Hopping from family gathering to party to dinner. Zapping in and out of airports and train stations. Catering like a boss for family and friends. Too.Many.Cocktails. The holiday season definitely takes its toll. Not only on one’s routine and normal diet, but also one’s motivation to get back to real life – which unfortunately isn’t fruit-spiked mugs of glögg, and 8 a.m. slices of stollen.
I am still on holiday back home in Florida, so I am the worst person to be giving advice on how to shake off a fairly established Lindt reindeer habit – or, in my case, a salty snacks and second helpings habit. But we have made a huge batch of Jerk Black Bean and Rice Stew for New Year’s Day; some kicking breakfast quesadillas (with home-made jerk bean dip); and today – one of our favourites – kale, Dijon and potato soup. I also plan to make two versions of my roasted cauliflower Marbella recipe for my sis’s birthday. And a gluten-free blondie recipe that I’m working on. All very healthy, but punctuated with restaurant splurges and extended bouts of lying on the beach.
My Dad, daughter Rachel and husband Andrew on the beach behind my sister Julie’s house on Sunset Beach, Treasure Island, Florida. Do I want to go back to the UK on Friday? Er, no.
So, four more days of what passes for hedonism at food to glow and it is happily back to the gym (which – first time ever – I’ve actually missed) and making up soups like this one, an easy, vegan version of tom kha kai . This is just the kind of recipe to blast away that post-holiday ennui and re-set the taste buds. Well, here’s hoping!
Oh, my daughter Rachel just this second asked what I was doing, and I said writing this up. She immediately said, ” Oh, I heart that.”
I hope you “heart” it too. 😉 All the very best to you for a happy, healthy and delicious 2016. xx
Thai Coconut-Broccoli Soup
I used bought tom yum paste concentrate for ease, but make your own if you like. If buying the paste, do note that often this heady and fragrant paste will contain fish products.
3-5 tbsp tom yum paste (depends very much on the concentration of the salty elements)
1 can coconut milk (full-fat for best flavour; here’s a recipe for making homemade coconut milk)
800ml water
500g broccoli, well chopped, including the delicious and sweet stem (peel it)
200g washed spinach or other mild greens
20g pack of coriander, chopped (a few leaves reserved for garnish of you wish)
100g sweetcorn
Double handful of cherry tomatoes, halved
Juice of one lime + 1 lime, quartered, if you like
Sliced red chilli
Toasted coconut flakes (I toasted mine in a medium hot pan and watch them like a hawk), for serving
Special equipment needed: blender (I use my fabulous and indispensable Froothie Optimum 9400) or immersion blender/hand blender
1. Place the water and tom yum paste into a soup pan and bring to the boil; add the chopped broccoli and spinach and bring back to a simmer. Cook for five minutes.
2. Ladle the soup in batches into a blender, along with the coriander/cilantro, and blitz until mostly smooth, adding back to clean pan. Or use a hand blender.
3. Bring the soup back up to simmer and add the sweetcorn, tomatoes and coconut milk and cook for a further five minutes. Spritz in the lime juice and taste for seasoning.
Serve with sliced red chilli, more coriander and the coconut flakes.
Nice tweak: use cauliflower instead of broccoli; ditch the spinach and add jicama (aka Mexican turnip) for some dietary prebiotics and a pretty colour!
Need more protein? Add prawns, tofu, edamame, tempeh or chicken
Soft food diet: don’t use sweetcorn and blend all else in a powerful blender.
Disclosure: I have affiliate links on this page. If you buy on these links I will earn a small fee that doesn’t affect the price, and helps to offset the costs of keeping Food To Glow online. 🙂
Lovely soup. Even lovelier family! I hope you enjoy your last few days of hedonism, before you return home 🙂 Happy 2016! xoxo
Thank you so much, EA. Hopefully on one of your European jaunts we can manage to meet up at last. 🙂
Sounds delicious, Kellie! I love a good Thai soup, especially with delicious coconutty and spicy flavors!
Thank you Cassie. IT is a keeper, I think. All best to you 🙂
This looks delicious, perfect to heat you up on a cold January day
You articulate the post-holiday feelings so well Kellie. But I’m glad you’re still enjoying holiday/vacation mode, especially seeing how nice that beach and weather is! I’ll probably be making a version of this soup this week since I have broccoli and coconut milk ready to go – will have to wing the tom yum paste. This looks crazy delicious!
