Hi Reader,

It's been a few months since I last shared a new recipe, partly because I never feel like I have enough time to bring the ambitious ideas in my head to life. I see a version of this with clients, too. They’re busy working or caring for family all day, and by dinnertime the energy to cook just isn’t there.

What I think often gets missed is the bits of perfectionism at play. We tend not to count the simple meals, as if it’s only "real" cooking if it has a certain number of ingredients, steps, or freshly chopped vegetables.

So I’ve been leaning into simpler recipes lately, the kind of meals so easy you barely even need a recipe. Partly for selfish reasons, and partly because recipes like this are the most practical application of how I actually think about nutrition. This is how we feed ourselves consistently in real life.

This Simple Curried Pumpkin Soup is first on my list. Canned pumpkin, coconut milk, broth, and curry powder simmer into a warm and cozy bowl in 20 minutes, with no chopping at all. Finish it with a splash of lime and some warm naan, or stir in chickpeas, lentils, tofu, shrimp, or shredded chicken to make it heartier. This also reheats well, so you can make it once and have lunch for days.

Find the full recipe here:

​Simple Curried Pumpkin Soup with Coconut Milk​

And if pumpkin's not your thing, here are a few other easy soup recipes to try:

• ​Vegetarian Miso Noodle Soup with Mushrooms Savory, slurpable, and ready in 20 minutes. A great lunch or dinner when you want something warm fast.
• ​Quick and Easy Vegetarian Tofu Rice Noodle Soup Tofu, vegetables, and rice noodles in a flavorful broth, ready in just 15 minutes. Ideal for packed lunches. Just add hot water.
• ​Easy Vegetarian Taco Soup with Rice and Beans All the best taco fixings in one hearty bowl. This is freezer-friendly, so make a big batch and stash some for a night when you don’t feel like cooking.
• ​Easy Creamy Vegan Potato Soup Yukon gold potatoes and beans simmered into a creamy, comforting bowl for chilly nights. I love it with a slice of sourdough.
• ​Best Easy Vegetarian Chili with Beans Thick, hearty, and made with three cans of beans. It’s one of the recipes I make most often, and it’s even better the next day.

Enjoy,
Stephanie

Hi, I’m Stephanie. I’m a registered dietitian and certified intuitive eating counselor. Whether I’m developing a recipe or working with a client one-on-one, my goal is the same: helping you spend less time thinking about food and more time enjoying it. If you’d like support with that, I’d love to work with you. Learn more about nutrition counseling here.​