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Pink Bean, Quinoa, and Spinach Soup

An appetizing, mildly spiced mélange of nourishing beans, grains, and greens, this makes a stellar centerpiece for a soup-based meal. Quinoa is an excellent source of protein, making this practically a meal in a bowl.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    6 or more servings

Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
8 baby carrots, quartered lengthwise
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 natural, salt-free vegetable bouillon cubes
One 14- to 16-ounce can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed in a fine sieve
One 15- to 16-ounce can pink beans, drained and rinsed
2 teaspoons good-quality curry powder
Pinch of ground cinnamon
Pinch of ground nutmeg
5 to 6 ounces baby spinach rinsed
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat the oil in a large soup pot. Add the onion and sauté over medium-low heat until translucent. Add the carrots and garlic and continue to sauté until all are golden, about 5 minutes.

    Step 2

    Add 6 cups water, followed by the bouillon cubes, tomatoes, quinoa, beans, curry powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Bring to a rapid simmer, then cover and simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes, until the quinoa is tender.

    Step 3

    Add the spinach and cover. Cook for just a minute or two, until it is wilted, then stir it into the soup. Adjust the consistency with a little more water if the soup is too dense; season with salt and pepper and serve.

  2. menu suggestions

    Step 4

    For a delicious soup-and-salad meal, pair this with Mixed Greens with Sprouts, Apple, and Daikon (page 179) and serve with fresh whole-grain olive bread or a fresh flatbread such as pita or lavash.

  3. Step 5

    To complete the meal without using further recipes, serve with vegan cheese quesadillas (use a griddle on the stovetop or bake in a 400°F oven) or simple nachos (tortilla chips topped with melted vegan cheese and, if you’d like, some green chiles), and a salad of mixed greens, tomatoes, peppers, and olives.

  4. nutrition information

    Step 6

    Calories: 181

    Step 7

    Total Fat: 5g

    Step 8

    Protein: 7.5g

    Step 9

    Carbohydrates: 26g

    Step 10

    Fiber: 6g

    Step 11

    Sodium: 280mg

Reprinted with permission from Vegan Express: Featuring 160 Recipes for Quick, Delicious, and Healthy Meals by Nava Atlas. Copyright © 2008 by Nava Atlas. Excerpted by permission of Broadway, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. Nava Atlas is the author of nine cookbooks, including The Vegetarian Family Cookbook, The Vegetarian 5-Ingredient Gourmet, and Vegetarian Soups for All Seasons. She lives in the Hudson Valley region of New York with her husband and two teenage sons (all vegans).
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