Oh, let me know how you tweak it, Katie. Weather isn’t so fab today, but at least it is still sockless and coatless for us. All change upon our return on Saturday. I will be in touch Sunday 🙂
broccoli and sweetcorn , great combination of vegetables. Added in coconut soup , aah amazing 🙂
Thank you. I was surprised at how well it worked. I just wish the colour weren’t so murky 😉
A very Happy New Year to you Kellie – this is just what we need to get us going back here in Scotland. Enjoy your time in the sunshine!
Lovely post and I’m not at all jealous that I’m typing from a desk in Leicester and you’re in Florida!!
Ha ha! You may be pleased to know it is cloudy and cool today 😉
Oh gawd, that beach, that soup, I’m about as envious as they come! Happy new year Kellie, here’s to a stupendous 2016 😀
Janie x
You are a sweetheart, Janey. Thank you, and happy 2016 to you and yours xx
this is stunning and if you were back in the UK you’d know how perfect it would be for this stinking weather!
So I am hearing, Dom. Snow for Monday. Ugh! I will put the kettle on as soon as I get in. Could you send me one of your gorgeous cakes to go with my cuppa? 😉 #domdelivers
This sounds gorgeous. I can imagine that the broccoli flowers will hold loads of beautiful spicy coconuty broth – yum! And I’m very jealous of that Florida weather!
Thank you for the rather poetic comment. 🙂 Don’t be too jealous of the weather. We are leaving tomorrow and now it is overcast and cool. No beach pix to tease anyone with today!
this is the sort of recipe I’d LOVE. Yum!!!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Fiona. Lovely to hear from you 🙂
I love tom yum paste so I know I would absolutely love this soup, looks gorgeous and pics amazing as always Kellie:-)
Aw cheers, Miss Camilla! Thank you 🙂
What a gorgeous sounding soup! I can also see why you wouldn’t want to return to the UK any time soon – look at that sea and sun! Wishing you all the best for the New Year 🙂
You too, Elizabeth. Our flight is tomorrow and I am NOT looking forward to landing in Edinburgh. I keep hearing about snow…
This soup looks heavenly – especially the broccoli bit! (I love broccoli in soups!) Love that photo of your dad, daughter and husband. Definitely a framer!
Aw, thank you Monica. They are quite photogenic so although I don’t usually share family photos (ever!) I couldn’t resist. My Dad is in his upper 70s but you would never know it. 🙂
This looks delicious! And so simple too. I love tom yum paste, I need to give this a try! Thanks for sharing!
I’m really glad you like the look of it, Charlie. Do let me know if you make something along this line. 🙂
Reblogged this on Don't Forget the Secret Ingredient and commented:
Can’t wait to try this yummy goodness!
This looks so delicious. I Can’t wait to try it. Where can I find tom yum paste?
Depending on where you live you should find it in your supermarket in the “ethnic” section, or better yet at an Asian supermarket. Making your own requires quite a few ingredient.
I love meals like this, I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Sounds delicious. Love the flavors and spice. Will need to give this one a try.
I heart this recipe! -Kat
This looks so flavourful – I’m sure I would heart it too 😉
Ha ha. It is pretty good, and completely adjustable (I am a lime head so I add tons). Thanks for stopping by, Becca. 🙂
Hi Kellie! Happy new year! Just wondering if there is a kind of tom yum paste that you would recommend. Everything I have found seems to be filled with chemicals, MSG, hydrogenated oils, etc. 🙁 Do you know of a decent tasting one that is natural? Thanks!
Hi there. I either make my own (I usually riff on recipes I find on the internet) or buy it from my local health food/organic shop. I’m not sure where you live, but here in the UK there is also a good brand that you can find in most Waitrose stores that, although not organic, doesn’t have any nasties. Here is the link for buying on Amazon.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thai-Taste-Tom-Paste-Pack/dp/B0046BN6KU. Bought ones are often a bit too salty even for a concentrate, but at least you can control it in the soup. Good luck! Or use a good quality red curry paste and adjust the soup by adding lime leaves and tamarind paste. 🙂
Thanks! I found it on Amazon in the US (albeit with a hefty shipping charge). I ordered it anyhow, as I’m always looking for quick and easy but healthy and delicious recipes and this one sounds great!
I do hope you like after having to spend money on international shipping!
This looks like a wonderful soup Kellie, I always need inspiration for soups as I’m not a natural soup lover!
This recipe sounds devine and is definitely on my next-soup-to-cook list! I’m sure I’ll “heart” it. Thank you for sharing.
Reblogged this on Newtrition4u.