ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY!

ALL PHOTOS: SOPHIA HOME

PHOTO:SOPHIA HOME

Another beautiful day here in Kent.  So lovely to have the sunshine streaming in through the house…..

PHOTO: SOPHIA HOME

PHOTO: SOPHIA HOME

 Brightening the space and spirits alike….

PHOTO: SOPHIA HOME

Giving a hint of what we have to look forward to…. in the form of Spring.

PHOTO: SOPHIA HOME

With a craving for something fresh and healthy for lunch today, it was to the kitchen garden that I turned to this morning.  Looking a little battered by the recent high winds and rain….but still with a reasonable supply of winter veg to choose from.

PHOTO: SOPHIA HOME

 Leeks, Celeriac, Chard, Beetroot, Purple Sprouting Broccoli and my absolute favourite….Kale!  A red 'Curly Kale' variety that has a particularly good flavour….

PHOTO: SOPHIA HOME

Kale is the perfect ingredient at this time of year, when we are all trying to keep fit and healthy.  A powerhouse of nutrients, it is high in beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C and rich in calcium.  As with broccoli and other brassicas, it can significantly lower cholesterol and also contains 'sulforaphane' which is a chemical with potent anti-cancer properties…..no wonder it is right up there on the list of 'Superfoods'!

  

One of my favourite ways of using this tasty, nutritious winter crop, is to put it in a delicious warming, hearty soup….similar to a Tuscan Robollita,  but using whatever I happen to have to hand.

PHOTO: SOPHIA HOME

PHOTO: SOPHIA HOME


Today's mix was as follows:

1 onion
clove of garlic
1 red chilli
1 red pepper, chopped
6 mushrooms chopped
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1 tin of cannellini beans 
1 pint of vegetable stock
large bunch of Kale, chopped
Parsley and Parmesan cheese to garnish

***

Fry garlic, onions, red pepper mushrooms and chilli until soft.  Add tomatoes and stock, followed by Kale and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.  Add beans and warm through.  Serve garnished with Parsley and Parmesan cheese.

***

  Voila!
  Easy, delicious and incredibly healthy!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and here's to a happy and healthy week!

Sophia xx