Thick, Tasty & Healthy Winter Soup (No Cornflour, No Cream)

 

Ingredients:

• 2 carrots

• 3 tomatoes

• ½ beetroot

• 1 small onion

• 5-6 garlic cloves

• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger

• 1 tsp oil

• 1 bay leaf

• 8-10 black peppercorns

• 1 tsp butter

• ¼ tsp pepper powder

• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)

• ¾ litre water

Instructions:

1. Prep the veggies – Wash and roughly chop all vegetables.

2. Cook – Heat oil in a pressure cooker. Add garlic, ginger, bay leaf, peppercorns, onion, tomatoes, carrots, and beetroot. Sauté for a minute.

3. Pressure cook – Add water, cover, and cook for 7-8 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally.

4. Blend & strain – Open the lid, blend everything until smooth, then strain for a silky texture.

5. Final simmer – Transfer back to the pot, add salt, pepper, and butter. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat.

6. Serve hot – Enjoy this vibrant, nutrient-packed red soup! 

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Creamy Chicken & Ham Lasagna with Swiss Cheese 

Ingredients:

• ½ cup butter

• 8 oz lasagna noodles

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp onion powder

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• 1 ½ cups shredded Swiss cheese

• 1 ¾ cups warm milk

• 2 ½ cups cooked chicken, chopped

• 8 oz deli ham, chopped

• ½ cup shredded Swiss cheese (for topping)

• ½ cup breadcrumbs

• 1 pinch Italian seasoning

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Cook noodles – Boil lasagna noodles in salted water until al dente (about 8 mins). Drain and set aside.

3. Make cheese sauce – Melt butter in a saucepan. Add cream cheese, stirring until softened. Season with salt, onion powder, and pepper. Gradually whisk in warm milk until smooth. Stir in 1 ½ cups Swiss cheese until melted and thickened. Remove from heat.

4. Layer lasagna –

   • First layer: Spread ¾ cup sauce in a 9×9-inch baking dish. Add ⅓ of the noodles, then half the chicken and ham. Pour 1 cup sauce over.

   • Second layer: Repeat with half the remaining noodles, remaining chicken and ham, and another 1 cup sauce.

   • Top layer: Finish with remaining noodles, sauce, ½ cup Swiss cheese, breadcrumbs, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.

5. Bake – Cover with foil and bake for 25 mins. Uncover and bake for 10 more mins until golden and bubbly.

6. Rest & serve – Let it sit for 5-10 mins before slicing.

Enjoy these cozy, flavorful dishes—one light and nourishing, the other indulgent and cheesy!