Curried Squash Soup with Mung Beans

Curried Squash Soup
with Mung Beans

This time of year, everything is about pumpkin and squash. But instead of reaching for some packaged, spiced confection, that doesn't even have an ounce of real pumpkin in it, why not try something simple, homemade and warm, that will make your house smell great and your body strong?  Last year I made a Curried Pumpkin Soup with fresh kale from my garden and it was amazing.  So I changed it up a little this time around, added a little more richness with organic coconut milk, plain soy milk and a can of organic squash, and experimented with sprouted mung beans, that are quick cooking and extremely high in protein.  For some extra texture, I also added in four cups of cubed butternut squash. Besides opening all of the cans and keeping an eye on the stove, this meal was a snap, and made enough for three dinners for my husband and I.  I put a large portion in the freezer a few weeks ago, and am so thankful that dinner on this cold and rainy night will be as simple as heating this up on the stove.

Exotic Bean and Barley Soup

Exotic Bean and Barley Soup

As I get ready to take the left overs from this meal out of the freezer for dinner tonight, I figure now is as good a time as any to share the recipe for a delicious soup that highlights two ingredients I have honestly never cooked with before.  The only reason I added both mung beans and barley into this dish is that I had bought them after hearing Dr. Oz talk about their numerous health benefits on a couple of different shows and I was tired of seeing them in my pantry staring at me. So I figured, why not cook with them together?  The result is a rich and hearty soup, that although I did add a little chicken sausage to at the end, is a fabulous vegan meal all on it's own.  And since we are having such a ridiculously snowy and cold winter here in PA and I have barely gotten to the gym at all, this high protein dish is a perfect comfort food without extra calories.  And the recipe makes a lot so you will have plenty left over for another cold evening.