Spinach Soup: Creamy and Filling

Soup is a primarily liquid food, generally served warm or hot (but may be cool or cold), that is made by combining ingredients of meat or vegetables with stock, milk, or water. Hot soups are additionally characterized by boiling solid ingredients in liquids in a pot until the flavors are extracted, forming a broth. 

Soups are similar to stews, and in some cases, there may not be a clear distinction between the two; however, soups generally have more liquid (broth) than stews. In traditional French cuisine, soups are classified into two main groups: clear soups and thick soups.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Servings: 3-4 

Ingredients:

• 1 big bunch of spinach
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp garlic
• Salt to taste
• Few sprigs of mint leaves
• Coriander leaves
• 1-inch ginger 
• 2-3 green chilies
• 300 ml water 
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp wheat flour
• 500 ml cold milk 
• 1 bay leaf
• A pinch of nutmeg
• A pinch of black pepper powder
• Salt to taste
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2- 3 tbsp fresh cream

Method:

1. In a pot, add water 
2. Add trimmed and cleaned spinach in boiling water for 15-30 seconds 
3. Once done remove from the water and transfer immediately to ice cold water
4. Remove from ice-cold water and lightly squeeze the spinach to remove excess water
5. Once done aside in a bowl
6. In a pan, add olive oil and garlic 
7. Stir and cook on a medium flame for a minute
8. Add the blanched and squeezed spinach
9. Add salt to taste and black pepper powder 
10. Stir and cook on a medium flame for 1-2 minutes
11. Once done turn off the heat and allow it to cool down to room temperature
12. Once cool add this cooked spinach to a grinding jar
13. Add mint leaves, coriander leaves, ginger, green chilies, and water 
14. Grind to make a fine puree
15. Once done set aside
16. In a saucepan add olive oil and wheat flour
17. Stir and cook the flour for 2-3 minutes on medium-low flame
18. Add milk gradually in batches while stirring well to avoid the formation of any lumps
19. Stir and cook on a medium flame for a few minutes
20. Add a bay leaf, nutmeg powder, freshly crushed black pepper powder, and salt
21. Stir well and cook for 3-4 minutes on medium flame
22. Once done, add the previously prepared spinach puree
23. Stir well and adjust the consistency of the soup by adding hot water as per your preference
24. Bring the mixture to a boil while cooking for 3-4 minutes on medium flame.
25. Once done, add freshly crushed black pepper powder, honey, and lemon juice
26. Stir the mixture well for a minute 
27. Once done, turn off the heat

Spinach is high in fiber and water, it promotes a healthy digestive tract. The leaves of spinach are also rich in protein, vitamins and minerals.