Cold Kale and Apple soup

The highs have been greater than 80 degrees fahrenheit here in Georgia (27 C).  Consequently I've been assembling a list of cold foods to add to my menu rotation.

I'm not a raw foodist by any means, but I do appreciate the health benefits of eating raw vegetables.  So I've been experimenting with cold, raw blender soups and smoothies, and browsing raw food recipe books for ideas.  I stumbled on one of by favorite cold soup recipes by accident.  It's a modified version  of a smoothie from the book 12 Steps to Raw Foods: How to End Your Dependency on Cooked Food

 

While Ms. Boutenko's version included lemon, and two cups of water, I didn't have lemon on hand, and wanted to use up some kale I had in the refrigerator.  I used the amount of apple she recommended, but increased the amount of kale, decreased the water by half, and added basil and parsley.  The increased solids transformed it from a smoothie to a cold soup.  In subsequent versions I added a medium tomato to the mix.

So here's the finished recipe:

4 cups chopped kale leaves

1 large or two small apples, cored but with the peel left on

1 medium tomato

2 teaspoons dried basil

2 teaspoons dried parsley

1 cup water (add more if the consistency is too thick)

Blend until smooth.

I'd highly recommend Ms. Boutenko's book, too.  I almost always modify recipes significantly, but the smoothies and soups in her book provide a great starting point for an introduction to green smoothies and blender soups.

 

Comments

[Narcisse]

Well CheaterMan, I put on my mud boots and coat and went out to check the garden. It is not good. While the chard, kale and red sails are alive they are in no coiidtnon to eat. The kale put on new growth after the December freeze only to be damaged by this last cold snap. Hopefully it will all live through this next storm and start growing again in February.I have not started any indoor seedlings yet. Yesterday I did start taking inventory of what seeds I already have, so I know what to order. I have been preoccupied with other projects and neglecting the garden.As far as soil amendments, I like leaves and/or compost.

[cultured veggies]

This recipe sounds delicious and yummy... feeling appetite after reading about it. I will definitely go for it in the future for sure..