Marisa's Healthy Kitchen

I have made a ton of soups lately (its BRRRRRR outside!!) and was in the mood for some more heartier fare. This did the trick 🙂 So hearty, spicy, nutritious AND delicious! YUM! This is a definite pleaser! This also freezes well, just in case you don’t need all 8 servings right away 😉 You can also substitute or add other veggies & greens to your liking.

Spicy Vegan Gumbo
Serves 8

4 ribs celery, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 onion, peeled and quartered
1  green bell pepper, seeded, chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups vegetable broth
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes (if you can find fire roasted, go with that)
1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 box frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1/2 head green cabbage, chopped
1 package (16 ounces) chopped frozen okra
1/2 bunch flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
2 tablespoons dried parsley
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups uncooked long-grain brown rice

1. Combine the celery, carrots, onion, bell pepper, and garlic in a food processor and pulse chop (do not purée).
2. In a large soup pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the celery mixture and sauté for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the vegetable broth, tomatoes (with juice), beans, spinach, cabbage, okra, parsley, bay leaves, oregano, thyme, salt, black pepper, sugar, and cayenne pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove and discard the bay leaves.
3. While soup in simmering prepare rice. When the rice is almost done stir in with gumbo and simmer 10 minutes more all together.
4. Enjoy!