Heart healthy red pepper soup with lime recipe
By Ann-Marie Waters, Associate Editor.
If you’re interested in looking after your heart health, and love tasty, delicious, home cooked food, why not try this quick and easy recipe for red pepper soup with lime ?
All sweet peppers (capsicums) contain a rich source of vitamins A, C, and K. However red peppers have the highest quantities of these anti-oxidant compounds that provide powerful anti-aging and immune system benefits. Red peppers are also a good source of the carotenoid called lycopene, which is believed to help in the prevention of prostate and bladder cancer as well as cancer of the cervix and pancreas.
This soup is low in calories, saturated fat, and salt, but high in fiber, with the added benefit of zero cholesterol!
Dietary Information:
Nutritional value per portion (serves 4-6)
- Energy – 87 calories
- Fat – 1.57g
- Saturated fat – 0.12g
- Cholesterol – 0
- Fibre – 3.40g.
Ingredients:
- 4 red peppers, seeded and chopped
- 1 large onion chopped
- 5ml/ 1tsp olive oil
- 1small red chilli, sliced
- 45ml/3 tbsp tomato puree
- 900ml/1.5 pints vegetable stock
- Finely grated rind and juice of 1 lime
- Black pepper
- Shreds of lime rind – to garnish.
Method:
1. Cook the onions and red peppers gently in the oil, in a covered saucepan for approximately 5 minutes.
2. Stir in the garlic then add the chilli with the tomato puree. Stir in half the stock then add to the boil. Cover the pan and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Cool slightly, then puree in a food processor or blender. Return to the pan and add the remaining stock, lime juice and seasoning.
4. Bring the soup back to the boil and serve at once with a few strips of lime rind.
Authors tip:
I use Kallo organic very low salt vegetable stock cubes in place of conventional stock cubes.
Most well-known supermarkets stock these now. Lowering your dietary salt intake is important in helping to maintain healthy arteries, and prevent Atherosclerosis.