Roasted Red Bell Pepper Soup

Ingredients:
1 -2 cups red lentils
1 fresh flat-leaf parsley sprig, finely chopped (including stem)
4 cups homemade chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon Celtic sea salt
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 carrots finely diced or sliced
2 stalks of celery finely diced or sliced
1 onion finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped

3 red bell peppers (roasted- see below)

2 Anaheim chilis (roasted- see below)

 

 

Directions:

To roast peppers and chilis:

1.    Broil peppers (you can use the toaster oven) until skins are blackened .

2.    Immediately transfer the peppers to a plastic or paper bag; Seal and let stand for 15 to 20 minutes. The steam within the bag will help to loosen the skins.

3.    Remove from the bag. When cool enough to handle, remove peel and seeds with hands or a knife.

4.    Blend in blender and set aside for soup.

For soup:

1. Sauté garlic, onions, parsley, carrots and celery in olive oil.

2. Add the red lentils, cover the pan and cook over medium flame for 30 min.

3. Add cumin and celtic sea salt. Stir well and often, simmer covered.

5. Add roasted red peppers and chilis and heat until warmed.

4. Serve and delight in savory health

 

Nutrition Information

Red bell peppers are a great whole food source of Vitamin C and Vitamin A.

Functions of Vitamin C in the Body:
Vitamin C is vital for the immune system and tissue repair.  It is needed for  the production of collagen in the connective tissue, and used by the adrenal glands to produce hormones.  It helps maintain healthy teeth, cartilage, gums, blood vessels, and bones.

Eskimoes almost never contract scurvy! They have little or no exposure to any fruits or vegetables but contracted scurvy at dramatically lower levels than European sailors. It was later discovered that meat does, in fact, contain high levels of Vitamin C, but that it is destroyed by the cooking process. Since Eskimoes frequently eat their meat raw, Vitamin C levels in their food are high enough to protect them from scurvy. So much for the 1000 ‘s of milligrams theory. The Whole food does the trick.

Functions of Vitamin A in the Body:
Vitamin A is used in the formation of skin, bones, and teeth.  It helps maintain the surface linings of the eyes and the respiratory, urinary, and intestinal tracts. It is used therapeutically as a supplement in treating various eye problems.   Large doses can help fight acne. It neutralizes free radicals, which are corrosive compounds that may cause aging and some types of cancer.