Souper Creamy Spinach Soup

It's no secret, I'm a soup junkie. And on frigid days like today, I immediately think of rich, warm, hearty soups and stews as my first choice in a meal. Packed with all of the goodness that spinach has to offer, this is a great healthy recipe to keep on hand. It's easy to make at this time of year, since it uses up some staple pantry and freezer ingredients (instead of relying on fresh vegetables in the dead of winter). The bright, refreshing flavors are a welcome warm pick-me-up when you come in from the cold.

This deceptively simple soup is a definite belly-pleaser, and the addition of hearty cannellini beans add protein and richness, so you won't be hungry again in an hour. If you're looking to make a fully "Meatless Monday" vegetarian or vegan interpretation of this dish, simply omit the ingredients with an "*" next to them.

I like to garnish my bowl with a dollop of fresh yogurt and a sprinkling of parsley, and a little bit of freshly cracked pepper, but you can also add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, or even some chili oil for a little punch!

Perfect Grain-Free "Pizza"

I don't want to sound like a hipster here, but I was making these vegetable pizzas before it was cool. Actually, I was gluten free before it was cool, too *wink*. I originally made this recipe with zucchini (courgette), when my mom had a freakishly huge crop in her garden one year. I had to come up with a way to incorporate it into nearly every meal, and I was missing pizza a lot in my gluten-free days, and so the veggie "pizza" was born.

This one turned out wonderful with eggplant, and it can easily be made vegan by omitting the cheese. It's not just for vegetarians though - you can add sausage, pepperoni, or more cheese. And don't forget, it is a great diet-friendly pizza alternative for those who are watching their waistlines, so feel free to come back for seconds!

Green Goddess Risotto

Have you ever had one of those days where you're craving a meal that is light and healthy, but still warm and filling? Well, that's how I felt yesterday, so I whipped up this veggie-laden creamy risotto and had to share my recipe. If you're on the Meatless Monday wagon, throw this in the recipe box (and on the grocery list) for next week!

The best thing about a risotto is that it's such a versatile dish; don't feel limited by the ingredients I used. Any vegetables can lend themselves to risotto, and it's the perfect time of year to incorporate some butternut squash or pumpkin if you've got any laying around. Don't be alarmed if you can't find Arborio rice either; I didn't have any on hand yesterday, so I used a regular short grain rice, and the dish still turned out creamy and delicious, even though it wasn't quite as authentic.

The most important ingredient for this recipe is a good dose of patience, because it takes about 25 minutes to cook, and there's no shortcut around that. But if you persevere and keep stirring, you're sure to have a great meal at the end.

Meatless Monday: Lemony Leek & White Bean Soup

This recipe is perfect for anyone who has jumped on the "Meatless Monday" bandwagon - and everyone else, too! I try to eat veg-centric as much as possible, for my own health and because of the environmental impact... but remembering to take time to go completely meat-free for a day is important. It gives your digestion time to relax and detox, especially after a weekend of heavy eating (or drinking). Today seemed like the perfect afternoon for a soup lunch, and this hearty white bean soup packs a punch of flavor with lemon zest and fresh thyme.

This recipe contains both a vegan and "regular" version: for the vegan one, omit any ingredients with an "*" next to their name.