Comforting soups and stews: List curated by one of the leading luxury retirement homes in South India

October 18, 2023

Categories : Retirement Homes Guide | Senior Living Tips

Whether it is a chilly winter evening or a cosy gathering with loved ones, soups are a comfort food that most seniors enjoy. From hearty vegetables to flavourful spices, these comforting soups and stews showcase tremendous taste and a healthy option. As one of the leading luxury retirement homes in South India, we share some of the most popular soups that seniors should try.

1. Vegetable Lentil Soup:

Ingredients:

Brown or green lentils – 1 cup
Olive oil – 1 tbsp
Diced onion – 1 large
Diced carrots – 2 pcs
Diced celery stalks – 2 pcs
Diced red bell pepper – 1 pc
Diced zucchini – 1 pc
Diced tomatoes – 2 pcs
Vegetable broth – 4 cups
Water – 2 cups
Bay leaf – 1 pc
Salt and pepper as needed

Method:

Step 1: Wash the lentils. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion and sauté for a couple of minutes.
Step 2: Add diced carrots, red bell pepper, celery, and zucchini. Cook all of these vegetables until they begin softening a bit.
Step 3: Add the lentils, diced tomatoes (with their juice), vegetable broth, and water to the pot. Stir to combine.
Step 4: Add bay leaf, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir well so that the seasonings get mixed really well.
Step 5: Once the soup mixture starts boiling, lower the heat. Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils and vegetables are tender.
Step 6: Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings, adding more salt and pepper if needed.

2. Creamy Broccoli Soup:

Ingredients:

Olive oil – 1 tbsp
Diced onion – 1 medium
Minced garlic – 2 cloves
Broccoli – 3 cups
Diced potato – 1 medium
Coconut milk – 1 cup
Vegetable broth – 1 cup
Ground cumin – ½ tsp
Ground nutmeg – ¼ tsp
Salt and pepper as needed
Toasted coconut flakes for garnishing

Method:

Step 1: In a pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the diced onions until they turn translucent.
Step 2: Add the minced garlic and cook for a minute.
Step 3: Add the broccoli and potatoes to the pot and sauté for a couple of minutes.
Step 4: Then, pour in the vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat. Let it simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes.
Step 5: Once the vegetables are tender, turn off the heat and let the soup cool slightly or until safe to blend.
Step 6: Use a blender to purée the mixture to a creamy consistency.
Step 7: Return the puréed mixture to the pot and heat over low to medium heat.
Step 8: Stir in the cumin, pepper, salt, and nutmeg.
Step 9: Pour in the coconut milk and mix well.
Step 10: Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Turn off the heat, serve the soup hot, and garnish with toasted coconut flakes.

3. Mushroom soup:

Ingredients:

Sliced button mushroom – 250 grams
Chopped onion – 1 large
Minced garlic – 3 cloves
Grated ginger – 1-inch piece
Finely chopped green chilli – 1
Vegetable oil – 2 tbsp
Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
Coriander powder – 1 tsp
Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
Garam Masala – ½ tsp
Red chilli powder – ¼ tsp
Vegetable broth – 2 cups
Coconut milk – 1 cup
Salt and pepper – to taste
Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Method:

Step 1: Place a pot over medium heat. Add the vegetable oil and cumin seeds. Wait until the seeds crackle.
Step 2: Add the chopped onions, grated ginger, garlic, and green chillies. Sauté until the onions are translucent.
Step 3: Add the mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and soften.
Step 4: Stir in the turmeric, coriander, red chilli powder, and garam masala, ensuring the spices coat the mushrooms uniformly.
Step 5: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, cover and reduce the heat, allowing it to simmer until the mushrooms are tender—about 10-15 minutes.
Step 6: Remove the pot from heat. Use a hand blender to purée the mixture to your desired consistency.
Step 7: Mix in the coconut milk and adjust the seasoning, adding salt and pepper as needed.
Step 8: Serve the soup hot. Garnish each serving with fresh coriander leaves.

For seniors, food plays a multi-faceted and essential role in positive ageing. Retirement communities understand this and often prioritise offering diverse culinary options and dining experiences to cater to their residents.

Looking for senior citizen luxury homes that prioritise positive ageing?

Explore our luxury retirement homes. Our focus is on redefining the senior living experience by emphasising vibrant living, active engagement, and holistic wellness. To know more, call us at +91 8884555554. You can also book a virtual tour.

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