GREEN VELVET SOUP

Serves 10

This beautiful green soup is a delicious way to eat your vegetables.

       1 onion, chopped

       2 stalks celery, sliced

       2 potatoes, scrubbed and diced

       ¾ cup split peas, rinsed

       2 bay leaves

       6 cups water or vegetable stock

       2 medium zucchini, diced

       1 medium stalk broccoli, chopped

       1 bunch fresh spinach, washed and chopped

       ½ teaspoon basil

       1 teaspoon black pepper

       1 teaspoon salt

Place onion, celery, potatoes, split peas, and bay leaves in a large pot with water or stock and bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover, and simmer 1 hour. Remove bay leaves. Add zucchini, broccoli, spinach, basil, and black pepper, and simmer 20 minutes. Transfer to a blender in several small batches and blend until completely smooth, holding the lid on tightly.

Return to pot and heat until steamy. Add salt to taste.

Per serving: 120 calories; 5 grams protein; 24 grams carbohydrate; 0 grams fat; 238 mg sodium; 0 mg cholesterol