| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 40 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 195 | 7g | 3g | 25g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 6g | 4g | 5g | 0.8g |
There are plenty of soup recipes out there, but only a few manage to leave a lasting impression like the Paracress Vegan Soup. It’s a uniquely flavorsome, vegetable-based dish, which harks back to my New Yorker beginnings, and a city synonymous with diverse and innovative gastronomic experiences.
Exploring the Ingredients
The star of this dish, paracress aka “spilanthes,” boasts a strong, peppery flavor, which really livens up the soup, soon as it hits your taste buds. The inclusion of other classics like onions, garlic, carrots, and potatoes makes this dish a wonderful symphony of tastes blending harmoniously together.
The olive oil adds a rich, smooth undertone to the palette of flavors. The addition of canned coconut milk gives the soup a creamy, rich body — a vegan alternative to heavy cream that keeps the taste without compromising on health. Black pepper and salt perfectly punctuate the flavors, while the subtly sour burst of lemon juice and earthy freshness of parsley bring everything together magnificently.
The vegetable broth not only adds taste, but it also provides a significant base in terms of nutrients and feel-good elements.
Health Benefits and Accompaniments
Besides being an absolute delight for your taste buds, Paracress Vegan Soup offers multiple health benefits. Packed with vitamins and minerals from a variety of vegetables, you’re getting a nutrient-rich meal in each spoonful.
Paracress, in particular, is known for its herbal beneficial properties and immunity-boosting effects. The soup also includes anti-inflammatory staples like garlic and onions. Your waistline will appreciate the low-fat, high-fiber quality, which leaves you feeling satisfied, not stuffed.
Thick and warming, this soup is a meal in itself. However, to round it off into a wholesomely satisfying supper, you can pair the Paracress Vegan Soup with a side of vegan garlic bread or a fresh tossed green salad.
Just like the city I call home, this soup is a melting pot of different tastes and influences. Every new spoonful feels like a tribute to the global smorgasbord that is NYC. Whether it’s a windy winter day or you just need a pick-me-up, the Paracress Vegan Soup is a hearty, healthy option that never fails to impress.
Nourishment doesn’t always lie in complexity; sometimes, it rides on an amalgamation of simplicity, and it is upon this philosophy, this delicious soup recipe thrives.
Happy cooking and Bon Appétit!
What You’ll Need
- 3 cups of paracress (spilanthes)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 5 cups vegetable broth
- 2 large carrots, sliced
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup canned coconut milk
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 lemon, juiced
Method
Step One
Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté these ingredients until the onions become translucent and the garlic becomes fragrant.
Step Two
Add the 3 cups of paracress (spilanthes) to the pot. Let it cook with the onion and garlic for about 5 minutes or until the paracress starts to wilt.
Step Three
Next, add the vegetable broth to the pot. Bring the broth to a simmer. While the broth is simmering, add the sliced carrots, cubed potatoes, and chopped celery to the pot. Let these vegetables cook in the broth for about 15 minutes or until they become tender.
Step Four
Season the soup with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
Step Five
Pour in 1 cup of canned coconut milk into the soup, stir well to mix. The coconut milk will give your soup a rich and creamy texture.
Step Six
Finally, add the chopped fresh parsley and the juice from one lemon to the pot. The lemon juice will balance out the flavors and add a fresh taste to your soup. Let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes.
Step Seven
Before serving, taste your soup and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve your paracress vegan soup hot, enjoy!
