Welcome back to Kat’s Kitchen. Just because we’re entering spring doesn’t mean it’s the end of soup season. Today we’re celebrating National Nutrition Month by serving up a chilled recipe that’s equally refreshing and packed with skin-soothing benefits. The best part of a chilled soup? All you have to do is prep, blend, and let it rest. Nutritious recipes don’t always have to be hard or take multiple hours. Sometimes a simple blender meal is all you need to kickstart your progress.
Ingredient Highlights:
Avocado: The alpha-linolenic acid in avocado is a type of plant-based omega-3 fat which works to suppress inflammatory factors in the body. It can help to reduce acute conditions like skin blemishes and many severe ones like acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Additionally, healthy fats are vital to plump, nourished skin, in addition to the mind. They’re needed for optimal body function overall, and have the added benefit of keeping you full and satiated longer.
Coconut Milk: High levels of Vitamin C, a favorite ingredient in our skincare, maintain skin elasticity and flexibility. Plus, notable levels of copper assist in reducing age-spots, wrinkles and loose skin.
Garlic: Contains a large amount of allicin which has anti-fungal, anti-aging and skin smoothing benefits. It can also increase antioxidant levels in the skin.
Measurements & Prep Instructions:
-2 large avocados, cubed
-1 garlic clove, crushed
-1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
-1 tbsp lime juice
-1 tbsp cremé fraîche
-1 1/2 cups coconut milk
-1 tsp hot pepper sauce
-Salt and pepper to taste
-Optional chives, finely chopped to garnish
Directions:
-Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth
-Chill for at least one hour before serving
-Garnish with finely chopped chives
Notes from Kat:
You’ll definitely want to choose avocados that are on the very ripe side to make sure they can blend as smoothly as possible. Look for those with skin that has full darkened and has a noticeable give to them when pressed. When you are blending the soup, try letting it rest a few times in between pulses. This often leads to better incorporation of every last drop for the smoothest finish.
Don’t be concerned if the soup seems a bit thin before going into the fridge to chill, it will thicken up as it rests and sets. Our dairy free friends can swap out the tsp of cremé fraîche for a dollop of plain vegan yogurt, or simply omit. And if you have a taste for the spicy, feel free to add a few more dashes of hot pepper sauce to the mix.
This recipe is a great way to incorporate healthy fats, something we need in our diet and should never be afraid of. As mentioned in our highlight of avocados, healthy fats are necessary for proper brain and body function. It’s even implemented in our skincare- it’s key to both our Eye Créme Complex and Vital Hydration Blast.
I love anytime a recipe has just two or three steps to them, especially if one of them is to let the meal rest. I always say that it’s a good time to make sure you’re getting a little rest too. So kick off National Nutrition Month with a recipe that not only soothes the skin, but soothes the mind too. Pick up a book, put down the phone, or do whatever feels good while you wait an hour for your tasty, nutritious meal.
I’ll see you next time in the kitchen!
x KB
