Some foods have a distinct seasonal disposition. Ice cream for summertime, apple pie in the autumn, hot soup during winter, and roasted artichoke in the spring. Well, I have a feeling that this soup surpasses seasons. It’s both light and hearty and is just as delicious chilled as it is warm.
I often daydream about food and make up different recipes while doing things unrelated to cooking. Well recently, in the middle of a daydream, I got an idea for making a soup that would have nut milk for its base. I imagined a bowl full of soup that is “blond” and creamy, and became excited about the possibilities of the milk’s earthy flavour.
It took quite a bit of experimentation until I was able to minimize the ingredients to two simple companions to almond milk – apple and fennel. Combined with the milk’s nutty taste, the two bring a sweet and fresh presence to the bowl. The spice of chili and coriander deepens the flavour and ties the whole thing together with a slight kick. The use of nut milk instead of whole nuts makes for a much lighter soup.
Pumpkinseed cheese is a fairly recent discovery. The first time I made it, I could not believe what a wonderful result I got with so few ingredients. It’s a bit like a cracker. A cheesy, healthy, and delicious one. I’ve made it very frequently over the past couple of months. It’s simple, and works as a wonderful snack or part of a meal. I like to serve the soup with this “cheese,” but it’s very possible to pair it with any crackers of your choice.
Almond Milk
1 cup almonds – soaked overnight
3 cups water
3 dates
In a high speed blender, thoroughly combine all the ingredients.
Strain through a nut bag or double lined cheesecloth, carefully squeezing all the liquid out. Use 2 cups of the milk for soup, and if you have some left over, enjoy it with your breakfast or cookies. You can make these cookies out of the left-over almond pulp.
Creamy Apple-Anise Soup
2 cups almond milk
1 fennel bulb – roughly chopped
1 large apple (any kind) – cored and roughly chopped, reserve 1/4 for garnish
1 handful fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 small chili pepper – seeded
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste
Garnish
the reserved 1/4 of apple – cut in small cubes
pumpkin seeds – optionally soaked and dehydrated for extra crunch
drizzle of chili olive oil (optional) – olive oil mixed with chili powder
fresh mint or cilantro leaves
In a high speed blender, combine all the ingredients until smooth. Adjust the salt and spices. Garnish with the cubed apple, pumpkin seeds, and a drizzle of chili olive oil. Before serving, heat up in the dehydrator or serve chilled.
Pumpkinseed Cheese
1 cup pumpkin seeds – soaked overnight
1/4 cup purified water
1/8 cup lemon or lime juice
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
In a food processor, blend all the ingredients until smooth. Thinly spread onto Teflex sheets and dehydrate at 115F for 6 hours. Flip and remove the Teflex. Break into pieces and dehydrate for another 2 hours.
Sous Chef Sean says
Sounds like you have a soup for each season, and then some. Great flavor combos and the nut milk… you can just about taste it from your pix and descriptions. Can’t wait to see your fall and holiday creations!
Jennifurla says
THis is a breathaking bowl, gorgeous
Sweet Faery says
Again a very original recipe and beautiful pics (I’m starting to repaet myself…). I love the idea of a fresh fennel soup. Thank you!
AlaskaSmiles says
The pictures are beautiful! I’ll have to try the soup this weekend! Thank you for sharing.
Viviane Bauquet Farre / Food and Style says
Very original and beautiful soup… I love the hint of spice!
jacqui says
Oh, this sound so delish! I’m really curious to try the pumpkin seed cheese.
Sue says
You are a culinary genius, Anya!!! This, too, is another scrumptious looking creation!!!!
Coco says
What a unique recipe!! I would have never thought to incorporate nut milk into soup….I have some fennel left over from our CSA box so I will definitely have to try this out this week. thank you!
Golubka says
Sean: I definitely have a favourite soup to cook for all four seasons :) Working on holiday right now! Thanks for your comment!
Jennifurla: Thank you!
Sweet Faery: Thanks so much for your comment :)
AlaskaSmiles: Thank you, hope you enjoy it.
Viviane: Thank you!
Jacqui: I can’t say enough about the pumpkinseed cheese. It’s so simple but turns out so tasty!
Sue: Thanks for your alway-sweet comments!
Coco: Hope you like it :)
Kasi Bern says
Golubka, YOU are a culinary genius :)
Karen Fowler says
I second what Kasi said!! YOU are a culinary genius!!
Trudy ~ veggie num num says
A creamy apple soup, Yum!! What a delicious creation, also I think your recipe for pumpkinseed cheese will soon become a firm favourite here too!! Oh, and, your blog is just beautiful!!
Golubka says
Kasi and Karen, thanks so much for your support! We always love hearing from you!
Trudy, thanks so much!
sn says
Yum!
How much does this make? (Thank you :))
Golubka says
Sn, the recipe makes about 3 cups, which is about 4 portions, depending on the portion size. Hope this helps!
Delphine says
I made this over the weekend and wow, it is so good! I did it with pear instead of apple. You are so talented!
Ally Hodges says
So, I just made the soup with a few alternatives. Instead of almond milk I used pumpkin seed milk, and I used half a cup less because I didn’t make enough beforehand. I also used red chili pepper flakes instead of a chili. This is so good. My goodness! I think I have a new favorite raw food recipe.
I have a problem with a lot of raw food recipes in general because they either don’t taste good (maybe I’m too fickle) or they are way too complicated and expensive and time consuming. I’ve made a few of your other recipes and everything I’ve made that you have posted has been really good! Thank you so much for this beautiful blog, I check it all the time.
Also, I’m dehydrating the pumpkin seed cheese right now, it tastes great right now, can’t wait till it’s dry.
Elena says
Божественно! Спасибо, дорогая. Я добавила немного розмарина в крекеры – посмотрим что получится! ;)
MMom says
yes – screw seasons, I want to eat this every day – OMG it’s SO delicious – SO delicious. I want to have it for breakfast every single day.
Anya says
So glad you love it! Thank you for leaving this note :)