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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, and they also contain useful microelements. Nettle soup helps avoid spring vitamin deficiency and fills you with energy. You don't have to have any culinary talent to cook. A hearty soup will decorate the table and diversify the menu.
What are the benefits of nettle soup?
Nettle leaves contain vitamins A, B, C, E, K, a complex of macro- and microelements, flavonoids and organic acids. This 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 limits, where the air is much cleaner
Benefits and medicinal properties of nettle dishes:
- has an anti-inflammatory effect, improves immunity;
- stimulates kidney function, acts as a diuretic, helps cope with edema;
- improves blood counts, strengthens blood vessels, increases hemoglobin;
- reduces sugar levels, normalizes insulin synthesis;
- cleanses the body: promotes the removal of waste, toxins, reduces cholesterol levels;
- affects blood clotting, helps 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 birth of a child, it is recommended to prepare fresh nettle soup to improve lactation.
The harm is due to the tonic effect of the plant - consumption is contraindicated for people with high blood pressure, as well as for expectant mothers, as there is a risk of miscarriage.
In terms of 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 become a complete protein substitute; it is often used in vegetarian menus.
How to cook nettle soup
If two hundred years ago the dish was prepared in every home, today it is considered truly exotic. Long-forgotten recipes are becoming popular again; every housewife wants to please her loved ones with a tasty, nutritious product. To prepare nettle soup, it is important to know a few secrets:
- The plant is one of the first to appear in mid-March. Only young leaves and shoots can be collected; after flowering in May, they acquire a pronounced bitter taste.
- For cooking, not only the foliage is used, but also the stems of the plant.
- Known for its pungent properties, nettles require special care when harvesting. It is better to wear gloves when picking leaves; a young plant can also burn.
- To prevent the grass from “stinging”, it is blanched before cooking - doused with boiling water. Nettles collected after flowering should be boiled for 1-3 minutes, placed in already boiling water.
- To preserve keratin, it is better to grind it by hand or use a ceramic knife.
- It has a neutral taste and is 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 long should you cook nettles in soup?
It’s ready to eat in just a few minutes, so add it to the soup before turning it off. With prolonged heat treatment, it loses its beneficial properties.
Do they throw carrots into nettle soup?
Carrots, like other vegetables, are traditionally used to make nettle soup. The products combine perfectly and create a unique vitamin ensemble.
To absorb vitamins, you need to add sour cream or vegetable oil to the dish.
Is it possible to make soup from dried nettles?
They prepare delicious dishes from prepared ingredients. Young leaves are scalded, dried and ground into powder. You can store it dry throughout the winter, adding it not only to soup, but also to side dishes, salads and pies. Dried nettle acts as a vitamin supplement, has a neutral taste, and helps strengthen the immune system. For 1 liter of water you will need 1 tbsp. l. dried preparation. Just like fresh, add 3 minutes before turning off to preserve beneficial properties.
Nettle soup with meat
Anyone can prepare a nutritious nettle soup; the recipe with meat is considered a classic first course.Helps restore strength and is effective in preventing respiratory diseases. The 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 beef;
- 3 potatoes;
- 15 ml refined olive oil;
- large carrots;
- bulb;
- egg;
- 2 liters of water;
- salt, pepper, bay leaf, clove star.
Cooking steps:
- Rinse the meat, add water, and put on the stove.
- After boiling, drain the first broth and pour in 2 liters of water.
- After 15 minutes, throw diced potatoes and grated carrots into the boiling soup.
- Fry the chopped onion in a frying pan until golden brown.
- Add to the boiling broth along with the bay leaf and clove star.
- Tear the nettles with your hands and pour boiling water over them.
- 3 minutes before turning off, add salt to the soup, add the herbs, and mix well.
Recipe for nettle soup with beans
Nettle soup with beans is a Lenten dish. It will decorate the festive table; gourmets will appreciate its rich taste and aroma.
For cooking, it is recommended to use an assortment of different types of beans.
Components:
- 20 g nettle;
- 100 g beans;
- bell pepper;
- bulb;
- medium carrot;
- 4 potatoes;
- 50 g tomato paste;
- 3 cloves of garlic;
- 15 ml 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 beans, add water, and put on the stove.
- After boiling, add sugar (this will help reveal the flavor).
- Chop the potatoes and add to the cooked beans.
- Heat a frying pan, fry grated carrots, onion and garlic cubes in oil.
- Then add the paste and stir.
- 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 soup with nettle and cauliflower
Diet soup with nettles and cabbage - traditional serving in the photo. A balanced dish contains proteins, fiber and vegetable fats, speeds up metabolism, and has a detox effect.
Your favorite spices will help balance the taste of a simple dish.
Components:
- 50 g nettle;
- 100 g cauliflower;
- 100 g chicken fillet;
- 2 potatoes;
- medium carrot;
- 10 g ginger root;
- 2 liters of water;
- 20 ml unrefined olive oil;
- a pinch of salt.
Cooking steps:
- Put water on the stove, prepare the nettles - pour boiling water over them, chop them.
- Boil the chicken separately and divide into large pieces.
- Arrange the cauliflower into inflorescences, grate the potatoes and carrots.
- After boiling, leave the root vegetables to cook, as well as the grated ginger root.
- After 10 minutes, add cabbage, and after 3 minutes. load grass. After turning off, add olive oil and salt.
Young nettle soup with cheese
Children will love this cheese soup with nettles; its delicate creamy taste will make them fall in love with first courses. When preparing, dried herbs are used, thanks to the preparations you can enjoy throughout the year.
Before baking in the oven, pour into portions into thermal cups
Components:
- 10 g dried nettle;
- 300 g hard cheese;
- 100 g chicken breast;
- 2 potatoes;
- garlic clove;
- 1.5 liters of water;
- salt pepper.
Cooking steps:
- Boil the chicken breast, cut the potatoes into cubes.
- Put the water on the stove, after boiling, add the potatoes and garlic.
- After boiling until tender, add meat, salt, pepper, and dried herbs. Remove from stove.
- Grate the cheese on a coarse grater and pour the soup into bowls.
- Sprinkle generously with cheese on top and place in preheated oven for 2 minutes.
How to cook nettle soup with croutons
Spicy soup made from dry nettle is irreplaceable during 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;
- garlic clove;
- 2 liters of water;
- salt, chili pepper.
Cooking steps:
- Throw cubes of potatoes and celery root into boiling water.
- After 15 minutes, add the broccoli florets, dried herbs and garlic clove.
- Cook for 3 minutes, then blend in a blender. Season the soup with salt, pepper, and sesame oil.
- Dry the baguette slices in a dry frying pan and add to the soup before serving.
Nettle soup with potatoes and mushrooms
You can make lean nettle soup not only from beans, but also from mushrooms. It is recommended to enrich the traditional dish with spices and herbs.
The dish goes well with spring greens - parsley, fennel and dill.
Components:
- 50 g nettle;
- 50 g champignons;
- 3 potatoes;
- carrot;
- 2 liters of water;
- salt pepper.
Cooking steps:
- Throw potato cubes and carrots cut into strips into boiling water.
- Pour boiling water over the leaves of the medicinal herb, separate the leaf blades, and cut into strips.
- Add chopped champignons to the vegetable broth, add salt and pepper.
- After 7 min. add the herb and 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 the peculiarities of preparing soup to preserve its beneficial properties.
