Super Green Soup

Parsley, fennel, celery and spinach soup makes a tasty and nutritious meal when accompanied with simple homemade bread or crackers. Parsley is an amazing herb that comes in curly or a flat leafed variety. It is easy to grow and the old’s wife’s tale says that when there is a lot of parsley in the garden the woman is in charge of that particular household.

Parsley leaves are rich in iron, beta-carotene and are packed with Vitamin C in fact, parsley has more Vitamin C than many other vegetables and fruit. This delightful herb is more than a garnish it is a storehouse of essential nutrients like magnesium, calcium and potassium and is the the hero of this soup.

Parsley, Fennel, Celery and Spinach Soup

Ingredients

• 125gms of parsley
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 fennel bulbs chopped and fronds reserved
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 200gms of spinach, chopped
  
• 3 sticks of celery
• grated zest of 1 lemon
• a squeeze of lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 3 cups of vegetable stock
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

• Separate the parsley from its stalks and chop half of the parsley stalks – discard the rest of the stalks. Finely chop the parsley leaves.
• Heat the oil in  a large saucepan over a medium heat.
• Add the chopped fennel, celery, onion and parsley stalks. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cook for around 8 – 10 minutes until softened then ad the garlic and cook for another few minutes.
• Pour in the stock, bring to the boil then add parsley and spinach.
• Stir until wilted, then blend in a food processor or hand held blender.
• Return to the stove top and add a squeeze of lemon and check the seasoning.
• Ladle into bowls and top with lemon zest.

Enjoy your soup!