Alkaline Recipe #206: “Cheesy” Pumpkin Broccoli Soup
Pumpkin is such a wonderful base for so many meals, especially during the colder months. Comforting, thick and creamy, a delicious and easy way to get in lots of alkalizing nutrients thanks to broccoli, celery, and almonds. I topped mine with some gluten-free bread croutons, smoked paprika and parsley.
The Recipe: “Cheesy” Pumpkin Broccoli Soup
Serves: 4 (generous portions)
Preparation time: 35 mins
Ingredients
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup chopped celery
4 cups broccoli florets
3 cups chopped pumpkin (I used butternut)
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups almond milk or other plant-based milk of your choice (you can add more or less depending on the thickness you prefer)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or flakes, optional
1/2 tbsp lemon juice
Pink salt & black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley and some for garnish
Smoked paprika as a garnish, optional
Instructions
Melt the oil and cook the chopped onion until translucent, about 5 – 6 minutes, add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add celery and pumpkin, broth, nutritional yeast, cayenne and simmer until almost soft, about 10 – 12 minutes. I always add the broccoli later so I limit the cooking time, add it now and cook 5 more minutes.
Transfer the soup to the blender – divide in a few batches, add almond milk and blend until smooth or a bit chunky, how you like it. You can reheat the soup if you wish.
Stir in lemon juice, pink salt, and black pepper if needed, the chopped parsley and top it with some more parsley and smoked paprika.
I made some croutons from some older gluten-free bread. To make these I cut the bread into cubes, baked it in a little olive oil and sprinkled it with garlic powder.
[yumprint-recipe id=’97’]
I hope you enjoyed this guest post from alkaline blogger, and Live Energized friend, Tina Redder. Learn more about Tina and her alkaline lifestyle on her website. You can also follow her on Instagram @tinas_alkaline_diet

The soup is rather subtle in flavor, even with the addition of salt at the end (though butternut squash would be more flavorful than pumpkin, which is what I used.) However, the smoked paprika was a delicious addition in the end, as I’m sure would be garlicky croutons, which I didn’t make. I have a bit of soup left, so perhaps I’ll add some to the leftover and try it.
Why is the yeast used in the recipe for cheesy pumpkin soup?