Healthy Soups

Every once in a while, I feel the need for some authentic Soon Doo Boo JiGae, a hearty, miso-based stew that's chock full of fresh vegetables and silky soft tofu. If you grew up in a Korean home or have had the pleasure of trying Soon Doo Boo Jigae at a Korean restaurant, you probably know exactly what I'm talking about - it's a need that cannot be defined.

The other day, we were fortunate to have a good friend have us over for some homemade squash soup. Margaret and I were almost rolling around on the ground as we savored what we both declared to be the best squash soup ever.

If you're keen on making simple, healthy, delicious, and budget-friendly meals, this tomato and chickpea soup is a must-try. To make six generous servings of this nutrient-rich soup, the ingredients shouldn't cost you more than around five dollars. Amazing, right?

Here's a look at the components:

Making top notch soup doesn't require any number of stars, formal training, or a pint of heavy cream.

All I dare say you need to make a soup that your family and friends will rave about are a handful of wholesome ingredients: two heads of cauliflower, a couple of Yukon gold potatoes, two shallots or a yellow onion, and a fresh bunch of any favorite herb.

This savory and hearty soup calls for nutrient-rich ingredients that are readily available year-round. Rich in healthy protein, natural vitamin C, and carotenoids, this soup offers plenty of fuel for a healthy immune system, and is a filling choice for vegans and omnivores alike.

Though soon doo boo jigae is traditionally made with a bit of spice, my mom has long made it without adding fine red chili powder to accommodate me and my sisters when we were growing up, and now her toddler grandsons.

If you're big on soups and you enjoy fresh garlic bread, this dish will likely cause you to do a little jig before going for seconds.

Garlic is a surprisingly good source of vitamin C, which partially explains why it's long been thought to boost immune system strength.

Lentils are among nature's finest food offerings for a healthy heart because they're abundant in folate, a vitamin that is essential to keeping your blood homocysteine at a healthy level.

This super healthy stew is made unique by adding a handful of raisins and whole cashews. Sounds funny, I know, but once you try it, I trust that you'll agree that all of the ingredients go together beautifully.

Broccoli is rich in indoles and sulforaphane, compounds that are known for their cancer-fighting properties. Broccoli is also abundant in fiber, folate, vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, coenzyme Q10, and carotenoids.