Healthy (but tasty!) soup and smoothies

[China Doll]

Hello,

My hand blender has arrived :c)

I've got some nice recipies for pate and I've had a squizzle at some smoothie recipies and there's my book of soup recipies at home waiting for me... Just wondering if anyone had some homemade soups and smoothies (or anything that can be done with a hand blender really) that I can have a shifty at and maybe a go at making.

Is there a particular bowl I need or will any old bowl do?

Cheers

[JeniPeni]

I made delicious carrot and coriander soup yesterday and blended it. I just put the blender in the pot that the soups already in.

[merciasounds]

Well for soups, just boil any veg in any combination you fancy and thin down with stock, if trying to be health conscious, don't add cream, and for smoothies, don't add full fat yogurt, or honey or sugar to the fruit. i use a big jug i have instead of a bowl

[pastafreak]

You can start with a basic potato and leek soup....a couple of chopped,peeled potatoes,the same for leeks,some veg or chicken stock, and salt and pepper. Cook all till soft...then whizz. No cream or milk unless desired. A bit more stock if too thick. Easy-peasy.

[China Doll]

Thanks all... I'll be buying my stock I'm afraid, I live alone and don't have the patience or inclination to cook for 1! But M&S do nice stocks that I've used in my spicey lentil soup so I reckon I'll be ok :c)

[sandyRoe]

Try Marigold Swiss Vegetable bouillon powder. It makes a great stock. A 500g carton makes 25 litres. It's not cheap at £5.45 but lasts a long time.

[ethandron]

china, during the winter months particularly, i make soup on a monday with whatever left-over veg i have from the previous week. it comes out different every time and i never follow a recipe. just chop all the veg up, throw it in a pan with enough water to cover it and boil it up. when it's all tender season it either with stock or just salt and pepper, maybe add some butter if you want, or cream if you happen to have some in. then blitz it with the blender. it makes a lovely, thick heartwarming soup. alternatively you can take half out, blitz that then mix the two halves together to get a slightly thinner soup with veg pieces in.
i blitz it in the pan, saves on the washing up.

[pastafreak]

You can get small tins of the Marigold also.

[ethandron]

they do a low salt version too if i remember rightly.

[sandyRoe]

The one I use is suitable for vegans

[China Doll]

Oooh thanks all! I'm liking the sound of that butternut squash one too, I reckon a little red chilli in that as well might be quite tasty :c)

[yelenots]

I'm after a blender but dont know what make to buy - what is yours and have you tried it yet?

[yelenots]

Sorry! Thanks I'll have a look on Argos website

[bushbaby_de]

My breakfast smoothie is 3 tablespoons porridge oats, 3 tablespoons frozen mixed fruit, 2 tablespoons low fat fromage frais and 100ml soya milk - all done in a job with my Billy Blender - very nice and keeps me going :)