Spinach and Noodle soup

Spinach and noodle soup
1/2 C onion chopped
½ C Bell Pepper chopped
½ C Celery chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
1 jalapeno minced, seeded optional
2 TBLSP olive oil
1 can veggie broth
1 can coconut milk
2 C fresh spinach
1 can chick peas/garbonzo beans
Clear Rice noodles amount depends on amount of noodles you want*
1 Tsp turmeric
1 tsp curry
1 tsp cumin/comino powder
½ tsp nutmeg

Put olive oil in soup pot over medium heat. Toss in and cook onion, peppers, celery and garlic until onions are translucent. Add broth, and coconut milk. Bring to a simmer. Meanwhile, bring a sauce pot to boil with water. When it comes to a boil turn off heat, drop in noodles and let steep for 10 minutes or until noodles are soft. The soup should be at a simmer, drop in remaining ingredients including the spices. Simmer until spinach is wilted, drain and add noodles. Serve hot with flatbread for dipping.


*the noodles I buy are thin and come in a large package that is pre-divided into four sections. 1 section is enough for me in the soup. The noodles will absorb some of the liquid, making it thicker.

This receipe was inspired by another that my roommate prepared one day while she was sick. The base of the soup is the same as well as adding the noodles. The rest was added by me. Please enjoy! If you have any improvements or suggestions, feel free to add them to the comments! Pictures will follow as my camera is down right now!

Well, three weeks of eating nothing but veggies, fruit, soybeans and whole grain can give one a different look on food. I went to Central Market the other. They are a sister company of HEB, and sell more organic/fresher foods. I grabbed my cart and made my way around the store, starting with the produce section. Many of the veggies on my list were priced a little higher than what I was used to paying, but I wasn't buying meat, so I figured what the hell. I loaded up my cart with fresh greens, avocados, tomatoes (heirloom), radishes, onions, fingerling potatoes, cantaloupe, strawberries, blueberries, and bananas. I went on about my way, thinking about how I am going to prepare each of these veggies, going thru each section of the store, picking up each and every item on my list. I had never visited this store before, so I did some scouting while I was there. I walked past the canned goods and turned the corner of the freezer section and there was the meat department. I glanced quickly at the steak and ground beef, thinking I would want a piece of meat if I stared, but to my surprise, I actually gandered a bit longer. The meat kind of looked gross to me. Not to say that I will never eat a steak again, but right now, I have been experiencing so many flavor explosions with my latest recipes that I can do without meat for a bit longer. I feel better, like I have more energy. I have lost 6 more pounds since beginning my new diet, and overall, I think it is a healthier choice for me. I know my family of carnivores will never understand, but I think maybe I should have changed to this kind of lifestyle ages ago.