Beetroot Soup Recipe

This crimson soup looks and tastes amazing. Even if you think you are not a fan of beetroot, give this recipe a go; it’s delicious combined with lemon and spices.

Beetroot is crammed with iron, calcium, folate, betaine, B vitamins and antioxidants, which combine to make it a great detoxer. A shorter cooking time means you’ll get the most from all these nutrients. We like to use red onions, rather than the usual brown ones, as they contain the anti-oxidant quercetin, which has anti-histamine properties. If you suffer from hayfever or other allergies be sure to include plenty of red onions in your diet.

Ground almonds are packed with protein, and just a little adds a lovely richness to soups, stews and curries.

Makes 4 Servings

1 tbsp rapeseed oil

1 large red onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

3 celery sticks, sliced

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp chilli flakes

500g/1 lb 2oz raw beetroot, chopped into 5cm/2in chunks

1.5 litres/52fl oz water

2 tbsp ground almonds

juice of 1 lemon

freshly ground black pepper and sea salt

natural yogurt, to serve

fresh parsley, chopped to serve (optional)

1. Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and celery and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
2. Add the cumin, coriander and chilli, then add the beetroot and pour in the water.
3. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for 10 minutes until the beetroot is just tender.
4. Transfer the mixture to a blender and whizz until smooth. Add the ground almonds, whizz again. Add the lemon juice and plenty of pepper and sea salt.
5. Serve straightaway with a good drizzle of natural yogurt and a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley. Freeze any spare.

Note: You could use vacuum-packed pre-cooked beetroot to save time. You will only need to cook the soup for 5 minutes before blending.