If you love soup as much as I do...

Try this (vegan) recipe for the most delicious soup! It's seriously good.

Curried Coconut Soup with Chickpeas

Ingredients:

• 2 T. olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 jalapeno chili, seeded and finely chopped (or substitute thai chili, if you prefer)
• 2 big cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 can chickpeas
• 1 cup chopped tomatoes, seeded and peeled
• 1 T. mild curry powder (but put more if you like, I usually taste and add as I go)
• S&P (to taste)
• 1 15oz can light coconut milk
• some fresh parsley on top
• white or brown rice, quinoa, or cous cous

Preparation:

In a medium pot, heal the oil over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and chili. Let them soften (about 5 minutes). Add the garlic while stirring constantly for about a minute. Add the broth, chickpeas, tomatoes, and spices. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and let simmer for another 10-20 minutes. Add the coconut milk. Let simmer for another 10 minutes. Last, put the fresh parsely on top.

Make the starch of your choice (rice, quinoa, cous cous) on the side. Spoon it into individual bowls of soup. After making the recipe several times properly, I made it for my Mom and decided to add the rice to the broth... it resulted in more of a thai curry-ish dish than a delicious soup. 

P.S. As you can see from the picture, if I have fresh tomatoes, I usually add them, too... fresh carrots, sweet potatoes, anything can be added, really.. even something that would add an extra boost of nutrients such as kale.