Tag: green

Celery Soup: Wily and Wild

Celery. When you think of it, do you think peanut butter or cream cheese? Humus or salsa?

Either or, please.

And of course, all are good. But celery’s edge is adding delicious flavor to every meal on earth. Because it’s actually more than just a pretty green.

In fact, simply braising the stalks with fried onions is a delicious side dish on its own. But a quick stir-fry. Now that’s doubly good.

Celery is amazing. Whether you eat it raw or cooked. Yet, equally good are its tender leaves. Passing for parsley in a pinch.

The green stalks have an interesting past in addition to being a tasty treat. Grown primarily as a tonic during the 17th century in Europe from a wild white flowering herb. Try saying that 5 times.

But before that, Greek athletes vied for crowns made of celery with the same zeal as a gold medal. And in the same realm Romans and Egyptians also celebrated celery’s victories. Much later it got high marks for health boosting properties. Next the tonic found fame as a great nerve builder. Too an awe-struck public, of course.

So, whether you know it. Or you don’t. Modern celery is the handy work of an Italian gardener. Who turned a bitter weed into a succulent treat. And now that stalk remains a year-round harvest.

Because as the seasons change, so do its growing locations.

And then of course came the celery craze. In fact, everything from sodas to soups to elixirs were part of the hoopla. And gum sellers couldn’t wait to introduce the bright green gum to consumers.

Soon after that came claims of celery juice soothing the digestive tract and liver. Next claims of kidney flushing, fueling muscles, and lowering stress. All of which gave a green light to this super juice. Of course, adding to it’s benefits, help for bones, skin, and even weight loss.

bright green stalks for max speed.

Yet despite it’s abundance at the market, it’s most often over looked as helpful. But like all healing foods it’s about taste. Celery is no exception. Since eating greens you enjoy is a worth-while habit.

In the end, is it just a claim or known benefit?

Perhaps planning, cooking and learning is its magic.

NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL SOUPS

GREEN AIN’T SO MEAN

Celery Soup

Shopping List

Celery: 1 package coarsely chopped
Yellow Onion: 1 medium chopped
Garlic: 4 cloves minced
Butter: 1-2 T
Pink Salt: 3 pinches
Carrot Juice: ¼ C*optional
Thyme: fresh 2 sprigs or ½ tsp dry
Jasmine Rice: 5 T
Chicken or Vegetable Stock or Broth: 4 C
Curry Powder: 1/8-1/4 tsp
Pepper:1/8 tsp
Heavy Cream: ½ C*optional

Preparation: 4-6 servings
1. In a pot/Dutch oven add butter and melt on high. Then add celery, onion, garlic, and salt. Sauté 4 minutes.
2. Next add thyme, curry, pepper, rice, *½ cup carrot juice. Then cook 1 minute more.
3. Reduce to simmer. Then add broth and cook covered 15 minutes until tender.
4. Lastly remove from heat and let rest with lid ajar.
5. Then reheat slowly to serve. *add ½ cup cream if using.
*Plan to serve with a crusty bread or pita chips.