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The healing properties of nettle are used not only in medicine, but also in cooking. Hearty dishes will delight you with a rich taste, in addition, they also contain useful trace elements. Nettle soup helps to avoid spring beriberi, fills with energy. You don't need to have a culinary talent for cooking. Hearty soup will decorate the table and diversify the menu.
Why nettle soup is useful
Nettle leaves contain vitamins A, B, C, E, K, a complex of macro- and microelements, flavonoids and organic acids. The unique plant has a tonic effect on the body, restores strength, and has a detox effect. It is not surprising that dishes made from medicinal herbs were also served on the table of monarchs.
It is better to collect nettles outside the city, the air is much cleaner there
The benefits and medicinal properties of nettle dishes:
- has an anti-inflammatory effect, improves immunity;
- stimulates the kidneys, acts as a diuretic, helps to cope with edema;
- improves blood counts, strengthens blood vessels, increases hemoglobin;
- reduces sugar levels, normalizes insulin synthesis;
- cleanses the body: promotes the elimination of toxins, toxins, lowers cholesterol;
- affects blood clotting, helps to avoid internal bleeding;
- normalizes metabolic processes, promotes weight loss, activates the breakdown of lipid tissue;
- stimulates digestion processes, improves the absorption of vitamins and minerals;
- After the baby is born, it is recommended to prepare fresh nettle soup to improve lactation.
The harm is caused by the tonic effect of the plant - it is contraindicated for people with high blood pressure, as well as for expectant mothers, since there is a threat of miscarriage.
In terms of the content of useful elements, it competes with most fruits and vegetables. It is worth noting the nutritional properties (protein in the leaves of the plant is about 27%, and in legumes only 24%). Nettle can be a complete protein substitute and is often used in vegetarian meals.
How to make nettle soup
If two hundred years ago the dish was prepared in every home, today it is considered a real exotic. Long-forgotten recipes are becoming popular again; every housewife wants to please her loved ones with a delicious, nutritious product. To make nettle soup, it is important to know a few secrets:
- The plant appears one of the first in mid-March. You can collect only young leaves, shoots, after flowering in May, it acquires a pronounced bitter taste.
- For cooking, not only foliage is used, but also the stems of the plant.
- Known for their stinging properties, stinging nettle requires extra care when harvesting. It is better to pick the leaves with gloves; a young plant can also burn.
- To prevent the grass from "stinging", before cooking it is blanched - poured over with boiling water. The nettle collected after flowering must be boiled for 1-3 minutes, placing it in the already boiling water.
- To preserve the keratin, grind it with your hands or use a ceramic knife.
- It has a neutral taste, often combined with other richer ingredients - sorrel, garlic, kvass, vinegar, lemon, pepper and ginger.
- When preparing nettle soup, you need to consider not only the benefits, but also the possible harm to the body. The use of the herb is contraindicated for people with varicose veins and thrombophlebitis.
How much to cook nettles in soup
After a few minutes it is ready for use, so it is added to the soup before turning it off. With prolonged heat treatment, it loses its beneficial properties.
Are carrots thrown in nettle soup
Carrots, like other vegetables, are traditionally used to make nettle soup. The products are perfectly combined, creating a unique vitamin ensemble.
To assimilate vitamins, add sour cream or vegetable oil to the dish.
Is it possible to cook dried nettle soup
Delicious dishes are also prepared from blanks. Young leaves are scalded, dried and ground into powder. You can store it dry throughout the winter, adding not only to the soup, but also side dishes, salads and pies. Dried nettle acts as a vitamin supplement, has a neutral taste, and helps to strengthen the immune system. 1 liter of water will require 1 tbsp. l. dried workpieces. Just like fresh, add 3 minutes before turning off, to preserve useful properties.
Nettle soup with meat
Anyone can cook nutritious nettle soup, the recipe with meat is considered a classic of the first courses. It will help to restore strength, is effective for the prevention of respiratory diseases. A pleasant delicate taste can be supplemented with your favorite spices and herbs.
You can use turkey or chicken instead of beef.
Components:
- 30 g nettle;
- 400 g of beef;
- 3 potatoes;
- 15 ml of refined olive oil;
- large carrots;
- bulb;
- egg;
- 2 liters of water;
- salt, pepper, bay leaf, clove asterisk.
Cooking steps:
- Rinse the meat, cover with water, put on the stove.
- After boiling, drain the first broth, pour 2 liters of water.
- After 15 minutes, add diced potatoes and grated carrots to the boiling soup.
- Fry chopped onions in a frying pan until golden brown.
- Add to boiling broth along with bay leaf and clove star.
- Tear the nettle with your hands, pour over with boiling water.
- 3 minutes before turning off, salt the soup, throw the grass, mix well.
