Nettle soup recipe for the eclipse squeeze
If you’re feeling the eclipse squeeze (we’re sitting between the lunar eclipse and the solar eclipse on 8 April) and the resulting tiredness it is gifting then it’s time for nettle soup! Not only is this full of iron and other minerals and vitamins that will help to perk you up, but it is super easy to make and very yummy to taste!
I tend to make soup by intuition, but have made an effort to try to make a note of what I actually did when I made some earlier today!
Firstly you will need to pick the nettles - make sure you use gloves because they will sting! Fortunately cooking will remove the sting, but make sure you have your gloves on until such time as they are stingless. Now is the best time to collect them, during Spring, focus on the younger and fresher tops, the greener and tenderer the better and pop them in a large basin.
Ingredients
About 150g of nettles - discard tough stems
A tablespoon of coconut oil
About 750ml of organic milk (I used organic almond milk)
About 800ml of vegan stock
A leek or a small onion peeled and finely chopped
3 bay leaves
Salt and pepper
You can add garlic as you choose, peeled and crushed, I’m just not a fan.
Method
Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, using the gloves, pick the leaves off the thicker main stems of the nettles – if the nettles are very young, use the whole thing.
Melt the coconut oil in a second largish saucepan, then fry the leek or onion with a pinch of salt, until soft and translucent.
Stir in the garlic and a good grating of nutmeg, leave to soften for another minute or so, then stir in the flour and cook, stirring, for another couple of minutes.
Add the milk, stock and bay leaves and bring to a simmer.
Fill the sink or a large bowl with cold water, then tip the nettles into the pot of boiling water and blanch for about four minutes, until they are wilted and soft – the shorter the cooking time, the more vibrant the colour of your soup will be.
Drain the nettles and plunge into the cold water to stop them cooking any further. Once the leaves are cool enough to handle, squeeze out as much water as possible, removing any tough stalks as you go.
Add the nettles to the soup pot, then liquidise in a blender or with a blending stick, adding a little more stock or milk if it’s too thick.
Benefits of nettles
Nettles have been used medicinally for a very long time and with good reason, here are some of the benefits:
Nettle leaves contain vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and folate, and other B vitamins, as well as calcium and iron that are easily absorbed. Magnesium, potassium, protein, beta-carotene, and chlorophyll are among the other nutrients.
Nettles may have anti-inflammatory and antiallergy qualities, notably in the case of hay fever.
Nettles can help eliminate excess uric acid and alleviate certain symptoms of the condition. Brewing a cup of stinging nettle tea is the most typical technique to relieve gout-inflamed joints.
Along with vitamin C and cranberries, drinking stinging nettle tea can help cure a bladder infection by reducing inflammation in the bladder or urethra.
Due to its nourishing and anti-inflammatory effect, nettles are great for the skin and hair and have been known to help with acne and eczema.
Nettles can improve the general health of the female reproductive system and is frequently used in fertility and peri-menopausal blends.
Nettles help ease exhaustion caused by iron deficiency due to heavy menstrual cycle, pregnancy and diet.
Nettles help to reduce inflammation and enhance cardiovascular health factors including blood pressure and cholersterol.
Nettles are known to enhance insulin release by the pancreatic islets of Langerhans, and can help to protect against hyperglycemias by lowering fasting blood glucose levels.
Nettles include anticancer substances and can help to reduce inflammatory indicators, which are anti cancer qualities.
The Beta-carotene and vitamin A gifted by nettles have been proved to preserve eye health.
Nettle is an excellent diuretic and may lower the risk of kidney and gallbladder stones.