FENNEL & PEAR SOUP

Since we are in the season of detoxing, I thought I'd share this rather delicious Fennel and Pear soup recipe, from the Honestly Healthy cookbook.
Although it sounds an odd combination, it works really well and is silky smooth with a hint of sweetness. Admittedly, our house is divided when it comes to adding fruit to savoury dishes, only myself and Jenna appreciate the combination, so all the more deliciousness for us then!! 
Fennel, for those of you who haven't yet discovered its unique aromatic flavour, tastes a bit like aniseed while its texture is crisp and similar to celery.
Both pear and fennel are high in pectin, which help to draw toxins out of the body.

A wee point to note, you really ought to stop putting toxins into your body in the first place but one step at a time!

Fennel is a natural diuretic and promotes liver, kidney and spleen health. Like all vegetables, it contains phytochemicals, including rutin which strengthens blood capillaries, quercetin which inhibits inflammatory conditions like asthma, kaempferol which has been found to reduce heart disease risk and anethole which is anti-spasmodic and can relieve some of the symptoms of IBS. Its also packed with vitamins, minerals and fibre.

Its really worth trying and can be eaten raw sliced in salads, it makes great juice with pear, pineapple, lime and ginger and its also delicious sauteed with some garlic and some butter beans.
If you have been less than healthy recently (and lets face it who hasn't!)
then this soup will give your body a real boost.
Soups are easy to digest so you will have extra energy to deal with other things, like boosting your immune system, which this soup also helps with! Both garlic and onions are great infection fighters which is very helpful at this time of year when there are so many bugs around!
 
Another point to note, we all get stuck in boring food ruts, buying the same old stuff every week when in fact there is a whole smorgasbord of amazing seasonal produce out there!
So if you do nothing else different this week, then at least try one new recipe, and why not start with this delicious, cleansing, creamy soup! I've just scoffed two bowls, its rather moreish but so healthy you can happily eat the lot!
Please leave a comment, if you try it!
Here is the recipe......enjoy!
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FENNEL and PEAR SOUP- Serves 4

INGREDIENTS
i large fennel bulb
1 tablespoon coconut or rapeseed oil
1 medium onion, finely sliced
1 garlic clove, chopped or crushed
500ml vegetable stock
1 pear, cored and chopped

METHOD
1. Slice the fennel bulb in half, then slice it finely. Use all of it, the stalks and any green leafy bits, its all good! Reserve a few thin slices for garnish, if you like!
2. Heat the oil in a large pan and saute the onion and garlic for a few minutes on medium heat.
3. Add the sliced fennel, stock and the chopped pear, bring to the boil then simmer gently for around 40 minutes until the fennel is meltingly soft.
4. Blend until smooth with a hand blender or transfer to a blender or food processor.
5. Add more stock or water if you prefer a thinner consistency.

1 served mine with some reserved finely sliced fennel and some chia seeds.
Hemp seeds, cooked quinoa and/or sprouted seeds would all be great to garnish and add extra health benefits!

            ....your health in your hands.....