1 tsp of ground cumin
6 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup of red lentils - canned (or bean of choice)
1 medium cauliflower, in small florets
1 sweet potato, peeled and diced into 1 inch cubes
2 cups of spinach or dark leafy green (kale etc.)
A dash of salt & pepper as needed
Fresh herbs to garnish (cilantro, green onions, or arugula)

Why It’s a Face Food

Coconut oil: The omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants have been proven to brighten and plumpen skin. The lauric acid found in coconut oil also works to re-hydrate dry areas. Aside from the fatty acids, this oil is rich in vitamins to help smooth and nourish.

Tumeric/Ginger: These two spices are anti-inflammatory hero’s and have been linked to reducing risk of diseases long-term. Ginger also aids in digestion, boosts metabolism, and detoxes which can clear up blemish prone skin and balance it. The anti-inflammatory qualities of these spices can also help reduce scarring and dark spots. This combination of uses may help your face clear up from acne breakouts. Turmeric is extremely rich in curcumin, a natural active ingredient that promotes the healing and brightening of the skin. Check out this article ‘Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Turmeric” on one of our favorite blogs' - Byrdie.

Spinach/Kale: One cup of chopped kale has 134 percent of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C, while a medium orange fruit has 113 percent of the daily C requirement. Gram for gram, kale has more than twice the vitamin C as an orange, without all the extra sugar. Why is Vitamin C essential for your skin? It is key to the development of collagen and helps the skin repair itself. It is also a powerful antioxidant that combats free radicals which harm the skin.
Kale also has 133 percent of a person's daily vitamin A requirement -- more than any other leafy green, according to 50 Shades Of Kale. Vitamin A (also known as RETINOL) helps with acne scars, wrinkles and contributes to healthy skin cell growth and repair.

Sweet Potato: These nutrient rich potatoes are multi-faceted as they are helpful to prevent/defend skin from signs of aging (with flavanoid anti-oxidants) while also working to repair damage and maintain youth-fullness by increasing collagen production and cell turnover. They have very high levels of beta-carotene, which is converted to an active form of vitamin A (retinol) once ingested. Vitamin A is required for cell production and growth. An increased intake of vitamin A may help to increase healthy skin cell production. Anthocyanins are another highly bioavailable nutrient in sweet potatoes that can have anti-aging properties. Antioxidants are key in helping to maintain a glowing and healthy complexion because they neutralize unstable cells (free radicals). If left unchecked, these will result in oxidative stress at the cellular level and cause signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines.

Cauliflower: Super rich in Vitamin C and known to be an extremely healthy member of the cruciferous veggie family. While the vitamin C in cauliflower improves collagen production and delays the signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines, the other antioxidants in the vegetable clear dark spots and enhance skin texture. Cauliflowers are also rich in carotenoids and other important nutrients like vitamins C, E, and K and others that help improve blood flow and digestion which can all help to clear skin. It’s low carb and nutrient rich with some very notable anti-oxidants that help slow and reverse signs of aging at the cellular level. Some of the most potent antioxidants in cauliflower are beta-carotene, quercetin, cinnamic acid, and beta-cryptoxanthin. These help reduce oxidative stress in the body and fight inflammation.

Instructions

In a large pot, heat some coconut oil and olive oil. Add garlic and onions and sautée for 4-5 minutes until fragrant and slightly browned.
Stir in the spices (ginger, curry, coriander, cumin) and sautée for 3 minutes.
Add the broth and lentils. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and let it simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add cauliflower and sweet potato. Reduce the heat to a low simmer, cover pot and allow to simmer away for 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cauliflower and sweet potato are tender and can be poked easily with a fork. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
Add spinach (or kale) and cook until wilted (2 or 3 minutes will do).
Ladle into bowls, serve with fresh buttered bread, and garnish with fresh herbs of choice.