Winter is officially here and it's time for soup!

Izelle Hoffman is a lifestyle chef and homestyle cook with an incredible cookbook called, 'Mindful Eating', which is a book that will change your life! It contains 78 recipes to eat your way back to health! 

In our one ingredient challenge, we challenge Izelle to make us something healthy and delicious using one ingredient! 

She's our 'food fairy godmother', turning sweet potatoes into chocolate brownies and avos into cream! Making average ingredients magical, and great for the whole family! 

More from Izelle: Feel like something nice for dinner?

Also check out: Izelle Hoffman is back with her one ingredient challenge!

This week we have chosen tomatoes! And Izelle is going to turn them into the most delicious, wintery tomato soup! 

You can listen here: 

I love me xoxo

Invite your scarf and slippers, because we’re having a slumber party! This recipe is all about sharing a snuggle with a bowl on a cold winter’s day. Soup… mmm. Word on the street is that summer bodies are made in winter. This may be true, but if you can work on that summer body while enjoying some winter-warmer goodness, sign me up!

Rosa tomato and basil soup

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 50 minutes

Servings: 6–8

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 medium red onion, diced

½ Tbsp crushed garlic

1.5 kg rosa tomatoes, halved

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, plus extra for serving

2 tsp dried sweet basil

1 Tbsp Oryx desert salt 

1 tsp ground black pepper (optional)

4 heaped tsp paprika

3 Tbsp raw honey

2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 cup unsweetened almond milk (I prefer Almond Breeze Unsweetened as it contains no sugar, no cornstarch nor sunflower oil)

4 cups hot water

thinly sliced moist biltong for serving (optional)

1. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil and fry the onion until golden brown. Add the garlic and stir.
2. Add the rosa tomatoes, fresh basil, dried sweet basil, salt, black pepper (if using), paprika, honey and balsamic vinegar. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Add the almond milk and hot water and simmer for a further 40–45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Blend to the desired texture and serve garnished with extra fresh basil and thinly sliced moist biltong (if desired).

Always a Crowd Pleaser!

Why are we making use of these ingredients:

Olive Oil

We all have our reasons why we prefer certain oils, but without a doubt my oil base of choice is olive oil, specifically for its amazing health benefits. Olive oil helps reduce inflammation and prevent osteoporosis, and is essential for bone health because it assists in the absorption of calcium and the mineralisation of bones, all of which are qualities I look for in a product, given my hip dysplasia and related joint pain.

Red Onion

I prefer red salad onions for their slightly sweet taste and the burst of colour they add to dishes. Onions are a natural antibiotic and antiseptic, so are a big YES, especially in winter. They purify the blood, regulate blood sugar levels and improve digestion. They are also anti-inflammatory. In addition to fresh onions, in my pantry you will find dried onion powder and flakes.

Crushed Garlic

Antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory, garlic assists in detoxification and boosting the metabolism, and is a natural dewormer that kills parasites. I use both black and white fresh garlic, and keep dried garlic powder and flakes in my pantry.

Rosa Tomatoes

Tomatoes help reduce inflammation, improve bone health and boost the immune system. I choose to cook with rosa tomatoes, because I find normal-sized tomatoes too watery and cherry tomatoes too sour. Rosa tomatoes are concentrated in taste, yet deliciously sweet, and are jam-packed with all the health benefits and goodness of regular tomatoes.

Basil

Basil is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, strengthens the immune system and eliminates infections.

Oryx Salt

What is the purpose of adding salt during cooking? It’s to enhance flavour, right? So why not start by using a good-quality salt to do the job? Sun-dried and unrefined with no additives will bring out the best in your food in the healthiest way possible.

Ground Black Pepper

Why do we add pepper to our food? When I ask this during cooking demonstrations, I always get the most interesting answers, but mostly people cannot tell me why they add pepper to their meals. My reason? It increases nutrient absorption and improves digestion, so you can get the most out of every meal, every time.

Paprika

Smoked or sweet, paprika is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and high in vitamin C. It helps ease arthritis and joint pain, and aids in iron and antioxidant absorption.

Raw Honey

Salt needs sweet and vice versa to enhance taste and flavour. So when you add sweetness, choose a sweetness that has a healing effect on your body and health. Raw honey is antiviral and anti-fungal, and contains powerful antioxidants. Its helps ward off allergies, stabilise blood pressure and balance blood sugar levels. It also boosts the immune system and promotes digestive health.

Unsweetened Almond Milk

Whether in the form of milk, flour, butter or flakes, almonds are packed with nutritional benefits. They boost the immune system, help repair damaged skin, help prevent cancer, reduce the risk of osteoporosis and have alkalising properties. They are also a source of vitamin E, magnesium and high-quality protein. 

For Mothers day Izelle has given us an extra recipe!

** For a vegan version replace honey with maple syrup or Agave syrup! 

Another one ingredient challenge: What's in your fridge?

If you would like Izelle to use your ingredient idea to create a recipe that the whole family will love, send us a message on our Facebook page or leave a comment here and you could win a copy of her Ebook - 'Mindful Eating'! 

You can also buy your copy here!