Spinach, Bean and Garlic Soup - #Greenslove Blog Hop

The month of March marks the beginning of spring, and with spring comes all those lovely, healthy, antioxidant rich leafy greens.  And the #greenslove blog hop!  Scroll down past the recipe to see all the awesome co-hosts this month and all the greens based recipes throughout the entire month of March!

Generally, I don't spend much time studying the scientific and nutritional value of my food anymore, beyond the quality and the manner in which it is grown or raised.  I used to, though, and I think every single living person should spend some time researching and understanding what our food is and how it affects us both physically and mentally, since many of us are generations removed from the common knowledge upon which our ancestors relied.  The information I have gathered over the years has formed my view of food, and it really does come down to eating rational portions of real, unadulterated food - nothing more, nothing less.  However, on the fairly rare occasion someone in my household is feeling under the weather, I do rely on the traditional medicinal, healing properties of our foods, rather than the pharmacy.  We have been fortunate in our health to be able to rely solely on this method so far, and I'm grateful every single day for that gift and freedom.

For many of us, chicken noodle soup is a favorite go-to meal when we are feeling sick.  The warmth of the soup and even the vegetables help us to feel better, but mostly it's the bone broth in which it is simmered; the easily digestible minerals found in homemade chicken stock delivers just what the ailing person's body needs to feel better.

But what about those people who either don't eat meat, don't have any stock on hand, or just don't feel like making it because they're so darn sick?  Enter garlic and spinach.

Garlic has been medicinally used for ailments of all manner for thousands of years for its antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial value. Garlic always has been and always will be one of nature's "super foods".  My gosh, it's so powerful, it is even rumored to keep away the undead.  Need I say more?

Spinach  is so jammed full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, its contribution to our health is also indisputable. I'd be here forever touting all the benefits of this little leaf because it's an absolute powerhouse of health benefits, so I'll leave that to you to research for yourself.  It might be faster to ask what it doesn't offer; the list is short.

So, it makes sense to me that when cooked together and simmered with fresh herbs, the healing factor might actually trump the comfort and flavor factors for this antioxidant rich soup.  Spinach, Bean and Garlic Soup is easy to make, the ingredients are few and simple, and it tastes absolutely amazing.  We eat it even when we are feeling just fine, of course, but if you are a vegetarian or vegan (or even an omnivore fresh out of home made chicken stock) and are looking for a good "sick soup", this is one of my favorites.

Consider serving this soup with a salad loaded with fresh baby greens, sliced mushrooms and red onions, and drizzled with a lemon vinaigrette.  Mushrooms are incredibly powerful immune boosters, too, and easily fall into place in my top 5 "feel better" foods.

Spinach, Bean and Garlic Soup
serves 6

• 2 Tbs olive oil, divided
• 2 heads garlic, cloves separated, smacked, and peeled
• 9 cups water
• 2 bay leaves
• 6-8 fresh sage leaves
• 6-8 sprigs fresh thyme
• 10 sprigs fresh parsley
• 2 cloves (or a small pinch of ground cloves)
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp peppercorns
• 6 packed cups fresh spinach leaves, roughly chopped
• 1 medium tomato, chopped (or about 1 cup purchased chopped tomatoes)
• 1 1/2 c white beans such as Navy, Great Northern, or Cannellini
• 1/2 c small dried pasta (elbows, small shells, ditalini, etc)
• 6 drops hot pepper sauce
• 6 lemon wedges
• Croutons for garnish (optional)
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)

Heat 1 Tbs olive oil in a large stockpot over medium high heat. Sear the garlic cloves for about 2 minutes, stirring once or twice.

Add the water, bay, sage, thyme, parsley, cloves, salt, and peppercorns.  Bring to a boil, partially cover, and reduce heat.  Simmer for 45-60 minutes.

Place a sieve over a large bowl.

Carefully pour the garlic broth through the sieve.  Lift the sieve and set aside.

Heat the remaining 1 Tbs olive oil in the stockpot over medium high heat.  Remove 6 of the tender garlic cloves from the sieve and mash them into the warm oil with the back of a spoon.

Stir in the tomatoes. Mix well.  Cook for about 1 minute, stirring often.

Pour the garlic broth into the tomato and garlic mixture.  Mix well.  Bring to a low boil.  Sir in the spinach, beans, and pasta.  Simmer for about 5-7 minutes, or until pasta is tender and spinach is wilted.  Season with hot sauce.

Serve with lemon wedges.  Top with croutons and Parmesan cheese, if desired.

March is #greenslove month!


Please join in the #greenslove fun by linking up any leafy green recipe from the month of March 2012.  Don't forget to link back to this post so that your readers know to come by the #greenslove event!  The twitter hashtag is #greenslove.


Check out the #greenslove co-hosts!


Al Dente Gourmet ~ Aldy ~ @AlDenteGourmet

ASTIG Vegan ~ Richgail ~  @astigvegan

Badger Girl Learns to Cook ~ Kimberly ~ @BdgrGrl

Baking and Cooking, A Tale of Two Loves ~ Becky Higgins

BigFatBaker ~ Erin ~ @BigFatBaker

Bon a croquer ~ Valerie ~ @Valouth

CafeTerraBlog ~ Terra ~ @CafeTerraBlog

Cake Duchess ~ Lora ~ @cakeduchess

Cheap Ethnic Eatz ~ Evelyne ~ @cethniceatz

Easily Good Eats ~ Three Cookies

Georgiecakes ~ Georgie ~ @georgiecakes

Kitchen Belleicious ~ Jessica ~ @kbelleicious

Mis Pensamientos ~ Junia ~ @juniakk

My Twisted Recipe ~ Dudot ~ @mytwistedrecipe  

No One Likes Crumbley Cookies ~ TR ~ @TRCrumbley

Oh Cake ~ Jessica ~ @jesshose

Queen's Notebook ~ Elizabeth ~ @Mango_Queen  

Rico sin Azucar ~ Helena ~ @ricosinazucar

Savoring Every Bite ~ Linda ~ @Spicegirlfla

Simply Reem ~ Reem ~ @simplyreem

Soni's Food for Thought ~ Soni ~ @sonisfood 

Sprint 2 the Table ~ Laura ~ @Sprint2theTable

Teaspoon of Spice ~ Deanna ~ @tspbasil 

That Skinny Chick Can Bake ~ Liz ~ @Thatskinnychick

The Art of Cooking Real Food ~ Laura ~@TAofCRF

The Spicy RD ~ EA ~ @thespicyrd 

The Wimpy Vegetarian ~ Susan ~ @wimpyvegetarian

Vegan Yack Attack! ~ Jackie ~ @veganyackattack

Vegetarian Mamma  ~ Cindy ~ @VegetarianMamma