Nettle Bean Soup Recipe
Nettle soup with beans is a lean dish. It will become a decoration of the festive table, the rich taste and aroma will be appreciated by gourmets.
It is recommended to use an assortment of different types of beans for cooking.
Components:
- 20 g nettle;
- 100 g beans;
- bell pepper;
- bulb;
- medium carrots;
- 4 potatoes;
- 50 g tomato paste;
- 3 cloves of garlic;
- 15 ml of refined olive oil;
- 2.5 liters of water;
- 1 tbsp. l. Sahara;
- salt, pepper - to taste.
Cooking steps:
- Pour boiling water over the beans and leave overnight.
- In the morning, rinse the legumes, cover with water, put on the stove.
- After boiling, add sugar (it will help to reveal the taste).
- Chop potatoes, add to cooked beans.
- Heat a frying pan, fry grated carrots, onion cubes, garlic in oil.
- Then add the paste and mix.
- Add the dressing to the soup, as well as bell pepper rings and blanched nettles.
- Salt and pepper, turn off after 2-3 minutes.
How to cook nettle and cauliflower soup
Diet soup with nettle and cabbage - in the photo, a traditional serving. A balanced meal contains proteins, fiber and vegetable fats, speeds up metabolism, and has a detox effect.
Favorite spices can help balance the taste of a simple dish.
Components:
- 50 g nettle;
- 100 g of cauliflower;
- 100 g chicken fillet;
- 2 potatoes;
- medium carrots;
- 10 g of ginger root;
- 2 liters of water;
- 20 ml of unrefined olive oil;
- a pinch of salt.
Cooking steps:
- Put water on the stove, prepare the nettle - pour over with boiling water, chop.
- Boil the chicken separately, divide into large pieces.
- Divide the cauliflower into inflorescences, grate potatoes and carrots.
- After boiling, quit cooking the root vegetables, as well as the grated ginger root.
- After 10 minutes, add the cabbage, and after 3 minutes. load the grass. After turning off, season with olive oil and salt.
Young nettle soup with cheese
Children will love the cheese soup with nettle, the delicate creamy taste will make them fall in love with the first courses. Dried herb is used in the preparation, thanks to the preparations, you can enjoy it all year round.
Before baking in the oven, you need to pour it into portions in a thermal bath
Components:
- 10 g dried nettle;
- 300 g of hard cheese;
- 100 g chicken breast;
- 2 potatoes;
- a clove of garlic;
- 1.5 liters of water;
- salt pepper.
Cooking steps:
- Boil the chicken breast, cut the potatoes into cubes.
- Put water on the stove, after boiling, throw potatoes, garlic.
- Boil until tender, add meat, salt, pepper, dried herb. Remove from stove.
- Grate the cheese on a coarse grater, pour the soup into bowls.
- Sprinkle generously with cheese on top, place in a preheated oven for 2 minutes.
How to make nettle soup with croutons
Spicy dry nettle soup is indispensable in the cold season. It activates the body's immune properties, has an antiviral effect, and promotes weight loss.
To add aromatic notes to the dish, it is recommended to garnish with a sprig of sage before serving.
Components:
- 15 g dry nettle;
- 2-4 slices of baguette;
- 3 potatoes;
- 50 g celery root;
- 15 ml sesame oil;
- 300 g broccoli;
- a clove of garlic;
- 2 liters of water;
- salt, chili.
Cooking steps:
- Throw cubes of potatoes, celery root into boiling water.
- After 15 minutes add broccoli flowers, dried herb and garlic clove.
- Cook for 3 minutes, then whisk in a blender. Season the soup with salt and pepper, season with sesame oil.
- Dry baguette slices in a dry frying pan, add to the soup before serving.
Nettle soup with potatoes and mushrooms
You can make lean nettle soup not only from beans, but also mushrooms. It is recommended to enrich the traditional dish with spices and herbs.
The dish goes well with spring herbs - parsley, fennel and dill
Components:
- 50 g nettle;
- 50 g champignons;
- 3 potatoes;
- carrot;
- 2 liters of water;
- salt pepper.
Cooking steps:
- Toss potato cubes and carrots cut into strips into boiling water.
- Pour boiling water over the leaves of the medicinal herb, separate the leaf plates, cut into strips.
- Add chopped mushrooms to the vegetable broth, season with salt and pepper.
- After 7 minutes. introduce the herb, cook for no more than two minutes.
Conclusion
Nettle soup is a real storehouse of vitamins and minerals. A variety of recipes will help you choose your favorite dish with a healing ingredient. The rich color and amazing taste will be appreciated. It is important to remember about the peculiarities of preparing the soup to preserve the beneficial properties.
