Soup has always been (and always will be) something special to me. Soup symbolizes love and kindness. It seems like, no matter how hard or cold the day has been, a bowl of soup at the end of the day can always cheer you up.
Here, we use a blend of herbs from across the globe to create an earthy and warming concoction. High in antioxidants, the herbs used have super properties, including:
- promoting heart health, sleep, a functional nervous system, and physical fitness
- anti-aging
- controlling weight
- enhancing cognition
- anti-inflammatory
- regulating blood sugar
- aiding in digestion
- removing toxins
- warming the body
- relieving pain and stress
- anti-viral
- assisting in the transition of menopause
In some cases, it even acts as a good bug repellent, too!
Known as the most valuable plant in the world, saffron is an extraordinary herb. The flower, crocus sativus, only blooms one week out of the year, and 85 percent of saffron comes from Iran. The flowers are manually propagated, and their stigmas (saffron thread) are carefully harvested by hand on the mornings they bloom. Saffron is traditionally used for improving heart health, improving memory, treating sexual dysfunction, and even creating joy. It requires 170,000 flowers for one kilogram of dry saffron.
With that said, this recipe requires time and unique ingredients. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Ingredients
¼ tsp saffron
2 pieces star anise
1 tbsp coriander seeds
1 tsp fennel seeds
¼ cup goji berries
⅓ cup longan fruit
2 cloves garlic
1 cup onion, sliced or chopped
4 slices ginger, about 2″ in length and 1/8″ thickness
2 cans white beans
2 cups carrots, roll cut
3 cups napa cabbage, chopped
1 cup tomato, chopped
8 cups vegetable or chicken broth
2 rice ramen bricks (optional; I use Lotus Foods)
1 tbsp avocado oil
¼ tsp salt
Notes
- Makes 4-6 servings.
- This dish is a perfect candidate for a slow cooker. If yours has a sauté setting, you can do everything in it.
Equipment you may find helpful
Sachet bag
Directions
- Make a delicious-smelling herbal sachet with star anise, coriander, and fennel seeds.
- Heat the oil in a large soup pot. Add onions, garlic, and ginger. Sauté until fragrant.
- Add carrots and tomatoes. Sauté for 3 minutes.
- Add white beans, napa cabbage, longan fruit, goji berries, and the herb sachet, followed by the broth.
- Sprinkle saffron thread on top and stir everything together. Turn the heat down low, and cook for 8 hours.
- If you choose to serve it with ramen (like I did), or any other noodles in that matter, cook according to their instructions and add soup on top.
